1. Gabrielle Giffords to Receive Courage Award

Former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was Arizona’a first Jewish congresswoman, was chosen to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

Giffords, who was shot in the head during a constituents’ event in January of 2011, went on to survive the shooting and later launched a gun control initiative following the December shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in which 20 first-graders and seven adults were killed by one gunman.

Giffords will be recognized for the “political, personal, and physical courage she has demonstrated in her fearless public advocacy for policy reforms aimed at reducing gun violence.” She will be presented with the award on May 5^th at the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

2. Diane von Furstenberg Weaves Support for the Holocaust

Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, best known for her wrap dress, is set to host a special event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Jewish clothing designer’s mother was a Holocaust survivor and von Furstenberg has spoken about her mother’s influence in her life, crediting her for teaching her that “Fear is not an option.”

“I’m involved with the Holocaust museum because I firmly believe in its importance, and there’s no one else doing work like this,” she tells JTA.org. “Last month they did something amazing for me. Without telling me, they mailed me this giant box of all the details of my mother and father during the Holocaust that the Germans and Swiss kept. They had photos and documentation of everything, and it was so special to me.”

3. Amanda Bynes Reveals a Whole New Look

Amanda Bynes revealed a dramatically different look for herself on Twitter over the weekend. The Jewish actress Tweeted a photograph of herself captioned only: Wink

Click here to see the photo of the former Nickelodeon star with long, curly hair and a cheek piercing. It’s much different from this picture she Tweeted just a few days earlier.

The transformation follows a series of legal problems that Bynes faces from fall, including two hit-and-run charges, a DUI, and two counts of driving with a suspended license.

1. Adam Levine Fills In For Nicki Minaj

Alicia Keys had to replace Nicki Minaj for her song “Girl on Fire” at the Grammys last night. However, we think the audience was happy with the stand-in singer for this duet as the replacement was Adam Levine!

The Jewish crooner took to the stage with his band to perform “Daylight” before Alicia Keys joined them and the duo launched into a duet of “Girl on Fire.”

Levine Tweeted his excitement before the show, writing, “Extremely excited for the @TheGRAMMYs tonight! Performance is going to be EPIC. And I kinda really wanna win one. Ok? Just one will be fine.” Unfortunately, Levine did not win a Grammy last night, but he definitely won over audiences with his performance!

2. Maurice Sendak Posthumously Publishes New Book

Although Maurice Sendak died last May at age 83, the beloved children’s book author still has one more volume on the way.

My Brother’s Book was written as a tribute to Sendak’s older brother, Jack, who died 18 years ago. Published posthumously, this book places two brothers in a fantastic world where they must confront separation, longing and reunion.

Sendak’s most famous works include Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen and Outside Over There. The Jewish author is said to have revolutionized children’s books by adding an element of danger and intrigue to a traditionally safe genre.

3. Bynes Tweets Badly

Amanda Bynes is taking the gloves off when it comes to her Twitter account. The 26-year-old Jewish actress Tweeted an insult at Jay-Z earlier this week.

According to E! News, Bynes wrote, “Ugly face” as a caption on a picture of Beyonce’s husband and then posted the pic to her Twitter account. Bynes deleted the photo within minutes, but not before some of her followers had a chance to respond.

According to US Weekly, one Twitter user wrote, “Wow. Rude Amanda!” Another commented by Tweeting, “I wish I knew what your thought process was behind this.” Jay-Z has not yet commented.

Everyone makes New Year’s resolutions, especially those who enjoy dating. At the beginning of each year, those single hopeless romantics create lists of 40-400 bullet points of what they are looking from in that dream Jewish guy or girl, from the color of their eyes, to how they want to meet them, to their favorite sports teams. On that note, if any of you message me, and happen to be Washington Redskins fans, do not expect a response back, even if you do look like Natalie Portman.

With that in mind, here is Adam’s list of the 5 or so women I resolve to date in 2013.

