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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Maurice Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ at Society of Illustrators
There are monsters, dogs, cats, lions and “Wild Things” lurking on the walls of the Society of Illustrators’ East 63rd St. home in Manhattan. At the June 14 opening reception for “Maurice Sendak: A Celebration of the Artist and His Work,” guests were greeted by Society of Illustrators Executive Director Anelle Miller sporting a “Wild…
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Settlers Launch Boycott of McDonald’s
The battle between Israeli settlers and the worlds most recognized fast food chain, which began earlier this week with McDonald’s decision to prevent the opening of a new branch in the West Bank, just went up a notch. The leaders of settlers groups are now calling for a boycott against the hamburger empire. “McDonald’s has…
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Books The Kosher Ice Cream Caper
Earlier this week Timothy D. Lytton wrote about a recent scandal at a kosher meat market in L.A. and organized crime and kosher food certification. His blog posts are featured on The Arty Semite courtesy of the Jewish Book Council and My Jewish Learning’s Author Blog Series. For more information on the series, please visit:…
The Latest
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Bette Midler Sings ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ to Dying Cancer Patient
Here’s your dose of heartbreaking entertainment news. Grammy-winning actress and singer Bette Midler made a phone call last month to a dying cancer patient, and sang her famous, “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Anna Greenberg, 28-year-old Tuscon resident and longtime fan of the Jewish entertainer, was diagnosed with cancer in October of 2011. The two reportedly…
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Is Rick Moranis ‘Too Jewish’?
Writing about Rick Moranis required that I remind myself what he’s done. After all, his great comic roles in Mel Brooks’ “Spaceballs” and the first “Ghostbusters” movie are pushing 30. So I sneaked over to YouTube to watch Moranis order his starship to “ludicrous speed,” and in “Ghostbusters” ask, “Okay, who brought the dog?” But…
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A ‘God Bless America’ Timeline
From its creation in 1918 to its unofficial adoption as anthem for the fallen of 9/11, “God Bless America” has had quite a history. Here are some of the highlights. August 19, 1918 Cut from the finale of “Yip, Yip, Yaphank,” which opened at New York’s Century Theatre. November 10, 1938 Radio premiere, on “The Kate Smith…
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Books A Lonely Golem
Earlier this week, Matthue Roth wrote about why kids love scary stories. His blog posts are featured on The Arty Semite courtesy of the Jewish Book Council and My Jewish Learning’s Author Blog Series. For more information on the series, please visit: I was trying to figure out how to get people to buy “My…
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Neil Diamond Writes Song for Bombing Victims
Though it doesn’t mention Boston or baseball, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” is a staple at Red Sox games. In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, the singer-songwriter went to Fenway Park and sang it live. He subsequently donated royalties from the song to One Fund Boston, the charity started to help…
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Will Madonna Call Tel Aviv Home?
It looks like the Kabbalah-loving Madonna may be trading in a London flat for an apartment in the Holy Land. Madge was apparently seen toting a brochure for a high-end housing project in Tel Aviv. Israel’s Channel 10 reported on a photo circulating on Facebook showing her with sales material from the Meier on Rothschild…
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Bibi Becomes a Comedian on Instagram
“Not like that, spin it!” prime minster Benjamin Netanyahu says, staring into a mobile phone camera that’s placed horizontally instead of vertically. “My friends on Instagram, this can no longer continue!” the apparently amused Netanyahu continues. “From now I am taking things to my own hands. Give me that please, give it to me.” The…
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Martin Scorcese Thinks Jonah Hill Is Awesome
Jonah Hill seems to have some sort of a personality complex. Although he’s starred in mainly silly comedies such as “Super Bad,” “21 Jump Street,” and the “Sitter,” he still feels the need to tell writers he’s a serious actor with a legitimate career. In his latest interview with “Bullett Magazine,” Hill insisted he was…
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