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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Read Leonard Cohen’s Heartbreaking Last Letter to His Muse
Shortly after Leonard Cohen passed away last night, a heartbreaking letter penned by the singer began circulating around the internet. The note was written to Marianne Ihlen, Cohen’s ex-girlfriend and the inspiration for his song “So Long Marianne,” who passed away from leukemia this past July. It read: Leonard Cohen’s recent letter to his dying…
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Amy Schumer, Jon Stewart Said They’d Move If Trump Won — Where Are They Now?
As Donald Trump campaigned for the presidency, scores of celebrities — among them Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham, Chelsea Handler, Jon Stewart and Barbra Streisand — stepped forward to say they’d leave the country if he won. In the days since he did, their responses have varied from silence to a renewed determination to stay and…
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Read Aaron Sorkin’s Inspiring Letter to His Daughter After Trump’s Win
After Donald Trump won the presidential election Tuesday night, “The West Wing” and “Newsroom” creator Aaron Sorkin penned a powerful open letter to his wife and daughter. The note, which appeared in full on Vanity Fair, began by lamenting the win of an “incompetent pig with dangerous ideas” and discussing the repercussions that may follow….
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WATCH: Amazing Yiddish Rendition of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’
Leonard Cohen died exactly a year ago on November 7, 2016. In honor of his yarzheit, or the anniversary of his death, the Forward is proud to reprise this story and video of an amazing version of ‘Hallelujah’ in Yiddish. The Berlin-based singer-songwriter and “punk-Klezmer” musician Daniel Kahn is one of the most innovative performers…
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A History Of Jon Stewart And 6 Other Things To Read, Watch, And Do This Week
Whether you love or hate the result, the election is over, and it’s time to find comfort and re-focus. A historical festival in New York, talk with Masha Gessen in San Francisco, and Israeli film festival in Chicago might prove just the ticket; if you’d rather stay home (we don’t blame you), unwind with the…
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Sarah Silverman Quotes Anne Frank and Other Hollywood Reactions to Donald Trump’s Win
Hollywood took to Twitter last night to express grief, surprise and frustration after Donald Trump won the presidential race last night. Here’s just a few of those reactions. I want to quit life. — Rashida Jones (@iamrashidajones) November 9, 2016 We Brexited. — Zach Braff (@zachbraff) November 9, 2016 Weird dream — Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen)…
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This Jewish Woman Created the Infamous #TrumpCake (and a Clinton One Too!)
When a sad looking cake in the likeness of Donald Trump’s face was snapped being wheeled into Trump Tower yesterday afternoon, the internet had a field day. The cake face was photoshopped onto babies, superposed over iconic images and incorporated into famous movies scenes (really making you re-think that sexy scene between Demi Moore and…
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This is What Chelsea Clinton Had to Say About Her Friendship with Ivanka Trump
Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka Trump are on a break. At least that’s what Clinton told E! News yesterday when asked about her friendship with the Republican nominee’s daughter. “I probably won’t talk to her before Election Day, but I’ll absolutely talk to her after Election Day,” Clinton said. “Our friendship started before politics, so it…
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WATCH: Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s Epic Musical Plea to Undecided Voters
Will celebrity election videos ever get old? Nope, I think not. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert just joined the ranks of Rachel Bloom’s amazing “HOLY SH*T! You’ve Got to Vote” video and Lena Dunham’s “Sensual Pantsuit Anthem,” with an epic ditty of their own. This one involved a skit and musical number featuring the two…
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7 Funny Jewish Moments That Will Make Your Election Anxiety Go Away
At this point, there’s nothing really funny about this election cycle. But there are a few topical gems that we thought were worth sharing—guaranteed for a smile or two (or at the very least some much needed entertainment while waiting in the voting line). That time this Trump surrogate mixed up “Molotov cocktails” with “mazel…
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‘Wonder Woman’ Actress Gal Gadot Announces She’s Pregnant
— Israeli actress Gal Gadot announced in a tweet that she and her husband are expecting their second child. Gadot, who will be playing Wonder Woman in DC Comics movies, posted a photo Sunday evening of herself and husband Yaron Varsano, an Israeli real estate developer, taking a selfie of the couple making a heart shape…
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In Case You Missed It
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Yiddish ווידעאָ: דאָס סאַטמערער מיידל וואָס איז געוואָרן אַ ראָקשטערןVIDEO: The Satmar girl who became a rock star
ריקי רויז איז אַ קאָמפּאָזיטאָרין און זינגערין פֿון ייִדישע לידער, אַ קאָמיקערין און אַ בעל־משפּיע אין דער סאָציאַלער מעדיע.
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Fast Forward 11 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at U of Minnesota for occupying and damaging administration building
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Fast Forward How Donald Trump and Kamala Harris differ (and agree) when it comes to Middle East policy
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News Pittsburgh’s Jews, united by Tree of Life shooting, divided by election and Gaza war
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