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
Culture RFK Jr.’s poems to Olivia Nuzzi are peak cringe — so were King Solomon’s
- 2
News As young Jews move away from Israel, Jewish leaders are reluctant to change their approach
- 3
Film & TV For ill and for good, this ‘Wicked’ song has become ubiquitous
- 4
Culture A shocking true story of Mexico’s Jewish community comes to Netflix
In Case You Missed It
-
News DNA test kits spark a surge of online conversions to Judaism in the U.S.
-
Fast Forward Jewish moderate Julie Menin claims victory as next City Council speaker
-
Letters Jewish leaders must work with educators to battle antisemitism — not demonize us
-
Opinion More than 25% of Israelis want to leave the country. How did we get here?
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
