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Your Say…
Compiled om assorted news and wire services
Andrea Renault/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom
“e Infidel” is reportedly coming to NBC. It’s a comedy about a devout Muslim, portrayed by star and executive producer Omid Djalili, who discovers that he was adopted and is ethnically Jewish by birth. “e Infidel” was originally a British comedy film with the same plot (and the same star). Djalili, 46, is a British-Iranian actor/standup comedian/writer/producer best known to American audiences for his work on NBC’s short-lived “e Paul Reiser Show.” (Interestingly, that show
starred Paul Reiser.) Djalili is neither Jewish nor Muslim, but a member of the Baha’i faith.
Amy Winehouse
The Great Beyond he may be deceased, but Amy Winehouse has a new album coming out. The beehived British neo-soul singer, who died last July at age 27 of alcohol toxicity, has a post-humous CD on the way. The 12-track listing for the album, titled “Lioness: Hidden Treasures,” features alternate versions of Winehouse tunes, new material such as her duet with Tony Bennett, and unreleased tracks. Among the tracks are a reggae version of “Our Day Will Come” and the standard
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He’s back! Aer Eddie Murphy backed out because of the Brett Ratner controversy, the great Billy Crystal will return as emcee of the upcoming Academy Awards telecast. (To be honest with you, we were never sure EdMurph was the right man.) e 63-year-old actor/comedian/ author has already hosted the show eight times. “I’m doing the Oscars so
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Baltimore Jewish Times November 18, 2011
the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up prescriptions,” Billy tweeted.” Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, called Crystal “a comic legend and Oscar icon.” The announcement came after producer Ratner used a gay slur at a screening of his new movie “Tower Heist,” which stars Murphy.
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Passing Judgment
He resigned from the Oscars a day later and Murphy — lured by Ratner to host the telecast — followed Ratner out the door. The academy hired producer Brian Grazer to replace Ratner, and Grazer hired Billy. “Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again,” Grazer said. Billy last hosted in ’04. The Oscars will air Feb. 26, 2012.
“The Girl From Ipanema.” Artists Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson worked closely with Winehouse’s family, management and record label to craft the album, which will be released next month. One pound from the sale of each album will be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which was created to “help children who are suffering from economic disadvantage, who are ill [and] who are suffering with drug abuse,” her father, Mitch Winehouse, told CNN.
BT1 WENN Photos/Newscom
Omid Djalili
Keeping e Faiths
Genine Macks Fidler’s name was misspelled in last week’s article “Major Jewish Event Coming.” AFP PHOTO / SHAUN CURRY (Photo credit should read SHAUN CURRY/AFP/Getty Images
Rick Pushinsky/Eyevine/ZUMApress.com
That Josh “Lazie” Resnik is one lucky guy. Who is he? An addictions specialist who used to play bass for the heavy metal band Danzig. Big deal, right? But he also just got engaged to that blonde babe who plays Penny on “The Big Bang Theory,” Kaley Cuoco. And that ain’t bad. The 25-year-old actress’s rep announced Kaley to People recently that Kaley and Lazie Cuoco are getting hitched. They have yet to set a wedding date. Kaley previously dated her “Bang” co-star, Johnny Galecki.
From theater trips to hospice care, we put our heart into everything we do, so our residents feel right at home.
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Lazie & Penny
A home with a Jewish heart.
Billy Crystal
It was very nice of Pearl Laufer from Columbia to pass judgment on the level of observance of Abraham Mercado (“Major Disconnect,” Nov. 4). I think that her opinions would run contrary to many in the Chabad and Orthodox communities that would be grateful for any level of observance from a college athlete. And they would not only see Abraham Mercado as a role model for other Jewish athletes, but as a role model for building bridges between Jews and African-Americans. From what I read in the article, I think that Mr. Mercado’s lifestyle and observance should be praised and not questioned. Ron Davis Owings Mills
Penn State Cowards Three cheers for the Board of Governors of Penn State for cleaning house in the aftermath of the revelation that assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abused a number of young boys over a 15-year period. (See Andrew Buerger’s Nov. 11 blog “Lessons From Penn State” at jewishtimes.com .) I am appalled by those who criticize the Board of Governors for taking decisive moral action and dismissing coach Joe Paterno, who knew of the abuse but failed to report it to police. The students demonstrating against Paterno’s dismissal have much to learn about setting appropriate moral priorities. How tragic that it is not evident to all that the most vulnerable among us — oen children — deserve the greatest protections. In last week’s Parshat Vayera, we read of the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael. Some commentators have
suggested that m’tzakheik in Genesis 11:9 suggests that Ishmael was cruel and abusive, and perhaps sexually molested Isaac (Genesis Rabbah 53:11). If that is the case, then God also “clears house” to remove the abuser. I am not suggesting that this is the correct reading of m’tzakheik, but I am suggesting that our rabbis understood that sexual abuse warrants the extreme action taken by Abraham. In our own community, we have faced these concerns. Too often, too many have closed their ears and minds, engaged in denial, and otherwise made the decision that child victims are not deserving of justice and protection — especially when someone of communal importance bears responsibility. Enough. This is a cowardly and immoral response. Kol HaKavod to the Board of Governors of Penn State. Rabbi Amy Scheinerman President, Baltimore Board of Rabbis
Pro-Obama Joe Falk questions the voting habits of the majority of Jews who undoubtedly will continue to support President Obama’s campaign for re-election (“Not Proud,” Nov. 11). But what are the alternatives? Look at the Republican candidates. While they may differ in style, they all basically agree on common principles — protecting tax breaks for the
wealthy and global corporations, deregulating bankers and hedge fund managers who brought us the Great Recession, slashing environmental protection, returning to the days when all abortions were illegal, expelling millions of undocumented immigrants without offering them a path to citizenship, and attempting to balance the budget and reduce deficits on the backs of middle- and low-income Americans by shredding Medicare and Social Security. Yes, President Obama has made mistakes, but he is far superior to any of the GOP candidates who display not a shred of humanity or decency.
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Jack Kinstlinger Baltimore
Don’t Believe Me Regarding Joe Falk’s Nov. 11 letter, every Israeli prime minister is not always right merely because he or she is the Israeli prime minister. One may dislike an individual head of state and still be committed to that state’s interests. If one disliked George W. Bush and/or his policies, for example, were they labeled anti-American? But don’t believe me. Ask a few Israelis as these statements relate to Mr. Netanyahu. Sidney Chernick Baltimore Longer versions of these letters and additional ones submitted are at jewish times.com. Click “opinion” on the left and then “letters to editor.” Send letters to editor@jewishtimes.com.
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