34 | MAY 21 • 2020 

Arts&Life

celebrity jews

THE STILLERS AND THE 
PULITZERS
There have been a lot of tribute 
articles in the Jewish and general 
media about Jerry Stiller, who died 
last week, age 92. But I was most 
moved by a couple of sentences 
in Ben Stiller’
s announcement of 
his father’
s death. Ben wrote: “He 
was a great dad and grandfather, 
and the most dedicated husband to 
Anne for about 62 years.” 
I was drawn back to the many 
times I saw Jerry and Anne do 
comic routines or just ad lib some 
funny banter. You could see that she 
really adored this not-so-handsome 
Jewish fellow, who was several 
inches shorter than her. Their love 
grew as the years passed. She was 
a Catholic when they married in 
1954, and Jerry never asked her to 

convert. But, on her own, 
Anne converted to Judaism 
shortly before the birth of 
the Stillers’
 first child, Amy, 
in 1961. Anne said she did 
so because: “I wanted my 
children to know who they 
were.”
Jerry said that Anne 
drew him more into 
Judaism, and Ben said 
shortly after her passing 
in 2015 that he credited 
her most for his Jewish 
upbringing. It took a great guy, like 
Jerry, to find such a great woman 
(vice versa, of course). 
 By coincidence, Ben Stiller, 54, 
is the host of the first of two NBC 
Red Nose (for charity) specials air-
ing on Thursday, May 21. Celebrity 
Escape Room starts at 8 p.m. First, 
Stiller explains what escape rooms 
are (in short, they are “themed 
rooms.” Within these rooms there 
are clues, like in a painting on 

the wall, that help you — and 
your partners — figure out how 
to escape within a limited time). 
After Ben finishes explaining the 
game, Jack Black, 50, takes over 
as the Game Master. The escape 
room contestants include Stiller, 
Lisa Kudrow, 56, Adam Scott and 
Courtney Cox. 
 The 2020 Pulitzer Prizes were 
announced on May 4. Here are 
the Jewish winners: Brian M. 
Rosenthal of the NY Times for 

investigative reporting (exposed 
predatory lending that destroyed 
the lives of thousands of NYC 
cabdrivers). He grew up in West 
Lafayette, Indiana (near Chicago). 
His father is a retired Purdue 
University health sciences profes-
sor, and his mother is a nurse (who 
credits her Jewish background 
for her work as a social activist); 
Ben Taub, 29, the New Yorker, for 
feature writing (about conditions at 
Guantanamo Bay detention facility). 
While still a Princeton student, he 
was a contestant (2011) on The 
Voice, and he used his winnings 
to finance a trip to report on the 
Arab Spring. He then got his grad 
degree in journalism; Barry Blitt, 
62, the New Yorker, editorial car-
tooning; and Benjamin Moser, 44, 
the Biography Award for Sontag: 
Her Life and Work (about Susan 
Sontag, the late social critic). Moser 
is fluent in many languages, includ-
ing Hebrew. 

NATE BLOOM
COLUMNIST

COURTESY OF NBC

STAYING CONNECTED
At this time of social distancing, 
the Jewish News will try to bring 
awareness to events/learning 
situations offered online by 
synagogues, temples and 
community organizations.

MENTAL HEALTH
7 PM, MAY 21
Women’
s philanthropy of Jewish 
Federation will host mental health 
advocates Deborah and Sophie 
Riegel, sharing perspectives and 
stories to help those struggling with 
anxiety. Get info at jewishfederation@
jfmd.org.

HOLIDAY LEARNING
Traditionally read on the upcoming 
holiday of Shavuot, the Book of Ruth 
is about building and rebuilding 
relationships. Join educator Abby 
Eisenberg for a series that looks at 
three key characters: Ruth, Naomi 
and Boaz, and their relationships 
to one another. Join My Jewish 

Learning on Thursday, May 21; and 
Tuesday, May 26, at 3 p.m. Register 
at myjewishlearning.com. Also be 
aware of a discussion of “Tools in the 
Genesis Story to Deal with Disaster” 
on Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

TOUR – TEL AVIV-YAFO
NOON-1 PM, MAY 26
Temple Shir Shalom is offering a live, 
virtual tour of Israel with Rabbi Daniel 
Schwartz and Israeli tour guide Beni 
Levin. Learn the history and stories of 
Tel Aviv-Yafo on this one-hour guided 
tour on Zoom. To learn more or 
register, call 248-737-8700, or email 
audrey@shirshalom.org. 

HOLISTIC MEDICINE
FOR COVID-19
11 AM, MAY 27
Zoom with Dr. Jen Green for 
“Holistic Medicine for COVID-19: 
Integrative Approaches to Coronavirus 
Prevention,” followed by Q and A. 
Free. Call Hadassah Greater Detroit, 
248-683 5030 to register.

TRIVIA
7 PM, MAY 27
The Jewish Historical Society of 
Michigan will host a trivia night, 
Cost: $10 for members; $18 for 
non-members. A Zoom link will be 
sent to registrants the day before. 
For info, contact kschuchman@
michjewishhistory.org.

CONCERT
7:30 PM, MAY 27
Lisa Fishman in concert, featuring 
Jewish standards and some 
unknown gems sung in Yiddish and 
English with a modern twist, and 
influenced by klezmer, jazz, musical 
theater, cabaret, folk rock, Latin, 
blues and a touch of comedy. Lisa. 
nytf.org/live and on Folksbiene’
s 
Facebook page at facebook.com/
folksbiene.

WE NEED TO TALK 
7 PM, MAY 27
We Need to Talk presents an 
evening with Will Heininger, former 

defensive lineman for the University 
of Michigan Wolverines football team 
and outreach coordinator at the U-M 
Depression Center. He struggled 
with depression and has made it 
his mission to raise awareness and 
shatter stigmas surrounding mental 
health issues. Hear Will’
s personal 
story and learn how to support 
yourself or someone else struggling 
with mental health. Registration info: 
Jaime@jfmd.org.

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

Will 
Heininger

On The Go

virtual events | learnings

