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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Is This Boy Not the Spitting Image of Natalie Portman?
We have only one question for you: Does this picture of a 13-year-old boy remind you of anyone? When Redditer Shannon Welch posted her boyfriend Clyff’s childhood photo to the social news site, the photo for one unlikely reason: Clyff at 13 looked exactly like Natalie Portman, right down to the beauty mark on their…
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Remembering Leon Charney — A Mensch For All Seasons
Leon Charney — lawyer, real estate giant, author, TV host, philanthropist and more who died at 77 on March 21st — had been a special friend to my family. I first met him in the 1980’s and through the 1990’s at the Catskills’ crown jewel The Concord, where he was the resort’s attorney and self-appointed…
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Garry Shandling’s Fellow Celebs Mourn His Sudden Death at Age 66
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The Latest
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Eagles of Death Metal to Perform in Israel in September
Eagles of Death Metal, the California band whose Paris concert was attacked by terrorists in November, will perform in Israel. The band, which last performed in Israel in July, is slated to play Tel Aviv’s Hangar 11 as part of a world tour on Sept. 5, according to news reports. Eagles of Death Metal came…
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‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s’ Lainie Kazan Is The World’s Most Famous Jewish ‘Greek’ Mama
We have already established that is the story of basically every Jewish family everywhere. But did you know that the movie’s heart and soul is actually Jewish? Lainie Kazan brings a familiar nudgey, yet loving, maternal character to life in Maria Portokalos that can only be played by a real Jewish mama. But Kazan’s career…
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Sarah Silverman Joins Cast of Billie Jean King Pic ‘Battle of the Sexes’
Sarah Silverman is stretching her acting chops in her second foray in a drama as she joins the cast of “Battle of the Sexes,” a retelling of the historic 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. According to , Silverman joins co-stars Emma Stone and Steve Carrel and will play Gladys Heldman,…
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Why Are Jews So Rude? And Other Google-Fueled Imponderables
Last night, after Trump’s Arizona win, I found myself trying to answer the question, “Why is Trump …?” It was more of an existential question, but in times of need, you go to your nearest source for answers. Google was there to sharpen my question. This is the most common search term connected to “Why…
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Rupaul’s Only Pop-Culture Hero is Judge Judy
RuPaul, the mastermind behind “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, the world’s most addictive and camp reality show, and a cultural icon in his own right, has admitted to Vulture he does not care for current pop culture. Unless, that is, you’re talking about the world’s premier female Jewish judge. No, we’re not talking about the Notorious Ruth…
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This Israeli Man Riding a Magic Carpet in an Aladdin Costume Just Won Purim
If you think your Purim costume is cool, we are here to give you a reality check. This Israeli man riding around a magic carpet in an Aladdin costume just won Purim in Israel, the U.S. and the Internet in general. This guy’s just won Purim. https://t.co/jDRnEtRfSi pic.twitter.com/pRoip826JA — Eylon Aslan-Levy (@EylonALevy) March 23, 2016…
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Watch This ‘Voice of Ukraine’ Contestant Bring the House Down With a Yiddish Song
From the first few chords of “Bei Mir Bist du Shein,” Tatyana Amirova had the judges of “The Voice of Ukraine” dancing in their chairs and clamoring to have her join their teams. Amirova’s jazzy rendition of the Yiddish standard from the 1930’s earned her a standing ovation, but it was the extensive video package…
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‘Batman v. Superman’: Jesse Eisenberg on Taking on the Role of Lex Luthor
When the highly anticipated movie “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” opens nationally on Friday, several burning questions will finally be answered. Among them: Which superhero is tougher? Does Wonder Woman hold her own? And does actor Jesse Eisenberg, who often plays characters of a more sensitive sort, pull off a convincing Lex Luthor? Here…
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Fast Forward Survivors of the Holocaust and Oct. 7 embrace at Auschwitz, marking annual March of the Living
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