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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‘Exorcist’ Director To Be Honored in Venice
William Friedkin, the U.S. film director who scared up a fright with “The Exorcist” and set pulses racing with thriller “The French Connection” in the 1970s, will get a lifetime achievement award from the Venice Film Festival, organizers said on Thursday. Friedkin, 77, will also present a restored version of his initially poorly received but…
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Ernest Michel Feted by UJA at Lincoln Center
“I’m happy to be here. I am the only person to have been on staff for 67 years and it is not over yet!” declared 90-year old Ernest ‘Ernie’ Michel, Executive Vice President Emeritus UJA-Federation of New York, at the UJA-Federation April 29 benefit held at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Michel, who bears the…
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Cutting-Edge Work in the Jewish Community
Dr. Ron Wolfson is Fingerhut Professor of Education at American Jewish University in Los Angeles and a cofounder of Synagogue 3000. His most recent book, “Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community” (Jewish Lights Publishing), is now available. His blog posts are featured on The Arty Semite courtesy of the…
The Latest
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Amanda Bynes Tweets Topless Pics
Just one day after tweeting pictures of herself in nothing but a black bra and pantyhose, Amanda Bynes decided it would be a great idea to tweet topless selfies to her more than 870,000 followers. Though not entirely out of character given her recent erratic behavior, the pictures reportedly caused caused Kim Kardashian’s ex-publicist Jonathan…
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Brooklyn Park To Be Renamed For Adam Yauch
Calling all Beastie Boys fans: a trip to Brooklyn may be in order on Friday. The Brooklyn Heights Blog reported that Palmetto Playground — a small park near Brooklyn Bridge Park — will be renamed for Beastie Boys founding member Adam “MCA” Yauch, who died of throat cancer on May 4, 2012. A Brooklyn Heights…
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Avner Dorman’s Unusual ‘Nigunim’
“They told me to go do my thing,” said Avner Dorman about a 2011 commission by pianist Orli Shaham, violinist Gil Shaham and the 92nd Street Y to write a composition for their Hebrew Melodies project. “They wanted something related to their project, but they didn’t want to impose any specific idea on me.” The…
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James Deen and Teen Mom Sex Tape Pics Leaked
Well, it was only a matter of time. TMZ has obtained the first stills of “Farrah Superstar: Backdoor Teen Mom,” the XXX-rated porn flick starring former “Teen Mom” star Farrah Abraham and Jewish porn star James Deen. If the pictures are anything to go by (don’t scroll through at work), the film — purchased by…
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Sarah Silverman Gets An HBO Special
Sarah Silverman has scored her first HBO special (finally!). According to The Wrap, “Sarah Silverman” We Are Miracles” will tape in Los Angeles in May, and will premiere in the fall. HBO president Michael Lombardo called Silverman a “fresh, fearless and utterly original comedy voice,” and welcomed her to the network. “I’m thrilled that we…
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Jewish Films Win German Oscars
Two Jewish-themed films fared well at the 2013 German Film Awards (known as the Lolas) April 26 in Berlin. “Hannah Arendt,” famed German director Margarethe von Tratta’s film focusing on four years (1960-1964) in the political theorist’s life, won the Silver Lola for best film. The film deals with the period during which Arendt, a…
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James Franco’s Naughty Birthday Cake
James Franco turned 35 on April 19, but the actor saved his birthday bash for a trip to Miami, where he received the HBO Latin America Ally Award for his “unwavering support for the LGBT community” at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Sitting poolside on Tuesday, the actor tweeted a picture of his…
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Almost the Whole ‘Megile’
“The Megile of Itzik Manger” and the National Yiddish Theatre seem like a perfect partnership: love and marriage, horse and carriage, Purim shpiel and the Folksbiene. Manger is considered one of the most important Yiddish poets and playwrights, and “The Megile” is one of several plays in which he put his own stamp on a…
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