Blog Filtered | Reform Judaism

Screenshot from of One Breath music video depicting various people singing on a Zoom screen

“of One Breath”: A New Song and Video Represents the Way the World Should Be

C.E. Harrison

December 14, 2020

I want everyone to hear the poetry of these young people’s lives; they are about joy, accomplishment, and love. And I want others to join them. The lyric “We know we are whole” means all of us; the glue uniting us is God’s breath that we all have inside and deserves to be heard.

Screenshot from the video Puppy for Hanukkah of a child holding a puppy next to a Hanukkah menorah

Arts and Culture

Daveed Diggs Has Dropped the Best (and Cutest) Hanukkah Song of 2020

Kate Bigam Kaput

December 4, 2020

This adorable new Hanukkah jam, replete with rapping kids, a bit of klezmer music, and gift-wrapped puppies at the end is exactly what we needed to bring much-needed light and levity to a difficult year.

Robert De Niro as Ace Rothstein in a scene from the 1995 film Casino

Jewish History

On the 25th Anniversary of "Casino," A Look at Jewish Gangsters in Pop Culture

Stephen Silver (JTA)

December 2, 2020

Casino Martin Scorsese’s examination of the mob’s control of Las Vegas in the 1960s and 70s, debuted in theaters on Nov. 22, 1995 — just over 25 years ago.

Graphic collage featuring Jack Antonoff Doja Cat and the Haim Sisters

Jewish Music

The 2021 Grammy Awards: All This Year's Jewish Nominees

Emily Burack (JTA)

November 24, 2020

Ranging from the sister rock band Haim to comedian Tiffany Haddish, these are the Jewish artists who made the biggest impact on the recording industry this year.

Film

A New Film Profiles Jewish Billionaire George Soros

Wes Hopper

November 17, 2020

In 88 minutes, Jesse Dylan takes on the insurmountable task of covering the life and controversies of someone who has lived through what seems like a thousand lives and a million battles.

Arts and Culture

7 Especially Jewish "Jeopardy!" Moments from Alex Trebek’s 36 Years as Host

Philissa Cramer (JTA)

November 10, 2020

In his 36 years as host of the immensely popular game show, Trebek encountered his share of Jewish moments. We’ve rounded up a few especially notable ones from the last decade here.

A screen shot from the trailer for Til Kingdom Come a documentary playing at the DOC NYC festival about evangelicals and Israel

Film

6 Jewish-Themed Films to Watch through This Year’s Online DOC NYC Festival

Curt Schleier (JTA)

November 5, 2020

DOC NYC is one of the world’s foremost documentary film festivals, and this year it’s all online, just like most other arts festivals in this pandemic moment. Here’s more on the Jewish-themed films.

Chef Marisa Baggett smiles in front of a kitchen setting

Conversion

From Southern Fried Chicken to Kreplach: Talking to Memphis Deli Maven Marisa Baggett

Aron Hirt-Manheimer

November 4, 2020

This November, Marisa Baggett, a Memphis-area Jewish chef and food blogger, will lead three cooking classes for families and children on Reform Judaism on the Go. We caught up with her to talk about her amazing journey as a Jew and chef.

Silhouette of a man falling off of a sailboat with a large fish or whale visible just beneath the surface of the water below

Jewish Values

On Running Away, Returning, and Teaching the Story of Jonah

Monica Steiner

September 24, 2020

We hear the story of Jonah on Yom Kippur, as an example of the power of repentance and redemption. But my favorite thing about this story is how perfectly messy it is to heed God's call.

Ato Essandoh also plays a Black Jew on the NBC drama Chicago Med and now on Away

Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Meet the Netflix Star Who Plays an African-British-Jewish Astronaut

Gabe Friedman (JTA)

September 21, 2020

Ato Essandoh isn’t Jewish, or British, or an astronaut — but he plays an African-British-Jewish astronaut on TV.

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