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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Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in the North Carolina Mountains
The mountains of North Carolina make an unlikely locale for the world premiere of a Yiddish-inflected play about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. But Asheville’s not a typical Southern burg, and “Washington Place” opened last week to rapturous reviews at downtown’s Magnetic Theater, which produces original works by regional playwrights. The fact that…
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Israel Museum 50th Gala Celebrates Cultural Democracy Oasis in Jerusalem
As the 550 American Friends of the Israel Museum mingled at Cipriani 42nd Street for the museum’s Golden Anniversary Gala, they were entertained by the gold gowned New York Gospel Choir directed byMarkanthony Henry whose high decibel praises to the Lord could no doubt be heard in Israel. “It’s amazing to be here with you…
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Adam Sandler Has Updated ‘The Hanukkah Song’
Adam Sandler has put . Appearing at the Judd Apatow & Friends event at the New York Comedy Festival at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, the actor and comedian decided it was time for an update of his 1994 Festival of Lights classic, “The Hanukkah Song.” The song’s fourth iteration includes shout outs to Drake, Daniel…
The Latest
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When Israeli and Palestinian Women Beat the Odds in Business
“I doubt it. Men have too much ego,” says Anat, one of the two women featured in the film “Partner with the Enemy,” when asked if her business model could ever work between two men. “Partner with the Enemy,” a documentary that screened last week as part of the Other Israel Film Festival, portrays the…
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Jewish Social Media Responds to Paris Terror Attacks
Jewish organizations, politicians and celebrities took to social media to show their support for France after the deadly attacks which rocked Paris on Friday night. The coordinated terror strikes that took place at several locations throughout the city, including an Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan theater, took the lives of over 120…
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5 Things We Learned From Learned Sarah Silverman’s Lenny Interview
Two of our favorite funny ladies with a serious side, Lena Dunham and Sarah Silverman, opened up today in an interview through Lenny, Dunham’s website and newsletter for women that debuted at the end of September. Silverman and Dunham first met in Dunham’s pre-“Girls” era, when she was tasked with interviewing Silverman for Paper magazine….
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Father-Son ‘Titans of Industry’ Lawrence and William Ackman Reminisce
William “Bill” Ackman hedge fund mogul and activist and his father Lawrence D. Ackman real estate giant and founder of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, delighted a business savvy audience at the Center for Jewish History’s “Titans of Industry” father-son “Conversation”… plus fun home movies. As son Bill made sure Dad Larry was comfortable on stage…
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Brooklyn Sculpture Says It All in a New York Way: ‘Oy’ and ‘Yo’
A sculpture installed in a Brooklyn park says it all in an expressly New York way: “oy” and “yo.” Artist Deborah Kass created the bright yellow sculpture, titled “OY/YO,” that was placed this week in Brooklyn Bridge Park, near the East River separating the two boroughs, according to reports. It is scheduled to remain there…
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The War on Hanukkah is Real — Your Chocolate Maccabees are Really Santas
Dear friends, winter is coming. And with the cold wind comes the war on Hanukkah. It’s real, and it’s Santa shaped. When Jennie Rivlin Roberts, owner of , ordered these cute maccabees made out of chocolate — the very same chocolate used to make their seasonal gelt coins — to sell to her Jewish customers,…
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Why Carrie Brownstein Refuses To Get Comfortable
Carrie Brownstein has officially entered quadruple threat territory: founder of the rock band Sleater-Kinney, creator/writer/star of the hit comedy series “Portlandia,” and, as of this month, New York Times best-selling author. The Forward’s Thea Glassman spoke with Brownstein about her new memoir, “Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl,” the pitfalls of celebrity entitlement and why…
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Why ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ Is Every Jewish Family Ever
For the better part of a decade, my family’s Thanksgiving morning ritual began with someone popping our worn-out “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” DVD into the DVD player. The movie looped throughout the day as we cooked, with the bickering of Maria Portokalos and Aunt Voula mimicking the sounds of my mom and aunts as…
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