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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Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Wows With Brahms and Tchaikovsky
In past years the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Carnegie Hall opened with the IPO orchestra on their feet in a rousing rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” followed by “Hatikvah.” At this year’s March 20th concert — a welcome addition was Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue, who led…
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Uncovering the Remains of Treblinka
Dr. Caroline Sturdy Colls is a British forensic archeologist. Much of her work is with police departments, often literally digging up missing persons — so she’s used to uncovering remains. Still, what she discovered during her research at the Treblinka death camp was so emotionally wrenching, it forced her to tears. A riveting account of…
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H and M Drops Offensive Star of David T-Shirt
Someone at H&M apparently came into work one day thinking: ‘I have a great idea for a shirt! Let’s design a Star of David, and place a skull smack in the middle of it! That’ll go huge!’ Obviously, they were mistaken. The European retailer has removed the tank top from their shelves, after several complaints…
The Latest
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Growing Up in a Former Synagogue Sanctuary
For the many people walking through New York’s Lower East Side on any given day, 70 Hester Street is just one of many historic buildings. But for 37-year-old filmmaker Casimir Nozkowski, this former synagogue is home. He grew up in the loft space on the upper two floors, which his artist parents, Thomas Nozkowski and…
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How Adam Jacobs Became a Disney Prince
Adam Jacobs has a 1,000-megawatt smile that would put the young Donny Osmond to shame. And he puts it on constant display at the New Amsterdam Theatre in the heart of Times Square, where he plays the title character in the latest Disney megahit, the well-received “Aladdin.” The son of a Filipino mother and Jewish…
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Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin Hit Splitsville
Coldplay fans and expensive cleanse aficionados, brace yourselves: Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow are splitting up. For real. In a post published on GOOP (Paltrow’s wellness blog and purveyor of all things organic) [titled “Conscious Uncoupling]( (http://www.goop.com/journal/be/conscious-uncoupling ‘titled “Conscious Uncoupling’)),” the pair officially announced their breakup to the world: It is with hearts full of…
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Some Jews Are Funnier Than Others
A popular form of entertainment is watching comics analyzing comedy — a subject that doesn’t easily lend itself to analysis. Simply: What’s funny is what makes the lady in the third row laugh. You cannot tell her she’s wrong; if she doesn’t laugh it isn’t funny, she does and it is. End of story. Still,…
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Jerry Schatzberg — From Furs to Filmmaker to FIAF
Among the goodies at the French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF) and Kering March 14-15 premiere of Diane Pernets” “A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival (ASVOFF) was a tribute to filmmaker Jerry Schatzberg. It featured a screening of his 1971 Golden Globe-nominated film “Puzzle of a Downfall Child” starring Faye Dunaway as a disturbed fashion…
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Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher Are Expecting First Baby
The Jewish celebrity baby news train keeps on rolling. Newly engaged Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are expecting, E!Online reported. Kunis, now the face of Jim Beam bourbon, was apparently seen attending a pre-natal yoga class in Hollywood. Rumors of a Kutcher, 36/Kunis, 30, engagement surfaced in February, when the “Ted” star was spotted shopping…
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The Jews Who Fought for Britain
During the early stages of the First World War, Yiddish recruitment posters, published by the Joint Labour Recruiting Committee, were displayed in London’s East End. They appealed to Jewish youth, “to do their duty to the country.” In England there are thousands of Jews who should be grateful to it for their freedom and justice…
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Interview with New Yorker Cartoonist Bob Mankoff
Courtesy of Devina Pardo Let’s be honest: Who doesn’t first flick through every new issue of The New Yorker to look at the cartoons? Or try implementing comedy talent in the caption contest? The mastermind behind these features, Bob Mankoff, has been the cartoon editor of the news and literary magazine since 1997, and now…
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FIRST PERSON As a rabbi, he helped others mourn. So why wouldn’t his daughter say kaddish for him?
In Case You Missed It
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Fast Forward Donald Trump thanked a ‘historic coalition’ for his election. He didn’t include Jews.
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News Analysis Gaza didn’t cost Harris the election. But her approach pointed to a broader problem
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Fast Forward Elissa Slotkin, centrist Jewish Democrat, wins tight Michigan Senate race
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