Culture

Music

Playing the Gold Standards

Food

The Love-Hate Relationship With Leftovers

Film & Television

Saving the Jewish Creators of Superman

Film & Television

'Wives' Tales: The Skinny on Bethenny?

By:

Michael Elkin

Desperate "Housewife"? Certainly not for attention; Bethenny Frankel has all she can handle: ex-"Real Housewives of New York" co-star Jill Zarin; star of "Bethenny Getting Married?" (she did! she did!); entrepreneur ("The Skinnygirl Margarita"); author ( Skinnygirl series); and columnist ( Health magazine; contributing editor, OK! ) OK, what's the skinny on Bethenny, this much publicized -- sometimes vilified --...

Food

Welcoming Shabbat in the Heart of the House

By:

Louise Fiszer, Jewish Exponent Feature

BEYOND CHICKEN SOUP Perhaps because cooking is my business, I planned for a kitchen where large numbers of people could gather in comfort. That's because it's been my experience that no matter how my husband and I have herded our guests into the living and dining rooms, they somehow make their way back into our kitchen -- because they enjoy...

Food

Celebrating the Fruits of the Season

Kabbalists in the 16th century began to celebrate the Jewish New Year for trees, Tu B'Shevat, with a seder service modeled after the Passover seder. They would bless and enjoy fruits native to the Land of Israel, and discuss concepts associated with the holiday. Today, it is becoming more and more popular today to celebrate the holiday with a seder...

Music

An Israeli Jazz Maestro Jams Smart

He is not Seinfeld's Maestro. No -- he's Israel's. And with a name like Shai Maestro, you just knew he had to be good. Which he is: The Israeli jazz pianist offers tastes of his talent at a Sunday brunch performance on Nov. 20 at World Cafe Live, capping the fourth annual Israeli JazzPhest of Philly. The 10-day festival --...

Books

On 'Braided Identities,' and Winning a Prize

By:

Bryan Schwartzman

University of Pennsylvania historian David Ruderman acknowledges that academics -- himself included -- often gear their writing to other scholars, rather than to a general audience. In addition, historians tend to stick to their own intellectual turf, rather than wading into unfamiliar waters. An expert on Jewish life and thought during the Italian Renaissance -- with an particular interest in...