Life

Scarlett Johansson interview: ‘My film represents where I am in my life now’

Hollywood’s outspoken superstar on her directorial debut Eleanor the Great and finding empathy for its main character, an elderly Jewish woman who lies about surviving the Holocaust

By James Mottram

6 min read

Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut Eleanor the Great centres an elderly Jewish woman who falsely claims to be a Holocaust survivor. (Photo: PA)

Not in the brochure: the arrival of the first group of settlers at the port of Asuncion, painted by one of them, Charles Sansom (Photo: Christies Images/Canning House)

Family history

My family were ‘farmers’ in Paraguay. Who knew?

By Mark Solomons

3 min read

Good intentions: John Irving and his new book

Books

John Irving’s latest: ‘an unapologetically Zionist heroine’

By Ben Felsenburg

3 min read

Amy Levy. (Photo: Cambridge University Library)

Literature

Oscar Wilde’s queer and Jewish female friend

By Eliana Jordan

3 min read

JC LifeDelivered Weekly

Unlock access to our community and get the latest news straight to your inbox!

All Newsletters

On everyone's lips: sufganiyot must be one of the most commonly used Hebrew words in the diaspora

Chanukah

Thank socialism for our Chanukah doughnuts

By Simon Rocker

2 min read

Not so gentle: Ellemie Shivers (as Sophie) with the gargantuan puppet (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Theatre

This version of Roald Dahl’s BFG shows that giants can be small and pathetic ★★★★

Unlike The Witches in which Dahl was accused of having Jews in mind when he created the cabal of child-killers, Jewish theatregoers can relax with this adaptation

By John Nathan

2 min read

jewish pantomime

Oh yes they have! This panto is unashamedly Jewish – and all the funnier for it ★★★★

The makers of Cinderella and the Matzo Ball deserve all the praise (naches) for conjuring up something so blissfully unapologetic at a time of Jewish erasure in the arts

By Etan Smallman

2 min read

Behind you! The Giant Prawn in the JW3 panto (Photo: Charlie Flint)

Art

Four Figures Four Eggs at Woolwich Works: Inam Zimbalista’s meditation on the mundane

The Israeli artist’s one-day exhibition offers a quiet reflection on human relationships and the everyday

By Jonathan Sacerdoti

3 min read

Inam Zimbalista's piece 'Woman, man & hose'.

Books

Best children’s books for Chanukah

Angela Kiverstein picks the seasonal stories that capture young imaginations

By Angela Kiverstein

1 min read

Lifestyle

Health

I have pancreatic cancer and the BRCA mutation – this drug is keeping me alive

After radical surgery, this woman was given between five and eight months to live. Then her specialist put her on Olaparib

By Gaby Koppel

5 min read

"So blessed": Muswell Hill Synagogue member Steph (Photo: Claudine Hartzel)

Travel

High teas, hot springs and Jane Austen: Finding winter wellness in Bath

The geothermal hot spot in Somerset offers a relaxing retreat for us world-weary Jews, and all the romance of an Austen novel

By Nicole Lampert

3 min read

A view from the top of Thermae Bath Spa on a winter morning.

Film

Peter Hujar’s Day review: ‘a hymn to the wet process of photography’ ★★★★

The Jewish, gay and fearless independent film-maker Ira Sachs turns an interview with the renowned photographer Peter Hujar into a captivating film

By John Nathan

1 min read

Time capsule: Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hail in Ira Sach's film

Theatre

A Dracula spoof to enjoy, but no fangs for my seat ★★★

Excellent music and the jokes come thick and fast. I just wish I could have seen what was happening centre stage!

By John Nathan

1 min read

Ciarán Dowd in Dracapella (Photo: Craig Sugden)

Theatre

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold review: ‘hugely satisfying stage adaptation’★★★★

There is a strong Jewish presence in this taut le Carré Cold War thriller which has more twists than a cheese stick

By John Nathan

1 min read

Setting the trap: Rory Kennan as British spy Alec Leamas (Credit: Johan Persson)

JW3

Meet the Jewish Cinderella at the heart of JW3’s Chanukah panto

Cinderella is a baker in the Kosher Kingdom in this Jewish version of the classic fairy tale

By Eliana Jordan

1 min read

Cinderella and the Matzo Ball. From left: Talya Soames as Buttons, Talia Pick as Cinderella, and Rosie Yadid as Milchig. (Photo: JW3)

Theatre

All My Sons review: Bryan Cranston is terrific in this new Arthur Miller revival ★★★★

Ivo van Hove’s direction of the author’s 1955 hit peels back the central family’s secrets with cinematic vigour

By John Nathan

1 min read

ALL MY SONS. Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Kate Keller) and Richard Hansell (Dr Jim Bayliss). Photo: Jan Versweyveld

Theatre

The Hunger Games On Stage: Concept and spectacle aplenty but no heart ★★

This theatrical adaptation of the trailblazing dystopian movie by Jewish director Gary Ross lacks the emotional depth of the film and book franchises

By John Nathan

1 min read

Hunger Games on stage at the Troubadour Theatre (Photo: Johan Persson)

Film & TV

All TV

Limmud Festival

The all-singing, all-dancing Limmud Festival 2025

By Ben Conway

4 min read

Marty Supreme reviews round-up: Timothée Chalamet tipped for Oscars glory with comparsions made to De Niro and Pacino

Rave reviews have been pouring in for the Jewish star’s performance as Marty Mauser in Marty Supreme

By Elisa Bray

2 min read

By Gaby Wine

OPINION: Turning the music off is not a pathway to peace

The artists blocking their music being streamed in Israel are doing more harm than good

3 min read

Blue Moon review: ‘Ethan Hawke turns in a superb performance’ ★★★★

The actor’s portrayal of the waspish, Jewish lovelorn lyricist Lorenx Hart is excellent

By John Nathan

1 min read

Travel

All Travel

The crest of a wave: service aboard Crystal Serenity

Travel

My own butler? This is how to cruise...

By Mark Silver

5 min read

14 fantastic Chanukah gifts to light your foodie’s festive season

Spark joy with these tasty treats and gourmet gadgets

By Victoria Prever

1 min read

The Italian spa town where the end of the line became a new beginning for Europe’s Jews

Plus, how South Tyrol could, according to a local guide, hold the secret to peace in Israel

By Jacob Jaffa

5 min read

Welcome to Nevis: Island of mangoes and mikvehs

Life is sweet on this Caribbean isle, with its delicious blend of history, beach-based basking and sensational views – not to mention some surprisingly Jewish sights

By Anthea Gerrie

5 min read