Esther Kustanowitz
@estherk.bsky.social
Writer, co-host #TheBagelReport, a #podcast about #Jewishidentity & #popculture #TVGoneJewy #jewishrepresentation. Newest work: The 'Wicked' Haggadah: https://www.recustom.com/books/456050
First-time high school journalism teacher, first #NAMLE #medialiteracyweek — I want to learn it all and share with my class and community. I started with this doc; appreciate the opportunity to advocate for more #responsiblemediaconsumption: namle.org/resources/ke... #analyzingmedia
Key Questions
Media literate people routinely ask questions about all media they consume or create. This chart was created to help all individuals practice the process of critical, inquiry-based evaluation and anal...
namle.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:06 PM
First-time high school journalism teacher, first #NAMLE #medialiteracyweek — I want to learn it all and share with my class and community. I started with this doc; appreciate the opportunity to advocate for more #responsiblemediaconsumption: namle.org/resources/ke... #analyzingmedia
Check out @arielbeery.bsky.social's newest substack — #ProphecyAJournalforTomorrow — which seeks to catalyze the future of the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Should be a piece of cake. ;) Print out their #RoshHashanah table prompts, too! seekprophecy.substack.com?r=4529&utm_c...
Prophecy | Ariel Beery | Substack
Prophecy: A Journal for Tomorrow will become the catalyst of a better tomorrow for the Jewish People and the State of Israel. Click to read Prophecy, by Ariel Beery, a Substack publication. Launched 1...
seekprophecy.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Check out @arielbeery.bsky.social's newest substack — #ProphecyAJournalforTomorrow — which seeks to catalyze the future of the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Should be a piece of cake. ;) Print out their #RoshHashanah table prompts, too! seekprophecy.substack.com?r=4529&utm_c...
You know that feeling when you're working as a journalism teacher, & waiting on a new sitcom with #TheOffice vibes that's set in a languishing local newsroom, so you keep refreshing Peacock to see if it loaded yet? I know it's thirsty, but I'm gonna reload this browser one more time. #ThePaper
a man in a plaid shirt is standing in front of a white wall
ALT: a man in a plaid shirt is standing in front of a white wall
media.tenor.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:13 AM
You know that feeling when you're working as a journalism teacher, & waiting on a new sitcom with #TheOffice vibes that's set in a languishing local newsroom, so you keep refreshing Peacock to see if it loaded yet? I know it's thirsty, but I'm gonna reload this browser one more time. #ThePaper
Notes from my #Superman screening:
1. #Superman is a journalism movie.
2. 75% Jon Heder + 25% Brad Pitt = 100% Austin Butler #CaughtStealingDNA, amiright?
3. Trailer for #Ick touts Brandon Routh's best role since Superman Returns, but he was delightful in #CWTheFlash & #CWLegendsofTomorrow.
1. #Superman is a journalism movie.
2. 75% Jon Heder + 25% Brad Pitt = 100% Austin Butler #CaughtStealingDNA, amiright?
3. Trailer for #Ick touts Brandon Routh's best role since Superman Returns, but he was delightful in #CWTheFlash & #CWLegendsofTomorrow.
a man in a grey shirt stands in front of a window with ice cream cones on the curtains
ALT: a man in a grey shirt stands in front of a window with ice cream cones on the curtains
media.tenor.com
July 11, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Notes from my #Superman screening:
1. #Superman is a journalism movie.
2. 75% Jon Heder + 25% Brad Pitt = 100% Austin Butler #CaughtStealingDNA, amiright?
3. Trailer for #Ick touts Brandon Routh's best role since Superman Returns, but he was delightful in #CWTheFlash & #CWLegendsofTomorrow.
1. #Superman is a journalism movie.
2. 75% Jon Heder + 25% Brad Pitt = 100% Austin Butler #CaughtStealingDNA, amiright?
3. Trailer for #Ick touts Brandon Routh's best role since Superman Returns, but he was delightful in #CWTheFlash & #CWLegendsofTomorrow.
I open the email every time, hoping things have changed. But
@americanair.bsky.social
Admirals Club is still "complimentary (with a $595 annual fee)" on the next-level-up credit card. I wish they'd just say that access is $600. Still can't afford it, but it would soothe me phrasing-wise.
