Movie Review: A Serious Man October 6, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Coen Brothers, Movie Review: A Serious Man
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 Movie Review: A Serious Man
Alternate Title: Accept the Mystery Story: Larry Gopnick is a righteous man. He works hard, helps people and tries to do the right thing – so why is his life falling apart? This is the 14th film by Joel and Ethan Coen and it is terrific. Larry’s life is like the biblical character, Job. Despite his efforts, the walls are crumbling around him. His teaching tenure is tenuous, his wife abruptly asks for a divorce, his mentally unbalanced brother sleeps on his sofa, money woes are mounting, his crazy neighbor seems threatening to his life and property, his about to be Bar Mitvah’d son smokes too much pot and his teenage daughter longs for a nose job. What’s a fellow to do? Larry carries an everyman status and while this film is very Jewish in tone and content, Larry’s ‘everyman’ will cross cultural boundaries. He consults three Rabbis for answers and along the way we get some riotous cockamamie tales, parables and sudden twists. They say this is somewhat of a memory piece for the Coen Brothers as they were raised in a Jewish suburb of Minneapolis. I don’t know from Minneapolis, since I was raised in Brooklyn, but I was able to recognize most of these characters. This is a typical Coen Brothers film where there is no tidy ending. I liked the abruptness of the ending and could not think of a better way to end this film. The Coen Brothers also hand us some unforgettable lines during the movie and the last line of the end credits had me laughing out loud. For those that leave the film before the end credits, they state ‘ No Jews were harmed in the making of this film.’ I don’t know about most Jews, but this Jewess thoroughly enjoyed this latest Coen Brothers film. Does it help to be Jewish to enjoy this film? It couldn’t hurt. Will the Coens answer the question as to the nature of the human condition? Don’t ask. When your life is going to the crapper and you ask ‘Why me’? The answer of course is, ‘Why not you’. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Acting: Michael Stuhlbarg as Larry Gopnik is pitch perfect. I cannot think of anyone else who could have done this role better. Bravo. Richard Kind as Uncle Arthur was sheer brilliance. Fred Melamed as Sy Ableman was fabulous. Sari Lennick as wife, Judith hit every mark. Adam Arkin as the straight laced Divorce Lawyer was perfect. Aaron Wolff as 13 year old Danny was hysterical. Jessica McManus as the sister, Sarah Gopnik, had a smaller role but was great. The entire ensemble cast was terrific. Trivia: Ethan Coen graduated from Princeton University. At Princeton, tried to explain a missed deadline by saying that he had lost one of his arms during a hunting accident. He worked as a statistical clerk at Macy’s before setting off to make Blood Simple. (1984). Joel Coen used to receive sole credit as director for the Coen brothers movies’, but has always directed films with his brother Ethan Coen (they also write and produce their films together). This was changed with The Ladykillers (2004), and now they both receive credit for directing and producing. In his childhood, he saved money from mowing lawns to buy a Super-8 camera. Roderick Jaynes, who is credited with editing all of his films, does not, in fact, exist. The name is a pseudonym for Joel and his brother Ethan. Predilection: I am a big fan of the Coen Brothers. Critters: None Food: Considering it was a Jewish home, food was not a big player. Sex Spectrum: Some fantasy sex. Blatant Product Placement: None Soundtrack: A terrific soundtrack from cantorial music to the Jefferson Airplane. Opening Titles: A short sequence that takes place in Poland, maybe 150 years ago with a tale a out a dybbuk. The opening credits follow this sequence. Visual Art: Kudos to the director of photography, Roger Deakins. He made this 1967 town outside of Minneapolis picture perfect. Theater Audience: About 20 other people. Weather: Minneapolis was surprisingly lovely in June. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout. Predictability Level: I was not sure what was going to happen. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Why not? Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. Here are the 14 Coen Brothers films for you to see/rent. Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Man Who Wasn’t There, Intolerable Cruelty, The Ladykillers, No Country for Old Men, Burn After Reading, A Serious Man Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 9
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Silence of the Blog September 20, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Bronx Zoo, Frank Rich, Jewish New year, Silence of the Blog
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Why so silent these days, you ask? Yes, there are surely things that are driving me nuts every day. And yes, I have been screaming at the TV, newspapers and websites that I read. I have been blogging in my head (can’t you hear the voices?) However, the dialogue is so crazy that It is hard to write about the lunacy. I have always said to all who will listen that ‘I don’t do crazy.’ It is difficult to think like a crazy person. I find that analyzing this kind of behavior is a waste of my time. I have decided that this wackiness will pass – most likely replaced by other annoying, distracting wackiness.
- These are the things that are bothering me this morning. The delegitimizing of the Obama Presidency by the right, Glen Beck (read Frank Rich today), the healthcare debacle, the financial meltdown, Acorn, Obama interfering now in the New York State Governor’s race just like the Dems interfered in the upcoming New York State senatorial race (Gillibrand), Joe ‘you lie’ Wilson, ‘Values’ voters, the Mideast peace negotiations breakdown, the New York Mayoral contest and why can’t I DVR two shows while watching a live third one?
More details on some of these annoying above items at another time. Today is too lovely a day to sit and gripe. I am outta here. Oh yes, and a very happy new year to all of my Jewish friends. L’Shanah Tovah.
Meanwhile enjoy these photos from this week’s trip to the Bronx Zoo.
Six Degrees of Mark Sanford, Sonia Sotomayor & Debbie Rowe? July 8, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Religion, Videos, Zoos.Tags: Al Franken, Buenos Aires, Is it good for the Jews?, Six Degrees of Mark Sanford, Sonia Sotomayor & Debbie Rowe?
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Six degrees of separation has become a fun game to play. Also known as the ‘Human Web’, it gives thought to the idea that if a person is just one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on Earth. It was brought to the public’s attention through a fine play by John Guare. It definitely fits in with the ‘me’ generation and the idea that the world revolves around oneself.
In that spirit I would share three items about those six (sometimes closer) degrees of separation.
I have definitely had enough of both the Sarah Palin as quitter story (aren’t you glad she is not a heartbeat away form the Presidency?) and the over the top coverage of Michael Jackson’s long public mourning. But I have not had enough of the Mark Sanford story. If fact, now follow along with me please – a good friend of mine is from Argentina (she now lives in London). I asked her if she new Maria Belen Chapur, the woman who is involved with the wacky South Carolina Governor. She did not know the woman but did know the area where she lives very well, because her husband, (who is British) used to live on the very same street as Maria Belen Chapur when he worked in Buenos Aires. The neighborhood is posh and is directly across the street from the Buenos Aires Zoo. The little Italian restaurant that Mark Sanford mentions as part of his love nest and also where he made goo goo eyes is one of my friends’ favorite spots (they always recommend it to visitors). In fact, when her British husband lived on that street he would have his morning coffee and croissant at that spot. And to top that off, my Argentinean friends’ former colleague had an affair with Carlos, the owner of the restaurant. Maybe all of that passion is served in the coffee? Who knows?
I found out the other night while waiting to watch the July 4th fireworks that Sonia Sotomayor used to live in my building. In fact, she lived in the apartment of the woman I was speaking with. Go figure? By the way – her confirmation hearings start Monday and newly sworn in Senator Al Franken got a post on the all important Judiciary Committee. I have not gotten any more of those nightly telephone calls from the Al Franken campaign for money. It is almost time for him to start raising money for his re-election campaign so the phone should start ringing anytime again. Since I called Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s office to encourage her to run for the NY State Senate I am sure her campaign will take the place of those nightly calls soon.
And then there is Debbie Rowe. We Jews have a saying when something happens in the news. The collective response to war, the economy, scandal, etc. is – “Yes, but Is it good for the Jews?” A good example of it not being good for the Jews was the trial and execution of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg or when we found out that the murderous Son of Sam’s real name was David Berkowitz. We took some comfort in finding out that he was adopted. Oh yeah – and Bernie Madoff was most definitely NOT good for the Jews. Well, guess what? Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Michael Jackson’s two older children is Jewish. Jewish Law says if the mother is Jewish – so are the kids. Oy Vey. There is a joke of late that says Debbie Rowe is the only Jewish mother that leaves her kids alone.
- If you missed this one, there was even a story called ‘Is Twitter Good for the Jews‘
- In the always leave ‘em smiling mode, here is Al Franken getting sworn in yesterday. A nice touch was to have VP Walter Mondale, another Minnesotan, by his side:
Spying, Matzoh and Queen Hatshepsut April 8, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Dogs and cats, Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Religion, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Jonathan Turley, Keith Olbermann, Queen Hatshepsut, Zoo Lover's Day
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A chip, chipping away of the adoration of our new President can be loudly heard. The revelation that the Obama administration is invoking a continuation of some of the Bush spying policies is causing me much alarm and disappointment. The civil liberties and privacy issue that Obama the candidate promised us during the campaign have rapidly evaporated. No – just because he is on our team does not make this a good move. Constitutional pillaging is unacceptable no matter which leader is doing it. I am going to start writing and calling my outrage – how about you?
- Here are both Howard Fineman and Jonathan Turley on the Obama Administration’s Invoking State Secrets on Surveillance Program. This 10 minute piece is worth your time.
- For those of you that missed Keith Olbermann’s tribute to his mother who passed away last week, check it out. You can see that the apple did not fall far from this tree:
- Happy Passover to one and all. Here is something to laugh along with:
- It was about 1500 B.C. when Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt built the first zoo. Many private zoos were kept by rulers in Africa, India, and China between 1,000 and 400 B.C. – and a “school” zoo was built by the Greeks to study animal and plant life. Modern zoos were not delevoped until the 1400’s when European explorers came to the New World and took exotic animals back home with them. It was then that public display type zoos were born. Here are some of the reasons I love to go to zoos.
My Benjamin Netanyahu Story April 2, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Religion, Videos, Zoos.Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Central Park Zoo, tarantulas
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My friends are now rolling their eyes and saying ‘Nooooo – not the Benjamin Netanyahu story AGAIN!’ But since he is back in the news as the Prime Minister of Israel some stories just need to resurface. So here goes -
Time: March 2001
Place: The Central Park Zoo
Background: As a long time volunteer Zoo Guide in the education department at the Central Park Zoo I was asked ‘if I minded’ giving a tour to the recently ousted Prime Minister of Israel and his young family. Did I mind? Did I mind? (We Jews like to repeat ourselves). Heck, no. I was thrilled.
Story: So after the formal introductions, Bibi, his wife, their two young sons, two undercover Israeli agents, two under cover NYPD officers and the head of security at the Central Park Zoo and I took off for an informal tour of the Zoo. The boys were excited, the Netanyahu parents seemed relaxed and the under cover officers were tense. I was trying to look cool, calm and collected. The only Hebrew I could recall was ’shalom’ and how often can you say that on a zoo tour?
Meat of the story: As we toured the upstairs close-up gallery in the tropical rain forest we stopped at the tarantula exhibit. I spoke for a very short while about tarantulas. The boys and Bibi were fascinated by the creepy crawly critters.
I say to Bibi – “Do you have tarantulas in Israel?”
Without skipping a beat, looking straight into my eyes, Bibi replied – ‘”Only in politics”.
Oh yes, he was good. Very good. I just wish he were not such a hawk. Oh well. That is my Benjamin Netanyahu story. The above photo was taken of us by the head of Zoo Security. I told Tom at the time that if the photo did not come out – I would have to kill him.
I also have stories about my meeting Keith Olbermann at the Zoo and others. But that is for another day.
Read more about the present situation and the possiblility of Israel’s grab for peace. ‘Benjamin Netanyahu was the perfect candidate for a comeback in Israel’s worried political landscape. Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran’s nuclear designs and Israel’s economic ills contributed to a mood of pessimism that provided grist Netanyahu needed to double his right-wing Likud’s parliamentary representation in a February election. Netanyahu, returning as prime minister a decade after he was voted out of the post, may still go by his childhood nickname, Bibi, but the U.S.-raised MIT graduate has never been accused of taking anything but a sombre view of Israel’s world.A former military commando, Netanyahu is a self-styled terrorism expert, writing books and forming a think-tank after his elder brother Yoni was killed leading the raid to release Israeli hostages held at Entebbe airport in Uganda in 1976. He and his third wife, Sara, have two teenage sons. He has a daughter from a previous marriage’.
