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Peres lauded in star-studded ceremony
World leaders praised and serenaded Israeli President Shimon Peres in honor of his upcoming 90th birthday.
Hungarian man, 98, charged with World War II crimes, prosecutors say
Hungarian prosecutors on Tuesday charged a 98-year-old man who tops the Nazi-hunting Simon Wiesenthal Center's wanted list with war crimes, saying he had helped to deport Jews to Auschwitz in World War II.
Russia’s Putin torpedoes G8 efforts to oust Assad
Russia's Vladimir Putin derailed Barack Obama's efforts to win backing for the downfall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad at a G8 summit on Tuesday, warning the West that arms supplied to the rebels could be used for attacks on European…
- HOLLYWOOD
“Curb” star Jeff Garlin spends two days in jail following parking lot confrontation
Actor Jeff Garlin ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") was released from a Van Nuys jail yesterday, at approximately 7:30 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) website. An incident…
Review: ‘Man Of Steel’
Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El (Henry Cavill) is a guy with...angst...a great deal of angst. He wants to fly around the planet and save people, but thanks to his earth daddy, Jonathon Kent…
Six reasons why Superman is Jesus in ‘Man of Steel’
Last night I attended a press screening of the latest installment of the Superman franchise, “Man of Steel,” directed by Zack Snyder and produced by "Batman" director Christopher Nolan. An…
- LIFE & CULTURE
Archie Comics feature film in the works
Archie comics lovers, rejoice!
Israel’s SodaStream inks deal with KitchenAid
The Israeli company SodaStream agreed to develop a home system for making carbonated drinks for KitchenAid appliances.
Barbra Streisand receives Honorary Doctorate from The Hebrew University
Barbra Streisand, after receiving an honorary doctorate from The Hebrew University, stands in front of the plaque of the Institute of Jewish Studies Building, established in 1984 in honor of…
- BLOGS
Loving Aunt Ruth: Recipes for a Life Well-Lived
Loving Aunt Ruth: Recipes for a Life Well-Lived offers one woman’s ingredients for living a life of caring, authenticity, and love along with great recipes, humor, and Aunt Ruth’s thoughts…
Perfectly Imperfect
A contorted branch determined to arch its back away from its tree grabs a misshapen silhouette seemingly imperfect from the other considerate branches so willing to merge as one symmetrical…
An Old-New Way of Looking at Judaism
After many years as a contributor to the Jewish Journal, I am pleased to join the Journal’s family of bloggers. The Jewish world is multi-faceted, complex and diverse. Our tradition…
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Q&A with Israeli singer-songwriter Noa
Achinoam Nini, the Israeli singer-songwriter known to all simply as Noa, will perform on June 18 at American Jewish University as part of the new Geller Festival of the Arts.
One Israeli Creation for the Weekend
Milt Okun’s wild ride
A few years ago, Rosemary Okun, wife of veteran music producer, arranger and singer Milt Okun, had an inspired idea: take a who’s who lineup from the opera world and pair the performers with John Denver compositions.
‘Hebrew Melodies’ all in the Shaham family
Gil Shaham does his most eloquent speaking with his violin, but as a recent interview by phone from his home in New York revealed, he’s not a bad singer either.
One Israeli Creation for the Weekend
This week from Israel
Barbra Streisand and Leonard Cohen: Timeless, but not ageless
British pop sensation Alex Clare balances stardom and Orthodoxy
Alex Clare is really just a nice Jewish boy. Sure, his hit “Too Close” is currently the seventh most popular song in the United States, his music video has garnered more than 18 million hits on YouTube and he has mobs of teenage girls chasing him around Europe. But at the end of the day, he still likes to sit down with a nice challenging page of Talmud.