@americanair.bsky.social
Admirals Club is still "complimentary (with a $595 annual fee)" on the next-level-up credit card. I wish they'd just say that access is $600. Still can't afford it, but it would soothe me phrasing-wise.
June 15, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I open the email every time, hoping things have changed. But
@americanair.bsky.social
Admirals Club is still "complimentary (with a $595 annual fee)" on the next-level-up credit card. I wish they'd just say that access is $600. Still can't afford it, but it would soothe me phrasing-wise.
@americanair.bsky.social
Admirals Club is still "complimentary (with a $595 annual fee)" on the next-level-up credit card. I wish they'd just say that access is $600. Still can't afford it, but it would soothe me phrasing-wise.
TTW you're booking too many flight legs on too many airlines and realize you've booked the same leg twice. I mean, I want to go to that conference in Pittsburgh, but I don't want two one-way tickets, because that's not helpful at all...
a man and woman are dancing on a yellow brick road .
ALT: a man and woman are dancing on a yellow brick road .
media.tenor.com
May 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
TTW you're booking too many flight legs on too many airlines and realize you've booked the same leg twice. I mean, I want to go to that conference in Pittsburgh, but I don't want two one-way tickets, because that's not helpful at all...
Best use of this image I've seen in a long time. A long, long time. #rabbinicwisdom #modesty #humanity
May 29, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Best use of this image I've seen in a long time. A long, long time. #rabbinicwisdom #modesty #humanity
Great article about Tom Cruise and his death-defying stunts, as well as his cultural impact. And all of the running. #TomCruiserunning www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Why Tom Cruise Will Never Die
When we watch the actor’s stunts, we are watching someone defy death, over and over again. It’s impossible to look away.
www.newyorker.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Great article about Tom Cruise and his death-defying stunts, as well as his cultural impact. And all of the running. #TomCruiserunning www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Beautiful piece by Emma Goldberg about @columbiauniversity.bsky.social @columbiajournalism.bsky.social's #SamFreedman and his impact on his students. @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/b...
1 Writing Class, 35 Years, 113 Deals, 95 Books
www.nytimes.com
May 28, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Beautiful piece by Emma Goldberg about @columbiauniversity.bsky.social @columbiajournalism.bsky.social's #SamFreedman and his impact on his students. @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/b...
Not sure which I love more: that @amypoehler.bsky.social's #GoodHangpodcast exists, or that she's doing wonderful guest episodes of other podcasts, all of which are different despite any promotional media tour talking points. I think what I love most is Amy in the world, full stop. #GOAT #ucbcomedy
a woman wearing sunglasses and a hoodie is sitting in a crowd of people and making a peace sign .
ALT: a woman wearing sunglasses and a hoodie is sitting in a crowd of people and making a peace sign .
media.tenor.com
May 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Not sure which I love more: that @amypoehler.bsky.social's #GoodHangpodcast exists, or that she's doing wonderful guest episodes of other podcasts, all of which are different despite any promotional media tour talking points. I think what I love most is Amy in the world, full stop. #GOAT #ucbcomedy
Weren't they just HBO/Max? Now they're "becoming"HBO Max? This is John Cougar/John Cougar Mellancamp/Mellencamp all over again. #hithereGenX #littledittyaboutHBOMax #HBOMax
May 14, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Weren't they just HBO/Max? Now they're "becoming"HBO Max? This is John Cougar/John Cougar Mellancamp/Mellencamp all over again. #hithereGenX #littledittyaboutHBOMax #HBOMax
Pro tip: If you want doctors to take you seriously, when they tell you you've got radiculopathy, control yourself and don't say, "Well, that certainly is radiculous." #themoreyouknow #pinchednerve
homer simpson is surrounded by flames and says s-m-r-t in white letters
ALT: homer simpson is surrounded by flames and says s-m-r-t in white letters
media.tenor.com
May 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Pro tip: If you want doctors to take you seriously, when they tell you you've got radiculopathy, control yourself and don't say, "Well, that certainly is radiculous." #themoreyouknow #pinchednerve
For those in the overlap between #Andor & #MontyPython: Imagine if — after putting plans in place and trying to embed spies in the Ghorman People's Front — the Empire discovered that they should have been targeting the People's Front of Ghorman. #splitters
a group of people are sitting around a table with the words right this calls for immediate discussion
ALT: a group of people are sitting around a table with the words right this calls for immediate discussion
media.tenor.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
For those in the overlap between #Andor & #MontyPython: Imagine if — after putting plans in place and trying to embed spies in the Ghorman People's Front — the Empire discovered that they should have been targeting the People's Front of Ghorman. #splitters
Thanks to @jewishjournal.bsky.social's Ryan Torok for reviewing #Recustom's newest #DIY #Passover #seder #haggadah offerings, including my @wickedmusical.bsky.social -inspired Haggadah, & mentions of my other compilations: #heroeshaggadah & #schittscreekhaggadah. jewishjournal.com/community/38...
