Two best friends and a whirlwind of experiences manifested through music. Smokelines was born out of a friendship between Californian Skylar “Sky” Blaze Star and New Yorker Faith Gara. With New York City as their backdrop, they are an ultimate dynamic duo of singer-songwriters capturing what it’s like to be young in the city. Jejune enthusiastically got to learn more about their latest single, Nirvana, a product of adjusting to the new normal as COVID-19 plunged us deeper into a digital reality. Nirvana is also a testament to their commitment to mental health awareness, in addition to their collaboration with The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. To find out more about what goes into the creativity and business acumen that goes into Smokelines, the meaningfulness of Nirvana, and mental health advocacy, read below.

Fighting Homelessness & Poverty with HOPE

During one of the largest economic crises our country has ever seen, when cities are forcing landlords not to evict tenants who can’t pay, thousands have lost their jobs, and the number of homeless has yet to be calculated, there is hope. There is hope in Tiny Homes. Hope of the Valley’s Tiny Homes Villages is one of the most beautiful initiatives I have heard about so far in 2021. In one of the cities in the US that has the worst numbers of homelessness, Los Angeles, this organization is just stating the fight, and they are doing it in style. They have set up a transitional micro-village, where people wanting to pull themselves off the streets are given the resources to do so. Hope of the Valley has no only done this smartly, but also sensitively for the people who are moving in. They make sure they are safe, clean, feed, and even have a dog park for those with pets. I’m so excited to share with you our exclusive interview with the CEO of Hope of the Valley, Ken Craft.

Natasha Calis Is In A League Of Her Own

Natasha Calis knows what she’s doing. Acquainted with the camera since a young age, Calis has starred in numerous films and TV series, making her mark among well known names in the entertainment industry. Now, a sophisticated Calis is once again demonstrating her incredible acting chops, starring in Nurses, NBC’s new series. Putting her heart and soul into this role, Calis is Ashley Collins, a young nurse whose wit and kindness makes her stand out. Calis told Jejune all about her acting career, what it’s like playing a nurse why we should admire and respect healthcare workers, now more than ever. To learn more about Natasha Calis, please read below.

Long Testing Lines Leave New Yorkers Feeling Frustrated

The ever-growing lines at COVID-19 testing sites in NYC are a disturbing indicator of the basic public health crisis we are still facing. New Yorkers are braving insanely long lines in the cold and rainy weather to get tested for the virus, as we brace ourselves for a second deadly wave. Some people wait in these lines because they need the test for work or school. Some fear that they may have potentially been exposed, or are hoping that by getting a test they will be able to safely celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. And some, discouraged by the idea of standing for over three hours in the cold end up walking away untested.

Sirens Of Hope - Diana Sophia

As an individual who lived through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, I have been waiting for the music and art that would come from it, and Diana Sophia did not disappoint. If you did not have the experience or if you did, please take a moment to listen to her new song “Sirens.” This song will transport you to those months of 24/7 ambulance sirens and the anxiety we all felt, but she also laces in hope that came with them. This song is heavy, and not something I will listen to every day, but it is true historic art and should be respected as such. Diana might be from Mexico, but in many ways, she is nothing but a New Yorker. She is all about grit and passion. In addition to being an incredible singer-songwriter, she is a survivor and helps support an amazing organization for sexual abuse victims called Hidden Water. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Diana Sophia.

Traveling In COVID

Living in the midst of COVID in the US, particularly in NYC, has us terrified and controlled, but there is life outside these walls. I recently traveled to a pole camp in Antalya, Turkey, and it opened my eyes. About two months ago, as I sat locked inside my Brooklyn home, I optimistically signed up for a pole dancing camp in Turkey. I kinda assumed that it wouldn’t happen, since most countries were refusing to let Americans in at the time. But in what I can only assume was an act of god, Turkey opened its doors to us with no quarantine! So off I went…

COVID Musings: For A Happier Life, Declutter Your Life And Count Your Blessings

Wow, 2020 has been a wild ride so far, I feel like that is safe to say. This year has been full of the unknowns, the fear, and uncertainty with the COVID-19 virus. The world came to a stop. We as humans thrive on routine and consistency, but when the foundations of what made our lives normal was pulled out from under us (restrictions and fearful news feeds)... well the anxious energy just surged.

