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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Les Moonves, Mazel Tov To CBS New Chairman Of The Board
Elie Wiesel, Julie Chen, and Les Moonves at Friars Gala. I first met Les Moonves — newly appointed CBS Executive Chairman — when, as then CBS CEO, he was honored by The American Theater Wing at its April 11, 2005 gala at Cipriani 42nd Street with a lineup of stars and performances by among others:…
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Cellin Gluck, Director Of “Persona Non Grata,” Talks About War Hero Sugihara
Caught up with director Cellin Gluck on January 31 as he was heading to the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival premiere of “Persona Non Grata” — a film about Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara who in 1940 issued 2139 visas for 6000 Jews including my mother and me (visa #1881). Described as the “Japanese Schindler” I told…
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One-Legged Woman Takes Inspirational Swim in the Israeli Snow
It was a nice, cool day at Israel’s Mount Hermon, the country’s only ski resort. The slopes were open, the ski lifts running and many Israelis were taking the opportunity to try the alpine sport. And yet this Wednesday, some skiers were greeted by quite an uncommon sight: a one-legged woman in a bathing suit,…
The Latest
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Natalie Portman’s Choreographer Hubby Steps Down From Paris Opera
French choreographer Benjamin Millepied said on Thursday he was stepping down as director of dance at the Paris Opera after little more than a year in the role, citing personal reasons. In a statement posted on Twitter, the 38-year old – who is married to Hollywood actress Natalie Portman and collaborated with her on the…
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Former Lululemon CEO Late-Shames New York Times Reporter and Believes in ‘Jewish Standard Time’
Just when you thought you could not be more annoyed with every word to come out of Chip Wilson’s mouth, the former Lululemon CEO proves you wrong. The ousted founder of the powerhouse behind the pricey athleisure-wear brand has never been one to mince words, care about political correctness or even give a damn for…
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How 100 Years of Jewish Jokes Shaped Modern Humor
Not that it should come as any surprise, but Vulture’s recent list of merely affirms the widespread assumption that much if not most of what passes for contemporary humor was and remains directly or indirectly forged out of the tragicomedy of Jewish culture. With roots going back to the Old World badkhns through Yiddish vaudeville…
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Brooklyn Born Choreographer Murray Louis Dies at 89
Murray Louis, a prolific modern dancer and choreographer born into a Yiddish-speaking family in Brooklyn, passed away on Monday. He was 89 years old. Born in 1926, Louis began dancing in San Francisco in 1946, studying with the well-known teacher of modern dance Anna Halprin. Halprin encouraged him to attend Colorado College to study under…
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Judge Judy’s Dating Advice: Don’t Go for Schlubs
If you don’t listen to your mother maybe you’ll listen to some dating advice from Judge Judy. Judy Sheindlin paid a visit to Ellen DeGeneres Tuesday and talked about what she learned from over 20 years at the helm of her TV court show “Judge Judy.” Of all the things that bother her, like bickering…
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That Time Bernie Sanders Played a Rabbi Named ‘Manny Shevitz’ in an Indie Film
Looking for a movie to watch tonight? How about this indie flick starring Bernie Sanders as a rabbi! Yes, you heard that right. The Vermont senator and current presidential hopeful used to moonlight as an indie actor. He had a role in the 1999 indie romantic comedy “My X-Girlfriend’s Wedding Reception,” directed by Argentinian born…
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Hasidic Guys Watch ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ for the First Time — and Kinda Like It
Watching “Fiddler on the Roof” is tradition. (TRAAAADITION!) But not everyone has seen the 1971 classic retelling of Sholem Aleichem’s “Tevye the Dairyman.” In honor of the film’s 45th anniversary, Allison Josephs, the woman behind Orthodox website , screened the movie to Hasidim that have yet to experience Tevye’s joys and sorrows, and recorded their…
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Going To Carnival in Rio? We Have All the Jewish Hotspots
RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA) – Brazilians know how to party. Nowhere is that more obvious than at Carnival, Brazil’s most popular celebration festively combining its rich and multi-ethnic melting pot. It’s also one of the world’s largest multi-day celebrations, when ecstatic crowds enjoy fabulous samba parades and enormous street parties. Carnival follows a lunar calendar,…
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