Recustom Site Offers DIY Haggadahs
A nonprofit, Recustom describes its mission as supporting and “helping people create, adapt, and explore Jewish rituals” on their own terms.
jewishjournal.com
April 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Thanks to @jewishjournal.bsky.social's Ryan Torok for reviewing #Recustom's newest #DIY #Passover #seder #haggadah offerings, including my @wickedmusical.bsky.social -inspired Haggadah, & mentions of my other compilations: #heroeshaggadah & #schittscreekhaggadah. jewishjournal.com/community/38...
media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2l...
More #Wicked -inspired #Haggadah content at: www.recustom.com/books/456050 #passover
More #Wicked -inspired #Haggadah content at: www.recustom.com/books/456050 #passover
- Find & Share on GIPHY
Discover & share this Animated GIF by EstherK with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.
giphy.com
April 10, 2025 at 7:22 AM
media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2l...
More #Wicked -inspired #Haggadah content at: www.recustom.com/books/456050 #passover
More #Wicked -inspired #Haggadah content at: www.recustom.com/books/456050 #passover
Has Brandeis University changed its name to Brans yet? Or did the national keyword search not flag the DEI in the middle of the name? (These days, I'm always half-kidding and half-serious. And yes, it's confusing for me too.) #DEI
April 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Has Brandeis University changed its name to Brans yet? Or did the national keyword search not flag the DEI in the middle of the name? (These days, I'm always half-kidding and half-serious. And yes, it's confusing for me too.) #DEI
Great idea to reward him for his devotion to Baskenball. #itwasrighttherepeople
From @theathletic.bsky.social: LeBron James will be the first professional athlete to have a Ken doll released in his likeness. The James doll will be one inch taller than the standard Ken doll and capture his fashion sense off the court.
LeBron James joins Barbie universe as first pro athlete Ken doll
Ahead of the 65th anniversary of the Ken doll, LeBron becomes the first "Kenbassador"
nyti.ms
April 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Great idea to reward him for his devotion to Baskenball. #itwasrighttherepeople
When a #GenXer tries #GenZ slang: I hope your #Passover seders will eat and leave no crumbs but at least that latter part is physically impossible. After writing #wickedinspiredhaggadah #haggadah, now it's time for GIFs. #recustom www.recustom.com/books/456050 media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2l...
- Find & Share on GIPHY
Discover & share this Animated GIF by EstherK with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.
giphy.com
April 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
When a #GenXer tries #GenZ slang: I hope your #Passover seders will eat and leave no crumbs but at least that latter part is physically impossible. After writing #wickedinspiredhaggadah #haggadah, now it's time for GIFs. #recustom www.recustom.com/books/456050 media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2l...
Reposted by Esther Kustanowitz
Cory Booker spoke at a synagogue on Yom Kippur. Its rabbi says Jews should learn from his 25-hour Senate speech.
“The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point,” said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles’ IKAR. www.jta.org/2025/04/02/u...
“The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point,” said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles’ IKAR. www.jta.org/2025/04/02/u...
Cory Booker spoke at a synagogue on Yom Kippur. Its rabbi says Jews should learn from his 25-hour Senate speech. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
"The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point," said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles' IKAR.
www.jta.org
April 2, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Cory Booker spoke at a synagogue on Yom Kippur. Its rabbi says Jews should learn from his 25-hour Senate speech.
“The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point,” said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles’ IKAR. www.jta.org/2025/04/02/u...
“The physical feat is impressive, but it’s not the point,” said Rabbi Sharon Brous of Los Angeles’ IKAR. www.jta.org/2025/04/02/u...
