Simi Horwitz is a feature writer and film reviewer based in New York City. In 2022, she received first place for film criticism from the Society for Feature Journalism, and in 2023, a New York Press Club Award for an Entertainment News feature; and three Los Angeles Press Club Awards, including first place for film criticism — all for pieces published in the Forward.
Simi Horwitz
By Simi Horwitz
-
Culture How Daryl Roth of ‘Kinky Boots’ Became The Biggest Force on Broadway
Theater producer Daryl Roth says that she has not encountered sexism or ageism on the job, though she’s faced her share of painful challenges, especially early on in her career. “When I started in ’88 -’89, I was new to theater,” Roth recalled as she sat in her exquisitely appointed West 57th Street corner office….
-
The Schmooze Celebrate Sukkot Coney Island Syle
Most people wouldn’t consider Coney Island’s Luna Park, with its historic B&B Carousel, Parachute Jump and iconic Cyclone rollercoaster (now celebrating its 86th anniversary), as the ideal setting for a religious observance. But that is exactly what it will be from September 21 to 25, when the amusement park plays host to its second Sukkot…
-
The Schmooze The Yiddish Spirit of Samuel Beckett
On the 60th anniversary of “Waiting For Godot,” Samuel Beckett’s existential comic-tragedy will be staged in Yiddish for the first time. It’s an idea that is both obvious, and ground-breaking, casting a new light on the masterpiece. The play will run from September 20 to October 13 at the Castillo Theatre in Manhattan (543 W….
-
Culture At 92, Mike Greenstein Is Still One of the World’s Strongest Jews
Seated on the balcony of his apartment in the Far Rockaway section of Queens with a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean, Mike Greenstein, 92, is matter-of-fact about his Superman powers. Just recently, he participated in this year’s Olde Time Coney Island Strongman Spectacular, pulling a truck with a chain clenched between his teeth. “It’s…
-
Culture Send in the Jewish Clowns (Jugglers and Acrobats, Too)
Grimacing fiercely, muscular arms quivering, Adam Real Man slowly straightens a metal horseshoe as the crowd stares, grinning in disbelief. His feat of strength is spot-on entertainment at the opening night reception of ‘Topsy Turvy: Coney Island Artists and the Amusement Utopia” at the Deutsche Bank’s 60 Wall Gallery. His skills are improbable. Even more…
-
Culture At 91, Mildred Kayden Is More Successful Than Ever
Composer and lyricist Mildred Kayden thought jazz was great music way back, when it was viewed as somehow lesser in many circles. When she was teaching at Vassar College in the 1940s and ‘50s, jazz was not included in the musical curriculum, and even a production like “Porgy and Bess” was written as an operetta,…
-
Culture Meet the New Generation of Jewish Magicians
Video footage recorded live at the Players Theatre. While Jews make up less than 3% of the American population, nearly 20% of American magicians are Jews. There’s David Copperfield, Ricky Jay and David Blaine, the endurance artist who sports several controversial tattoos, including the numbers that were branded on Primo Levi’s arm at Auschwitz. “Magic…
-
Culture David Copperfield’s Magical Relationship With God and Judaism
In the September 9, 1928, edition of the Forverts, a story with the headline “Leading American Magicians are Jews” opened with the following lede: “When a Jew rolls up his sleeves it doesn’t always mean business. It means magic.” With many Jews already working as magicians back in the day, there was every expectation that…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
Fast Forward Why some Satmar Hasidic leaders endorsed Zohran Mamdani as mayor, stunning many Jewish voters
- 2
News How Mamdani became New York’s next mayor, with Jews divided between fierce opposition and fiery support
- 3
Opinion I’m an Israeli who lives in New York. Here’s why I’m voting for Mamdani
- 4
News How Mamdani built bridges to Jewish New Yorkers, from Williamsburg to Park Slope
In Case You Missed It
-
Fast Forward Mamdani condemns swastika graffiti at Brooklyn yeshiva as ‘disgusting and heartbreaking’
-
Fast Forward Heritage Foundation staff confront president over antisemitism, defense of Tucker Carlson
-
Fast Forward ADL launches ‘Mamdani monitor’ as Jewish groups retool for post-election advocacy
-
Antisemitism Decoded Why Tucker Carlson actually sat down with Nick Fuentes
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
