It was impossible not to fall in love with Ed Koch at first sight. Frank, insightful, wise, he was always opinionated and not afraid to push back hard when he didn’t agree with you. But he was open, charming and a treasure to New York, if not the entire country. Chutzpah was fortunate to speak [...]
Born to a conservative family living in Newark, NJ, the wry Koch, known affectionately as “Hizzoner” during his three terms as New York City mayor (’78-’89), still carries a huge cachet with Jewish voters nationally, despite his often highly controversial stances. Koch, who succeeded another Jewish NYC mayor, Abraham “Abe” Beame, is a lifelong Democrat [...]
Based on the Jewish concept of repairing the world, the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, presented by The Helen Diller Family Foundation, recognize teens who are exceptional role models in their communities and beyond, have demonstrated remarkable leadership and are actively engaged in projects which embody the values of tikkun olam. by benefiting the Jewish [...]
Robert Klein gives great phone. And for those not lucky enough to dial him up for an interview, he gives even better stand-up. Chutzpah talked to the legendary comedian in advance of his one-night only performance at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT on Saturday October 27. The iconic Jewish comedian is funnier than ever, [...]
The Philadelphia Theatre Company opens its 2012-2013 season with the world premiere of the new musical song cycle Stars of David from October 17 to November 18 at Philadelphia Theatre Company’s home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre at Broad and Lombard Streets in Philadelphia. Stars of David is a musical stage adaptation of Abigail Pogrebin’s highly-acclaimed [...]
A 21st Century Take On “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out” By Laura Goldman Reboot is a different paradigm of a Jewish organization, founded to use culture to reawaken Jewish feelings among the religiously unaffiliated. Young thought-leaders from media, technology and Hollywood gather at its annual, invitation-only retreat in Park City, Utah to brainstorm about [...]
From landing on the number one TV comedy to publishing a parenting guide, marvelous Mayim Bialik is firmly back at the top of the marquee. By Laura Goldman Depending on your age, you first became a fan of actress Mayim Bialik as the young Bette Midler in the movie Beaches, as the quirky and be-hatted [...]
By Julie Canter In a new-media role reversal, the wildly popular website Old Jews Telling Jokes, created in 2009 by film producer and director Sam Hoffman, has gone old school—to the theater. And the transformation takes the clever concept to a whole new level. Going well beyond a series of funny bits told live, Peter [...]
Text and photography by Nancy Resnick Hendrickson If you grew up in a household that discouraged roller skating and bicycle riding as dangerous pursuits, your ema would be shocked to learn of any interest you might have in the Chai Riders’ Motorcycle Club Inc., a group that describes itself as “a bunch of people who [...]
Women had to wait millennia to take their place on the bimah as rabbis. But once the doors opened for women to enter the rabbinate, it took barely the blink of an eye for their voices to be heard as cantors. By Beth S. Buxbaum Until the ordination of the first female rabbi, Sally J. [...]
By Marc Kaye When experiencing a difficult situation, it helps to keep a journal. But given all the sweeping of Matzah crumbs I have been doing, who has time for that. As a substitute, I’ve taken past journal entries and taken out the most salient leanings to create “The 8 Tweets of Passover.” Don’t [...]
The Passover Marketing Problem
By Marc Kaye Moses may have parted the Red Sea but I’m pretty sure he never had to contend with the super awesome Easter Egg Hunt next door. Take my word for it - he’d have to fight a lot harder for that sort of coverage on CNN. This basically comes down to a marketing [...]
The game of basketball was invented in 1891 by a minister, James Naismith, who believed that it would promote “muscular Christianity.” That game would be unrecognizable today with its peach baskets, players passing the ball but never dribbling (a minor adjustment never envisioned by Naismith) and final scores like 5-4. It wasn’t until Jewish immigrants [...]
As the Israeli people face their greatest threat in years, the US premiere of the French masterpiece, La Rafle (The Roundup) from Menemsha Films opens in cities across the country and serves to remind us of why Israel was created and why it must be defended. With a script based on extensive research and first-hand accounts, writer/director Rose [...]
Legends of Rock Final Countdown: Son of a Russian gangster and lifetime sufferer from various compulsive disorders, Warren Zevon http://www.chutzpahmag.com/archives/2165 learned to play the piano under no less than Igor Stravinsky. Zevon prospered as one of rock’s great singer/songwriters known for his often dark, slightly humorous and always sardonic take on almost everything. Check out [...]
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