Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Articles written by Matt Robinson


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  • The Passover Haggadah story, now in graphic novel form

    Matt Robinson|Apr 19, 2019

    (JTA)-At Passover each year we are reminded that even though the original story is generations old, we are supposed to engage with the narrative as if we were slaves in Egypt. Unfortunately, most Haggadahs are about as engaging as a Maxwell House percolator. This year, however, two Jewish artists have created a vibrant addition to the alternative Haggadah canon: a graphic novel version of the Passover story that also takes readers through the seder. It's the creation of Jordan B. "Gorf"...

  • After midnight, the (Jewish) stars come out

    Matt Robinson, JNS.org|Dec 5, 2014

    From Tevye the dairyman to Maroon 5's Adam Levine to "Let It Go" singer Idina Menzel, Jews have always been at the forefront of the music scene. Burt Sugarman and Mark Goodman are no different. As on of the pre-eminent television and film producers in history, Sugarman's rolodex of connections would make any A-lister blush. Goodman, one of the first on-air personalities for the MTV network, had his finger on the pulse of pop music for years. The two industry icons spoke to JNS.org about the...

  • Famed Christmas 'Elf on the Shelf' meets its Jewish match: 'Mensch on a Bench'

    Matt Robinson, JNS.org|Nov 22, 2013

    When his son asked for The Elf on the Shelf-the famed Christmas toy that is said to keep an eye on children and report back to Santa Claus regarding their behavior-entrepreneur Neal Hoffman said he felt an admitted pang of "elf envy" and saw the need to offer something more appropriate. "I said to myself that I wished there was a toy and book that was an alternative, that was rooted in Jewish traditions," Hoffman told JNS.org. Hoffman, at the time an employee of the Hasbro toy and game company,...

  • Rick Moranis, going from 'Ghostbusters' to mom's brisket, draws on Jewish roots in new album

    Matt Robinson, JNS.org|Jul 19, 2013

    When fans picture Rick Moranis, the first things that probably come to mind are comedy and scenes from science fiction movies such as “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” “Ghostbusters,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” or “Spaceballs.” But Moranis’s latest project conjures up an image much closer to home. Moranis recalls that the smell of his Jewish mother’s home “would get you from five blocks away.” “The whole place smelled like Friday at 6 p.m., and that was 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of...