Favorite Pic of the Day for December 30th

Above:

Roberto Mena

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Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah to all those lighting candles this week!

Artwork above by badsign769

The first year that I celebrated Hanukkah on the site was 2019.  I'd been celebrating most of the secular holidays for years, especially Halloween, Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day.  I also always visually celebrated Christmas, which although most definitely religion based, has also become a secular holiday for many.

I wanted to start including more holidays for several reasons. I could see from my stats that I had viewers from all over the globe.  I also knew that many of the models and artists that I featured, were  not only from different countries, but from different religions and cultures.  Inclusivity used to be a positive thing, but the notion, and the term, have been corrupted over the last decade.  This, mostly due to a few asshole and incredibly ignorant politicians.  Being inclusive, or God forbid being woke, is now something to be mocked and belittled.  

Myron

My passion for inclusivity began when I was in school in the 1980's.  I have very vivid memories of our grade school classes preparing for the annual Christmas concert.  I remember so many afternoons in December when the class, well most of them, headed to the auditorium for rehearsals.   Five students remained behind.  Although they were expected to attend and watch the concert, during rehearsals, they stayed back in the classroom and read.

I remember being so curious, and also so ignorant, about why they weren't joining us for choir practice.  I remember asking my teacher, who informed me that not everyone celebrated Christmas.  I was shocked.  As a forth grader, this was a totally new concept to me.  Over the next year, I learned about each of those five students.  One girl was from India, and was a Buddhist.  Another was a Jehovah's Witness, something it me years to get my head around.  The other three students were Jewish.

Seeing those five people left out, stuck with me, and informed how I interact with others in the world.  It's disgustingly ironic to me, how trying to be inclusive has become such a negative thing.  Above all, Christianity is rooted both in faith, and how you treat others. Loving others, even enemies, being kind and generous to others, especially the the vulnerable. To me, saying 'Happy Holiday's' is actually one of the most Christian things one can do.

Do unto others has for too many become do unto others, but only if they think and agree with you.  There was never any war on Christmas, this, like so many things, was made up to anger and rile a group just looking for reasons to be angry and explode.  It's one of many embers stoking a fire I pray one day soon is extinguished.  No matter where you live, or what you believe, Chag Sameach and may your holidays burn bright!

Men & Menorahs

As we light the menorah, may we remember to kindle the flames of kindness and compassion

With nine candles on a Menorah, (eight main, and one for lighting) it's important to remember those eight flames can be dangerous.  When it comes to Menorahs, men know that safety comes first!  This is something handsome Daniel, (above) failed to keep in mind.

As hot as Daniel looks in his t-shirt, his tight, tight t-shirt, most men know the proper way to light a Menorah is shirtless.  This will prevent any accidents with flames hitting any loose fitting or hanging clothing.   Now, I'd love to tell you they should be lit totally nude, but that would bring about another set of risks.  Shirtless will have to do!

Menachem

Jonny

Cole

Russell

The Breitz Boys

Adam

FaVorites: Roberto Mena

When I first started celebrating Hannukah on the site, I struggled to find subjects.  Jewish actors were fairly easy to find, but finding male models was a little trickier.  They have to include their height and weight and hip measurements, but models don't generally include religion on their modeling comp card.  

This of course is of course a good thing. One's religion is personal, and shouldn't be a factor in getting a job.  Your religion at birth also doesn't mean anything when it comes to whether you practice or not, or your commitment and degree faith.  We all know self-proclaimed Christians who quote the Bible, but don't practice any of it's teachings.

The first year, when I was looking for male models to spotlight, I e-mailed a few of my favorite photographers with an odd question.  'Have you shot any Jewish models?'  Most were kind to respond to my odd question.  Most however, hadn't had in depth discussions about faith while at the same time asking for the model to stick to their naked butt out, a little further to the left.

I also messaged a few models who I thought might be Jewish, but those mostly went answered... Thankfully, as I was about to give up, Wes, from New Manhattan Studies remembered a shoot with a model named  Perseus.  (HERE:) Wes remembered the shoot for a number of reasons, mainly the incredible singing voice, especially when he belted out 'Old Man River' at a restaurant they went to unwind at  after the shoot.

