Robert Siegel, former host of NPR’s All Things Considered and Moment’s special literary contributor shares his thoughts about the mob events at the U.S. Capitol and how these past few years remind him of the turmoil of 1968. He also reflects on the history of American rebellions and the challenges that lie ahead for the Biden administration. Siegel is in conversation with Moment’s opinion and book editor Amy E. Schwartz.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency journalist Sam Sokol traded WhatsApp messages with President Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, about one of the ex-mayor’s favorite targets—the Jewish billionaire George Soros.
Israeli director Ruthy Pribar describes her newly released debut feature film Asia as “not easy to watch,” but she hopes it conveys the message that “even when in the darkest part of your life, you can see beauty.”
Jewish jokes are a precious commodity and a special part of our heritage. Some of the best ones are worth looking at as succinct and entertaining expressions of our values. William Novak, co-editor of The Big Book of Jewish Humor, in print since 1981, explores some of the values behind the jokes and how they can be treated as secular Jewish texts. From well-known classics to relatively obscure examples, there is some history, commentary and plenty of laughs.
As we count down the hours left of this challenging year, take a look back at the stories that shaped the American Jewish conversation in 2020. With a mix of serious and light coverage of 2020 politics, pandemics and more, here are Moment’s top articles of 2020
Writer Carolyn Ariella Sofia longs for a deeper connection to her Italian Jewish heritage. Finally, after years of waiting, she finds home.
Before they leave for the Sunshine State, Israel’s government is making sure to show its gratitude to Kushner for four years of holding the administration’s Middle East portfolio, brokering normalization agreements with four Arab countries and shifting America’s policy in the region to a more Likud-oriented posture.
Israelis may not be known for their fancy gifts, but they have a knack for historic symbolic presents.
So what did Kushner find in his goody bag?
An editor hired me to give friendship advice on her website. From the very first question, the gig was beshert.
Esther Wojcicki, educator, journalist and author of How to Raise Successful People, in conversation with Moment’s editor-in-chief Nadine Epstein about her life, creativity and the T.R.I.C.K method, a set of five values – trust, respect, independence, collaboration and kindness – she used to raise her three accomplished daughters Susan (CEO of YouTube), Anne (Founder and CEO of 23andMe) and Janet (professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco) and teach thousands of high school students. She also discusses how these same values can strengthen corporate culture.
No one enjoys looking in the mirror more than Hollywood, and no one does it better—as vastly entertaining show-biz movies like Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s All About Eve, Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood can all attest. Now comes Mank, David Fincher’s loving and atmospheric re-creation of 1930s Hollywood.
