The Arts

Wonder Woman kindles controversy in the Arab world

She may be 76 years old, but Wonder Woman is stirring passions like never before. The controversy surrounding the Amazonian superhero began last October, when more than 1,000 UN staffers signed a petition protesting at her being named an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls because they thought her image was “overtly […]

Wonder Woman kindles controversy in the Arab world Read More »

International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Singer Noa lashes Tel Aviv official for bid to nix gig

Songstress tells Arnon Giladi to mind his own business, after council member says event should be canceled over views he calls anti-Zionist By Jessica Steinberg Singer Achinoam Nini performs during a memorial ceremony for the late Yossi Sarid, on January 12, 2016. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90) Singer Achinoam Nini, known for her outspoken support for a two-state

Singer Noa lashes Tel Aviv official for bid to nix gig Read More »

Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Multiple cultures on display at Jewish Arts Festival

By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — Monday evening was a good example of Jewish culture from around the world at the 24th Annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts festival, directed and produced by Todd Salovey. First was the exhibit of Boris Malkin [1908-1972], a painter, graphic artist, and book illustrator from Belarus. His work

Multiple cultures on display at Jewish Arts Festival Read More »

Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

‘James and the Giant Peach’ healthy children’s fare

By Eva Trieger CORONADO, California –Little ushers in a summer theater season quite so well as a fantasy featuring triumph over evil, new and lasting friendships, and sinister suspense, all bathed in sticky sweet ripe peach juice.  That is precisely what the partnership of Pickwick Players and Coronado Playhouse is serving up for the next

‘James and the Giant Peach’ healthy children’s fare Read More »

Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Shunned anti-Semitism film shown for 24 hours only at Bild website

Germany’s biggest paper leaks pirate copy of controversial documentary that public TV channel has refused to broadcast By Marc Neugroschel Screenshot of BDS protesters in Paris, from the documentary ‘Chosen and Excluded — Jew Hatred in Europe.’ (Courtesy) COLOGNE, Germany — A new much discussed documentary on European anti-Semitism has been leaked on the website

Shunned anti-Semitism film shown for 24 hours only at Bild website Read More »

International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Emily Robbins turns her experience living in Syria into a stunning first novel on love, loss and language

Getting Emily Robbins on the phone is not an easy task. The writer and anthropology scholar is currently living in Jordan, researching her second book. Her first book, “A Word for Love,” is set in Syria. She was inspired to write it after living in the country for multiple years in the early 2000s. Robbins’

Emily Robbins turns her experience living in Syria into a stunning first novel on love, loss and language Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Middle East

Gal Gadot Promises To Play Wonder Woman Again

“Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot promised her fans she was inspired to portray the superhero role once more, despite criticism from those who supported Palestine. “Wonder Woman” has been banned in Tunisia, Lebanon and Jordan since Gadot, who is of Israeli descent, served in the Israel Defense Forces. She took to Twitter Sunday after “Wonder

Gal Gadot Promises To Play Wonder Woman Again Read More »

Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Tony Awards: Big winners, surprise losers and what it all means for the theater

NEW YORK — In February, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul fell just short of Hollywood’s highest honor when “La La Land,” the Southland-set musical they penned the lyrics for, failed to win best picture at the Academy Awards. No misses this time. The stars shone for the composer-lyricists and book writer Steven Levenson, as “Dear

Tony Awards: Big winners, surprise losers and what it all means for the theater Read More »

Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Rabbi Sacks essays on the Book of Numbers

Covenant & Conversation, Numbers: The Wilderness Years, A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Maggid Books and The Orthodox Union, Jerusalem, © 2017, ISBN 978-1-68025-294-1, p. 171, plus glossary, $14.95 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California –  World-renown rabbi and scholar Rabbi Jonathan Sacks begins with the assertion that the Book of

Rabbi Sacks essays on the Book of Numbers Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion