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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Amanda Bynes Evicted From New York Apartment
Anyone looking for a roommate? Amanda Bynes has reportedly been evicted from her New York apartment following her arrest on May 23 for smoking pot in the lobby of her building. A source told In Touch magazine that the actress “was notified that she is no longer welcome as a tenant in the building in…
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Books New York According to Creator of ‘Spy vs. Spy’
Drawn to New York: An Illustrated Chronicle of Three Decades in New York City By Peter Kuper, Introduction by Eric Drooker PM Press, 208 pages, $29.95 This oversized, four-color 30-year compendium of comics, magazine illustrations, painting and sketchbook work by the artist best known for his “Spy vs Spy” pages in Mad Magazine, is stunning…
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All About 5 Jewish Drag Queens
There is no shortage of Jewish contributions to the arts, even in the world of drag. Drag dates back to the days of Shakespeare, if not before, when women were not allowed to perform onstage and men would appear on their behalf in drag, or “dressed as girl.” Today, of course, women perform onstage and…
The Latest
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Books Introducing Inspector Avraham Avraham
Today D. A. Mishani continues with his series “The Mystery of the Hebrew Detective,” where he has been investigating why it’s so difficult to write a detective in Israel. His first detective novel, “The Missing File,” was published by Harper. The second novel in the series, “A Possibility of Violence,” will be published in the…
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He Can Spell Knaidel, How About Farblondzhet?
Arvind Mahankali won a spelling bee with his “knaidel” (or should that be “kneydl”?) but could he, or you, correctly spell and define these fun Yiddish concepts? Take our quiz! babka, in Yiddish, is spelled babke. Bobke really are sheep droppings. Sorry to trick you. But mmmmm, babke!
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Prince Edward and Dr. Ruth Toast the Queen
“Quick! Put down your drink! The prince is coming!” I called out to Ruth Westheimer during the pre-dinner mingling at the May 22 Red, White & Blue Duke of Edinburgh International Award Gala held at the Essex House. During my chat with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex at the gala’s pre-dinner’s private reception, I recalled…
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Woody Allen’s New Movie is About the Madoff Scandal
Film critics have finally gotten an idea of what Woody Allen’s new film, “Blue Jasmine,” is really all about. After obtaining a screening of the film, the Wall Street Journal reports the film is a fictional recount of the family life and ponzi scheme of Jewish fraudster Bernie Madoff. The film tells of a high-society…
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Gold Rush Synagogue Went From Bust to Boom
It’s all because he looked up one day during services and noticed a crack in the ceiling of Congregation Emanu-El that Major General (ret.) Ed Fitch, an engineer with the Canadian Forces, ended up spearheading the 150th anniversary celebrations for the Victoria, British Columbia synagogue. Emanu-El is Canada’s oldest synagogue building still standing and still…
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Stars Are Pressuring Alicia Keys to Cancel Israel Tour
Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and “The Color Purple” author Alice Walker have written open letters to R&B star Alicia Keys urging her to cancel her Tel Aviv concert. “Dear Alicia Keys, I have learned today that you are due to perform in Israel very soon. We have never met, though I believe we are mutually…
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Books Can a Policeman Be an Israeli Hero?
Today D. A. Mishani continues with his series “The Mystery of the Hebrew Detective,” where he has been investigating why it’s so difficult to write a detective in Israel. His first detective novel, “The Missing File,” was published by Harper. His blog posts are featured on The Arty Semite courtesy of the Jewish Book Council…
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Books When 50 Happens to Good People: Part Two
Actress, author, and activist Annabelle Gurwitch is the author of two books — “You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up” and “Fired!” — and the e-book single “Autumn Leaves” (available from Zola Books), a chapter from her comedic memoir for Blue Rider imprint at Penguin, to be published in Spring 2014. Her blog posts are…
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In Case You Missed It
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Fast Forward Zohran Mamdani once said mayoral candidates should pledge to boycott Israel. Now that he’s running, he’s not so forthcoming.
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News CAMERA, pro-Israel media watchdog, fires longtime CEO, spurring public acrimony
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Yiddish אַ קורס וועגן די ייִדישע דיאַלעקטן אינעם אַלטן ייִשובֿA course about the Yiddish dialects of the ‘Old Yishuv’
דער ירושלימער ייִדיש שטאַמט פֿון ליטוויש ייִדיש בעת דער צפֿתער ייִדיש שטאַמט פֿון אוקראַיִניש ייִדיש.
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Opinion Don’t be grateful two hostages’ bodies were recovered. Be furious.
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