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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5 Israeli Artworks You Should Have Seen in 2014
1. Omer Fast, The Casting Omer Fast’s video installation “The Casting” questions the reality and fiction embedded in storytelling by recording an actor who plays the role of an American soldier in Iraq, and a casting for the role of the aforementioned soldier. Even with its abrupt, fragmented scenes that parallel the short attention span…
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Benjamin Brafman Honored At Israel Cancer Research Gala
“We want to eradicate cancer from the face of the earth,” declared Kenneth Goodman Chairman of Israel Cancer Research Fund at its 2014 Tower of Hope Gala at The Pierre. ”We attempt that by supporting Israeli scientists…ICRF helps keep those scientists in Israel [where] doing research is half the cost of in the U.S. [because]…
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6 Best Hanukkah Tchochkes on Etsy
Everything looks better on Etsy — and Hanukkah is no different. From Dr. DreDels to the Menorahsaurus Rex — and Hanukkah’s answer to the traditional ugly Christmas sweater — here’s a roundup of some of the best stuff available. Dr. DreDel SillyReggie — Etsy The Menorahsaurus Rex The Vanilla Studio — Etsy Honest Hanukkah Card JulieAnnArt — Etsy For All…
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The Best Jewish Poetry of 2014
Since 2010, it has become the Forward’s tradition to highlight five memorable poetry releases of the year — but this year we have six. Among this year’s selections are “Breathturn Into Timestead,” a collection of five final volumes of poetry by Paul Celan, newly translated by Pierre Joris, and three vastly different retrospectives by David…
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Jimmy Fallon Launches #HanukkahSongs
It’s Hanukkah, or that time of the year that Jews listen enviously to Christmas songs, wishing we had something better than “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.” Well, guys, Jimmy Fallon feels your pain. Last Thursday, the “Tonight Show” host asked viewers to tweet out their Hanukkah-ized versions of famous songs. Here are some of our personal…
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Ringo Starr, Lou Reed To Enter Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Getty Images Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, the late rocker Lou Reed, punk group Green Day and singer Bill Withers are among the 2015 inductees named on Tuesday to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, rockers Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, rhythm and blues band the “5” Royales and…
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Happy Hanukkah From Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik knows that nothing says Happy Hanukkah like menorah sweggings (sweater-leggings, for all you regular pants-wearers). Enjoy! Post by Official Mayim Bialik Page.
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Portrait Painting in the Facebook Age
Anya Rubin, ‘Natalia,’ 2014 Red on black on crimson on white. Repeatedly layered color arrangements are typical in the work of Anya Rubin, especially when the Russian-born and New York-based artist is depicting her friend’s wine-stained lips or glittering eyes on a canvas. In this way, Rubin’s paintings produce interlocking patterns of abstract color studies…
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8 Best Hanukkah Videos of 2014
Rabbi Jason Miller, tech entrepreneur and blogger, has once again come up with a list of the best Hanukkah videos of the year on his blog. Each year I put together a list of the best Hanukkah videos for the year and this year I’ve really narrowed the list to only the best of the…
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The Best Jewish Music of 2014
Photo: Anna London 1. Zion80, Adramelech: Book of Angels 22 (Tzadik, $13.99) Jon Madof’s 12-piece super-group Zion80, whose debut release last year was hailed enthusiastically in the Forward, The New York Times and elsewhere, has now released its second album, “Adramelech.” It’s a departure from the original concept of bringing together Shlomo Carlebach and Fela…
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Adam LeBor: An Englishman in Hungary
Courtesy of Szabolcs Dudas Adam LeBor is an author and journalist who, as well as writing for outlets such as The Economist and Newsweek, has written books including “The Believers: How America fell for Bernard Madoff’s $65 billion Investment Scam” and about a world bank in “Tower of Basel: The Shadowy History of the Secret…
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