- Benjamin Netanyahu begins his official term as Israel’s Prime Minister after an official changeover ceremony in Jerusalem.
(Not so hard) Press Conference March 25, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Brooklyn Design Lab, Ed Henry, Francois Leaf-Monkey, Obama Press Conference, Old Jews Telling Jokes
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Last night’s prime time Obama Press Conference seemed like a rerun to me. Did anyone hear any mention of the word torture last night? The major newspapers were shut out from question time. There were no questions from the NY Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal or USA Today. Maybe they need to start waving their hands furiously so that the teacher will call on them? So who did get called upon? The Washington Times, Stars and Stripes, and POLITICO as well as reporters Jennifer Loven (AP), Chuck Todd (NBC), Jake Tapper (ABC), Chip Reid (CBS), Lourdes Meluza (Univision), Kevin Baron (Stars and Stripes), Ed Henry (CNN), Major Garrett (Fox News), Mike Allen (POLITICO), Kevin Chappell (Ebony), Ann Compton (ABC Radio), Jon Ward (Washington Times) and Stephen Collinson (AFP). It seemed to me that the press corps does not have a focus and that last night’s event simply allowed Obama to keep spreading the word about his mission. I like his overall mission so I will give him the benefit of the doubt. I am just pissed about the lack of action, or interest, on the issue of torture. My favorite exchange was when CNN’s Ed Henry pressed him on the speed of his response to the AIG bonus issue, Obama snapped back, “It took me a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak.” For the record, it’s worth noting that in their eight years, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush each held just four prime time press conferences.
- President Obama smacks down Ed Henry at 3/24/09 Press Conference on AIG Bonuses
- Guess what? That nutty color code system that seemed to get into high gear around election time is probably going the way of the dodo bird. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano doesn’t think they do much good, and they’ve disappeared from the front page of Homeland’s website.
- A fine is a tax for doing wrong; a tax is a fine for doing well. – Anonymous
- For those that need a good laugh every now and then, check out this website called Old Jews Telling Jokes.
- March 24, 2009: The Day in 100 Seconds
- Amy Yang, a former Central Park Zoo keeper, who was responsible for building my original website has moved on to many other creative avenues. Her latest project is a little shop called Brooklyn Design Lab which offers design and art classes for children ages 2-12 year round (summers are 9am-3pm for 9-12 yr olds). There is a description below and please visit the website for full info. Brooklyn Design Lab offers design and art classes in a studio environment for early childhood (ages 2-4) and grade school (grades K-6) students. All of our classes are hands-on, process-driven and focused. Students of all ages explore a set of materials, a theme, or an area of study in depth. Class sizes are strictly limited so that students can get the most out of each course, the time spent with their teachers, and their fellow students. BDL values process over product and the fun of creating over all. Brooklyn Design Lab is located steps from many Park Slope public schools (7th ave bt 13/14th sts). Classes run throughout the year and are held during the day, after-school, Saturdays, and in the summer. Early registration is recommended. The Brooklyn Design Lab studio window showcases a selection of student work in rotating mini exhibitions.
Please forward this to anyone (and everyone) you think might be interested.
- ‘Elke’ the four-day-old hand raised Francois Leaf-Monkey is shown for the first time at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. The Leaf-Monkeys native habitat is Northeast Vietnam and Southeast China.
A Torturous Path to Justice March 24, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Religion, Videos.Tags: Economy Candy, Frankfurter Frenzy, HIllary: The Movie, Jonathan Turley, Rachel Madow, Rudy and Judy, Shawarma King, Supreme Court, torture
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Am I Judy-One-Note? Have I tortured you with too many blog entries on the subject of torture? It is a priority for me that the Obama Administration stop pussy footing around this issue and appoint a Special Prosecutor and begin what will surely be a messy but necessary step in our national disgrace. A truth commission is a delay tactic. What is Obama waiting for? Watch this six minute clip from last night’s Rachel Maddow show as she speaks with my guy, Jonathan Turley about Obama’s torturous path to justice over the Bush/Cheney administration’s clearly illegal torture policies. I hope someone brings this issue up in tonight’s prime time press conference.
