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
-
Books
Author Blog: Do We Prioritize the Vulnerable?
Earlier this week, Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz wrote about prayer and activism. This week, the Amazon Kindle version of his book “Jewish Ethics & Social Justice” is only $1.99! His blog posts are being featured on The Arty Semite courtesy of the Jewish Book Council and My Jewish Learning’s Author Blog Series. For more information on…
-
Out and About
Russell Crowe is set to appear as Noah in Darren Aronofsky’s biblical-themed movie of the same name. The Village Voice gives high praise to a new exhibit by Israeli artist Oded Hirsch. Francine Prose writes on Edith Wharton for the New York Review of Books. Margaret Eby looks at the strange relationship between Houdini and…
-
Yair Netanyahu Goes AWOL
Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, wanted to pop home for Shabbat dinner with his family. So that is just what he did. The only problem was that Yair is an IDF soldier, and he did not have permission to do so. Now, Yair is serving a 21-day military…
The Latest
-
Knesset Member Wants to Dance With the Stars
Sometimes you?ve just gotta dance. At least that?s what Kadima MK Nino Abesadze says. Abesadze is hoping to kick it up on Israel?s version of ?Dancing With The Stars,? but her need to move to the beat is being stifled by Knesset legal advisor Eyal Yinon. He claims that Abesadze?s participation on the show could…
-
Why Marco Koskas Abandoned France
Author of several novels, the French Jewish author Marco Koskas, born in Tunisia in 1951, has recently published what he calls a “récit” or narrative account. “My Paternal Heart: Diary from August 2010 to August 2011” appeared from Les éditions Fayard in January , a first-person story in journal form about his 16-year-old son embracing…
-
Books Welcome to the Dybbuk Revival
The Dibbuk Box By Jason Haxton Truman State University Press, 192 pages, $19.95 Yiddish revival? That’s so 2011. This year is all about the Dybbuk revival. That is, insofar as a disembodied spirit can be revived, and monetized. So far the Dybbuk revival includes a book (“The Dibbuk Box”) and a movie set for summer…
-
Shimon Peres Wishes Iran a Happy New Year
Hot on the heels of the Facebook love fest between everyday Israelis and Iranians, the social media-savvy Israeli President Shimon Peres is sending out special videotaped Nowruz greeting to the Iranian people. Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is being celebrated today. In his taped message, Peres comes across as genuinely concerned about the Iranian people….
-
The Arty Semite Guide to Springtime Concerts
Approaching springtime should make New York-area music lovers in search of Yiddishkeit look beyond the obvious choice of Felix Mendelssohn, famed composer of the “Spring Song.” On March 20 at The Austrian Cultural Forum, ardent modernist songs by Arnold Schoenberg and Alexander von Zemlinsky will be performed by mezzo-soprano Brenda Patterson and soprano Katharine Dain…
-
Mural Provides Glimpse of Haifa’s Past
Crossposted from Haaretz Contrary to the sleepy image it has acquired in recent decades, Haifa was once a global destination. Shay Falkon, who owns a roasted-nut shop in the lower city, received an object lesson in the city’s history recently while repainting a wall in his store. He discovered a battle-scene mural: a downed fighter…
-
Historic Yiddish Newspaper Now Online
For Yiddish enthusiasts — among them academics, writers, and history buffs — it may seem that there is a perpetual dearth of good news. It would be silly to try and argue against such negativity — after all the evil eye is always watching. Still, even the darkest among us finds comfort in the rare…
-
Natalie Portman Calls For End To Syrian Bloodshed
Natalie Portman and others are lending their star power to try to help stop the bloodshed in Syria. On March 15, the first anniversary of the conflict in that country, Portman and other celebrities joined regular people of countries around the world in voicing their outrage against President Bashar al-Assad’s ongoing brutal attack on the…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
Opinion Elon Musk is doing everything conspiracy theorists accuse George Soros of
- 2
Fast Forward ‘Modern-day Mein Kampf’: NYC Mayor Adams under fire for Hitler reference as calls for his resignation mount
- 3
News Elon Musk’s Jewish problem
- 4
Fast Forward ADL criticizes Steve Bannon following gesture resembling Nazi salute
In Case You Missed It
-
Fast Forward Shiri Bibas’ body returned to Israel; 6 living hostages released, last under current ceasefire
-
Fast Forward California school district halts ethnic studies courses following lawsuit over alleged antisemitism
-
Fast Forward After pushback, Trump says he’s ‘not forcing’ his plan to depopulate and take over Gaza
-
Opinion I’m Palestinian. Here’s why Trump’s Gaza gambit might just work
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
