1. Before Night Falls is a film that details the tragic life of Reinaldo Arenas (1943-1990), a Cuban writer who was forced to flee his homeland—only to die in relative obscurity in New York City of AIDS.

Before you go to see it (it opens this weekend), check out (www.before-night-falls.com). Find out where the film is playing, check out film reviews, shop for books/posters, or even enter a contest.

2. I’m also spotlighting the online home of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (www.uahc.org). Why? Well, in case you didn’t know, this Reform Jewish group recently contacted parents and synagogues to cut ties to the Boy Scouts of America because of the Scouts‚ policy banning gays as troop leaders. Feel free to peruse the many pages covering (Reform) Judaism—or to commend them on their action.

I’m at turn_it_up@hotmail.com.