- An impassioned case for prosecuting alleged torture
- File this under ‘only in New York’ – Frankfurter Frenzy: Near Riot Breaks Out At The Shawarma King After Non-Kosher Hot Dog Is Found On Premises.
- ‘HIllary: The Movie‘ goes to the Supreme Court today. While this sounds like a joke it is not. It is critical that the Supremes uphold a lower court’s decision. A lower federal court ruled that the film falls under federal law restricting the airing of attack ads. If Citizens United prevails, it would create an enormous loophole in the law and allow corporate money to flood into partisan politics in ways it has not in many decades. It also would seriously erode the disclosure rules for campaign contributions.
- Comfort food feels good in rough times. Economy Candy, on the Lower East Side, has been a favorite haunt of mine for years. Even though I am not a big candy eater it is a place that just feels good to visit. ‘When Economy Sours, Tootsie Rolls Soothe Souls‘ – an interesting read in today’s Times.
- Speaking of juicy, sweet things – there is a rumor afoot that Rudy and Judi’s relationship may be in trouble. It is probably not true – but it is juicy.
- March 23, 2009: The Day in 100 Seconds
Movie Review: Two Lovers March 16, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Dogs and cats, Jewish Stuff, Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Movie Review: Two Lovers
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 Movie Review: Two Lovers
Alternate Title: Contrasts Story: Imagine a contemporary love story that is not filled with stupid boy/girl antics, pratfalls and fart jokes. Director and writer James Gray (along with writer Richard Menello) have created a romantic movie that is an adult, character driven tale of love lost and found (sans stupid gimmicks). It is the fall of 2008, in the colorful community of Brighton Beach. Leonard has moved back home with his loving, devoted, Russian Jewish parents after some difficult experiences with love, depression and an attempted suicide. He meets the uncomplicated, solid, lovely Sandra through filial connections and she is smitten. He then meets the forbidden fruit (a shiksa) Michelle who is unstable, selfish and dating an older married man. She is basically a lot of trouble. Guess who Leonard goes ga ga over? How this three character based story develops is real, dynamic and engaging. I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes character driven stories and wonderfully detailed sets and backgrounds. And did I mention there is brisket?
Acting: It is too bad that Joaquin Phoenix recently announced his retirement from film. I hope he changes his mind. This performance as Leonard is simply terrific. You cannot take your eyes off of him. Gwyneth Paltrow as the forbidden fruit holds her own against a bravura performance by Phoenix. The beautiful Vinessa Shaw somehow managed to come off as plain and did a fine job as Sandra. Isabella Rossellini as Leonard’s mother hit pay dirt. She is terrific as is Moni Moshonov, as the loving father. Trivia: Director James Gray grew up in Queens and wanted to be a painter. This is his third film with Joaquim Phoenix. His grandparents were Russian immigrants. Joaquin Phoenix was born in Puerto Rico to Children of God missionaries John Bottom Amram and Arlyn Dunetz Jochebed (a.k.a. Heart), Joaquin was the middle child in a brood of five. He once refused to wear shoes during a photo shoot for Prada because they were made out of leather. He is a vegan. He announced his retirement from acting and said that Two Lovers would be his last movie as an actor. Stay tuned. Predilection: I like films made in Brighton Beach. It is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Critters: Goldfish and seagulls and a dog (who is never, ever walked). Food: It is a Jewish household. Food is always in the picture. I was particularly taken with the brisket scene. Without blowing my own horn, I must say that my Judy Lobo brisket looks better than the one featured in the film and I dare say, tastes better. Anyone reading this want to testify to that statement? Sex Spectrum: Leonard gets lucky with both of the ladies. Soundtrack: A wonderful track filled with great opera arias. Opening Titles: I cannot remember. Visual Art: The details are visually eye popping. I felt as is I were in my Aunt Minnie and Uncle Larry’s Brighton Beach apartment 40 years ago. Theater Audience: Five other people. Weather: It was a chilly fall and winter in Brighton Beach. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Perhaps Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine. Check out director James Gray’s other films, including: Little Odessa, We Own the Night and The Yards. Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 8
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Lobo’s 2nd Annual: What’s a Jew to do on Christmas Day? December 25, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Blogroll, Dogs and cats, Jewish Stuff, Photography, Religion, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Hanukkah, Holy Night, Jewish song writers, Klezmer, Lobo's 2nd Annual: What's a Jew to do on Christmas Day? Tatiana, Newyorkology, Oy, San Francisco Zoo, Steve Bass
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Those of us who are not celebrating Christmas have a lot in common. What do we have in common? We are outnumbered (don’t get paranoid) in the US (but not in the world) and lots of things are closed today. Is that enough? The chart below shows how that religious pie in sliced in the US. Here is another graph from the Pew folks.
