Yesterday around the Shabbat table at the absorption center in Beit Alpha, someone asked me whether as a child I dreamed of teaching Hebrew and running an ulpan. I replied that I actually dreamed of becoming a film director. As a kid, I used to make short films with friends about the Legend of Zelda and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (my favorite).
What can I say? I grew up in LA.
Today, Hollywood’s no longer my thing. Instead, I like to teach you Hebrew words for things like production – such as that of a movie or an event like AACI’s 4th of July celebration tomorrow (where I’ll be doing a little piece onstage).
The word is הֲפָקָה (hah-fah-KAH). It comes from the word לְהָפִיק (leh-hah-FEEK), an active-causative verb of the הפעיל (heef-EEL) variety. להפיק means to produce, to “put together something big and cool.” It also means to derive (pleasure or satisfaction).
I’ve seen his amazing art at Hechal Shlomo and even acquired a piece myself.
It’s open throughout the summer.
