The great writer, feminist, food-lover, and filmmaker Nora Ephron would have turned 74 today—and I can think of no better way to honor her legacy than by spending half an hour clicking through YouTube clips of her movies and interviews while eating cookies and avoiding paperwork. (Ephron was a self-confessed procrastinator, after all.)

There are so many gems worth watching (this, this, and of course, THIS), but her 1996 commencement address at Wellesley College is truly terrific. What’s impressive—and a little disheartening—is how timely the speech is almost 20 years later. Ephron’s vociferous condemnation of workplace sexism, pay disparity, and the sexualization of women in Hollywood could be delivered word-for-word today (minus the Elizabeth Dole/O.J. Simpson references):

What I’m saying is, don’t delude yourself that the powerful cultural values that wrecked the lives of so many of my classmates have vanished from the earth. Don’t let the New York Times article about the brilliant success of Wellesley graduates in the business world fool you—there’s still a glass ceiling. Don’t let the number of women in the work force trick you—there are still lots of magazines devoted almost exclusively to making perfect casseroles and turning various things into tents.

Don’t underestimate how much antagonism there is toward women and how many people wish we could turn the clock back. One of the things people always say to you if you get upset is, don’t take it personally, but listen hard to what’s going on and, please, I beg you, take it personally. Understand: Every attack on Hillary Clinton for not knowing her place is an attack on you. Underneath almost all those attacks are the words: Get back, get back to where you once belonged. When Elizabeth Dole pretends that she isn’t serious about her career, that is an attack on you. The acquittal of O.J. Simpson is an attack on you. Any move to limit abortion rights is an attack on you—whether or not you believe in abortion. The fact that Clarence Thomas is sitting on the Supreme Court today is an attack on you.

Bleak stuff, huh? But it’s also warm and witty and wise, and ends on an optimistic note: “Did I say it was hard? Yes, but let me say it again so that none of you can ever say the words, nobody said it was so hard. But it’s also incredibly interesting. You are so lucky to have that life as an option.”

Listen to the whole address here:

Image: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

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If there’s one truth in our universe, it’s that When Harry Met Sally can never get old. Now, I’m partial to the “Waiter, there is too much pepper in my Paprikash!” scene, but Meg Ryan’s fake orgasm in Katz’s Deli is certainly memorable, and, apparently, repeatable.

Improv Everywhere, an improvisation troop that “causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places,” took to Katz’s Deli for a Meg Ryan inspired orgasm fest. Throughout the restaurant on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, women scream and moan like a haunted pleasure house. Waiters laugh. Patrons gawk. A man behind the counter at 1:07 is freaked, silently declaring “collaborative orgasms these days, amiright?”

Though fun and gross, the spectacle still doesn’t beat the fact that when filming When Harry Met Sally, Rob Reiner taught Meg Ryan how to fake orgasm, and, it was all in front of his mom.

Watch and enjoy, but not too much.

Previous: ‘When Harry Met Sally’ Will Always be Relevant
Rob Reiner Taught Meg Ryan How to Perform Her Famous Fake Orgasm

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Far an akshen iz kain refueh nito: For the disease of stubbornness there is no cure.

TAURUS (APRIL 21- MAY 20): Taurus, the bull, is a fixed earth sign, often depicted with its horns pointing upward toward God. These ‘horns of the law,’ confer the Taurean bull with godly power and moral authority. Taurus is an important sign during Shavuot, the festival of the giving of the Torah, as Kabbalists believed Taurus to represent the law of the Torah. Furthermore, the four rivers of the Garden of Eden are thought to represent the four fixed signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.

Taurus is ruled by Venus, the goddess of love. As Taurus extraordinaire William Shakespeare wrote in Twelfth Night, “Shall we set about revels? What shall we do else? Were we not born under Taurus?” Often thought to be hedonistic fools for love, due to both a love of pleasure and material delights, Tauruses often need someone to take them by the horns.

Tauruses are substantial, practical, lovers of luxury, bluntly direct, and sensuous. You have the power to heal and soothe others, and are hypothetically relaxed yourself—but strong currents of nervousness run below the surface. Although you are usually reserved, you can be pushy, with a tendency toward backseat driving if you think you know what’s best for others. You would do well to me darf leben un lozen leben—live and let live. As your fellow Taurus Barbra Streisand says in Yentl, “Why is it people who want the truth never believe it when they hear it?”

Taurus governs the throat and neck; that is, you serve the head (ruled by Aries) and can be quite obedient, prefering to wait for something than to run after it. Although you are uncomfortable taking risks, you have great determination to stick to a course of action. This is usually a good thing, but can mean you obstinately refuse to change. Ask advice from everyone, but act with your own mind: Barat zich mit vemen du vilst; un tu miten aigenem saichel.

