Celebrity Jews

Helicon Records, a licensee of Universal and EMI Records.

While she was a presenter on a daily TV show, her second single, “Time to Say Goodbye,” was chosen to represent Israel in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. Her namesake first album launched her first concert tour.

Credits since then include roles in a musical version of the movie HaLehaka (The Band) and in the Habima National Theatre production of Evita.

Martin Laker remains enthusiastic about the concerts, especially because they celebrate his late father’s love for music, both spiritual and secular. He watched Maimon for the first time on the web after Cantor Smolash recommended shining the spotlight on her.

“She was magnificent with a wonderful voice, and we’re lucky she was available,” said Laker, whose one criterion for choosing performers is imagining his father tapping his toes to the beat and softly singing along. “There’s no doubt in my mind that people will love seeing her, particularly during this time, when joy and entertainment are so needed.”

While the Lakers look forward to a return of in-person performers for future concerts, they welcome viewers outside of Michigan tuning in digitally. One viewer will be Aviv Ezra, Israel’s consul general to the Midwest.

“Let me congratulate Temple Israel on presenting one of the Jewish state’s brightest stars,” he said. “I am very proud of any chance to share the sublime arts and culture scene in Israel and so excited for Michiganders and Israelis to connect through Shiri’s uplifting music and captivating presence. Enjoy this musical treasure.”

DETAILS To preview Shiri Maimon’s talents and learn how to watch her show at 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13, go to temple-israel.org. ARTS&LIFE CELEBRITY JEWS

SHAY FRANKO NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

BAD WAKE-UP, AND KANE’S CREDIT

The Flight Attendant, an 8-episode HBO Max series, began streaming on Nov. 26 (2 episodes). Kaley Cuoco (Big Bang Theory) stars as Cassie, a flight attendant who wakes up in the “wrong” hotel with the body of a dead man next to her — she has no idea how this all happened. Zosia Mamet, 32 (Girls), has a big role as Annie, an attorney who is Cassie’s best friend. Bebe Neuwirth, 61 (Lilith on Cheers), has a large recurring role as Diana, a highly respected senior partner in the law firm where Annie works. She is a mentor to Annie.

A bio-pic, Mank, about famous screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz (1897-1953), begins streaming on Netflix on Dec. 5. It focuses on the period during which “Herman M.” co-wrote the script for the great film Citizen Kane with Orson Welles. They were the co-winners of the 1941 Oscar for best screenplay for Kane. Mank, which opened in limited theatrical release, has got some great reviews and many mixed ones. Many critics say that the script (by the late Jack Fincher, the father of Mank director David Fincher) slavishly followed the opinion of the late film critic Pauline Kael. In a 1971 book, she said that Herman M. wrote almost

Kaley Cuoco with Zosia Mamet

HBO MAX

all of Kane. Since then, film scholars have shown that Welles wrote a lot of Kane before and after Herman M.’s contribution. What seems clear is both men always had major problems with finishing a project and, by some miracle, on Kane they compensated for each other and made a great movie.

I should note that a biopic about Herman M. can’t be dull. He was extremely funny; he improved hundreds of films, usually without screen credit — including a big part of The Wizard of Oz; and he just couldn’t stop drinking until it killed him. All the well-known people named Mankiewicz (including movie writers/directors Joseph and Tom; TV hosts Josh and Ben; and former National Public Radio president Frank), were/are closely related to Herman. By the way, the next time you see a lot of Jews playing nonJews, think of this film: 13 important characters — no Jewish actors play any of them — although six were “all” Jewish in real life and two more had Jewish fathers. (The former group includes Herman M., his wife, Sara; director Joseph Mankiewicz, Herman’s brother; film execs Irving Thalberg and Louis B. Mayer, and producer David O. Selznick. Producer/ actor John Houseman had a Jewish father, as did writer Charles Lederer.)

ON THE GO PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

PRESCHOOL LEARNING ONGOING

Join Temple Shir Shalom’s Learning Center Preschool’s Virtual Learning Experience for 2 1/2-5 year-olds. Adventures in-a-bag with Ms. Janet Kelly, Tuesdays 2-2:30 pm. Scavenger hunts, collages, stories and food, painting and more. If it is during naptime, we’ll record, so you can do the activity at any time. Register now for four-week sessions; optin at any time. Register: shirshalom.org/adventures. There is no charge for this program.