Last year I gave you some ideas as to what you could do on this day. To repeat (because Jews like to repeat), here are some alternate ideas for you. I usually do not recommend going to the movies on this day because it is filled with everyone else who has nothing to do including those who believe in Islam, Shinto, Taoism, Church of Scientology, The New Age Movement, Wiccans, Divine Light Mission, Hare Krishna Movement, Transcendental Meditation, Festivus celebrators, The Unification Church, Buddism, Falun Gong, Jainism, Hinduism, Parsis (Zoroastrianism), Sikhism and Sai Baba. However, I am breaking my own rule and will be going to see The Curious case of Benjamin Button at noon. It could be a big mistake. We shall see.
Last year my sister and I are took the hour long ride on the D train and visited our 94 year old Aunt who lived in a Sephardic Home in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. We brought her our usual welcomed gift of two Kit Kat bars, updates on family, photos, news of the outside world, etc. Christmas day was just another day at the Sephardic home so it seemed like a good place to visit and a nice thing to do. Sadly, at 95, Aunt Katie passed away last October so we will be missing her on all days won’t be taking that long train ride anytime soon. Rest in peace, Aunt Katie. By the way, I put a Kit Kat Bar in her casket for that long, hopefully sweet trip to the other side.
- Here is a short list of things you can do today other than go to a movie or visit someone in a nursing home. You can take a walk, go to a zoo (but you will not be able to go to the San Francisco Zoo this year*) or aquarium, call your Jewish friends (most likely they’re home too), read a book, bake a cake, fill in those important dates in your new 2009 calendar, look ahead for when the High Holy Days fall this year (I have already done that), plan a trip (am doing that now), clean up your messy desktop and burn some CD’s, plan an Inauguration Party, clean out a closet, read those e-mails you have been saving and before you know it, the day is over and tomorrow we are back to normal. NewYorkology has a fine list of things that are open in NYC today.
*The San Francisco Zoo will not be opening this year on Christmas. If you recall it was last Christmas that Tatiana the tiger escaped her exhibit and killed one young man and mauled two others. For an update on that story read more here.
- Oy, Holy NIght:
- TechBite’s columnist Steve Bass has some great time wasters for you today (Extreme snowboarding, mind-numbing puzzles, sing-along with Elvis, and a bunch more ways for you to kill some time.). Steve writes weekly commentary on the technology products he loves, the strategies for getting the most out of them, and the gotchas that can cause computing misery. Check out the holiday issue and sign up for his newsletter.
- A Chanukah (Hanukah) Christmas Carol:
- The following super popular Christmas time songs were all written by Jewish composers. Go figure?
1. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) was written in 1945 by Mel Tormé and Robert “Bob” Wells
2. White Christmas by Irving Berlin
3. Let It Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! was written by the songwriting team of Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne.
4. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Holly Jolly Christmas by songwriter, Johnny Marks.
5. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year by Jewish composer, George Wyle.
6. l’ll Be Home For Christmas by Walter Kent, who wrote the music, and Buck Ram, who co-wrote the lyrics with Kim Gannon.
