Instant Families: a movie review by Toni Susskind

When I first heard about Instant Families staring Mark Wahlberg as Pete and Australian Rose Byrne as Ellie, I thought, here we go again, another formulaic Rom-Com about a gorgeous couple adopting three very cute children. I was pleasantly surprised to see how wrong I was. Read more

Tognetti and the ACO+  blew us away: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

As if the announcement that local hero Richard Tognetti was going to perform Beethoven’s violin concerto was not enough to stir the interest of Sydney music lovers, the announcement that he’d beef up the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s 19 regular players with another 30 borrowed from various other orchestras, set their pulses racing. And to top it off, when Tongetti revealed that his hybrid team would throw in Beethoven’s 5th Symphony they came scampering to the box offices. Read more

Widows – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz

There are certain conventions we can expect from a heist movie. The assembling of disparate characters, the difficulties of setting up the robbery, the preparations and a twist at the end. A touch of humour to leaven the tension goes down well too.

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Beethoven didn’t have it all his own way: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

As well as playing some fine music, the SSO played a noteworthy tactical game this week and next by staging three different concerts with somewhat challenging musical cakes, but each laced with the delicious icing of Beethoven’s 7^thSymphony. Moreover, Beethoven appeared in the second half of each concert to prevent the unconvinced from scuttling away after interval. Read more

Spitfire: a movie review by Elana Bowman

Spitfire the documentary is simply beautiful. Read more

Madiba the Musical: a theatre review by Elana Bowman

Madiba the Musical celebrates the life of the former South African president’s struggle towards freedom; is interwoven with stories and songs of the Black Africans during the apartheid era. Read more

Beautiful Boy – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz

That this film is based on a true story inspired by two memoirs only serves to make it all the more compelling. Read more

Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul – a book review by Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen

Having read and used Naomi Levy’s writings before I was fascinated to find out the connection between Einstein and Rabbi Levy. Read more

Shir Madness: Song of Songs

Song of Songs is the Shir Madness Finale, after a full day of music, it is a ritual to put together a line-up of top performers who perform their chosen song written, performed or recorded by a Jewish person. Read more

Three favourites that couldn’t miss: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he SSO programmers meet. Read more

A Star is Born – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz

My rock concert going days may be long over but that didn’t stop shivers down my backbone as the first of many riffs came over the speakers.

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Monash University publishes three new books of Jewish interest

Australian universities have become prolific publishers of a wide range of academic and other works…writes Geoffrey Zygier. Read more

A home visit from Sarah Grunstein: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

Internationally recognised concert pianist, Sarah Grunstein returned to her Sydney roots for a twilight Opera House recital.
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The House with a Clock in Its Walls – film review by Elana Bowman

Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) is sent to live with his Uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) in an old Michigan mansion. Read more

Sarah visits home bringing Beethoven and Bach

Internationally acclaimed Australian pianist, Sarah Grunstein, returns to the Sydney Opera House by popular demand, to perform two concerts in 2018. Read more

Grosvenor was generous and brilliant: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

If ever there was a piano recital worth queuing up for it was the one given last night by young English pianist, Benjamin Grosvenor. Read more

Second time around

The role of Tevye in the upcoming Moriah production of Fiddler on the Roof will be played by David Solomon who performed the role in 1994…which was directed by Roberta Goot in charge of the 2018 Fiddler. Read more

The Miseducation of Cameron Post: a movie review by Elana Bowman

Being sent away for being gay? The terrible tragedy is that Cameron does not come out, she is found out at her prom no less by her prom date, and she is sent away post-haste by her very misguided guardians. Read more

A moving feast of Johannes: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra devoted its prowess to a whole program by one composer in the APT Master Series concert last night. And while that didn’t cast a wide musical net, it delivered an outstanding experience for those who are partial to Johannes Brahms. Read more

You Were Never Really Here: a movie review by Elana Bowman

Meet Joe. He carries the darkness within him, so it’s no surprise he is characterised as a slightly overweight, full of scars, totally unkempt, and seems to be falling apart, so he comes across as a lumbering hitman who is tasked with being brutal. Read more

Roman Salyutov’s Melbourne piano recital

Russian-German pianist Roman Salyutov visited Melbourne  on his way home from New Zealand where he enthralled music lovers in  a recital…writes Ron Jontof-Hutter. Read more

The Turk in Italy: an Opera review by Victor Grynberg

2 parts Rossini + 1 part Phillips = a sparkling cocktail. Read more

An interview with pianist Roman Salyutov

Ron Jontof-Hutter meets Russian-German Pianist Roman Salyutov who will perform in  recital on Sunday at the South Melbourne  Town Hall. Read more

Ben and Gus don’t let you off lightly: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

A program of Britten and Mahler is not for those who want to hum tunes or tap feet, as demonstrated by last night’s APT Master Series SSO concert at the Sydney Opera House. Read more

Crazy Rich Asians: a movie by Hila Tsor

Highly entertaining and colourful, Crazy Rich Asiansis an Asian-American romantic comedy which follows Rachel (Constance Wu), a smart and beautiful NYU economics professor who accompanies her boyfriend to Singapore for his best friend’s wedding, and discovers that her boyfriend comes from an extremely wealthy family… Read more

Osborne at war and peace – a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

Distinguished Scottish pianist, Steven Osborne, unexpectedly interleaved major piano works by Debussy and Prokofiev to present contrasting musical landscapes, not only in composition but playing style as well. Read more

The Lives of Brian: a book review by Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen

I must begin this review with a caveat. Over the years Brian Sherman and my own life have occasionally crossed. Sometimes it was at an opening of an exhibition at Sherman Galleries (established by his wife Gene); once it was at a screening of a movie made by his son Emil (who later won an Oscar); and often just hearing about him. Read more

Fiddler returns to Moriah

Moriah College, Sydney’s oldest and largest Jewish school, presents the definitive production of the classic Broadway musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF from 21 October to 1 November – and with an all-singing, all-dancing cast of more than 150. It’s a Tradition! Read more

Put this one on your Liszt: A CD review by Fraser Beath McEwing

The piano music of Franz Liszt is often seen as either too syrupy or a keyboard version of a wood-chopping event. Read more

Aida…spectacular and phenomenal: an opera review by Victor Grynberg

The reader may think this headline refers to the much-anticipated digital set for this new production of Verdi’s great opera by Opera Australia. Read more

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