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Learning From Celebrity Seniors Under Quarantine

Video series captured comedian Carl Reiner in conversation shortly before his death

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Tiffany Woolf, co-creator and executive producer of Dispatches From Quarantine with her kids on a Zoom interview with comedian legend Carl Reiner and with the series co-creator, director and executive producer, Noam Dromi | Photo: Courtesy Tiffany Woolf

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Never before have our seniors been more vulnerable or more isolated than during the COVID-19 quarantine. Now, a new digital web series is shining a spotlight on this beloved community.

“Dispatches From Quarantine” is a documentary series that features legendary luminaries who live lives guided by curiosity, gratitude, and purpose. The series features entertainment giants who offer wit, wisdom, and candor to help audiences navigate life under quarantine. Celebrity subjects include television and radio host Larry King; actress Ellen Burstyn; screenwriter Norman Lear; actress Marion Ross; actor John Amos; and fellow Canadian actor Tommy Chong.

It also featured iconic comedian Carl Reiner, who at 98, just passed away June 29.

The series was born out of urgency—a call to action imploring viewers to check in regularly with their older loved ones to discover the past, and create space for an intergenerational dialogue that empowers and informs.

“We had the idea—if we could talk to the legends we love, it would really spearhead the campaign,” said Tiffany Woolf, the series co-creator in a telephone interview with TheJ.ca.

Woolf’s interviews are so vital speaking with Reiner just days before he passed –his wisdom and joie de vivre are captured for the world to remember him and learn from him.

49-year old Woolf, whose day job is a media strategist based in San Francisco, lived in Toronto in her early 20s.

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The daughter of noted sports and entertainment agent Bob Woolf, Woolf lost both her parents at a young age, sending her on a quest to find surrogates, other bubbies, and zaydes to provide her with the wisdom that comes with life experience and age. After being inspired by conversations with seniors she befriended at places such as Starbucks, on park benches, in the grocery store, and at dinner parties, Woolf turned her passion for these connections by launching the digital media platform Silver Screen Studios.

“I have always had an affinity for seniors,” said Woolf. “I realized there was this void of missing my parents and not having them in my life, so I started a passion project of making short films Last Act and Coming of Age about seniors who I admired… sort of a roadmap for how to live well in our later years.”

Woolf grew up with well-known personalities, referring to Larry King as “a dear friend” and Marion Ross “a mother figure.”

Tiffany Woolf, co-creator and executive producer of Dispatches From Quarantine and actress Marion Ross, one of the celebrities featured in Silver Screen Studios new platform of shows | Photo: Reboot and Silver Screen Studios

Dispatches From Quarantine kicked off May 11. The short vignettes run from seven to eleven minutes each. Woolf together with the series director/co-creator and executive producer Noam Dromi created a platform to draw in younger audiences.

“We set up a Zoom call with our subject and talk to them for about 30 minutes. We try and capture the story arc… Noam, an archival wizard, will do research and find footage to include,” said Woolf.

The subjects are poised to inspire all generations.

“If you need a dose of Tommy Chong goodness, Tommy is cooking and tango dancing his way through quarantine,” said Woolf about the series’ latest episode. “These people could hang up their hats and say ‘I’ve lived a good life’ but they are still trying to make and create new things.”

During quarantine actress Marion Ross is spending time in her garden. On her role in family comedy Brooklyn Bridge, Ross joked with Woolf, “I’m not Jewish, but I played a wonderful Jewish grandmother.” “And Carl Reiner had said, “If you have something to do every day then that’s a good day.”

Dispatches From Quarantine Trailer

Even up until recently, Reiner was still writing, explained Woolf, “and so curious.”

During this time of global pause, Woolf encourages the world to record the stories of their loved ones.

“There is this wave of energy of authenticity and forgiveness and storytelling. People are more open now of checking in and mending relationships,” said Woolf. “Ask the questions you wanted to or never had the time to — now is the time.”

Dispatches From Quarantine is produced by Silver Screen Studios and Reboot, a Jewish Arts & Culture non-profit funded by Steven Spielberg’s Righteous Persons Foundation.

Episodes are posted on YouTube and silverscreenstudios.org website.

Canadian journalist Susan Minuk is both humbled and heartened by everyday stories with the power to touch or inspire her readers’ lives. Susan’s work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Canadian Jewish News.

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Happy reading!

Thank you for choosing TheJ.Ca as your source for Canadian Jewish News.

We do news differently!

Our positioning as a Zionist News Media platform sets us apart from the rest. While other Canadian Jewish media are advocating increasingly biased progressive political and social agendas, TheJ.Ca is providing more and more readers with a welcome alternative and an ideological home.

We revealed the incursion of anti-Israel progressive elements such as IfNotNow into our communities. We have exposed the distorted hateful agenda of the “progressive” left political radicals who brought Linda Sarsour to our cities, and we were first to report on many disturbing incidents of Nazi-based hate towards Jews across Canada.

But we can’t do it alone. We need your HELP!

Our ability to thrive and grow in 2020 and beyond depends on the generosity of committed readers and supporters like you.

Monthly support is a great way to help us sustain our operations. We greatly appreciate any contributions you can make to support Jewish Journalism.

We thank you for your ongoing support.

Happy reading!

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