THE ARK

VOCALS & BLUEGRASS 8 PM, DEC. 3

The Ark in Ann Arbor will present Molly Tuttle online “Live from the Basement.” Tickets: $15-$45. Visit boxoffice.mandolin.com/ pages/molly-tuttle-buti-d-rather-stream-withyou?rfsn=4859350.6a4be7. (Also on Dec. 17)

THREE CONCERTS 9 PM, DEC. 3,10,17

The Ark in Ann Arbor will host Mountain Man “Live from the Garden.” Tickets: $12 for individual; 3-show pass $30. Noon.chorus.com/ the-ark-mountain-man.

THE ARK

FAMILY ROOM SERIES 8 PM, DEC. 5

The Ark in Ann Arbor will host a free event, Chris Buhalis live from the Ark stage. Info: visit the Ark’s Facebook page.

BAKE SALE 1-5 PM, DEC 13

The Temple Beth El Sisterhood will host a cookie walk and bake sale by Corner Shower and Laundry. Purchase homemade Chanukah cookies online, cornershowerandlaundry. com/cookie-walk. Cost: onehalf dozen by variety $5/$6.

Place orders through Dec.

6. Pickup of cookies will be curbside at Beth El. Info: Sue Goldsmith, 248-214-3611, mrssurplus@sbcglobal.net.

MUSIC FROM ISRAEL DEC. 6

American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic Foundation will premiere the “Israel Philharmonic Pre-Hanukkah Global Celebration,” a multi-disciplinary program of instrumental performances, behind-the-scenes interviews and powerful messages of hope. The event will stream internationally, free of charge, to bring music and holiday light from Israel’s world-class Philharmonic to audiences around the world. Registration is free on AFIPO’s website; donations will offset critical Philharmonic revenue losses due to forced pandemic closures.

A JEWISH VIEW OF DIA 2 PM, DEC. 8

There is a work of art at the Detroit Institute of Arts called Holocaust? There are local Jewish connections to Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry murals. The Jewish Historical Society of Michigan has arranged for Barbara Madgy Cohn’s Zoom presentation that will highlight the history, works of art, artists and World War II provenance with a Jewish connection. Cost: free for JHSM members, $18 for non-members. Register

by 9 pm on Monday, Dec. 7: info@michjewishhistory.

org. Instructions for joining the Zoom call will be sent the day before.

TALKING IT OUT 7 PM, DEC. 8

Today, too many people feel they cannot talk, disagree, even argue and keep the dialogue going. Join the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC and journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson, creators of the Civility Project, for an interactive workshop to place people before the moment of disagreement in a discussion of how we come to our beliefs and discuss them respectfully. Register at: bit.ly/34wLx7f .

INTERFAITH HOLIDAYS 7 PM, DEC. 14

Join NEXTGen Detroit Interfaith Couples and Rabbi Megan Brudney for a fun and festive conversation about celebrating two sets of traditions, communicating with family and working to make sure the season merry and bright for everyone. Chat, do a little holiday cookie decorating and some latke sampling. Cost: $8 per couple. Mimi Marcus, 248-6424260, mmarcus@jfmd.org. This online event is intended for young adults 21-45 who are in an interfaith marriage or relationship. RSVP before Dec. 10. Cookie and latke packages will be delivered to you the day of the event. If you live outside a 20-mile radius of the Federation Building in Bloomfield Twp., email Mimi to discuss a pickup option. When registering, include an address for delivery and a cell phone number so that we can text you once your package has been delivered.

SUICIDE PREVENTION JAN. 21-23, 2021

Kevin’s Song, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention, announced that

registration is now open

for its fifth annual virtual Conference on Suicide: Equity and Equality in Suicide Prevention. Cost for the 3-day event is $150 for early registrants before Jan. 1.; afterward, $175. The Thursday School Summit program alone is $75 early and $100 after Jan. 1. The Saturday morning Survivor program is $25. Student rates are available. Information: kevinssong.org.

Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@thejewishnews. com.