Who, What & Where: Oscars, movies and treats for Mum on Mother’s Day, Israel Real Estate show
Our weekly roundup of what's on and what's hot
OSCARS: Something’s Coming
There was a time when the Oscars was truly a Jewish affair. How could it not be with Carl Laemmle (Universal) Adolph Zukor (Paramount) and Shmuel Gelbfisz (Samuel Goldwyn) running the studios. Not that all the winners were the chosen people, but nice Jewish girl Norma Shearer was the first to win Best Actress for The Divorcee in 1930. There have been many Jewish winners since: Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl), Daniel Day Lewis (Lincoln) and most recently Joaquin Phoenix for Joker in 2019. Deaf actress Marlee Matlin won for Children of a Lesser God in ’86 and returns this year in the film CODA, which is multi- nominated at this year’s ceremony on Sunday night. Our presence includes Amy Schumer as one of the hosts, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Zoë Kravitz and Mila Kunis as presenters. Among the nominees there is Best Actress hopeful Kristen Stewart for Spencer (above), who discovered via a DNA test that her biological maternal grandparents were Ashkenazi. Overlooked by BAFTA, Andrew Garfield has a Best Actor nom for Tick Tick Boom and its editors, Andrew Weisblum and Myron Kerstein, are also up for a gong. Composer Hans Zimmer, who announced he was Jewish at the 1999 Berlin Film Festival, is up for his Dune score and then there’s Steven Spielberg, who has Best Director and Best Film noms for West Side Story. If he wins it will be his third (and possibly fourth) Oscar; the odds are on Jane Campion, but it ‘Could, be, who knows…..’
MOVIES: Watch with Mother
Reserve the sofa for that special lady, butter some bagels and give her a small screen Sunday viewing of films to suit her style.
For the Mum who likes a shiva: This Is Where I Leave You. Starring Jane Fonda (of course your mother adores her) as a newly-bereaved widow and the dysfunctional children who stay to make up a shiva minyan. Joining Jane in grief are Tina Fey and Jason Bateman, as well as a rabbi with the nickname ‘boner’. She’ll see the funny side.
For the mum who says “you never call”: The Guilt Trip. Barbra Streisand is the star and that’s enough, isn’t it? She plays the parent of Seth Rogen and they go on a road trip, but neither you or your mother will be saying: “Are we there yet?” because it’s a warm and fuzzy film for huggers.
For the mother who loves to kvetch: Sophie’s Choice. Just kidding, but it’s a movie with legitimate kvetching. Better still, let her enjoy the bagels with Helen Hunt as an over-worked waitress with a sick kid and the now-retired Jack Nicholson as an author with OCD. That’s As Good as it Gets and it really is, plus she’ll adore the dog, Verdell.
ISRAEL: Real Estate Show
After a three-year hiatus, the Israeli Real Estate Event is back in London this Sunday. If you are considering Aliyah, thinking about purchasing a holiday home, or are interested in investing in Israel, you probably have a lot of questions. Here’s your opportunity to find the answers. At the biggest, most comprehensive Israel real estate event you’ll gain knowledge and receive the most up-to-date information from experts on buying for housing or investment, taking out a mortgage, legal issues, Aliyah, retirement communities and more. Learn the differences between banking in the UK and in Israel, what you should know before taking out a mortgage, when to opt for private over branch banking, and more. Get the inside story about the most popular Anglo communities across Israel, including where it’s most worthwhile to buy and the character and nuances of each city, town and community. The Israeli Real Estate Event is at Kinloss this Sunday March 27 at from 10:30 am – 6pm Entry is free. www.realestateisrael.org
BEAUTY: Beautiful gift for Mum by Louisa Walters
If you still haven’t organised a gift for mum it’s not too late. An online gift card for Pai skincare will go down a treat and I know this because I’ve tried this brand out and I love it! Pai founder Sarah Brown says becoming a mum made her work smarter. “Before motherhood I worked every waking hour, but I realise having children made me better at business. Becoming a mum forced me to become more deliberate in my work and decision making. As women we are so busy thinking about everyone around us, we forget to look after number one.” Building a skincare routine into your day is a way of carving out a little time for yourself. The routine that the Pai experts set up for me using the products they advised on during a free Zoom consultation have become an integral part of my day that I always look forward to. The cleansing cloth is possibly my favourite item of all – my face feels beautifully scrubbed clean after I’ve used it, giving me a feeling of youthful energy. www.paiskincare.com
SHOW: Multi-tasking performance art
Seder is an awe-inspiring multidisciplinary piece that combines poetry, jazz drumming, sound and dance to explore the themes of ritual, retelling, and survival. It is based on Adam Kammerling’s poetry collection of the same name, which focuses on the Holocaust survivor and kinder transport evacuee Walter Kammerling and his family, but intertwines experiences from the diverse cast including stories of Malay and Chinese mixed heritages, persecution of LGBTQ+ bodies, familial trauma, and addiction.
Seder is showing on 20 April in the Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre at 7.45. Tickets are £15 www.southbankcentre.co.uk
MOTHER’S DAY: Tea time
She’ll tell you that she can’t afford the calories but all mums love an afternoon tea, especially when taken by their kids. The Ham Yard Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel, Soho Hotel, Haymarket Hotel and Covent Garden Hotel are all gorgeously pretty with delicious sandwiches, cakes and pastries served on beautiful, patterned china. If you can’t get a booking at a time to suit, buy Mum a voucher to use another time. www.firmdalehotels.com
This week in Jewish history
By Jewish News historian Derek Taylor
On 16 March 1190 an antisemitic mob in York attacked the Jewish community. This date marked was Shabbot Hagodol, which comes immediately before Pesach. In fear they took shelter in Cliffords Tower, a part of York Castle, which had been founded in 1068 by William the Conqueror. It’s a Motte and Bailey Castle – the Motte is the high ground and the Bailey is the walled courtyard. One of the mob promised that any Jews who came out and converted would be spared; some did and were promptly murdered. Most of the Jews committed suicide, with the fathers killing their families and then themselves, rather than fall into the hands of the mob. The death toll is estimated at 150. In memory of the terrible events, daffodils are planted on the banks of the Tower every year as they resemble Stars of David. The Chief Rabbi and the Archbishop of York also unveiled a memorial plaque in 1978. The Chief Rabbi found no evidence that York had been cursed by the contemporary rabbis but for centuries it was said that Jews shouldn’t stay in the city overnight.
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