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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Books
You’ll Never Guess Which Israeli Authors President Obama Loves
We’ve always known President Obama is, at heart, a lovable nerd. Soon we’ll get even more proof; the president guest-edited the November edition of WIRED, which the magazine’s editor in chief Scott Dadich recently wrote will be focused on frontiers, including “the final one, because it turns out President Obama is a big Star Trek…
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The Notorious RBG’s Next Big Role? Opera Star
Between “Supreme Court Justice,” “Notorious RBG,” and “Namesake of the Praying Mantis lomantis ginsburgæ” Ruth Bader Ginsburg already possesses more intimidatingly cool titles than most of us can ever hope to acquire. She’s about to add another one: Duchess of Krakenthorp. Ok, that one’s not permanent; next month, Ginsburg will be performing the role of…
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Bob Dylan’s Website Removes Mention Of Nobel Prize
Bob Dylan has made waves as the most recent winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, in more ways than one. Dylan’s win was unexpected, as musicians haven’t previously been honored; adding to that surprise, the singer and songwriter went nearly a week without acknowledging the award. Many thought his silence had been broken when,…
The Latest
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What’s It Like to Make Out With Gal Gadot — and Zack Galifanakis?
What’s it like to kiss Israeli super model Gal Gadot and comedian Zach Galifianakis? Actress Isla Fisher knows, and Thursday night she dished about it to Jimmy Kimmel on his late show. “Miss Israel, she is beautiful,” Fisher kvelled about Gadot, who costars with her in the new comedy film “Keeping Up With the Joneses.”…
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On #WonderWomanDay, Celebrating 5 Jewish Wonder Women
Today, the character of Wonder Woman – she of the super strength, lasso, and controversial but iconic red bustier – is being initiated as a United Nations Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women And Girls. When announced earlier this month, the honor drew ire from some, especially as it followed close on the failure…
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Stressed Out Over the Election? There’s a (Meditation) App For That.
If you’ve found yourself constantly Googling election news, having anxious “what if?” conversations with friends and watching the debates in a miserable ball from your couch — rest assured, you’re not alone. More than half of Americans feel their well-being has been affected by this election cycle, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association….
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Francois Hollande, France’s President Honored at Appeal Of Conscience Dinner
“Je suis la France!” declared Rabbi Arthur Schneier founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation addressing a veritable United Nations assemblage at its 2016 Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria as he introduced the event’s honoree France’s president Francois Hollande. Touting M. Hollande as “ someone who has “established himself as an integral player in…
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Amy Schumer Says ‘Sorry, Not Sorry’ to Angry Trump Fans
After hundreds of fans in Tampa bolted on her following anti-Trump jokes, Amy Schumer responded on Tuesday with a heartfelt ‘apology’ at Madison Square Garden. Reading an open letter to the New York crowd, Schumer managed a show of unequivocal contrition: “Dearest Tampa, I’m sorry you didn’t want me, a comedian who talks about what…
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What You Need To Know About Chris Wallace The Jewish Debate Moderator
When Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton took to the stage for their final presidential debate, they were joined by moderator Chris Wallace, the Fox News anchor and political commentator who also happens to be Jewish. Here’s everything to know about the man who wound up in the middle of another nasty face-off between the two…
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A Philip Roth Film, a Leonard Cohen Profile and 5 More Things To Watch, Read and Do This Weekend
Depending on where you are, it’s either fall or supposed to be. (New York has had a week of balmy temperatures, with turning leaves the only hint of autumn.) Oscar-contending films are being released, television shows are embarking on new seasons, and as evenings descend earlier, books are beckoning from the shelves. What better time…
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Chelsea Handler’s Star-Studded Roundtable Reveals Just How Sexist Hollywood Really Is
It’s not a surprise to most women that a gender-based wage gap exists, but it can be a shock to learn just how pervasive and enormous it can be. Comedian Chelsea Handler took that subject on in Wednesday’s installment of her Netflix series “Chelsea.” Hosting director Ava DuVernay, actresses Hilary Swank and Connie Britton, and…
Most Popular
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Fast Forward Why the Antisemitism Awareness Act now has a religious liberty clause to protect ‘Jews killed Jesus’ statements
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Culture Trump wants to honor Hannah Arendt in a ‘Garden of American Heroes.’ Is this a joke?
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Fast Forward The invitation said, ‘No Jews.’ The response from campus officials, at least, was real.
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Opinion A Holocaust perpetrator was just celebrated on US soil. I think I know why no one objected.
In Case You Missed It
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Opinion The secret cost of Israel’s wars ravaged my family. It’s only getting worse
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Yiddish מחשבֿות פֿון אַן אַהיים־געקומענעם (אַ מלחמה־טאָגבוך)Reflections of a soldier after returning home (a wartime diary)
דער מחבר איז אַ סטודענט אינעם ירושלימער העברעיִשן אוניווערסיטעט, אינעם צווייטן יאָר ייִדיש־לימוד
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Fast Forward Why the Antisemitism Awareness Act now has a religious liberty clause to protect ‘Jews killed Jesus’ statements
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News At Harvard, reports on antisemitism and anti-Palestinian bias reflect campus conflict over Israel
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