Mars in Taurus from April 20 to May 31 will give reinforce your bullish strength, while Mercury in Taurus from May 1 to May 15, will help you focus your mental energy on the material, earthly things. Now is the time to make way for new ideas, which will come in handy when Mercury enters its home sign, Gemini, from May 15 to May 31.

Famous Taurus Jews: Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Golda Meir, Barbra Streisand, Jerry Seinfeld, Mark Zuckerberg, Theodor Herzl, Bea Arthur, Irving Berlin, Billy Joel, Burt Bacharach, Howard Da Silva, Hank Azaria, Elaine May, Phil Silvers, Don Rickles, Lainie Kazan, Nora Ephron, Maya Deren, Tori Spelling, Aaron Spelling, Charles Grodin, David Krumholtz, Genya Ravan, Lena Dunham, Tavi Gevinson, Saul Bass, Jack Klugman

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Take comfort in the fact that planets will be moving into your sign in the coming weeks. However, be careful with your words when Mercury moves from Taurus to Gemini, one of its home signs, on May 15. You’ll feel a sudden jolt in your imagination, which has heretofore been a bit farshluggineh (literally, shaken or mixed). Use this energy wisely. Gemini rules talk and news (read: gossip), but don’t let your inner yenta get the best of you.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 20): Cancers, ruled by the moon, are often emotional and moody—if not downright pessimistic. Just when it seems like life is adding up to bupkis (absolutely nothing), the new moon Eclipse in Taurus on May 9 will help bring you back down to earth. There’s a difference between being realistic and giving yourself over to needless suffering! Meanwhile, avoid any major commitments (signing a contract, etc.) for the time being; wait until closer to the middle of the month to tie up loose ends.

LEO (JULY 21-AUGUST 20): What can be said about Leo that hasn’t already been said about America’s Next Top Model? You regal beasts are fierce! Not that there’s anything wrong with that—and to you flashy Leos that’s nisht geshtoygen, nisht gefloygen (neither here nor there; it doesn’t matter). You’ve been in a fugue for far too long, now is your time to shine. Ruled as you are by the sun, you should take pride in the fact that you were put on this earth to give light—and your creative force can do just that.

VIRGO (AUGUST 21-SEPTEMBER 20): You think you know what’s best for everyone? You muttelmessig (meddlesome person, kibbitzer) Virgos can be so pushy! Der kluger bahalt dem saichel; der nar veist zein narishkeit (a wise man conceals his intelligence; the fool displays his foolishness), and it would be wise for you to keep your advice to yourself for once. With your ruling sign, Mercury, in Gemini (also ruled by Mercury) from May 15 to May 31, try to reign in your desire to tell people what they should be doing. Instead, with Venus entering Gemini on June 1, tell them how they make your life more bearable!

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 21-OCTOBER 20): Libras are guilty of being almost too forgiving of others—letting people walk all over you for fear of changing the fabric of your life. You may be a yiddisher kop (smart person), but the shtuss (a minor annoyance that arises from nonsense) you’ve put up with makes you seem like you’re dangerously close to becoming the ill-fated schlimazel. On May 9, the new moon eclipse in Taurus offers you a chance to start a new chapter in your life. Whether this means relocation or finally putting your foot down, stand up for yourself and how you want your life to proceed.

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 21-NOVEMBER 20): The full moon lunar eclipse in your sign on April 25 had you waiting on tenterhooks. As always, Scorpio assumes vos veyniker men ret, alts gezinter iz (the less said, the better – lit., the less you speak, the healthier). Your ruling planet Pluto’s continuing retrograde isn’t helping much to get you out of hiding. However, Scorpio boasts two out of the three Beastie Boys (MCA, may he rest in peace, was a Leo) giving you extra incentive to fight for your right to party!

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 21-DECEMBER 20): Everyone knows the old adage that those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it, nu? With your ruling planet Jupiter in Gemini, which is considered to be quite lucky, you will find resolving tense issues from the past much easier. Make the most of it! However, because Sagittarians require a great deal of freedom, you may find working on relationships alle ziben glicken (not what it’s cracked up to be; lit. all seven lucky things). Fuhgeddaboutit! Relationships will be a big focus this year—while the grass is always greener, try to stay positive about what you’ve got.

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 21- JANUARY 20): Take a cue from David Bowie, the Capricorn glam king chochem (genius): turn and face the strange changes. While may be consistently rockin’, you never know what life will throw your way—but you can prepare yourself for the possibilities. Az me muz, ken men: when one must, one can! Since you can’t fight change, continue to work on resolving past issues. for you capricious Capricorns, di shversteh arbet iz arumtsugain laidik: the hardest work is to go idle.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 21- FEBRUARY 20): Deigeh nisht: don’t worry so much, Aquarius! It’s time to put on your dancing shoes—the energy on May 18 is favorable for finally letting loose! Venus, the planet of love, forming a favorable angle with your ruling planet Uranus heralds the possibility of a surprising night of fun! Although you Aquarians are turned off by anything too shmaltzy, you can still mach a leben (have fun) and still be true to yourself