Brad Lambert Is The Giving Spirit Of Hollywood

A producer, talent manager, and international speaker, there’s not much Brad R Lambert can’t do. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, he started his career in the sports industry working with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After about a decade of interactions with various celebrities and franchises, he decided to pursue his dreams of working in the film industry. Not only is Lambert now a well known name in Hollywood, but he is also a man of giving. Despite his chaotic schedule, Lambert has made time for humanitarian work, specifically with the All In Challenge initiative. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about the wonderful Brad R Lambert.

Jax Malcolm: The Actor, Designer, & Athlete Takes on Hollywood

Jax Riley Malcom seemingly inherited his acting drive out of the void. At just five years old, Jax pondered as to why he wasn’t on television. Soon after, he learned that he would need an agent and would later land his first role for a Smart Power commercial. He went on to work with Comedy Central and IFC with credits including the Kroll Show, Comedy Bang Bang!, and The Birthday Boys.

The Californian born artist has made surmountable progression within the fields of athletics, fashion, and music. He was on the varsity swim team at his high school, competitive USA Swimming club swimmer, and a Junior Olympian / Championship team member. He also has a strong foundation in fashion design and styling. As a fashion designer, he recently came out with his collection Trident. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Jax Malcom.

Nadia George Sheds Light on The Indigenous Water Crisis

The indigenous communities across the globe have always been treated terribly, with no move to improve the situations they were forced into. While many countries like to pretend this doesn’t include them, this just isn’t so. Canadian born Mi'kmaq actress Nadia George is advocating to educate and inform the world about the indigenous water crisis happening in Canada (lack of water for indigenous populations in the US is a huge problem too). With COVID raging through the planet, this scarcity of water is a complete nightmare to an already very sensitive population. Nadia helps to spread the word about this water issue in the short film “Alongside the Water’s Edge”, which is a lyrical film that addresses the water crisis being faced by countless indigenous communities across Canada, before COVID. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Nadia George.

Let Them Eat Cake (LTEC) - The Show Must Go On!

Let me tell you about Let Them Eat Cake (LTEC)! LTEC is a super fun aerial/circus/pole/burlesque show, and they were one of the first shows to quickly transport their show to the internet. While the rest of us were still shell shocked, Ina Du and Brenna Bradbury were planning on how they could keep us sane in the midsts of all this. Basically, within two weeks of the NYC lockdown, LTEC had their first online show, Homemade Edition, and they have been having a show every Thursday since (although, we believe they will be moving to every other Thursday now). To learn more, read our exclusive interview here, and tune into their show tonight!

Saying Goodbye During COVID

As I am writing this, the United States has already lost over 124K people to COVID-19, and our numbers are only increasing. The likelihood that you will know someone who passes from COVID 19 is high, but what happens after that, during a pandemic, while socially distancing? Read further to learn about how funerals are far from normal during COVID.

Articles, zIssue 24Kira BuccaJuly 1, 2020covid-19, loss, coronavirus, goodbye, funeral, Shelter-in-place, stay home, stay strong, family, community, JewishComment

Aneesa Sheikh: The Miracles of Music

Aneesa Sheikh’s fateful encounter with music began by chance. At eight years old, Aneesa fell in love with her sister skating to Santana’s, “Black Magic Woman.” From then on, Aneesa began taking lessons on a classical 3⁄4 sized guitar and joined the youth choir. At the age of fourteen, she began to write songs on her grandfather’s twelve-string guitar. Soon after writing her first three songs, she was invited to perform on the “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour” in Lexington, KY. Aneesa’s love for music doesn’t stop there. She founded the non-profit organization, “Music4M.I.R.A.C.L.E.”, which aims to spread music therapy. Her non-profit venture ensued as a result of her fathers declining health — a testament to her sharp and compassionate nature. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Aneesa Sheikh.

