The Israeli-Gaza morass this week seemed to defy coherent media coverage, reminding me of critic David Thomson’s conclusion about Hollywood war movies and how they “used to celebrate courage, not confusion.”
18.10.2023 - 13:31 / variety.com
Assaf Swissa At the risk of sounding antisemitic, I’m not overly concerned about antisemitism. I don’t sweat the increasing number of neo-Nazis or the rise of rabid antisemitic dialogue across the internet. Rarely do I stress over celebrity slander or anti-Israel rallies at universities. But I am Jewish after all, so I have to worry about something.
So, what does concern me? It’s not the hate from the few. It’s the indifference of the many. I’d imagine that most people would be surprised to hear that Jews make up only about 2% of the U.S.
population, and only 0.2 percent of the global population. Even in America, many adults have never met a Jew before. So why should someone who has no connection to Jewish culture care about Jewish people? The answer is that they probably shouldn’t.
There are plenty of causes for Americans to rally behind to improve their lives and the lives of their children much more than combating antisemitism. Maybe they have sick loved ones. Maybe they want to raise money for the folks struggling in Ukraine.
Maybe their teachers are on strike, or their dog ran away. Everyone is struggling with something. It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to take on the challenges of the Jewish people. So why do we as Jews weigh them down with our troubles instead of uplifting them with our values? Combating antisemitism is a noble endeavor.
The ADL (Anti-Defamation League), while not perfect, is necessary. Over the years, their condemnation of hatred has helped Jews and other minorities thrive in America. They are a vital defense, a fortress protecting us from democratic backsliding by vocally confronting and combating extremism and hate.
The Israeli-Gaza morass this week seemed to defy coherent media coverage, reminding me of critic David Thomson’s conclusion about Hollywood war movies and how they “used to celebrate courage, not confusion.”
Lily Allen and her husband David Harbour put on united display at a basketball game in New York, amid rumours of a split.The 38 year old Smile songstress looked in great spirits as she sat next to Stranger Things actor David, 48, and some pals at the Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks, NBA Basketball game in Madison Square Garden, New York. Mum of two Lily looked fantastic in a beige jumper and black jeans as she sat alongside her husband of three years, who was dressed in dark colours. They were also snapped backstage as David threw a basketball into the air.
Tiffany Pollard has revealed that she believes the late David Gest "haunts her" following her famous mix up on Celebrity Big Brother when she thought the producer had passed away. In a new interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Tiffany, 41, spoke about the iconic TV moment, which saw the American TV personality mistakenly presume David had passed away in the CBB house, after fellow housemate Angie Bowie, 74, informed her that 'David's dead'. However, Angie was referring to her ex-husband David Bowie, who died while she was on the reality TV show.
Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor For Eva Longoria to have the chance to direct “Flamin’ Hot,” she says she had to “overcome the stigma of being a dumb actor.” “I’m more than the actor you know from TV,” she tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “I’ve been directing for 12 years. I started with short films.
Kim Kardashian wants an older man for her next romance following her split from Pete Davidson — but she’s not on the hunt quite yet.The “Kardashians” star, 42, opened up about her dating life during the latest episode of the Hulu series, which aired on Thursday, while chatting with some of her gal pals.The group and their sons were headed to watch England’s Arsenal F.C. play Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon in London at the time, which took place in September.“So this game, one of the players is going to come and meet us. I don’t know who,” Kardashian told her friends in the car on the way to the game.“There might be some cute guys,” one friend chimed in.
William Earl “It’s great to see everyone here. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances is the truth,” Matti Leshem began, introducing a panel on the state of Antisemitism during Variety’s Hollywood & Antisemitism Summit, presented by The Margaret & Daniel Loeb Foundation and Shine A Light. Leshem, a producer and founder of New Mandate Films, began the conversation by checking in with each panel member and their emotional states following the attack by Hamas on Israel that has killed more than 1,400 civilians.
Grimes has said she thinks Taylor Swift would be the only person who could bring people together in the US if she were ever elected president.With just over a year to go till the next presidential election, discussion on the internet has turned to who the ideal candidate to move into the White House could be. As it stands, current president Joe Biden is set to enter the running for a second term, while Donald Trump will also be running again.Grimes has suggested in a series of tweets that Swift could be a good option.
The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood turned 100 last year — and now the venue is ready for its closeup. Netflix said today that the storied movie palace and birthplace of the red carpet will reopen next month after a three-year renovation and retrofit.
Jonathan Greenblatt The American Jewish community has been on high alert for years. In the half-decade since 11 Jewish worshippers were murdered during a Shabbat service in Pittsburgh, congregations across the country have installed security cameras, hired armed guards, and attended active shooter training sessions. The tension, however, has escalated in recent weeks.
Malina Saval Associate Editor, Features Social media influencer Lizzy Savetsky was two weeks into filming Season 14 of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New York” when a tidal wave of antisemitism forced her to quit the show. She fielded death threats and a barrage of online harassment. “I had been having a lot of anxiety about putting my family — including my three young children — at risk and not having control over how my story would be portrayed,” says Savetsky.
Beth Kean “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I awaken, I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” – Kanye West This statement shocked many people last October, but to those of who work at Holocaust Museum Los Angeles it was another call to action. As CEO of the oldest Holocaust museums in the United States, I did what I always do when antisemitic tropes and statements occur in our community: I reached out to the offending individual or group. In this instance, I offered Mr.
Principal photography has begun on the thriller 40 Acres starring Danielle Deadwyler in one of her first feature roles following 2022’s Till.
reportedly returned home to Israel to volunteer in the Israeli Defense Forces amid the war with Hamas. The unidentified security guard, who gained online fame during Swift’s “Eras Tour” this summer, posted a picture in his military uniform to his Facebook on Sunday, writing, in part, ‘I Stand with Israel… shouldn’t be just about a person stands with the one and only Jewish state.
The number of far-right, white supremacist fight clubs is exploding. The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) published a recent report that pinpointed at least 100 in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
A far-right fight club hellbent on creating racial unrest has signed up hundreds of Scots. The Active Club Scotland is a copycat of similar ventures in the US and Europe, which have been condemned for promoting white supremacist principles, backed up by macho physical training drills.
Saturday Night Live is back with season 49!
Emily Longeretta Great American Family has announced their full holiday movie slate. With two more movies than last year, their 2023 slate includes 20 new movies as part of the annual “Great American Christmas.” The event, featuring family-friendly, faith-based films, kicks off a week earlier than planned, beginning Friday, Oct. 13, with holiday movies airing 24/7.
Best known for fronting one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Angus Young performed many iconic gigs worldwide with AC/DC.
‘We Can Survive’ concert is coming to the Garden State.On Saturday, Oct. 14, Audacy’s one-night-only event featuring megastars like Maroon 5, ONEREPUBLIC, Kelly Clarkson, David Kushner and opening act winner Izza drops in to Newark’s Prudential Center.This isn’t just a star–studded show concert though.“We Can Survive” is part of Audacy’s “I’m Listening” mental health initiative and the concert will “celebrate music’s power to unite people, strengthening mental health in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).”“It’s time we take the next step to help those who are struggling get the help they need,” said AFSP’s said CEO Robert Gebbia.
Misty Copeland, who started a petition to add more inclusive shades of color to the traditional pink Apple ballet shoe emoji.Copeland, 41, the first black woman to become a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, posted about the initiative to her 1.8 million Instagram followers on Sept. 21, explaining that ballet started in 15th century Italy for the white elite and its shoes are pink to match fair skin color.