1. Dianna Agron- I don’t watch Glee, but apparently she is in this show, according to my baby brother. I am not a vegetarian either, which Agron is, however I can look past that and see that she is a dancer, which will make our first date a two-stepping date, because honestly, two-stepping is like salsa for drunk people.
2. Amanda Bynes- Reports say she is “reevaluating” how to spend her social time. I am too, as I am considering pulling the plug on watching Dallas sports due to the pain it causes me. So Amanda, for our first date, let’s get a Venti Americano from Starbucks and watch She’s the Man.
3. Emmy Rossum- I am a sucker for girls with brown hair and brown eyes (wait, you mean every Jewish girl?), and Rossum has it, as well as a cameo in my favorite Dragonball Z movie. She also happens to be a distant cousin of Vera Wang, and a singer of Christmas songs, so Emmy, what do you say we browse Bloomingdale’s to the tune of the new Cee Lo Green Christmas Album?
4. Melanie Laurent- My mother says I could use some world culture experience, so what better way to do that than by dating a French girl, who was in Inglorious Bastards. With that in mind, our first date would be at the gun range, firing .38 specials at paper targets with the pictures of America’s Ten Most Wanted Criminals, with the second half being at a low-key coffee shop.
5. Jamie-Lynn Siegler aka Meadow Soprano- Cause I’d be a total step up from Turtle (Entourage character).

Happy New Year everyone.

As the world looks back on the year 2012, the Hollywood Yenta is recalling the year’s biggest Jewish celeb moments. Check out our list below of the top ten Jewish celebrity stories from 2012. Then, let us know in the comments section what you think is the year’s top “Jewlebrity” happening!

10.  Jewish candidates win respective elections

Four new Jewish Representatives entered the House after November’s election, while four Jewish Senators up for re-election retained their seats for a new term. Combined with the Congressmen and women who are currently serving, there are now 11 Jewish U.S. Senators and 22 U.S. Representatives. Democrats Bill Schneider, Alan Lowenthal, Lois Frankel, and Alan Grayson were each elected to the House, in Illinois, California, and the last two in Florida, respectively. In the Senate, Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) were each re-elected. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), the son of a Holocaust survivor, also re-won his seat.

9.  MCA passes

Adam Yauch, one-third of the pioneering hip-hop group the Beastie Boys, died at the age of 47 in May. Yauch, whose mother was Jewish, was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 after discovering a tumor in his salivary gland. Following his death, tributes across the web showed the impact Yauch’s music had. Actor Jonah Hill Tweeted, “I’m filled with so much sorrow to hear about the world losing Adam Yauch. He was such a beautiful person and artist.”

8.  Lena Dunham’s “Girls” takes off

Lena Dunham’s television series “Girls” garnered great reviews when it premiered in April, and earned Dunham four Emmy nominations. In October, the young writer, whose mother is Jewish, inked a $3.5 million deal with Random House for an essay collection called Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s Learned. The next month, Dunham starred in a political ad for Barack Obama that, metaphorically speaking, compared voting for Obama to losing one’s virginity.

7.  Rep. Gabby Giffords resigns from congress

Arizona’s first Jewish congresswoman, Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, resigned from congress in January, one year after she was shot at a public gathering in Tucson, Ariz. In her resignation letter, Giffords wrote, “I will recover and will return.”

6.  Jon Stewart wins tenth Emmy

When Jon Stewart’s name was called as winner in the variety category during September’s Emmys awards, the host of The Daily Show was mock-tackled by pals Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon. The two comedians who were up against Stewart in the category were jokingly keeping him from getting to the stage. In August, Stewart was also voted JDaters’ favorite “political news funnyman,” beating out Bill Maher, Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers.

5.  Natalie Portman weds

In August, Jewish actress Natalie Portman said “I do” to French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied. The two exchanged vows in a traditional Jewish ceremony at a private home in Big Sur. Portman and Millepied met while filming Black Swan in 2009 and have a son named Aleph (which means “chief” or “number one” in Hebrew).

4.  Mila Kunis keeps cool

Jewish movie star Mila Kunis had a big year – she starred in the hit film Ted, was named “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Esquire magazine, was listed as no. 3 on Maxim’s “Hot 100” list and started dating longtime pal Ashton Kutcher. Before going public with her romance with Kutcher, Kunis told Glamour magazine she’d be interested in online dating: “If I didn’t do what I do, I would do Internet dating instead of going out to bars. In two seconds I would. It makes so much more sense.” In November, the actress shot down rumors that she was converting to Kaballah, after she was seen accompanying Kutcher to service in New York.

