Новости за 14.12.2017

On Wednesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at a summit in Turkey. Understandably, Abbas condemned the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and reiterated Palestinian claims to the city. But then the Palestinian leader ventured into far more disturbing territory: instead of simply assailing the political policies of the United States and Israel, he began to assail Jews. Almost as an aside, Abbas declared:

On Wednesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at a summit in Turkey. Understandably, Abbas condemned the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and reiterated Palestinian claims to the city. But then the Palestinian leader ventured into far more disturbing territory: instead of simply assailing the political policies of the United States and Israel, he began to assail Jews. Almost as an aside, Abbas declared:

On Wednesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at a summit in Turkey. Understandably, Abbas condemned the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and reiterated Palestinian claims to the city. But then the Palestinian leader ventured into far more disturbing territory: instead of simply assailing the political policies of the United States and Israel, he began to assail Jews. Almost as an aside, Abbas declared:

First, a bit of consolation: None of these 2017 children’s books reach the heights of offensiveness of last year’s Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf. These are merely bad, clueless, or cynical. Which means they still do not belong under your Hanukkah bush.*

We’ll start with the good news: Google released its lists of top searches for 2017 earlier this week, and when it comes to actors and actresses, there are no surprises. Meghan Markle—now technically more of a princess than an actress—is number one. Kevin Spacey—now technically more of a defendant than an actor—is number two. And at number three? Cue the Wonder Woman theme music: It’s Gal Gadot, two places before that wannabe Meryl Streep. Hallelujah.

If you love Broadway musicals, then you already know who Seth Rudetsky is. And if you don’t, you should.

Vera Katz, the beloved three-term mayor of Portland, Oregon who helped transform the city into a Mecca for artists, chefs, and other creative individuals has passed away this week at the age of 84 after succumbing to leukemia.

I’ve been to Graceland five times. Don’t ask why. It just happened. The last time, I’d arrived with a handful of fanatics, one of whom broke down in the King’s airplane. I noticed, as I wandered though the rope line in the living room, a Chai hanging from a gold chain in a display case amid other fancy jewelry. I was shocked. Though I knew from research that Elvis had been reading, at the time of his death, possibly on the can, The Passover Plot, the King had always seemed to me as far from Jewish as a person can get. Читать дальше...

This week on Unorthodox, we’re celebrating the Festival of Lights with merriment and good cheer. And presents!

When the movie Wonder opened last month, some criticized the choice to have a nondisabled actor play the role of Auggie, a boy with severe facial disfigurement. For these critics, the decision was yet another example of the way people with disabilities are excluded.

After my father died we had to clear the apartment he kept his office in, and my mother started collecting old menorahs from thrift stores. I still can’t go past a window display with some old Jew’s cast-offs without wondering when that was last lit, and how.