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The Schmooze The 12-Year-Old Orthodox Comedian Who Shocked Howard Stern
It’s not every day that you see Howard Stern’s face register shock. But that’s exactly what happened when Josh Orlian, a 12-year-old Modern Orthodox Jew from White Plains, New York, took the stage for his stand-up comedy debut on last night’s episode of “America’s Got Talent.” The segment started pretty predictably: Jewish mom and dad…
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The Schmooze ‘Voice’ Israel Contestant Comes Out as Transgender
Tom Atias, whose audition was aired Saturday in the Israeli version of the reality music competition “The Voice,” has caught the media’s attention. The 18-year-old boy from Jerusalem’s rendition of Aviv Geffen’s “Ulay” (‘Maybe’) had the three judges fighting to be his mentor. But what Tom didn’t say during the audition is that he was…
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The Schmooze Jerry Seinfeld’s First Selfie
“Seinfeld” was first on a lot of the things: the Yada Yada, the salad craze, the social anxiety and neurosis that come with close talkers, high talkers and low talkers, and of course, the prescient pirate shirt (“The shirt of the 90s!”). But curiously enough, Jerry Seinfeld has been late to the selfie. The comedian…
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Fast Forward American Jews United in Support for Missing Israeli Teenagers
(JTA) — The Reform movement posted a prayer. Chabad asked followers to pledge to do a mitzvah. The Jewish Federations of North America set up a Web page to express solidarity. The disappearance of three Israeli teens in the West Bank last week is being taken as a call to action uniting many disparate elements…
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Life It’s Time for a #Balebuste Revolution
When I am asked to write a bio of myself and my very short career as a writer, I am always tempted to add “balebuste” next to “writer” and “mother.” But instead of using a word that connotes housewife, I settle for “baker,” because, let’s face it, bakers can be learned and cultured, whereas balebustes…
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Opinion Working Toward a Transgender Vocabulary
Elliot Kukla, first out transgender rabbi ordained by the Reform movement / Nic Coury Reactions to the Forward’s transgender and Jewish series varied from “after a decade of acceptance, this is news?” to “the synagogues are being overrun by sex maniacs” to an attitude of open curiosity, perhaps best espoused by Sheila Rubin in Naomi…
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Life #FreetheNipple for the Win
Thinkstock Ladies and gentleman, the nipples have been freed. A few weeks ago Facebook quietly changed its policy on allowing pictures of breastfeeding moms. A Facebook representative told CNET: “We have always allowed breast-feeding photos — it is natural and beautiful and we know that it’s important for mothers to share their experiences with others…
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The Schmooze Israeli Actress Takes to Times Square to #BringBackOurBoys
Twitter isn’t the only place Israelis have taken a stand to #BringBackOurBoys. Israeli actress Moran Atias took to Times Square on Sunday to bring attention to the abduction of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank. The actress, who is currently starring in “Third Person” with Liam Neeson and Mila Kunis, held a sign which…
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Fast Forward As starvation mounts in Gaza, Jewish voices increasingly rise up in consternation
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