One Israeli Creation for the Weekend
Joshua Bloom: His voice is more than the sum of his parts
The old theater saying that there are no small parts, only small actors, can also be said for opera. Just ask Australian bass Joshua Bloom, who was in town last month to begin rehearsals as Masetto for the Los Angeles Opera production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” The opera’s seven performances run Sept. 22 through Oct. 14 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Kipah-wearing teen set for ‘America’s Got Talent’ semis [VIDEO]
Edon Pinchot, a kipah-wearing Jewish day school student, will be performing in the semifinals of "America’s Got Talent."
Israel and the world Pt. 17 - weekly news from Israel
Miri Ben-Ari performs for the president today
Israeli singer Noa shocked by Facebook boycott call
A Facebook group is calling for a boycott of the popular Israeli singer Noa.
A call to boycott former Pink Floyd front man, Roger Waters
As many of you know, Israel is under assault. However, the perpetrators are not only Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, but rather artists and musicians who are engaged in a Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. Popular musicians--including Elvis Costello, The Pixies, Carlos Santana, The Gorillaz and Roger Waters-- are refusing to perform in Israel, in order to punish the tiny Jewish state.
Jewish singer is Turkey’s pick for Eurovision
A Jewish singer will represent Turkey at the Eurovision song contest.
Adam Lambert says ‘lesson learned’ after arrest
Former "American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert brushed off his arrest in Finland on Thursday, blaming his bad behavior on travel, booze and "irrational confusion" and adding "lesson learned" on Twitter.
Bigger than the beard, Matisyahu move marks ongoing spiritual journey
The world's most famous Chasidic Jew has shaved his beard. With a declaration Tuesday morning that he was "reclaiming" himself, Jewish music star Matisyahu -- a.k.a. Matthew Miller -- shaved his signature beard and wrote, "No more Chassidic reggae superstar."
Streisand fights for women’s hearts
Did Israel exploit Amy Winehouse?
Miri Ben-Ari, Hip-hop Grammy Award-winner, uses talent to better the world
Israeli singer Noa sings for peace, not politics
Adam Lambert keeps his lips to himself at last night’s AMA awards
Gene Simmons to save the day
Adam Lambert’s legal woes
On fire
The old stereotype of Mizrahi music — an Israeli genre created by immigrant Jews from North African and Arab countries — was of teary, sorrowful love ballads: tales of lost loves, broken hearts and dashed hopes. You could say Mizrahi music was Israel’s version of country music.
All the right ingredients
Israeli megastar Idan Raichel launched his music career as a keyboardist for various other Israeli artists, with the hope of one day producing his own albums.
The romanticism of Matt Nathanson
Pop-folkie Matt Nathanson had just returned from hanging in Hawaii, but it was a vacation he only enjoyed “50 percent,” he said.
Drugs aren’t the answer to Amy Winehouse’s death
Amy Winehouse, British singer, 27
Amy Winehouse, the talented but troubled chanteuse, was found dead in her north London flat on July 23. She was 27.
America Really Does Have Talent & I LOVE This Guy!
Justin Bieber Didn’t Decline Meeting with Israeli Children
In loving memory of our chazzan, Debbie Friedman
When the New Reform Congregation [now Temple Kol Tikvah in Woodland Hills] was established in 1984, Debbie was our chazzan for 3 years. She responded, and the congregation was thrilled, as truly “the old dreamed new dreams and the youth saw visions.” Our shul was “alive to the sound of music” to Debbie's presence and her music. Debbie gave voice to the voiceless through her voice and her passion for justice.
Debbie Friedman, inspired by the last words of Daniel Pearl
Debbie Friedman, the popular singer and songwriter who died Sunday, wrote the following for "I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl," a collection of writings following the 2002 murder of Wall Street reporter Daniel Pearl. Dear Daniel, This is the first time I have had to think about the “why” of the words “I am a Jew.” I have never defined myself or my work before. I was born into a Jewish family, exposed to Jewish experiences and Jewish people. The concept “I am a Jew” never crossed my mind until I was asked to reflect on your words.
Singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman dies at 59
Over the weekend, as singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman lay dying in a hospital bed in Southern California, the call went out to Jewish congregations around the world to pray for the popular musician. But early Sunday morning Friedman, who composed the popular melody to "Mi Shebeirach," the Jewish prayer for healing, was unable to find healing herself. A longtime sufferer of multiple sclerosis, Friedman died at age 59. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana, Calif. “The healing of the body is something somewhat distinct from the healing of the soul,” said Rabbi Jacqueline Koch Ellenson, director of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, who was one of hundreds who turned out Sunday night at the Manhattan JCC to mourn the singer in an event originally planned as a prayer gathering for her recovery from illness.
Singer Debbie Friedman hospitalized
Songwriter Debbie Friedman has been hospitalized in Orange County, Calif. Friedman is reportedly sedated and on a respirator, according to an email sent Wednesday from the West Coast office of the Union for Reform Judaism. The email asked that prayers be said on Friedman's behalf, as well as for her mother, sister and aunt. A spokesperson for the URJ told JTA the union has received no further updates on Friedman's condition.
No Bieber Fever Here!
Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel): The biggest Jew in country music [VIDEO]
The Jewish king of country music is only now publicly revealing his Jewish identity
Iranian Jews still awaiting apology from Muslim singer
The concert at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas was advertised as a "night to remember," and it lived up to the hype.
Sondheim and Yiddish songs are ‘like prayer’ for Patinkin
"I have acquired a taste for Patinkin verging on addiction," Clive Barnes wrote in the New York Post in 2001.
Maybe you know him as Inigo Montoya, the Spanish fencer in "The Princess Bride," who shouts, "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!"
Or perhaps you were introduced to him in "Yentl," as the serious yeshiva boy whose confused feelings for Babs' cross-dressing Torah student entwined him in romance.
Or maybe you simply know him as Mandy Patinkin, master showman.
The Calendar Girls: Picks, kicks and plugs
Calendar of events, January 26 to February 1: Kids, film, lecture, theater, maccabi games, singles, tu b'shevat, volunteer, concert, comedy, adventure, drama, photography, book signing, music, youth art show, mardi gras.
‘Purple’ actress cherishes her own colorful history
It's not unusual for an actress to assume a professional name, but it was quite a stretch for the daughter of Haya Kapelovitch and granddaughter of Sofia Katz to become Stephanie St. James and star in the African American cast of "The Color Purple."
Think you know ‘The Jazz Singer’? You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!
The Warners predicted, correctly, that "The Jazz Singer" would be "without a doubt, the biggest stride since the birth of the industry." But the film's importance may not rest solely on the fact that it was the first sound film. It was also the first film to boldly address the assimilation of immigrant Jews into American culture.
Sitcom superstars, sultry songstresses, literary diamonds
Picks and Clicks
Rita, Israel’s reigning diva, plays intimate evening in L.A.
Only Rita could have pulled it off. Her famous "One" concert was the first time any Israeli recording artist has attempted such an extravagant, multimedia performance. With its crew of 50 tumbling dancers, grandiose costumes, pyrotechnics and video art, the $5 million production looked like it came right off the Las Vegas Strip.
Debbie Friedman, L.A. Opera, Norman Mailer and David Mamet
Calendar
Tour Keeps ‘American Idol’ Runner-up on the Run
Elliott Yamin is on the summer road trip of his life, but it's no vacation. The second runner-up on the most recent "American Idol" has been performing as part of the "American Idols Live Tour 2006" since early July.
Psalm-Thing to Sing About in New Album
Haruach sings with a modesty and softness that enhances the simple and good-natured spiritual messages of her songs. That, in itself, is an unusual trait, because audiences have come to expect artists who make spiritual/new age, religious music to have overproduced studio performances.
Rising Singing Star Pitches New Sound
Hila Plitmann is building a career based largely on new music by composers like David Del Tredici, John Corigliano, Roger Reynolds and Esa-Pekka Salonen, the latter the longtime music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and something of a Plitmann champion.