This year, I had a much easier time.  First off, when I saw my first image of Jose Roberto Mena, he was wearing a Kippah.  Then, when I headed to his Instagram, along with the model contests that he'd won, he ended by adding 'journalist' and 'proud Jew'.  By the way, those modeling wins included; Mister Manhunt Costa Rica 2024, Mister International Costa Rica 2023, and Mister World Costa Rica 2022.

I was born into an Anglican family, but never felt necessarily felt proud of my religion. I wasn't unproud, but it just happened to be my family's religion.  When I was a teenager, I briefly joined a Pentecostal church, but left after a year or so.  I was drawn to the church and it's members, but eventually became disappointed with what I'd call a bit a 'me first' attitude.  I eventually went back to my original church, and was proud of some of some the work we did, especially the giving to others over the holidays.  I think the pride was more associated with my level of faith and commitment more than the religion itself.

I can understand the Pride Roberto feels when it comes to being Jewish, especially given the history, and the not so recent history.  The level of antisemitism has been shocking to witness over the last ten years or so.  I know it's always been there, but it's become so mainstreamed and politically supported.  When I was growing up, things seemed so black and white.  I didn't know anyone who supported Hitler, or the Nazi party, anyone who did, was usually quiet about it.  Today, especially on-line, it's terrifyingly being normalized, especially by some in political power.  Being proud of your religion and heritage is more important, and also riskier, than ever before..

Adam Brody: Resurgence

There’s not a Jewish bone in her body. Unless you put one in her....

The Hebrew Phrase 'Kol Hakavod' means Applause and Recognition, something actor Adam Brody has achieved this past year.  Although Brody's been the business from close to 30 years, I don't think he's had a year quite like 2024 before.  Sure, he was popular on The OC, but his role as Rabbi Noah Roklov on the Netflix series, Nobody Wants This, has garnered a huge amount of critical praise and attention. 

Nobody Wants This has been generally very well received, but not necessarily by Rabbi's and all Jews. The show does rely on many tired stereotypes, especially of Jewish women and Jewish mothers, but many believe you have to take the good with the bad.  I've read a few articles that focus on the response from Rabbi's.  

Even those that have a few issues with the show, and with Rabbi Noah's character, most agree there are positives.  Given all that's going on right now, they feel that the show came along at a good time, and humanizes Rabbi's in a way not usually seen in films and on television.  It's rare for Rabbi's to be seen as the main character and the romantic lead.  Most are usually supporting characters, and often depicted as 'odd' or for comic relief.
 

I love Nobody Wants This for the story and the characters, but mostly because of the smart and well paced dialogue.  The scenes where Noah meets Joanne's parents for the first time were brilliantly written.  The 'ick' factor jokes about the huge sunflower bouquet and sport coat were genius, and so well delivered by the cast.  If you watched, you know what I mean, if you didn't, you should.

Despite his length of time in the business this is only my second time enjoying Brody's work.  I actually have never seen any of The OC.  It's just a show that for some reason passed me by.  I knew it was on, but it premiered back in 2003, a time shortly after I finished University and was getting my career off the ground.  I am tempted to start though, especially after reading Thea Glassman's book, Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson's Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed.  The book had a lot of behind the scenes info, especially about the initial casting and the pilot, had me wanting to give it a look.

My crush on Adam Brody began watching him as Dave on Gilmore Girls. Brody was in his early 20's, but playing about 17.  Dave was such a cool character, and the show really should have used him more. As much as I love the show, they really did wrong by poor Lane Kim, she really deserved her Dave.

Gilmore Girls

The OC

The Kid Detective (2020)

Although he's had his fare share of shirtless scenes on television, Adam Brody has not shown a whole lot of skin on film. Except for a far off mooning scene in The Grind, I think 2020's The Kid Detective was our only real view of Brody's cute behind.