Are they artworks or ritual objects? This was the question at the heart of a slim, lovely book that Yale University Press issued just about a year ago, titled Reinventing Ritual. In the minds of all those involved, the answer was clear and was expressed by the work's subtitle: "Contemporary Art and Design for Jewish Life." And yet, though the...

"Greenwich Village Hooligans"? Gee, why didn't he think of that, chuckles director/writer (with Michael Jaeger) Josh Shelov of what he could have called "The Best and the Brightest." Because, probably, the writer of "Green Street Hooligans" -- Shelov's acclaimed other major credit -- would have been repeating himself. And, one thing's for sure: Shelov is an original. It shines through...