Humble Moroccan doughnut is Israel’s Chanukah staple

December 10, 2017

By ANDREW TOBIN

TEL AVIV (JTA) – The sufganiyah is the plump, shining star of Chanukah in Israel.

During the holiday season, the famed jelly doughnut poses in the windows of cafés and bakeries across the country. It sparkles with...

Eight books for Chanukah — or anytime

December 10, 2017

By VICTOR WISHNA

(JTA) — When Chanukah comes, it hangs around for more than a week. That means plenty of gifts to give, as well as ample time for procrastinators.

For your favorite Person of the Book, you can’t go...

James Franco to direct, star in film about poet Shel Silverstein

December 04, 2017

(JTA) — Actor and director James Franco will direct and star in a film about children’s book author and poet Shel Silverstein.

The film, based on the book “A Boy Named Shel,” by Lisa Rogak, will focus on Silverstein’s personal...

Bette Midler says that Geraldo Rivera drugged and groped her

December 03, 2017

(JTA) — Former NBC anchor Matt Lauer is among the latest in a string of high-profile media men — beginning with Harvey Weinstein — to get hit with allegations of sexual assault.

Lauer’s story and subsequent firing prompted fellow TV...

Roger Waters had a gig in Germany. A Jewish woman’s protest led the sponsor to drop out

November 28, 2017

(JTA) — A German broadcaster has pulled its sponsorship for a Cologne concert by Roger Waters following protests led by a Jewish resident of the city.

Malca Goldstein-Wolf, who reportedly collected about 1,500 signatures on a petition, had accused WDR...

‘Transparent’ star Jeffrey Tambor denies second sexual harassment accusation

November 19, 2017

(JTA) — Jeffrey Tambor, the star of the Emmy-winning television comedy “Transparent,” denied sexual harassment allegations made by a female member of the show’s cast a week after denying similar charges by his former assistant.

Tambor issued the denial in...

Gal Gadot reportedly conditions ‘Wonder Woman’ return on ouster of Brett Ratner

November 12, 2017

(JTA) — Israeli actress Gal Gadot has reportedly refused to star in a sequel for the blockbuster “Wonder Woman” unless producer Bret Ratner is ousted from the project.

Gadot is opposed to Ratner benefiting from her work because he has...

Richard Dreyfuss accused of exposing himself to young writer in 1980s

November 10, 2017

Richard Dreyfuss attending the AFI Life Achievement Award gala at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, June 8, 2017. (Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

(JTA) — A young writer accused actor Richard Drefyuss of sexually harassing her several decades ago, including exposing himself to...

‘Transparent’ star Jeffrey Tambor accused of sexual harassment by former assistant

November 09, 2017

(JTA) — Amazon Studios is investigating sexual harassment allegations against Jewish “Transparent” star Jeffrey Tambor.

The entertainment website Deadline first reported the investigation on Wednesday.

Tambor, 73, has won two Emmys portraying the transgender matriarch of a Jewish California family...

Six women accuse filmmaker Brett Ratner of sexual misconduct

November 01, 2017

(JTA) — Six women have come forward to accuse filmmaker Brett Ratner of sexual harassment or misconduct.

The women quoted in an article published Wednesday the Los Angeles Times were all actresses at the time of the incidents. They include Natasha...