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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‘Voice’ Israel Contestant Comes Out as Transgender
Tom Atias, whose audition was aired Saturday in the Israeli version of the reality music competition “The Voice,” has caught the media’s attention. The 18-year-old boy from Jerusalem’s rendition of Aviv Geffen’s “Ulay” (‘Maybe’) had the three judges fighting to be his mentor. But what Tom didn’t say during the audition is that he was…
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Jerry Seinfeld’s First Selfie
“Seinfeld” was first on a lot of the things: the Yada Yada, the salad craze, the social anxiety and neurosis that come with close talkers, high talkers and low talkers, and of course, the prescient pirate shirt (“The shirt of the 90s!”). But curiously enough, Jerry Seinfeld has been late to the selfie. The comedian…
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Books Why Soccer Creates the Best Middle East Dialogue
Getty Images Thinkers from Cass Sunstein to Eli Pariser in “The Filter Bubble: What the Internet is Hiding From You,” have elucidated the threat to social discourse posed by the Internet. Increasingly able to insulate ourselves from disagreement, we live in bubbles of like-mindedness. From whichever angle, it’s epistemic closure in sociological jargon, “bullshit mountain”…
The Latest
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Israeli Actress Takes to Times Square to #BringBackOurBoys
Twitter isn’t the only place Israelis have taken a stand to #BringBackOurBoys. Israeli actress Moran Atias took to Times Square on Sunday to bring attention to the abduction of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank. The actress, who is currently starring in “Third Person” with Liam Neeson and Mila Kunis, held a sign which…
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Books Abraham Klein, The Greatest Soccer Referee
Image courtesy Abraham Klein Israel has reached the World Cup finals just once — Mexico 1970 — where, after losing to Uruguay and tying with Sweden and Italy, it failed to progress beyond the group stage. That year in Mexico, though, there was an outstanding Israeli success — referee Abraham Klein. An unlikely figure to…
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6 Jewish Things About the World Cup
Colombia’s Coach Jose Pekerman is among the Jewish participants in the World Cup/Getty Images (JTA) — Israel’s not in the World Cup, and none of the star players is Jewish. But never fear: We still managed to compile a list of six Jewish things about Brazil 2014. The coach: Jose Pekerman, the coach of Colombia’s…
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Egypt’s Richest Man Buys Edgar Bronfman’s NYC Penthouse for $70M
And the record for most expensive co-op ever sold in New York City goes to… Nassef Sawiris. The richest man in Egypt, reportedly worth roughly $7 billion dollars (and ranked as 193rd richest person in the world by Forbes) has purchased 960 Fifth avenue, previously owned by the late billionaire Edgar Bronfman, Sr., who died…
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Topol Wows at Folksbiene ‘Fiddler’ 50th
Lots of Motls, Goldas and Tzeitels, but only one world-famous Tevye — Topol— were on stage at Town Hall for the National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene’s June 9 extravaganza “Raising the Roof: A tribute to “Fiddler on the Roof.” The show seamlessly showcased multi-generational alumni of “Fiddler”— including Pia Zadora – reaching back to the 1967 Broadway…
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Terrorist Father, Ultra-Orthodox Mother
The extraordinary documentary film, “Life Sentences,” was many years in the planning, says co-director Yaron Shani. Winner of the best documentary film at last year’s Jerusalem Film Festival, it will receive its UK premiere in London later this month during SERET, the Israeli Film and Television Festival. “Life Sentences” tells the story of Nimer Ahmed,…
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12 Jewish Celebrity Dads in Honor of Father’s Day
We love a good celebrity dad. Here, we’ve rounded up our favorites — from David Beckham to (the almost Jewish) Jason Biggs. Enjoy! 1) David Beckham Fatherhood Status: 4 kids with wife Victoria Beckham Names: Harper Seven Beckham, Brooklyn Joseph Beckham, Romeo James Beckham, Cruz David Beckham 2) Max Greenfield Father Status: One daughter with…
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Dana International Uses Orthodox Children in Gay Pride Video
Dana International, Israel’s most famous transgender pop star, has managed once again to draw International media attention. Her latest video for “Yeladim Ze Simcha” (‘Children are Joy’) is causing controversy in Israel and beyond, after parents of the religious Jewish children featured in the video claimed they didn’t know their kids were shooting a music…
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