Writing, Editing & Creative Media Consulting
Posts tagged idol chatter
November and December: Idol Chatterin’
015 years ago
When it comes to the intersection between pop culture and spirituality (which sometimes means Judaism, specifically), my posts at Idol Chatter on Beliefnet run the gamut: from TV to music, from books to movies, from the Holocaust to the Family Guy to ABBA. Seriously.
After my making a case in October for Don Draper being a vampire, November brought a slew of varied stories. Ian McKellen started ripping pages out of hotel Bibles, Comedy Central expanded to Abu Dhabi, and that “Family Guy” live special offended lots of people. Reading and watching movies about Anne Frank – and presenting on Jewish pop culture at a local high school – led to both reviews and contemplations of what constitutes teen theology. The Macaroons, a new kids’ band, brought catchy rock hooks to Jewish subjects, just in time for Hanukkah.
In December, ABBA was named to the list of future inductees for the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame, leading people to say, “um, is ABBA really rock?” But forget Swedish pop music and senatorial musical submissions: what’s new with Jewish music this Hanukkah? The NY Times did a short piece, but I had a few suggestions of my own. Also, in the wake of Orrin Hatch’s musical Hanukkah present to the Jews, Conan’s Jewish cast member – Max Weinberg – sang back with a Christmas song for Mormons set to “I Have a Little Dreidel.” Meantime, those creative folks over at G-dcast created a special animated episode for Hanukkah.
And just yesterday, Roy Disney died, reminding everyone how much of an impact Disney has had on the cultural landscape.
2009: January’s Work
015 years ago
I’ve been hard at work this month, helping ROI prepare to relaunch their website (coming soon), preparing for upcoming conferences (LimmudLA and Jewlicious Festival 5.0, I’m looking at you), conducting private blogging workshops, and of course posting pieces on topics like Lost and Bible Study, religious and pop culture lenses on dating, a review of the new documentary “Blessed is the Match,” and others over at Idol Chatter (click here for the January archives).
I also spoke on “Jewish Dating Ethics” at a private home in Los Angeles, as part of a mini-conference sponsored by LimmudLA, and debriefed from the speech I gave in December as part of the “Sex and Relationships” panel convened in New York by Zeek Magazine at the 92Y Tribeca.
I also found time to cover the “Women to Watch” conference for the Jewish Journal in LA.
In the coming months, I hope to finalize summer plans as well as line up speaking engagements and writing/editing jobs in LA, New York, Jerusalem and many other places. Want to be on my itinerary? Book now: esther.kustanowitz at gmail.com.