This is the Forward’s coverage of Jewish culture where you’ll learn about the latest (and sometimes earliest) in Jewish art, music (including of course Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen), film, theater, books as well as the secret Jewish history of…
Culture
-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…
The Latest
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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….
-
Let’s Talk Hasidic in Hawaiian
In the burgeoning U.S. economy of the 19th century, pioneering merchants ventured West to target the ambitious fortune-seekers of the Gold Rush. They went beyond California’s borders, supplying goods to the rapidly growing sugar and coffee plantations of Hawaii. With their foreign manners, the English and German Jewish merchants making the journey were easily identifiable….
-
The Secret Jewish History of Richard Pryor
● Becoming Richard Pryor By Scott Saul Harper, 608 Pages, $27.99 Richard Pryor’s personal history has already been relentlessly mined by numerous biographies as well as in the comedian’s stand-up acts and memoir. Still, Scott Saul’s new biography “Becoming Richard Pryor” adds a lot of new information. In his author’s note, Saul takes particular pride…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
Exclusive Mahmoud Khalil wants to reassure you
- 2
Opinion Trump is backed into a corner on Iran. Get ready for him to start blaming Jews
- 3
News Brad Lander joins call to end U.S. aid to Israel, in quest to replace Rep. Dan Goldman
- 4
Opinion Mahmoud Khalil’s reassurances are bad for Jews but even worse for Palestinians
In Case You Missed It
-
Yiddish World VIDEO: A song about a Jewish girl, Khaye, who died in Treblinka
-
Film & TV He committed murder today. Or maybe yesterday. He doesn’t know.
-
Yiddish עכטע חסידישע מעשׂיות, איבערגעזעצטע אױף פּױלישAuthentic Hasidic tales, translated into Polish
די אַנטאָלאָגיע ווערט באַגלייט מיט פֿילמעלעך, וווּ באַקאַנטע פּוילישע פּערזענלעכקײטן לײענען אָדער דערצײלן איבער די מעשׂיות.
-
News This national park would honor a Jewish philanthropist — if Republicans get back on board
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
