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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Not a Fan of Bruno Mars? Tune in to The Kosher Super Bowl Halftime Show
Those not too fond of the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Bruno Mars may be excited to learn that a Jewish radio network will be hosting its own alternative halftime show — a “kosher” one. The Nachum Segal Network has announced that it will be airing an alternative show featuring Jewish stars Lenny Solomon, Shlock…
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Natalie Portman’s Husband Will Convert to Judaism
French choreographer Benjamin Millepied, husband of Jewish actress Natalie Portman, told an Israeli newspaper that he is converting to Judaism. Millepied told the Hebrew-language Yediot Acharonot in an article published on Wednesday that he is “in the middle of the conversion process.” He added that he hopes that the conversion process will “come to an…
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6 Most Jewish Super Bowl Ads
Everyone is talking about Scarlett Johansson’s upcoming Super Bowl ad for SodaStream. FOX has already nixed the original version, though not because of any political concerns — apparently it’s a big no-no to make fun of Coke and Pepsi. But what about the other Jews who have carved their spot in the Super Bowl ad…
The Latest
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Why Jonathan Richman Is the True Bard of Massachusetts
There’s Johnny Rotten laughing that he doesn’t remember the words while the rhythm kicks and drives. The bass is muddled but insistent, louder with every measure, angry that no one’s joined in. Johnny yells to stop so that someone can feed him his lines. The volume drops, but the band never does. Suddenly this song,…
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Elizabeth Banks to Direct ‘Pitch Perfect 2’
Elizabeth Banks will be making her directorial debut with “Pitch Perfect 2.” According to the Hollywood Reporter, the actress who co-starred in and produced the original 2012 hit, will reprise her role as commentator Gail. Acabelieve it. RT @THR: Exclusive: Elizabeth Banks to Direct ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ http://t.co/ff0T5OyMyo ampmdash; Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) January 27, 2014…
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This Larry David Insult Supercut Is Not For The Faint of Heart
Larry David is a heinous human being. That’s why we love him. But while his grumpy rants almost (almost) seem rational when put into some sort of context on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” watching them one after the other, devoid of any background story, is a whole other story — and a better one at that. So…
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Scarlett Johansson’s (Uncensored) SodaStream Super Bowl Ad
(JTA) — Scarlett Johansson’s decision to act as spokesperson for the Israeli firm SodaStream has been controversial from the get-go. Forget the debate over whether or not it’s okay to represent a company with a factory in the West Bank, or whether or not Oxfam should ditch her, though. That’s all just fluff. The real…
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Apartheid’s Overlooked Sins — Through a Jewish Lens
In the late 1980s, South Africa experienced a period of violence leading up to Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and to the abolishment of the apartheid government. Sara Blecher, granddaughter of Lithuanian Jewish immigrants, was in the midst of it, working as a journalist. She later realized that the complex intra-black conflicts, which the white…
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Palestine’s Tragic Oscar Hopeful Tests Identity
(Reuters) — The complexities and contradictions of the Middle East conflict come into play in both the real-life production story and fictional plot of “Omar,” Palestine’s contender for a best foreign language film Oscar. The movie’s director and lead actors are Israeli Arabs who identify as Palestinian. And while it depicts lovers literally walled-off by…
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Steven Spielberg Calls for Action on Holocaust Remembrance Day
Steven Spielberg called on the world to act on the lessons of the Holocaust during a keynote address to a special UN General Assembly marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mass graves don’t have to open up before we act,” he said. “It is a great accomplishment of our species that the testimonies [of survivors] can…
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Young Philanthropists Text for UJA-Federation
Outside it felt like the Arctic tundra, but on January 23, inside Tribeca’s Capitale, it was hot, hot, hot and festive as some 700 young 20’-30’ish Jewish philanthropists sipped Generositinis — the evening’s signature drink. They mobbed the sushi bar, and made repeat trips to the decadent “I’ll –start-my- diet-tomorrow”candy table groaning under the weight…
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