We live in a world where Donald Trump, Jeff Dunham, and Bill Maher all got stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame before Mandel Bruce Patinkin. Such an injustice can never be undone, but at least Mandy now has his own star, in front of 6243 Hollywood Blvd.

The lame-stream media has often had the chutzpah to sum up Patinkin as “Homeland star,” and he was technically a Walk of Fame inductee for television. It’s also annoying when people call him Inigo Montoya, or express surprise that he can sing. But he’s so much more than that! Can acting, singing, and philanthropy count as the new triple-threat?

Patinkin was serving “Hot Jewish grandpa” looks at the ceremony, with his beard appearing particularly luxurious, and wearing New Balance sneakers— because comfort is important. The ceremony was peppered with Jewish references, as is only fitting for the man who released the album Mamaloshen.

First of all, theatrical legend Patti LuPone was also there to speak for her platonic life partner, and while we are obligated to point out (for the fiftieth time) that she’s not Jewish herself, she plays Rebecca’s rabbi on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and that should be enough for you.

“If he wasn’t a Broadway musical star he would have been a cantor,” LuPone announced to the adoring masses (told you she’s an honorary Member of the Tribe).

Other highlights of the ceremony included Mandy bragging that he has only had one spouse, announcing that the ceremony was “better than a Bar Mitzvah,” and delivering an anecdote about his parents having an argument with another member of their shul about their son’s career choice.

And so, a hearty mazel tov to Mr. Patinkin. We always knew you were deserving of any accolade out there, and may there be many more to come. (You’re halfway to an EGOT, and surely a Grammy and Oscar are still well within your reach.)

You can watch the whole ceremony below:

Image via YouTube.

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And yea, was the year of 2016, generally speaking, a steaming pile of crap. And lo, did the Lord look unto the people of America and say, “For thy pains, this reprieve.” And behold! In the dawn of 2017 was it announced that Patti LuPone would guest star on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

And not just as anyone— the great musical theatre diva is set to play a rabbi. On an episode entitled, “Will Scarsdale Like Josh’s Shayna Punim?” (yes, really), Rebecca Bunch (show creator and star Rachel Bloom) has to go to Westchester for a family Bar Mitzvah, and LuPone plays her rabbi (perhaps from childhood? We shall see.). Tovah Feldshuh is also back in her recurring role as Rebecca’s mother.

Here they are together. Hallelujah.

LuPone isn’t personally a Member of the Tribe, but in addition to being besties with Mandy Patinkin as sufficient cred, she has played Jews before— in fact, she’ll star on Broadway as Helena Rubinstein in War Paint in just two months.

Not only do we get another female rabbi on mainstream television (joining the ranks of shows like Transparent, of course), but we get to see Patti LuPone rocking a tallit, kippah, and magen david necklace. Baruch HaShem.

The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend episode in question airs Friday, January 13th. Yes, which is Shabbos, if you don’t watch TV then. But the Lord also giveth DVR and a host of streaming platforms.

Amen.

Image credits: Scott Everett White/The CW — ©2016 The CW Network, LLC All Rights Reserved. Via BroadwayWorld.

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It’s the musical you didn’t know you needed: the lives of and ongoing rivalry between Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden as the two women rule their respective cosmetic empires. War Paint premieres in Chicago this summer, and if it’s half as good as it sounds, you have the perfect date with your Bubbe if you’re in town.

While the show will doubtlessly display the merits and flaws of both women, and there will not likely be a “winner” or “loser” in the musical, we at Jewcy are hereby announcing our support for Rubinstein, the Jewish philanthropist.

Patti LuPone, one of musical theatre’s greatest living divas, is set to play Rubinstein. LuPone isn’t Jewish, but her distinct Italian-Americanness has put her in “ethnic” roles before, and she can always get pointers from her bestie, Mandy Patinkin. Playing Arden is the amazing Christine Ebersole.

The show’s composer is Scott Frankel, and the lyricist is Michael Korie (his work includes the libretto for the 1995 opera Harvey Milk). Also on the creative team is acclaimed director Michael Greif.

The story is adapted from Lindy Woodhead’s 2005 book, War Paint: Madame Helena Rubinstein and Miss Elizabeth Arden, Their Lives, Their Times, Their Rivalry (Musicals adapted from biographies are in; just ask Ron Chernow).

Previews of the musical begin June 28, with a July 18 opening and a limited run through August 14 (unless it gets extended yet again). If all goes well, the show could move on to Broadway from there.

If it’s half as good as it sounds, it should absolutely come to the Great White Way. Please.

Image: “Helena Rubinstein” by Paul César Helleu (1908), via Wikipedia

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