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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Watch Out, ‘Shtisel’! Netflix Is Making A Partially Yiddish Show About Ultra-Orthodox Jews
Okay, I’m going to need all the rabid fans of the Israeli TV drama ‘Shtisel’ to sit down. If you’re holding a mug of tea or an Etgar Keret collection, set it somewhere safe. If you think good news surrounding prestige TV about ultra-Orthodox Jews might inspire you to loot and riot your neighborhood, lock…
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He’s The US Ambassador To Israel, And He Dressed Up As A BDSM Dragon For His ‘GoT’ Party
BDS or BDSM? David Friedman holds one of the most significant positions in American diplomacy. As the US ambassador to Israel, the Orthodox Jewish bankruptcy lawyer, and former president of the Trump Organization, influences policy decisions in one of the most volatile parts of the world. Friedman has courted controversy — comparing supporters of the…
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An Orthodox Group Releases Brave PSA Video About Sexual Abuse
Amudim, the Orthodox Jewish organization that supports Orthodox youth in crisis, just released a powerful video campaign about sexual abuse, produced by Yeeshai Gross — and it’s required viewing for anyone affiliated with just about any faith community. A mother, father and teenage daughter sit facing an authority figure — a principal, a rabbi, an…
The Latest
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As Dressbarn Stores Close Nationwide — The End Of A Jewish Family Empire
The retail landscape suffered another blow this week when the parent of low-priced women’s clothier Dressbarn announced that all 650 its stores would shutter within months. But news reports have overlooked the chain’s very Jewish origin story — and the fact that anti-Semitism may have indirectly played a role in its 1962 launch. In the…
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Moby: I Dated Natalie Portman. Portman: I Was A Teenager, He Was A Creep.
What would the 2019th year of the Common Era be without another delightful He said, She said? The singer-songwriter Moby has claims in his new memoir that he had a fling with movie star Natalie Portman decades ago, when she was 20 and he was 33. He previously spoke of “dating” Portman in an interview…
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Amy Schumer Does Stand-Up Set Two Weeks After Giving Birth
Two weeks after giving birth to her first child, comedian Amy Schumer took the stage at New York’s famed Comedy Cellar to do a stand-up set. “I’m back!” Schumer, 37, captioned a picture of her set, on Instagram. If you hear a rushing sound, that’s your blood pressure vroom-ing into high gear as your brain…
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Scarlett Johansson’s Lovers, Ryan Reynolds Through Sean Penn
Updated, 10:30AM: This article was published in December 2017, but has been updated to reflect the thrilling developments in Scarlett Johansson’s love life. Like Moses taking orders from that bossy burning bush, Scarlett Johansson didn’t ask to be the leader of the Jewish people. Nevertheless, between her Germanic beauty and obvious talent, Johansson never stood…
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Meet The Jewish TV Star Who Uses Her Israeli Identity To Play An ICE Victim
Moran Atias takes pride in her Jewish roots. The Israeli actress told the Forward that her identity has shaped her career and the way she perceives the world. Born in Haifa to parents of Moroccan ancestry, her Jewish identity, she says, has never been separate from her acting. Atias says this was confirmed early in…
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Seth Rogen Brings Judaism To GQ
Seth Rogen is open. He’s open about his generous use of marijuana, his love of calling people out over Twitter, and his mother. And he wears his status as a member of the Tribe of Israel like a badge of honor. But seeing him talk about Judaism in the pages of GQ, the nearly 100-year-old…
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Chris Evans Has Discovered Jewish Philosopher Hannah Arendt
The Marvel universe has announced a follow up to its popular superhero ensemble films, to be titled “Avengers: The Origins of Totalitarianism.” We kid, but you’d watch, right? Captain America himself, actor Chris Evans, has discovered the 20th century German Jewish political philosopher Hannah Arendt, and he wants the world to know. Just under 140,000…
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Madonna Displays Palestinian And Israeli Flags At Eurovision, Sparking Controversy
Singer. Actress. Kabbalist. Political activist? During her performance at the 2019 Eurovision song contest in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, Madonna made a major statement by featuring the Palestinian and Israeli flags on the backs of two of her backup dancers. Madonna’s set, which included the 1989 mega-hit “Like A Prayer” and her new single…
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