Sweet Sixteen and Ready to Rise
Kolet's participation in charity events has put her onstage with artists such as Elton John, U2's Bono and, most recently, Andrea Boccelli. She has developed a close working relationship with Klaus Meine of the legendary German rock band, the Scorpions, having performed with him last year in Israel.
L’Chaim to Kitsch!
In a dark spotlight-lit stage, a man in a long, black suit; yarmulke; and tallit slung over one shoulder fervently sings into a microphone, while a dance troupe in similar -- but sexier -- garb twirls behind him.
He's not a cantor. He's not a rabbi. He's not even religious. He is Evgeni Valevich, a performer whose repertoire includes a program of Russian Jewish music in the genre called Estrada. Estrada may be a genre unknown to Westerners, but to Russians, the term is immediately recognizable.
Wandering Jew - Music to My Ears
A voice expert known for coaching singers and nonsingers, and working with deaf and autistic students and contestants for TV shows like "Extreme Makeover" and "American Idol," Coury is unique and considered "revolutionary."
Leonard Cohen Film Toasts Songwriter
Cohen became first an accomplished poet and then, starting with 1967's "Songs of Leonard Cohen" (which contained the oft-recorded "Suzanne") a singer-songwriter. According to Ira Nader's Cohen biography, "Various Positions," Cohen's Judaism has influenced his songs greatly -- "Who By Fire" is based on the melody of a Yom Kippur prayer, "Mi Bamayim, Mi Ba Esh," and "If It Be Your Will" is derived from a "Kol Nidre" phrase.
Tova’s Songs Good for Yiddish’s Image
Levy Sings What Her Father Saved
When singer Yasmin Levy was 8, she helped destroy hundreds of tapes her late father had recorded of songs in Ladino, the ancient language of Spanish Jewry.
Heart to Hart
A few weeks ago, the Getty Playhouse showcased a memorable special event: "Here's to Life," Kitty Carlisle Hart's cabaret-style one-woman show, accompanied by her musical director, David Lewis.
Hart, 94, performed for a little over an hour, reminiscing and singing songs from some of her late friends such as Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Richard Rogers, Oscar Hammerstein II and Cole Porter, presenting in one evening a short history of the American musical theater.
Project’s Tunes Hit Multicultural Notes
There's an old adage that the overnight sensation took years to get there. It's certainly a sentiment that can be applied to 27-year-old Israeli music sensation Idan Raichel.
His debut album, "The Idan Raichel Project," shot straight to No. 1 upon its release in December 2002, going on to win Israeli Artist, Song and Album of the Year. The album itself went multiplatinum. Yet the so-called "unknown" Raichel who, according to the Israeli press "emerged from nowhere," had paid his dues for many years.
A Resonant Voice
The first thing one notices about Theodore Bikel is the voice.
As he settles on a divan in his book-filled West Hollywood apartment, chatting about his upcoming 80th birthday gala, it's not so much his strapping frame, white beard or sharp blue eyes that make an impression as his voice.
This is the resonant baritone that has sung countless folk music concerts, recorded 27 albums in 21 languages and performed in approximately 35 films. This is the actor who has appeared more than 2,000 times as the milkman Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," besides playing Captain Von Trapp in Broadway's "The Sound of Music" and opposite Bogie in the film, "The African Queen."
Russian Singer’s Star Shines Again
The waitress at Canter's Deli looks vaguely annoyed as Aida Vedischeva makes herself at home in a back booth, spreading her memorabilia across the table.
Etan G—A Nice Jewish Homeboy
The boychick is Etan G, who calls himself The Jewish Rapper and whose CD, "South Side of the Synagogue," features songs such as "Yo Yo Yarmulke" and "Hava Na Wha?" Even so, it's startling when he ushers a visitor into a living room that appears to be decorated by the set dressers from both "Yentl" and "Shaft."
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