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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8 Hanukkah Gifts That Won’t Give You Christmas Envy
It’s Hanukkah! Rumor has it that here in America, the land of plenty, people like to give gifts on this special holiday. As an Israeli, all I ever got for Hanukkah was gelt and perhaps an envelope with some crisp 20 shekel bills. But when in America, one must do as Americans do! Luckily, there…
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The Real Jewish Trans Father Behind ‘Transparent’
(JTA) — Writer and director Jill Soloway grew up in what she calls a “somewhat normalish, upper middle class Jewish household” in Chicago. Her mom was a public relations consultant (she worked for Mayor Jane Byrne) and her dad a psychiatrist. But she always sensed that “something was a little off,” she tells JTA in a…
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Amy Schumer Flaunts ‘Beautiful Ugly’ Figure in Nude Calendar Photo
Amy Schumer and Serena Williams stripped down for the 2016 Pirelli Calendar, posing nude for the 43rd edition released Monday. Annie Leibovitz, who also shot the 2000 edition, photographed 13 distinguished women for the 2016 Pirelli Calendar. Schumer posed topless, wearing just heels and underwear in the shot. The actress posted her photograph, different than…
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U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Gala Honors Young Philanthropists
At its “What You Do Matters” New York Tribute Dinner, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum honored two passionate young visionaries Howard D. Unger and Todd A. Fisher with its National Leadership Awards. Andi Barchas, Director of the museum’s Northeast Regional Office told the more than 400 guests at Cipriani 42nd Street who helped raise…
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Hanukkah Comes Early for ‘Transparent’ Fans
Hanukkah is coming early for us “Transparent” fans! Jill Soloway, the creator of the show, tweeted out today that first episode of “Transparent“‘s second season will be available for streaming this very night for Amazon Prime members. Episode one of season two sneakin’ out at you tonight! #transparenttv https://t.co/E7N4Fr75rA — Jill Soloway (@jillsoloway) November 30,…
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‘Seinfeld’ Cast Brings Joy to Cancer Victim in His Dying Hours
More than a dozen former cast members of “Seinfeld” helped a son give his dad an amazing gift as he lay in his deathbed: Videos wishing the 67-year-old lung cancer victim “Happy Birthday.” Julia Louis Dreyfus (Elaine Benes), Jerry Stiller (Frank Costanza), Wayne Knight (Newman), John O’Hurley (J. Peterman), Larry Thomas (The Soup Nazi), and…
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2 More Porn Stars Accuse James Deen of Sexual Assault
On Saturday, adult actress and writer Stoya took to Twitter to . “That thing where you log in to the internet for a second and see people idolizing the guy who raped you as a feminist,” she wrote. “That thing sucks.” The allegations sparked a Twitter firestorm, causing two more adult film stars to come…
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Jewish Gay Porn King Michael Lucas in Sticky Situation
While you were basting the bird for Thanksgiving and looking for your Black Friday deals last week, a scandal of magnum proportions was breaking. Jewish gay porn star and producer Michael Lucas was sued by a California realtor for using her $1,100-a-day Airbnb rental as a sound stage for his hard core adult videos. He…
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8 Quirky Menorahs For a Creative Hanukkah
(JTA) — Another Hanukkah season means another chance to impress with a creative menorah choice. Here are eight of the most inventive menorahs we’ve spotted this year. Buy one as a gift — or buy each of them for yourself and you’ll guarantee your Festival of Lights will consist of eight memorable nights. 1) The…
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Jewish Porn Star James Deen Accused of Rape
James Deen, the so-called “nice Jewish guy” of porn, has been accused of rape. Deen’s ex-girlfriend Stoya, also an adult entertainer and writer, on Saturday to make her case. “That thing where you log in to the internet for a second and see people idolizing the guy who raped you as a feminist,” she wrote….
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Have a Very Funky Hanukkah With Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
(JTA) — Aside from “Dreidel, Dreidel” and Adam Sandler’s humorous tune, there are very few Hanukkah songs in the pop culture lexicon. But a group of modern soul enthusiasts seeks to change that — and make the Festival of Lights a little bit funky, too. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings — a retro-sounding band that’s…
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Opinion Outrage over Nicholas Kristof’s op-ed on sexual assault of Palestinians is missing the point
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News They texted about Torah and mitzvahs. Feds say they were insider trading
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Culture At Eurovision, Israel’s near triumph shows the limits of tolerance
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Opinion I run The Jewish Theological Seminary. Here’s the real story about President Isaac Herzog speaking at our commencement
In Case You Missed It
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Fast Forward Barney Frank’s final warning on Israel: ‘America’s effort should be to support the opposition to Netanyahu’
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Yiddish ייִדן פֿלעגן באַשווערן רוחות און שלאַנגען אויף ווײַסרוסישJews used to conjure spirits and snakes in Belarusian
בײַ ייִדן איז פֿאַראַן אַן אַלטע טראַדיציע צו שרײַבן רײַסישע סגולות מיט ייִדישע אותיות.
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Fast Forward Anti-Israel Republican Thomas Massie ousted from Congress as Trump endorsee wins primary
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Fast Forward Jewish groups rally behind bipartisan Senate antisemitism bill with $1B security allocation