3.  Amanda Bynes’ driving drama

Jewish actress Amanda Bynes drove into trouble in 2012, getting arrested or cited for infractions that included allegedly driving under the influence, sideswiping a cop car, leaving the scene of an accident and driving on a suspended license. In October, Bynes pled not guilty to the charges stemming from the April and August incidents.

2.  Zuckerberg goes public, ties the knot

It was a big year for the creator of the world’s largest social networking site, who also happens to be Jewish. In February, Mark Zuckerberg filed papers to take Facebook, Inc. public. The company held its initial public offering on May 18, with a peak market capitalization of more than $104 billion. One day after the IPO, Zuckerberg wed longtime girlfriend Priscilla Chan in a small surprise wedding ceremony with 100 guests.

1.  Aly Raisman wins gold

At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Jewish gymnast Aly Raisman wowed spectators by earning one of two spots in the all-around individual finals. She then won a gold medal on the floor routine, dancing to “Hava Nagila,” a traditional Jewish song that means “Let us rejoice.” Following the summer games, Raisman accepted an invitation from Israeli government officials to visit Israel. In October, the 18-year-old athlete made her first visit to South Florida for the Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO) which helps out thousands of Israeli children.

1. Amanda Bynes Settles

Amanda Bynes has reached a settlement with the two victims of alleged hit-and-run accidents in April and August — with many but not all parties involved declaring satisfaction with the situation.

The victims professed “full satisfaction” with the financial deals they’d cut through Bynes’ attorney, according to E! News. The Jewish actress’s attorney says she is “satisfied and grateful for this outcome.” However, prosecutors had objected to the deal. A spokesman for the city attorney’s office says Bynes still faces allegations of driving without a license and driving under the influence.

2. Amar’e Stoudemire Ties the Knot!

Instead of hoopin’ it up, New York Knicks Power Forward Amar’e Stoudemire was chuppahin’ it up last week!

Stoudemire, who is Jewish, married his longtime girlfriend Alexis Welch on the rooftop deck of their Manhattan home last week on 12-12-12. The star athlete Tweeted a picture of his rings saying, “I feel blessed.”

The couple – who have been together for a decade and have three children – had just 12 people at the ceremony.

3. Joe Lieberman Leaves the Senate

Senator Joe Lieberman gave his farewell address last week, ending a career that saw the Connecticut politician become the first Jewish nominee on a major party presidential ballot.

Known for his bipartisan appeal, Lieberman addressed working with his colleagues in his speech. “It requires reaching across the aisle and finding partners from the opposite party,” Lieberman said in his speech. “That is what is desperately needed in Washington now.”

1. Amanda Bynes Pleads Not Guilty

Amanda Bynes may not have been present during a court hearing in southern California for her two hit-and-run charges last Thursday, but her lawyer pleaded not guilty on her behalf. The court hearing stems from two separate incidents on April 10 and Aug. 4. However, an L.A. Superior Court judge said the Jewish actress will need to show up for her next court date on October 19.

Bynes is reportedly in New York right now. According to the LA Times, she said she would rather be in the Big Apple than Los Angeles because she’s tired of being followed by the paparazzi in Tinseltown. Bynes, who is 26 years old, also faces a DUI charge and two counts of driving with a suspended license.

2. Gene Simmons Passes On His Musical Abilities to Daughter Sophie

Gene Simmons’ daughter Sophie may be following in her famous father’s footsteps. The 19-year-old took to The X Factor stage in San Francisco last week, wowing two out of the four judges.

The young singer gave a humble rendition of Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love,” a performance that left judges L.A. Reid and Demi Lovato wanting more, but seemed to impress Britney Spears and Simon Cowell. Despite the mixed reviews, Sophie was allowed to stay in for another round.

While Sophie was happy to move forward on the show, other contestants were not so excited by the idea. One contestant argued that Sophie wouldn’t have made the cut if not for her famous Jewish rocker father.

3. Green Light for Greenberg

Jewish-American baseball player Adam Greenberg has signed a one-day contract with the Miami Marlins, and will play tomorrow against the NY Mets after being out of the game for more than seven years.

Greenberg’s debut appearance in the majors was on July 9, 2005. At that time he played for the Chicago Cubs (and actually played against the Marlins)! He only faced one single pitch though and never played again because a 92 MPH fastball hit him in the head – and changed his life forever – during his only MLB plate appearance. Greenberg has struggled with bouts of vertigo, vision issues, and post-concussion syndrome ever since.

Now 31, Greenberg is getting an opportunity to stand in the batter’s box again from the team who knocked him out of it seven years before. The Miami Marlins received approval from MLB to give Greenberg a plate appearance tomorrow during Miami’s home game against the New York Mets.

1. L’Shanah Tovah

Jewish celebrities everywhere are raising their apple slices (dipped in honey, of course) and wishing each other a sweet New Year! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, began at sundown last night, marking the beginning of 5773. As we kick off the beginning of the High Holy Days, here is a list of Jewish A-Listers observing the holiday as well:

Sandra Bernhard Tweets, “To all my friends around the world l’shana tovah for a sweet healthy happy prosperous and above all peaceful new year!”

Alicia Silverstone Tweets, “Happy Rosh Hashanah! How are you celebrating?”

Emmanuelle Chriqui Tweets, “Shana tova to all who celebrate the Jewish new year…wishing you only sweet things this year and always…have a beautiful holiday..xxxE”

Even President Obama and presidential candidate Mitt Romney are getting in on the celebrations. Last night President Obama Tweeted, “L’shana tova to everyone celebrating tonight. –bo.” Mitt Romney Tweeted, “Ann and I extend our warmest wishes to the Jewish Community for a happy and peaceful year. L’Shanah Tovah.”

2. JSpace Chooses Jewish “Women of the Year”

In honor of Rosh Hashanah, JSpace, a Jewish online magazine, has chosen its Jewish Celebrity Women of the Year. Five women made the elite list, including Gal Gadot, Bar Refaeli, Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.

However, it was Nora Ephron who made the top of the list at number one! JSpace says, “All of this year’s candidates owe an enormous debt of gratitude for their own careers to the late, great Nora Ephron.”

A Jewish screenwriter and director, Ephron is best known for movies like When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail. Ephron passed away last June.

3. Amanda Bynes Faces More Trouble

After Amanda Bynes was spotted driving around Los Angeles on a suspended license several times last week, officials had her car impounded on Sunday.

The Jewish actress has had several driving incidents in the last few months. The most recent occurred on Sept. 9 when the actress was pulled over by Los Angeles police for driving without her lights on. Bynes was also charged earlier this month with two misdemeanor counts of hit and run after allegedly crashing into a car and fleeing the scene twice in the span of five months.

26-year-old Bynes is best known for her role in the WB’s What I Like About You and the film Easy A.

1. Gwyneth Paltrow Stands up to Cancer

Gwyneth Paltrow stood up to cancer this week when she produced the star-studded telethon, Stand Up 2 Cancer. The A-List actress says she got a wake-up call when she lost her father, Jewish director-producer Bruce Paltrow, to cancer a decade ago.

“When my father was diagnosed with cancer, it really changed the way that I lived – it changed my whole lifestyle,” Paltrow, who executive produced the multi-network Stand Up 2 Cancer broadcast last Friday night, told People magazine. “I completely changed my diet, and I got very serious about exercising and about exposure to toxins.”

Remembering her father (who produced television series like St. Elsewhere and directed his daughter in the 2000 film Duets) by producing the telecast turned out to be an emotional experience for Paltrow. “I definitely feel his presence,” the actress said. “And I think he would be really happy that I’m here tonight doing this and trying to spare other people from what he went through.”

2. Amanda Bynes in a Bind

After a rough few months, Amanda Bynes is facing more legal trouble. The Jewish actress is facing a drunken driving charge, plus two new hit-and-run charges filed this week (officials say these separate accidents both took place in the last six months). To top it all off, the star has now had her driver’s license suspended this week, according to the Los Angeles Times.