Very interesting movement within modern Orthodoxy to be a bit more critical about the Israeli government's response to the #Gazawar and break up the assumption that Orthodox Jews are a right-wing leaning monolith. (As if all Jews ever agree on anything.) www.jta.org/2025/03/25/d...
These Modern Orthodox and observant Jews want to change their community's conversation around the Gaza war - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Lamenting the death toll in Gaza and questioning Israeli policy in the West Bank, Smol Emuni US holds a conference in NYC.
www.jta.org
April 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Very interesting movement within modern Orthodoxy to be a bit more critical about the Israeli government's response to the #Gazawar and break up the assumption that Orthodox Jews are a right-wing leaning monolith. (As if all Jews ever agree on anything.) www.jta.org/2025/03/25/d...
Val Kilmer played hilarious/sincere (#TopSecret!), obnoxious/shirtless volleyballer (#TopGun), drugged-rockstar hypnotic (#TheDoors), & surprising (#Batman, #KissKissBangBang). Illness reshaped his career; he made a film doc w/his own video footage (#Val); last was #TopGunMaverick. #GoodbyeIceman
What Happened to Val Kilmer? He’s Just Starting to Figure It Out. (Published 2020)
Cancer has taken his voice, but the unlikeliest movie star in Hollywood history still has a lot he wants to say.
www.nytimes.com
April 2, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Val Kilmer played hilarious/sincere (#TopSecret!), obnoxious/shirtless volleyballer (#TopGun), drugged-rockstar hypnotic (#TheDoors), & surprising (#Batman, #KissKissBangBang). Illness reshaped his career; he made a film doc w/his own video footage (#Val); last was #TopGunMaverick. #GoodbyeIceman
I always look to Crossing Delancey as a prime #Jewishrepresentation film, but this piece by @emilyctamkin.bsky.social in @bwdr.bsky.social reminds me that I haven't watched #HesterStreet in a long time and really should revisit it.
I sent my piece on Hester Street for @bwdr.bsky.social to my family and my mom wrote back "fashion?" so for any similar doubters out there it's not really me on clothing it's me about Jews in the US again don't worry it's safe to read
www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2025/03/26/g...
www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2025/03/26/g...
Give a Look on Me: Fashion & Assimilation in Hester Street (1975)
Joan Micklin Silver's first feature film, Hester Street, suggests that there is perhaps not such a clean line between the Old World and the New.
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
March 27, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I always look to Crossing Delancey as a prime #Jewishrepresentation film, but this piece by @emilyctamkin.bsky.social in @bwdr.bsky.social reminds me that I haven't watched #HesterStreet in a long time and really should revisit it.
Congratulations, Denver!
Beginning in 2027, the Sundance Film Festival will be based in Boulder, Colorado, a city 10 times the size of Park City, Utah, the event’s original home.
Sundance Picks Boulder, Colo., as Its New Home
The Sundance Institute chose the new location for the movie festival because it had outgrown Park City, Utah, its home for the past 40 years.
www.nytimes.com
March 27, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Congratulations, Denver!
The "Starter Pack" is a great idea that all publications and organizations should borrow to encourage social media connections with fans & potential writers (if that's one of their goals — it isn't for everyone!), but make sure the people listed are active, or followers will drift away.
@theatlantic.com’s writers and editors are on Bluesky. Follow us for ambitious, essential reporting and storytelling: go.bsky.app/NVbMa2Y
March 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
The "Starter Pack" is a great idea that all publications and organizations should borrow to encourage social media connections with fans & potential writers (if that's one of their goals — it isn't for everyone!), but make sure the people listed are active, or followers will drift away.
Resharing in case I hit a pocket of high traffic on BlueSky. Used to know how to use the former bird platform effectively, but that knowledge isn't translating to my use here. (Tips for that also welcome.)
Has anyone signed up for classes through MasterClass, Coursera or The Great Courses? Would love to hear about your experiences in terms of what you learned and whether it was worth the cost and time investment involved. Thanks!
March 27, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Resharing in case I hit a pocket of high traffic on BlueSky. Used to know how to use the former bird platform effectively, but that knowledge isn't translating to my use here. (Tips for that also welcome.)