Media

Still from the Bachelorette - woman and man talking

July 19, 2022

Why Haven't We Had an Openly Jewish Bachelorette?

Catherine Horowitz

Although The Bachelor/ette franchise features extensive discussions of Christianity, even the rare Jewish contestants never talk about Judaism.

Topics: Television, Antisemitism, Religion

Shira Haas becomes the first Israeli nominated for an Emmy Award for her lead role in “Unorthodox”

July 28, 2020

Israeli actress Shira Haas rose to international fame for her role as Esty in Unorthodox, a Netflix miniseries. On July 28, 2020, she became the first Israeli to be nominated for an Emmy Award for this role.

Collage with TV Still from "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"

July 11, 2022

"Remember That We Suffered": Grappling with Privilege and Intergenerational Trauma as a Jew

Abigail Gilman

We can acknowledge the horrors that our ancestors endured without letting that knowledge stop us from living fully and compassionately in the present.

Topics: Antisemitism, Media, Family

Comic strip by Alison Bechdel entitled "The Rule" from her series Dykes To Watch Out For

July 1, 2022

It’s Time to Ditch the Bechdel Test–Or at Least Take It Less Seriously

Catherine Horowitz

We should not need a list of boxes to check off to tell us whether a movie is feminist.

Topics: Television, Film, Feminism, LGBTQIA Rights

Megan Fox holding a flame to her tongue with her phone held up to her ear

July 1, 2022

"Jennifer's Body": A Metacommentary on Exploitation in the Film Industry

Sofia Isaias-Day

The film Jennifer's Body addresses themes of assault and exploitation without being obvious about it—which may have been a necessary tactic.

Topics: Feminism, Television

Movie Still from "Ghost World", 2001: Image of Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch

June 10, 2022

"Ghost World": Flawed Portrayals of Flawed Jewish Women

Lucy Waldorf

Ghost World is satirical, but is that fact enough to excuse the writing of the Jewish female characters?

Topics: Feminism, Television, Fiction, Antisemitism

Anita Brenner

Anita Brenner, an anthropologist, journalist, and art historian, was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to Jewish immigrants from Latvia and grew up in Mexico and Texas. She was an important part of the Mexican Renaissance cultural scene, and the internal tension she experienced as Mexican, American, and Jewish provided her with insight into both Mexican and Jewish identity.

Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin’s Oscar-winning film debut in 1986’s Children of a Lesser God made history on multiple fronts. At 21, not only was Matlin the youngest-ever Best Actress winner, she was also the first Deaf actress to be recognized by the Academy. Her subsequent career in film and television, as an author, and as an activist for the Deaf community, has paved the way for inclusive, nuanced storytelling that showcases Deaf culture to hearing audiences.

Woman stands on in subway car with her head peeking through open doors

May 17, 2022

"Russian Doll" Season 2: Messy, but Beautiful

Emma Breitman

Despite a sloppy start, the show’s second season ultimately hooked me with its exploration of Jewish themes.

Topics: Television, Motherhood, Antisemitism, Spirituality and Religious Life

Carrie Brownstein’s Sleater-Kinney releases acclaimed album, "Call the Doctor"

March 25, 1996

On March 25, 1996, the feminist indie-punk band Sleater-Kinney, featuring Jewish musician, actor, and writer Carrie Brownstein, released its second album, Call the Doctor. The album, which Rolling Stone later listed as number 49 in the top 100 albums of the 1990s, solidified Sleater-Kinney as an essential voice in punk rock’s riot grrrl movement.

April 21, 2022

Using Their Voices to Share Experiences and Combat Racism in Israel

Mirushe "Mira" Zylali

Call.Activit’s founders hope the movement will help Ethiopian Israelis name their feelings and take control of their narratives.

Topics: Civil Rights, Israel, Journalism

Maya Rudolph Joins the Cast of "Saturday Night Live"

May 6, 2000

On May 6, 2000, Jewish comedian, actor, and writer Maya Rudolph appeared for the first time on Saturday Night Live, where she remained as a cast member until 2007. When she joined SNL in the show’s twenty-fifth season, she became the fourth Black female cast member in the show’s history.