7. Silver Bells was written by Jay Livingston, who wrote the music, and Ray Evans, who wrote the lyrics.
8. Santa Baby was mostly written by Joan Ellen Javits (born 1928).
- Chinese Food for Christmas:
- A new animal video for the season:
- And finally, Return to the great Jewish themes of outsider-ness & redemption with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”— in Yiddish! The greatest klezmer Christmas song ever! A Yiddish “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” performed by San Francisco’s Kugelplex. :
Lobo’s 2nd Annual ‘Hanukkah Shmanukkah’ December 21, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Jewish Stuff, Links, Photography, Politics, Religion, This 'n That.Tags: Adam Sandler, dreidels, Hanukkah Shmannukah, Jewish, Latkes, South Park
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It is finally here. We bring out the Menorah and light that first candle at sundown. Factoid about my Menorah. Years ago, I saw a Martha Stewart show where she said if you put your Menorah in the freezer for awhile, the wax will chip right off of it. It was a good thing. Martha probably did not have in mind what I did after that. I now store my Menorah in the freezer all year long. It is a good thing and makes me smile whenever I open my freezer during the year. If you are lucky, someone in the family is making latkes. Now where did I put the dreidels? Where should I display the menorah? Is anything going to catch fire after I light the candle? So many questions and only eight nights to figure it all out. This is a lengthy post and you have eight full days to read, enjoy and watch it.
So how do you spell Hanukkah? Does it have a ‘C’, 2 ‘N’s, some K’s? What letter does it end with? There are more than 20 different spellings of the Jewish Festival of Lights and, of course, no one has told us which is the defintive spelling. You know the old adage about the number of opinions amongst Jewish people all depends upon how many Jews are in the room.
Here’s the current list of the way you can spell this Festival of Lights.
Channuka, Channukah, Chanuka, Chanukah, Chanuko, Hannuka, Hannukah, Hanuka, Hanika, Hanukah, Hanukka, Hanukkah, Kanukkah, Khannuka, Khannukah, Khanuka, Khanukah, Khanukkah and Khanike. Sometimes even Xanuka.
Sometimes ‘Oyikkah’ seems the best way to go.
The basic problem is that it’s translated into English from a five-letter Hebrew word meaning “consecration,” which lacks the gutteral, rolling-in-the-throat opening sound. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has “Hanukkah” as the main entry, with “Chanukah” as another option. The Associated Press Stylebook, considered the spelling bible by most newspapers, also goes with “Hanukkah.” The New York Times uses ‘Hanukkah’. The Daily News uses “Chanukah,” although other versions are used. The bottom line is you cannot misspell this word. So a very Happy Hanukkah to all.
- How to make very, very easy Latkes:
- Or – the more traditional, messier version with lovable Lola, Sylvia and Erin::
- More factoids about the History of Hanukkah.
- What Movies You Watch for Hanukkah? Get 8 Movie Suggestions
- Adam Sandler’s original Chanukah Song. Put on your yamulkah, it’s time to celebrate Hanukkah.
- How many of your gentile friends ask you ‘Isn’t Hanukkah late this year?” or “Isn’t Hanukkah early this year?” I remind my gentile pals that Jews are on the Lunar calendar and things are different each year. FYI – next year Hanukkah is December 12-19 and for those that really like to plan ahead -December 2-9, 2010
- How cute are these kids? A beautiful song for Hanukkah sung by the PS22 Chorus of 2009 in Hebrew.
- For those that like to know these things, here is a list of past, present and future Jewish Politicians.
- Hip Hop Hanukkah Bird:
- Dreidel facts: In Israel, the dreidel is called the sivivon and the Yiddish word “dreidel” is derived from the German word “drehen” or “turn.” In America, the Hebrew letters on the dreidel stand for “A Great Miracle Happened There.” In Israel, the letters mean “A Miracle Happened Here.”
- The South Park Dreidel Song:
- Hatikva Live – Jewish communities all over the world sing simultaneously. Get our your tissues.
- My favorite of all is Marley the Hanukkah dog singing Oh Hanukkah:
