Weekly Schmooze: Yair Lapid, romantic comedy star

Jewish culture news worldwide: Seinfeld raps; R.L. Stine's big break; an Israeli on American Idol.

weekly schmooze 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
weekly schmooze 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Israel is still reeling from the election for the 19th Knesset and the big surprise of Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid's win. If you want to know more about Lapid, The Schmooze can give you one bit of information – clips from his starring role in a romantic comedy, "Siren Song," from 1994.
With all the excitement of the last Knesset election, US President Barack Obama's second inauguration went mostly ignored in Israel, but, as always, the Schmooze found a Jewish connection. Check out Senator Chuck Schumer, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, preparing some apple pies for the big day with apples from the Hudson Valley in his home state, New York.

Chairman Schumer Makes Apple Pie from Congressional Inaugural Cmte on Vimeo.

"American Idol" fans have an Israeli candidate to root for this season: Shira Gavrielov. Gavrielov got the stamp of approval from all four judges, and Mariah Carey practiced her Hebrew, saying "shalom" and "shana tovah" (happy new year). Gavrielov is the daughter of known Israeli songwriter Miki Gavrielov, and has released singles in Israel. Here she is, competing in New York to be America's next idol:
Jerry Seinfeld is multitalented – he's a stand-up comedian, actor and writer – but did you know he can rap? The world is about to find out, as Seinfeld is collaborating with rapper Wale (pronounced Wah-lei), who, four years ago, released an album titled "The Mixtape About Nothing," inspired by "Seinfeld" and featuring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played Elaine on the hit 90s sitcom. Seinfeld said he likes Wale's music, so he agreed to participate in the album, along with DJ Omega. In any case, the comedian said he is a kind of rapper, because "hip-hop is words, and I do words."
Fans of Goosebumps author R.L. Stine is beloved by anyone who lived to get a good scare as a kid. He talked about growing up as a "strange child" who didn't like to go outside, and his first job as a writer in New York, making up celebrity interviews.
The Weekly Schmooze collects the hottest Jewish culture news from around the world. Ranging from celebrities to philanthropy to quirky communities, we're here to schmooze about Jews.
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