Paula Abdul Releases First No. 1 Hit Single “Straight Up”

November 22, 1988

On November 22, 1988, Jewish singer, performer, choreographer, and television personality Paula Abdul released her single “Straight Up” from her debut album, Forever Your Girl. The song became Abdul’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1989.

March 22, 2022

Interview With Talmudic TikToker Miriam Anzovin

Dina Adelsky

JWA talks to Miriam Anzovin about leaving behind Orthodox practice, misogyny on social media and IRL, and of course, her viral Daf Reactions TikTok videos.

Topics: Media, Talmud, Spirituality and Religious Life, Feminism, Women's Rights

Collage with Image of Alix Kates Shulman at Miss America Protest at "Freedom Trash Can"

March 9, 2022

Protest Social Media's Beauty Standards in the Name of the Freedom Trash Can

Mallie Lifsitz

It’s undeniable that our current beauty standards are unattainable. I think that contemporary activists can learn from Alix Kates Shulman’s approach to this issue.

Topics: Feminism, Protests, Media

Rachel Brosnahan accept flowers from a man.

March 8, 2022

I’m Tired of Trying to Root for Midge Maisel

Sarah Jae Leiber

Over and over, Midge hurts people who trusted her, and the show lets her get away with it.

Topics: Television, Comedy

February 24, 2022

How I Make Black Jews Visible Through the Magic of TikTok

Raven Schwam-Curtis

My TikToks educate, validate, and celebrate Black Jewish identity.

Topics: Civil Rights, Feminism, LGBTQIA Rights, Media, Jewish Education

Still from bat mitzvah scene of And Just Like That...Includes Charlotte, her husband, children, and officiating rabbi

February 7, 2022

How 'And Just Like That…' Reflects Bat Mitzvah History

Judith Rosenbaum

In its season finale, And Just Like That...captures how the bat mitzvah has evolved over the last century.

Topics: Television, Spirituality and Religious Life, LGBTQIA Rights

Collage of Images of Bobbie Rosenfeld and of Elle Rosenfeld's Crew Team

January 26, 2022

Bobbie Rosenfeld and Me: Athletic By Chance, Inspirational By Choice

Elle Rosenfeld

As an athletic Jewish feminist, is attacking an uncomfortable situation assertively, but quietly, an effective protest technique?

Topics: Feminism, Athletes, Media

January 20, 2022

Missed Kulüp When It Came Out? You Can Now Binge the Whole Delicious Series.

Mirushe "Mira" Zylali

The show depicts Sephardic women in all their messy complexity. But when it comes to Turkey’s oppressed minorities, it could dig deeper.

Topics: Television, Jewish History

Shulamit Aloni elected to Israel’s 6th Knesset

November 2, 1965

Shulamit Aloni fought tirelessly for individual rights, women's rights, and religious freedom. She served as an Israeli minister and Member of Knesset for 28 years.

Libby Stein-Torres from The Ghost and Molly McGee

November 23, 2021

Libby Stein-Torres joins a growing pantheon of Jewish female cartoon characters

Ariel Finkle

The Ghost and Molly McGee is about to air a Hanukkah episode, and I’m kvelling.

Topics: Television, Spirituality and Religious Life, Hanukkah

Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp and Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones

November 16, 2021

FX’s Impeachment: A Study in Caricature and Misogyny

Sarah Jae Leiber

By putting some of the show’s female stars in prosthetics, FX’s Impeachment is guilty of the same misogynistic behavior for which it faults the media.

Topics: Television, Journalism, Politics and Government, Feminism

November 11, 2021

How a Celebrity Chef Helped Me Connect with My Mixed Heritage

Marissa Wojcik

Celebrity chef Molly Yeh inspired me to share my Jewish fusion recipes with the world.

Topics: Food Writing, Holocaust, Television, Religion

July 19, 2021

"Outwit, Outplay, Outlast": Where are the Jewish Women on "Survivor"?

Judy Goldstein

Out of 20 Jewish Survivor contestants, only six have been women.

Topics: Television