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Toys R Us?

JL;DR SUMMARY Jenna Weissman Joselit explores the Jewish contributions to the American toy industry through Ydessa Hendeles' art installation and Michael Kimmel's book, "Playmakers." A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

American CultureToy IndustryChildhoodJews In AmericaArt InstallationImmigrant InfluenceMichael KimmelTeddy BearMorris MichtomYdessa Hendeles

Places mentioned

New York, United States
"In 2016, I visited the New Museum, downtown Manhattans citadel of contemporary art, to see an installation by Ydessa Hendeles called Partners (The Teddy Bear Project)."
Brooklyn, New York, United States
"The teddy bearthe invention of Morris Michtom, an immigrant Jew who owned a candy store in Brooklyn with his wife, Rosealso figures prominently in Michael Kimmels Playmakers."
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Retrieved 2026-06-17 05:41:11 UTC
Curated 2026-06-17 08:31:24 UTC