If convicted, Bynes faces up to one year in jail. Her arraignment is scheduled for September 27 in Van Nuys, California. Following her initial DUI charge, Bynes Tweeted President Obama, saying, “Hey @BarackObama… I don’t drink. Please fire the cop who arrested me. I also don’t hit and run. The end.” That Tweet has since been removed!

3. For a Good Time, Call Lauren Miller

Jewish actress and screenwriter, Lauren Miller, is debuting her new film this month, For a Good Time, Call. The actress (who is married to fellow Jewish thespian, Seth Rogen) wrote the film with her longtime friend, Katie Anne Naylon.

The comedy is based on the real-life escapades of Miller and Naylon. In the film, two former college frenemies (played by Miller and Jewish actress, Ari Graynor) move into a fabulous Gramercy Park apartment, and promptly start a phone sex line together in order to make ends meet. Reviews are mixed on whether or not this film is actually a good time, but we’ll let you make the call!

1. RIP MCA

Adam Yauch, one-third of the pioneering hip-hop group the Beastie Boys, died at the age of 47 last Friday. Yauch, also known as MCA, had been in treatment for cancer since 2009. Yauch, whose mother was Jewish, was diagnosed in 2009 after discovering a tumor in his salivary gland.

The rapper’s death quickly spread across the Internet last Friday, and the tributes that flooded Twitter showed the impact his music had on artists from all areas of entertainment. Actor Jonah Hill Tweeted, “I’m filled with so much sorrow to hear about the world losing Adam Yauch. He was such a beautiful person and artist. My heart is broken.”

2. Amanda Bynes In Trouble Again

Amanda Bynes, who was previously arrested for driving under the influence, got into another car accident over the weekend, but this time it was much less serious.

The Jewish actress, who is 26 years old, was pulled over by police in West Hollywood last Friday afternoon after she allegedly scraped her SUV against another vehicle while driving. She wasn’t given a citation, but officers did take a collision report. According to TMZ, Bynes told police that she was unaware that she had sideswiped the driver.

3. Debra Messing Is Not Sold On Marriage

Debra Messing is opening up on her new house, new work projects and new personal life! The Jewish actress recently filed for divorce from her husband of 10 years, Daniel Zelman, and immediately began dating her Smash costar, Will Chase.

Messing says she and Zelman remain “good friends,” but will not talk about what caused the divorce after 10 years of marriage, only saying that 10 years is a “very long time.”

“I think the idea of a partner for life is incredibly romantic.” Messing tells Ladies Home Journal. “But now we’re living to 100. A hundred years ago people were dying at age 37. ‘Til death do us part was a much different deal.”

1. Amanda Bynes Crashes Into A Cop, Gets Arrested

Amanda Bynes was arrested for driving under the influence in West Hollywood early this morning, according to TMZ. Officers say Bynes was attempting to pass a cop car when she sideswiped the vehicle. She was pulled over and authorities determined she was not fit to be behind the wheel.

The 26-year-old actress, whose mother is Jewish, was arrested at 3 am and is still behind bars. Bail has been set at $5,000.

2. Is Samberg Leaving SNL?

Saturday Night Live could be losing some of its biggest stars at the end of this season. Although it’s not confirmed, sources told Us Weekly that Jewish comedian Andy Samberg is considering leaving the NBC series. A rep for the show said, “No decisions are made until the season is over.”

It’s rumored that Kristen Wiig and Jason Sudeikis are also considering leaving the show. All three comedians have several other projects in the works. Samberg will be appearing in the new Adam Sandler movie, That’s My Boy, due out this summer.

3. Levy Gets A Piece Of The Pie

Eugene Levy will get to have his pie and eat it too in the latest edition of the American Pie series, American Reunion. The film, which opens tonight, brings back the comedy ensemble from the 1999 hit comedy and includes a humorous hookup between Jewish actor Eugene Levy, who plays Jason Biggs’ dad, and Jennifer Coolidge, who plays Seann William Scott’s boy-seducing mom.

As many of you will remember, Jim’s dad spent much of the first three movies awkwardly trying to help his son through embarrassing sexual issues. This time however, he may be the one who needs advice. And that advice isn’t just sexual, he’ll also need online dating advice when he signs up for JDate looking for a date! Hmmm… maybe he should start reading JBlog!