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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Books
Author Blog: Djewess Unchained
Earlier this week, Janice Steinberg wrote about the Song of the Sea and Yiddish inflected English and the audiobook version of her novel “The Tin Horse.” Her 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…
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JTS Rarities Receive Financial Shot in the Arm
The Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary has received a $175,300 grant to make available a collection of rare materials from the Jewish communities of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. According to an email sent by Naomi M. Steinberger, Director of Library Services at JTS, the Cataloguing Hidden Special Collections and Archives grant comes…
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Is it Art, or ‘Avant-Porn’?
Who is Narcissister? It’s a simple question that’s impossible to answer, especially since the acclaimed 41-year-old performance artist never discloses her real name. In character, she obscures her identity further by performing in wigs and masks — and by covering herself in armor-like plastic body parts. Trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Narcissister…
The Latest
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Ruth Westheimer’s Oscar Night Tips
Wondering how to make watching the Academy Awards more exciting—and participatory— this year? Play Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s Oscar game (we’ve told you about this before, but now there is an extended version!). The diminutive sexologist makes lots of suggestions, including exactly what kind of sex should you have if “Life of Pi” wins, or if…
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For Former Soviets in the West Bank, Jewish Identity Goes With ‘The Territory’
In a West Bank settlement home, a middle-aged man strums a tune in a soulful Soviet singer-songwriter style that was popular in the 1960s. A Soviet sailor’s cap sits jauntily on a plaster bust nearby. But the lyrics of this Russian song — “Judea, you are my land. Any way you say it, I am…
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Books Women’s Songs in Torah and ‘The Big Sleep’
Yesterday, Janice Steinberg wrote about Yiddish inflected English and the audiobook version of her novel, “The Tin Horse.” Her 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: Although I live in California, I don’t…
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Streisand Returns to the Oscars
Barbra Streisand will take the stage at this year’s Academy Awards on February 24, for the first time in 36 years. Streisand, 70, last performed in 1977 to sing the theme song for “A Star Is Born.” She also appeared at the 75th Academy Awards, in 2003, to present Eminem with the Best Original Song…
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Bezalel Graduates Hold Their Own
Crossposted From Under the Fig Tree Over the next few weeks, those seeking respite from the clamor of talking heads should make a beeline for the Corcoran College of Art + Design where the work of recent graduates of Israel’s storied Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design is on display. The exhibition will take your…
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Barbara Walters’ Woes
Barbara Walters, 83, is having a rough time health-wise. First, she was hospitalized after falling and cutting her head at the British ambassador’s home just before the presidential inauguration. Now, she is in a New York hospital with chicken pox. Tablet makes the argument that “The West Wing” actor Josh Malina would be perfect to…
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Drew Barrymore To Raise Child Jewish
We think we have the answer to the question we’ve been asking ever since we heard that Drew Barrymore had enlisted her buddy Adam Sandler as a conversion coach. The answer, at least in the interim, is that the actress has not become a Jew. However, there are signs that she may be moving in…
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Books J.D. Salinger Biopic in the Works
J.D. Salinger, the reclusive author of “The Catcher in the Rye” and “Franny and Zooey,” among other books, will be the subject of a new biography and film, according to the Associated Press. Publisher Simon & Schuster announced today that they had bought the rights to “The Private War of J.D. Salinger” by author David…
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