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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Bar Refaeli’s New Tattoo
World, brace yourself, Bar Refaeli got a tattoo. The Israeli model and pride of the Jewish people posted announced new ink on Instagram with the caption: “I finally did it. My first (and last) tattoo.” Those complaining about her ruining her body (and there are many, check out the comments) can relax: the tiny butterfly,…
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Shalom Michael Bloomberg!
The first time I met former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg was at Brighton Beach’s September 9, 2001 “HIAS DAY” (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) — a day-long celebration at which some 45,000 — mostly Russian émigrés — enjoyed concerts, sporting activities, gymnastics and chess competitions. “Kto eto cheloviek?” (who is that guy?) I overheard a…
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From France to Odessa, With Love
It’s easy to see why “Friends From France” (“Les interdits”), a film about the freighted history of Jewish “refuseniks” in the Soviet Union, was chosen to open this year’s New York Jewish Film Festival. In the story’s foreground are two young Parisian Jews, Carole and Jérôme, on a group tour in Brezhnev-era Odessa. They are…
The Latest
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David Copperfield Engaged to Chloe Gosselin
(JTA) — Mazel tov to David Copperfield and Chloe Gosselin on their engagement! The 57-year-old Jewish illusionist formerly known as David Kotkin and his new fiance, French model Gosselin, 28, have a 3-year-old daughter together named Sky. This is Copperfield’s second time popping the question to a model. Back in the 90s he was famously engaged…
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You Won’t Believe What Ayelet Ben-Shahar Was Shoplifting
Move over Winona! Ayelet Ben-Shahar, who played a high end jewelry dealer on Showtime’s “House of Lies,” was busted for allegedly stealing $400 worth of groceries from a Gelson’s Market in Studio City, California. Yes, groceries. According to TMZ, the 27-year-old was placed under citizens arrest. The Israeli-born actress grew up in Rehovot, Israel and…
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Why David Broza Covers BDS Supporter Roger Waters
In early 2013 singer-songwriter David Broza spent a little over a week in an East Jerusalem recording studio working on his new album. The Israeli superstar says it has been a life-long dream to have Israeli and Palestinian musicians work together on a project. The resulting album is “East Jerusalem/West Jerusalem” (S-Curve Records), recorded in…
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Biblical Baby Names Are Making a Comeback
Are you expecting a little bundle of joy in 2014? If so, you better revisit your Hebrew school notes. According to BabyNames.net, the biggest new name trend isn’t fruit-related (read: Apple Paltrow-Martin) or experimental (North West…). No. 2014 will be the year of the Biblical name – Welcome Caleb and Levi! How do you do,…
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Shia LaBeouf Writes Apology in the Sky
(JTA) – Shia LaBeouf, the 27-year-old “Transformers” star, has been the center of a plagiarism controversy. LaBeouf’s recently released short film, entitled “HowardContour.com,” appears to be a near-exact replica of veteran cartoonist Daniel Clowes’ 2008 comic “Justin M. Damiano.” Clowes was apparently blindsided by the plagiarism, telling Buzzfeed that he had no idea of the…
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David Cooper, Father of BuJu
For nearly 20 years, Rabbi David Cooper has been among the pioneers of Jewish meditation. Through his bestselling books and popular retreats, Cooper and his wife Shoshana have helped to create the hybrid of Buddhist and Jewish meditation practices that is now commonplace at synagogues across the country. Love it or hate it, the “BuJu”…
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Hogwarts Joins Israel Boycott?
Another famous institution has jumped on the Israel academic boycott bandwagon. A little place known as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry announced that it would “cancel summer student exchange programmes it has in place with several Israeli magical institutes, and withdraw from a Quidditch tournament arranged by the Israeli Tourism Ministry due to be…
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Power Couple Behind ‘Handle With Care ‘
“Handle With Care” starts with a loud monologue unintelligible to most audience members because it’s in Hebrew. True, that’s not how plays typically begin — at least outside of Tel Aviv — but somehow it all works. In fact, The New York Times called the show “hilarious and heartwarming.” While top billing goes to Carol…
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