KCET OBSERVES HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH RIVETING PROGRAMS BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 12

Burbank, CA - August 14, 2012 -

KCET, the nation's largest independent public television station, honors High Holy Days with four fascinating programs during

the month of September. Documentaries include warm narratives of family love

during Passover; the history behind the Jewish Holidays; the background of the

most consecrated prayer in Judaism; and the story behind the largest

concentration camp for women during World War II. Each program features

compelling stories viewers can enjoy while acquiring valuable knowledge about

these sacred holidays.

Kicking off the series of High Holy

Days programs is The Gefilte Fish Chronicles,

a documentary filled with joy, love, family films and photographs, airing Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 2:30 p.m. Narrated by 86-year-old

twin sisters Peppy Barer and Rosie Groman, the program tells the story of how a

family embraces the Passover holiday; not only to celebrate a religious event,

but to stay spiritually and physically connected through traditional meal

preparations. Family recipes that appear on screen during closing credits add

an extra special touch to the program.

On Thursday, Sept. 13, find

out about the ancient origin, evolution, symbols and traditions that have come

to define The High Holy Days in The New Beginning, airing at 10:30 p.m. This

program illustrates with prayer, song, art, literature, custom and ritual, the

splendor of The Days of Awe. The program also unfolds the rich tapestry of the

strong moral and ethical fibre that is woven into The Ten Days of Repentance;

and traces the cultural ethnic threads that flow unbroken into the modern

practice of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. 

The program repeats Monday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m.

Then, on Sunday, Sept. 16, explore the Kol

Nidrei, the most sacred prayer in Judaism that begins its holiest day of Yom

Kippur in 18 Voices Sing Kol Nidrei, airing at 4:30 p.m. The Kol Nidrei's words have caused centuries of

persecution, but its poignant melody has enthralled generations of Jews and

non-Jews and saved the prayer from itself. The program tells the Kol Nidrei

story impressionistically through the tales and anecdotes of those who have

been touched by it, from top experts on the chant to just those who have been

changed by chanting it.

Catch the repeat Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 5 a.m.

Finally, Thursday, Sept. 20 at 10:30 p.m., take a journey through

medical experiments were conducted on

the women; women guards used throughout the Nazi system were trained here; and

the women were used as prostitutes for the SS and special prisoners. Hear

the stories behind this brutal camp where 92,000 women and children met a cruel

and inhumane death, marking a tragic event in history.

The program repeats Monday, Sept. 24 at 3 p.m.

ABOUT KCET

On-air, online and in the

community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment

of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning

local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around

the world. KCET currently produces the Emmy®, duPont-Columbia and Peabody

Award-winning SoCal Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly television

news program that examines the issues and people of Southern California.

Throughout its 48-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local

and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and

documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's

programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET

is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about

KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community

events, please visit kcet.org.

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