PISCES (FEBRUARY 21-MARCH 20): Because your head is often in the clouds, you are prone to taking bubba meisah (old wives tales) too literally. Before you spit three times (to ward off the evil eye), take a look at what’s in front of you. Although the other signs of the zodiac could take imagination lessons from you, it can become dangerous if you close yourself off to reality completely. Spend too much of your time contemplating yeneh velt (the other world; the world to come), and you’ll miss the best that this world has to offer.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 20): With your ruling planet Mars in Taurus from April 20 to May 31, your impulsiveness will slow down considerably. However, it will be replaced with stamina and endurance. Trigger-happy though you may be at any other time of the year, now you will be forced to consider the consequences of your actions. Men iz dir moichel di t’shuveh, nor tu nit di avaireh: never mind the remorse, don’t commit the sin!

What’s Your Sign?
Aires, the Headstrong Fire Sign
Pisces, the Dual-Natured Water Sign
Aquarius, Sign of Contradictions
Capricorn, the Cardinal Earth Sign
Sagittarius, the Adventurous Archer
Stinging Scorpio
Lovely, Lawful Libra
Virgo, the Anxious Maiden
Leo, King of the Jungle

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The post Jewcy Horoscopes: Taurus, the Hedonistic Bull appeared first on Jewcy.

• Girls’ Zosia Mamet sits front row at the Marc Jacobs show during Fashion Week. Shoshanna would FREAK.

• Diane von Furstenberg got personal with Fern Mallis at 92Y, crediting her mother with developing her strength and character.

• Former SNL cast member Jenny Slate, also known as the voice of Marcel the Shell, is writing the script for a new Looney Tunes movie.

• Rashida Jones, our favorite person in the entire world, did a photo shoot for Flaunt.

• Two Nora Ephron books, Crazy Salad and Scribble, Scribble, are being released as a single-volume next month.

• Jon Stewart and Bill O’Reilly are facing off October 6 in a 90-minute presidential-style debate:

The post Daily Jewce: ‘Girls’ Star Zosia Mamet Sits Front Row at Marc Jacobs appeared first on Jewcy.

• You’re not alone: Nora Ephron was addicted to the computer game Snood, too.

• Is Lior Eliyahu the NBA’s next Omri Casspi?

• If only that Holocaust survivor beauty pageant had actually been about beauty, Miriam Krule laments.

• When Guns N’ Roses performs in Israel, it will be without Slash, their Jewish band member (h/t Marc Tracy).

The post Daily Jewce: Klan-Fighting Grannies, the Next Omri Casspi, and more appeared first on Jewcy.

Today I think only of Nora. Her work will forever be one of the greatest gifts of my life, her friendship even more so.

— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) June 27, 2012

In early April, I saw the late Nora Ephron in conversation with Lena Dunham at BAM, part of a Dunham-curated film series (which Nona Willis Aronowitz also reflected on) that took place in the immediate pre-Girls madness. Ephron’s 1992 film, This is My Life, was screened at the event, but that’s not what we were there for. Something about the confluence of the two women–one of whom so perfectly understood and depicted our most profound, if subtle, cultural moments and the other endlessly touted as either about to do just that or entirely the opposite–was almost dizzyingly appealing.

Dunham, who seemed somewhat in awe of Ephron at the event (as all of us in the audience undoubtedly were), mentioned the screening in a New Yorker blog post today about Ephron, who died Tuesday of complications from leukemia:

The last time I saw her was in April, for a screening of “This Is My Life” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with Delia and the writer Meg Wolitzer, whose book the movie was based on. We did a long Q. & A. in which she was so generous with an audience of hungry young people that I still get thankful e-mails about it. She discussed directing for the first time, learning to shot list and talk to a crew. The idea that it had taken her a moment to settle into filmmaking was so deeply comforting.

Gaby Hoffman, who played Julie Kavner’s youngest daughter in the film (and later, and perhaps more memorably, Samantha in Now and Then), joined the conversation, and when Dunham lamented the film not being available on Netflix, Hoffman suggested wryly that Dunham, of all people, should be able to do something about it. She said something vaguely along the lines of, ‘Aren’t you the president, or something?’

Watching the women sitting casually on stage, I couldn’t help but feel as though this event marked some kind of passing of the cultural chronicler’s torch, or at the very least signified Ephron’s wholehearted approval of the young filmmaker (Dunham’s New Yorker piece all but confirms this fact, and for that will likely rile up haters) and her much-discussed HBO series, Girls–which Ephron enthusiastically endorsed, having already seen the entire first season.

As Rachel Shukert noted in Tablet Magazine, “If a flash mob of middle-aged women formed tonight to fake an enormous collective orgasm at Katz’s Deli, there would be no more fitting tribute.” Your move, Dunham.

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