Simone Ellin

Baltimore

Associate Editor at JMORE Living

Writer, social worker, communications professional and mom of two young adults.

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Articles

Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh to Host Discussion on Black-Jewish Ties

3 weeks ago | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

After being published in 2018, Marc Dollinger’s “Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s” (Brandeis University Press) sold out of four print runs — a rarity in the academic literary world. The book — challenging long-held assumptions about the Black-Jewish alliance in the aftermath of World War II — was especially timely following the 2020 murder of George Floyd. “A lot of white liberal Jews found [the book] and wanted to learn,” said Dollinger.
Local Author Elaine Weiss Examines a Little-Known Chapter of the Civil Rights Movement

1 month ago | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

Award-winning, Baltimore-based journalist Elaine Weiss prefers telling stories that haven’t been told before. Her latest book, “Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement” (Atria/One Signal Publishers), is no exception. “Spell Freedom” uncovers the little-known history of a small group of unsung heroes who helped Jim Crow-era Black citizens pass the literacy tests meant to keep them from exercising their voting rights.
Comedian Dan Levin to Headline Show at Horseshoe Baltimore Casino

1 month ago | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

Although he’s lived in Los Angeles for the past six years, comedian Dan Levin is a Baltimorean in his heart of hearts. On Saturday night, Mar. 22, Levin will return to his hometown to headline “Comedy at the Charm,” one of Horseshoe Baltimore Casino’s first stand-up comedy shows. While Levin is the main act, Baltimore-based comedian Liz King will host the program and Justin Schlegel, a regular on Baltimore’s 98 Rock morning show, and The Gwynn Factor, a D.C.-based comic, are also on the bill.
Designer Alona Lisa Elkayam Fights Kanye West's Antisemitism with T-shirt Line

2 months ago | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

Pikesville native Alona Lisa Elkayam is not one to be silent when she sees injustice in the world. Last September, Elkayam, a New York-based jewelry designer and founder of the Far From Timid marketing firm, launched an heirloom necklace called “Heart of David” to show support for victims of the Oct. 7th Hamas attacks and raise awareness about antisemitism.
Jewish Comedian Modi to Perform at The Lyric Baltimore on Mar. 2

2 months ago | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

Back in the late ‘70s, Time magazine published an article on the confluence of Jewish humor and tragedy, citing a study by the late psychologist Samuel Janus. The study found while Jews made up only 3% of the U.S. population, more than three-quarters of comics in the country were Jewish. No one has likely conducted a follow-up study on the subject since, but it’s a safe bet that today’s results would be similar.
'Everything That Never Happened' Offers a New Twist on Shakespeare's 'Merchant of Venice'

2 months ago | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

As even the most diehard fans of “The Bard” will admit, “The Merchant of Venice” is, shall we say, problematic. First published in 1600, Shakespeare’s comedy-drama is about a merchant named Antonio who takes a large loan from a Jewish moneylender named Shylock. When Antonio is unable to pay back the loan, Shylock famously demands a “pound of flesh.”A miserly and merciless businessman, Shylock exemplifies many of the persistent antisemitic tropes that persist to this day.
Heart Full of Art

Jan 8, 2025 | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

Time flies when you’re chasing a dream. Randi Alper Pupkin should know. It’s been a quartetr-century since the Pikesville resident started Art With A Heart, the Baltimore nonprofit that brings art education and so much more to people all over Charm City. On Mar. 29, AWAH will celebrate its 25th anniversary, and Pupkin will step down from her role as the organization’s executive director on June 30.
Indie Singer/Songwriter Odelia Mazal to Perform at Homecoming Concert Tonight

Jan 3, 2025 | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

By the time she was in kindergarten, Baltimore native Odelia Mazal had already decided that music was her life’s calling. “We were coming home from the zoo one day and I heard this Jimi Hendrix song, ‘Foxy Lady,’” recalls the singer-songwriter, thinking to herself, “That’s the thing I need to do.”Nowadays, Mazal is 19 and recently completed her first semester at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in the hometown of The Beatles.
Seven Jewish-Themed Shows to Stream This Holiday Season

Dec 18, 2024 | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

Ever notice how the Christmas season starts earlier every year? That means more than two months of Christmas music (most of it written by Jewish songwriters), Christmas movies (many of them written, directed or starring Jewish show biz professionals) and Christmas episodes of our favorite series (same). As we round the final sprint of the holiday season and reach the festival of Chanukah, we’re guessing you may be hankering for some Jewish-themed fare.
Grateful Giving - JMORE

Dec 12, 2024 | jmoreliving.com | Simone Ellin

Right in time for the Chanukah season comes a new book by veteran journalist and author Peter Lovenheim addressing the issue of gratefulness in a unique way. “Gift Shop of Gratitude: A Journal to Explore the Journey of Your Life” (G&D Media) suggests using such souvenirs and common items as key chains, T-shirts, stuffed animals, bobbleheads and refrigerator magnets to encourage readers to relive cherished memories and appreciate the gifts of life and love.