Cover - New York City Has Hope

New York City has been in lockdown for 106 days. Yes, things are slowly starting to open up, but most of us are still being as careful as possible as COVID rages through the rest of our country. This editorial was shot during the peak of the New York City shelter in place order. Like many business, fashion was hit very hard. As designers were forced to close shops, they were still able to make masks, leaving masks the only new fashion available.

Minhee Jones - 6 Feet Apart...

Musician Minhee Jones is an international melting pot of harmonies. Originally from Los Angeles, the London based artist denotes early classical influences from the likes of Beethoven. Her identity as biracial, born Korean and Black, helped to bolster the complexities of her artistry.

Directly off her new EP, the single “6 Feet,” was an almost prophetic analysis of mindfulness — of course more relevant, and literal, now amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With lyrics like “we stay 6 feet apart to stay 6 feet above”, this song is essentially an anthem to what we are living through right now.

In addition to being a powerful musician, Minhee teamed up with Fender, Ford, and Co-op Food and broke three Guinness World Records by playing concerts in 51 cities in 7 days to raise money and awareness for Music Venue Trust. Minhee encapsulates a mix of soulful rebellion, perhaps an ode to her punk bass playing roots. As an instrumentalist, specializing in drums, bass, analog synths, piano and vintage harmonium, it is her prolific style and adventurous nature that enables her to march to the beat of her own drum. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Minhee Jones.

Orenda Tribe Is Helping To Protect The Navajo Community

The Diné (Navajo) community, along with many other indigenous communities, have suffered greatly due to Covid-19. In fact, the Navajo Nation actually surpassed New York State for the highest infection rate in the US. Yet, they are seeing less help than most areas! Devastated to see her community suffering, indigenous fashion designer, Amy Yeung, founder of Orenda Tribe, has been working non-stop partnering with Outdoor Voices and NDN Collective to bring aid, food, water, masks, PPE, supplies, and awareness to these populations in need. Jejune had the pleasure to do an Instagram Live interview with Amy, which can be seen here (Part 1 and Part 2), but we at Jejune wanted to highlight some of the takeaways here.

Healing Chicago’s Frontlines With COVID RRT

COVID Rapid Response Team (RRT) is a collective of independent community members, healthcare students, and clinicians supporting healthcare professionals and underserved areas. With the insurmountable pressure and stressors inflicting our healthcare workers, it is beneficial to see communities uniting for a common good. Please read our exclusive interview here with Carrie Chui and Sara Majewski to learn more about COVID RRT.

How NY State Failed Their Elderly During COVID-19

I’m angry. I’m not going to lie. I have hit that point in my grief. But I’m also happy to hear that the murmurs of unrest are starting to rise. People are moving past clutching their rolls of toilet paper as they hang on every word NY Governor Andrew Cuomo tells them. The panic and fear are starting to melt away as the sun is slowly finally starting to shine again on New York City. Yes, we are slowly starting to open up, and we can debate on how much longer that will take, I don’t have the answer to that. There is one thing I do know, there will be a lot less elderly to worry about during any additional waves in New York, thanks to our state government and Andrew Cuomo.

A Day In The Life Of An MTA Train Operator during COVID

As more states slowly begin to reopen, a contextually old, yet polarizing debate was brought new life: What constitutes an essential worker or business? According to New York State, essential encapsulates specific specializations under health care, infrastructure, manufacturing, and a myriad of other industries. In New York City, it is clear that our train system is essential for the vast majority of New Yorkers to get around, making all of the MTA employees essential workers. But as we shelter in place to stay safe and people are terrified to go into the trains, what steps are being made to make sure the people doing the most important jobs right now are safe. Please read further to learn more from one amazing train operator, Paul.

Fostering Debate Talent Academy is Nurturing Our Future Orators

Fostering Debate Talent (FDT) Academy is an environment in which ideas breathe, mingle, and evolve. Founded in 2016 by Frankie Cena, FDT works to create a thriving space, building foundations for public speech and debate. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, FDT Academy announced the launch of its first-ever nationwide virtual speaking competition in support of Food Banks Canada. The event is an effort to encourage the creation and promotion of positive activities for youth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and to raise funds for Food Banks Canada in a time of crisis and need for so many Canadians. To learn more, please read our exclusive interview here with founder Frankie Cena.