Samuel Eli Shepherd

Abby Stein shows us the Hasidic Williamsburg she left behind Abby Stein's memoir about growing up Hasidic Jewish and coming out as transgender, 'Becoming Eve,' is being adapted into a new play.

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In an 'Oliver Twist' prequel, Fagin gets a first name — and the spotlight A new 'Oliver Twist' prequel is told from the perspective of one of literature's most antisemitic caricatures.

“You don’t emerge whole cloth out of a hole in the ground as a fully formed villain.”

Allison Epstein on redeeming and wrestling with Fagin in @forward.bsky.social

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Elon Musk’s Jewish problem The world’s richest man has adopted an approach to Jews informed and augmented by the far-right, with seemingly contradictory positions that are more consistent than they at first appear.

What's Elon Musk's deal with Jews?

As Musk suddenly amassed huge amounts of government power, I found myself returning to this question I've had for years.

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Hallmark's 'Leah's Perfect Gift' gets interfaith relationships right — and a whole lot else wrong Hallmark's latest film about a Jewish woman celebrating Christmas is cringey and cliche, but it depicts Judaism with surprising sensitivity.

And speaking of Hallmark, @samuelelishepherd.bsky.social reviewed the channel’s other Hanukkah entry this year, 'Leah’s Perfect Gift,' writing that while it had its cringe moments, it offered an authentic take on American Judaism.

Ripped, dipped, sliced and shmeared — what makes a bagel a bagel? Rippable bagels are the newest innovation — and controversy — in the world of bagels. But people love to fight over the Jewish-inflected food.

When you picture a bagel, perhaps you imagine the classic everything bagel slathered with shmear, capers and lox.

But some hyped bagel bakeries are hawking "rip and dip" bagels, inviting controversy and posing the question — what actually makes a bagel a bagel?

Leah Forster’s new off-Broadway show is anything but Orthodox The formerly ultra-Orthodox Jewish performer discusses coming out as a lesbian and finding her comedic voice in a new one woman show

"I don’t want to be tolerated. I’m not lactose. I want to be loved and celebrated," said the ex-Haredi TikTok comedian Leah Forster in conversation with our @samuelelishepherd.bsky.social.

Crow’s Theatre has just announced that its production of “The Master Plan,” now running at Soulpepper, has been extended by a week. Now running until Jan. 5.

Here’s the @thestar.com’s original review of the production:

www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Leah Forster’s new off-Broadway show is anything but Orthodox The formerly ultra-Orthodox Jewish performer discusses coming out as a lesbian and finding her comedic voice in a new one woman show

“I’m not lactose. Don’t tolerate me. I want to be loved and celebrated.”

Spoke to Leah Forster for @forward.bsky.social on leaving the Haredi community, being an openly queer comedian and her new one-woman-show.

forward.com/culture/thea...

‘Nothing is as addictive as power’: Rachel Goldberg-Polin slams politicians for inaction on hostages Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of slain American-Israeli hostage Hersh, criticized Benjamin Netanyahu and other politicians.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of slain American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, sharply criticized political leaders during a speech Monday.

“I have learned that there is a force more addictive than anything in the world, and that force is power," she said.

10 wicked ways to avoid talking about war and politics this Thanksgiving Want to avoid having your Thanksgiving overtaken by conversations about Trump and Gaza? We have 10 wicked tips for how to handle it.

Scared of alienating your loved one with politics this Thanksgiving? These conversation starters are sure to save you (maybe!)