The Schmooze lies at the intersection of high and low culture. Here, the latest developments and trends in Jewish art, books, dance, film, music, media, television and theater are all assimilated into one handy pop culture blog.
The Schmooze
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No, Carson, Miss USA Isn’t The Holocaust
Carson Kressley, style expert on the original 2003 “Queer Eye,” said during the Miss USA pageant that choosing a finalist was like “Sophie’s Choice.” Nuh, uh, Carson. Oh boy! Lots to unpack here. “Sophie’s Choice” is, famously, the story of a woman during the Holocaust being forced to choose which of her children will die…
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Will UnREAL Be ‘Four And Done’ On Hulu?
After a sharp downhill slide in seasons two and three, Hulu is making it easier for you to watch the fourth, final and hopefully redemptive season of “UnREAL.” A Lifetime original series about a Bachelor-style dating show could have been a corny parody of itself. However the Peabody-award winning first season of “UnREAL” was funny,…
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Is Meghan Markle Now Prince Harry’s Jew-ish Princess?
Jewish and black girls have been mocked for their hair, their bodies and their other-ness. But they might be about to get a heroine at Buckingham Palace. ROYAL WEDDING UPDATE!! They tied the knot! It’s a real-life fairy tale for everyone who has been feeling like a pre-ball Cinderella in the Trump era: Prince Harry,…
The Latest
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Ivanka Trump Weighs In On Great #Laurel vs. #Yanny Debate
The White House staff joined in on the debate over the Laurel or Yanny video that swept the internet this week. Ivanka Trump kicked off the clip, which was posted by the White House’s official Twitter account Wednesday. Looking both amused and slightly confused as she listened to the video on a smartphone, she declared…
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The Royal Wedding, ‘Chaim Soutine: Flesh’ And More To Read, Watch And Do This Weekend
There’s much to celebrate this weekend: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding! Shavuot! The return of allergy season! Ok, maybe not that last one. For the first two items, the Forward has your needs covered: Check out our complete guide to Shavuot, including a surprising number of entries about the holiday’s connection to marijuana,…
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Amy Schumer Says Royal Wedding Will Probably ‘Suck’
The royal wedding promises giant hats, fancy carriages, huge crowds, and elegant outfits. But will it be fun? Amy Schumer says definitely not. As reported by Yahoo News, comedian Amy Schumer went on Australian radio show “Fitzy and Wippa,” and talked sympathetically about how the royal wedding is “going to suck” for royal bride-to-be Meghan…
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Shtreimel Styles Are Ruled By Trends As Much As Tradition — Even For Hasidim
There’s no doubt about it, bigger means better when it comes to the shtreimel — the unmissable, circular fur hat worn by married Hasidic men on Shabbat and holidays. Shmiel Arya Miller is owner of Miller Shtreimlech, a label that’s been around for 25 years and grown to multiple locations in the US and Israel….
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Movie News: ‘BlacKKKlansman’ In Cannes, New Documentary Reveals Former Austrian President’s Nazi Past
Assembling this week’s movie news, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the upcoming Royal Wedding. True fanatics might pay homage to “The Royal Wedding,” the 1951 musical comedy starring Fred Astaire as an American dancer who visits London during Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s nuptials. However, it’s 2018, so I’ll instead point your attention…
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It’s Official: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Will Be Getting Axed After Just 4 Seasons
The CW, the number one network for low budget superhero shoes and teen angst, announced on May 17th that 2018-2019 would be Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s fourth and final season. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend combines sharp, deliberate writing, a stellar cast, and an unflinching portrayal of mental illness in the musical world of West Covina, California. It’s funny, original,…
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Will Meghan Markle Wear These Shoes To Her Wedding?
On May 19th, millions of viewers from around the globe will set their sights on the wedding dress Meghan Markle will be wearing as she approaches her real-life Prince Charming. But for Marisa Sharkey, her eyes will be cast downward, at the soon-to-be Duchess’ feet. She is hoping Markle will wear ‘The Songbird,’ an exclusive…
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5 Tips for Throwing A Jewish Royal Wedding Watch Party (When It’s On Shabbat)
A Royal Wedding watch party is a great excuse to get people together, have a party as early in the day as possible, and look at some truly wild hats. Saturday, May 19th, is the day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, and I am going to my parents’ house for the weekend. On…
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Most Popular
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News Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s selection as JTS commencement speaker roils graduating class
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Film & TV A new documentary challenges stereotypes about Orthodox Jewish women — and their wigs
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News Analysis: As Democrats unite behind Platner, Schumer’s future as leader faces tests
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Sports NBA coach Steve Kerr: ‘Israel sought revenge for Oct. 7 and now 72,000 Palestinians have been killed’
In Case You Missed It
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Fast Forward ADL says antisemitic incidents dropped by a third in 2025, but assaults reached record levels
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News Protesters picket Manhattan synagogue over Israel real estate sale, testing Mamdani and new law
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Fast Forward A best-selling novelist identified a minor character as Israeli. Some fans are canceling their orders.
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Fast Forward Boulder hostage-march firebombing suspect to plead guilty to state charges