Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of Jewish culture. Here, you’ll learn about the latest (and sometimes earliest) in Jewish art, music, film, theater, books as well as the secret Jewish history of everything and everyone from The Rolling Stones to…
Culture
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How my odious cousin Roy Cohn was responsible for creating Donald Trump — and me
For this author, 'The Apprentice' is a chillingly accurate film that hits way too close to home
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How Synagogue Music Breaks Down Barriers Between Denominations
We may fret about declining enrollments in rabbinical seminaries and the ever-rising tide of intermarriage, yet one aspect of the contemporary Jewish experience should lift our spirits rather than roil them: music. From monthly concerts and annual festivals that cast a spotlight on the creativity that pulses throughout the community to Shabbat services where, week…
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Documenting the Life of Documentary Filmmaker Albert Maysles
The American Jewish filmmaker Albert Maysles, who died on March 6 at age 88, received the National Medal of Arts in 2014 for his celebrated documentaries on the Beatles; the Rolling Stones; and the reclusive relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in “Grey Gardens.” Yet arguably, the most enduring inspiration for Maysles’s artistry was from Yiddishkeit….
The Latest
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From the Mind of Larry David, a Play About Nothing
Although he is by all appearances a man who does what he wants when he wants, Larry David is nevertheless obsessed by etiquette. It is a recurring motif throughout his two landmark television series, “Seinfeld,” which he co-created, and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which he created and in which he stars. There are debates about tipping,…
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Bintel Brief: Ask Ron Dermer
For this week’s Bintel Brief, we’re proud to have Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer answering your letters. Born in Miami Beach, Dermer worked as a political operative first in America, under Republican strategist Frank Luntz, and then in Israel. Most recently, he has been Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s man in Washington, making sure that everything runs…
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Portland Finds Trendy New Jewish World in the East
(JTA) — Until recently, Jo Borkan was thinking about leaving Portland. She had lived in the city almost her whole life and owns a house on the city’s east side. But Borkan craved a connection to Judaism, and she couldn’t seem to find one that fit with her spiritual explorations into yoga and meditation. Despite…
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How the Golem Got His Groove Back
This year marks the centenary of the book publication of Gustav Meyrink’s serialized novel “Der Golem.” Until a 2006 episode of TV’s “The Simpsons,” where Bart Simpson stole a golem from Krusty the Clown, Meyrink’s was probably the most famous adaptation of the ancient Jewish legend in which a man of clay is brought to…
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Why I’m Paying $120 To See Rush
The Canadian prog/hard rock trio Rush — performers of epic, ridiculously complex songs, heroes of nerds and inspirers of air drum solos — have announced that their upcoming spring and summer tour will “most likely be their last major tour of this magnitude.” The one and only time I’ve seen the band (fronted by Geddy…
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Joshua Fishman, Yiddishist and Linguistics Pioneer, Dies at 88
A version of this piece appeared in Yiddish here. Sociolinguist, Yiddish scholar and advocate for endangered languages Joshua (Shikl) Fishman died March 1 in New York. He leaves behind his wife of more than 60 years Gella Schweid-Fishman, three sons, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his sister, the Yiddish poet Rukhl…
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Secret Jewish History of Temple Beth Shalom
Temple Beth Shalom is one of the most popular bridge playing destinations here in Boca Raton. But although many cruise past the edifice on Glade Road to get a nosh at Izzy’s Deli, few realize that there’s a taste of Yiddish in Temple Beth Shalom’s own bloodlines. To name only a few connections: — The…
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Support the Jews of Ukraine: Come to Our Banquet!
At the banquet, donors will be referred to in speeches according to the following key. No donation — An anti-Semite $1–10 — A self-hating Jew $11–50 — A good Jew $51–100 — A proud Jew $101–250 — A mensch $251–500 — A valued member of the community $501–1,000 — A brilliant thinker $1,001–2,000 — A…
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Navigating ‘Love and Sex’ and a Slew of Other Hot Button Issues Off Broadway
“Listen, there’s nothing wrong with changing a name to get ahead,” says Howard, a self-impressed, avuncular Jewish transplant to the south, visiting his daughter and her lifelong best friend, an African-American boy who grew up next door, at college. “Jews have been doing it for centuries. It’s the only way. That is the great advantage….
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Opinion I’m a Jew of color. Ta-Nehisi Coates can’t apply US lessons to Israel.
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Culture How my odious cousin Roy Cohn was responsible for creating Donald Trump — and me
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