Barbie

International fashion model Ellie Goldstein (Courtesy)

Interview

How a 21-year-old UK model with Down syndrome became a global face for inclusivity

Recently seen on the cover of British Vogue and an inspiration for a new Barbie doll, at only 5 feet and born with a disability, Ellie Goldstein is not your average supermodel

June 23, 2023, 5:13 am

How a 21-year-old UK model with Down syndrome became a global face for inclusivity

Recently seen on the cover of British Vogue and an inspiration for a new Barbie doll, at only 5 feet and born with a disability, Ellie Goldstein is not your average supermodel

By Renee Ghert-Zand

Barbie doll creator Ruth Handler, left, gets a kiss from Kristi Cooke, an actress dressed as a Barbie doll, during the 35th birthday celebration for the doll at FAO Schwarz in New York City on March 9, 1994. (AP Photo/Robert Clark)

June 6, 2023, 3:24 am

Way before icon Barbie got the Hollywood treatment, she was ‘born’ with Jewish roots

From her creation by unconventional entrepreneur Ruth Handler to her inclusivity and ability to adapt with the times, the famous doll bears some trademarks of the Tribe

By Cathryn J. Prince

Gal Gadot arrives at the ninth Breakthrough Prize ceremony at The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, on, April 15, 2023. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

May 25, 2023, 9:08 am

Gal Gadot was first choice to play Barbie, but wasn’t available

Producer Margot Robbie, who eventually took the part herself, says Israeli star has ‘Barbie energy,’ is so ‘impossibly beautiful’ and ‘enthusiastically kind’ that she fit the role

By Stuart Winer

A Barbie doll in the image of Iris Apfel, right. (Courtesy of Mattel Inc. via JTA)

March 16, 2018, 12:32 pm

Fashion guru Iris Apfel, 96, immortalized as Barbie doll

Iconic designer, elebrated by her industry and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, earns ‘the highest honor Barbie bestows’

By JTA

March 12, 2018, 2:15 pm

Melody Barron

A nice Jewish doll called Barbie

The cultural icon immigrated from Europe, changed her name, and wove herself into the fabric of America

The Ibtihaj Muhammad barbie on display during Glamour Celebrates 2017 Women Of The Year Live Summit at Brooklyn Museum on November 13, 2017 in New York City. (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Glamour/AFP)

November 14, 2017, 12:19 pm

Barbie makes doll of hijab-wearing Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad

US bronze-winning fencer toy is part of Mattel’s ‘Shero’ line honoring women who break boundaries

By AP

In this April 23, 2015, file photo, Amy Schumer, the writer and star of the upcoming film 'Trainwreck,' waves to the audience during the Universal Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2015 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

December 9, 2016, 12:36 am

Amy Schumer: I’m a ‘great choice’ to play Barbie

Jewish comedienne knocks critics who fat shamed her after hearing she’d star in the new film

By Josefin Dolsten

'Hijarbie' is a Barbie doll dressed in modest Muslim fashion by Haneefa Adam. (Instagram)

February 17, 2016, 3:39 pm

‘Hijarbie’ gives doll modest Muslim makeover

Nigerian woman creates miniature couture for a hijab-wearing Barbie

By Renee Ghert-Zand

December 14, 2015, 11:49 pm

Writer slammed for Taylor Swift ‘Nazi Barbie’ jibe

Australia’s B’nai B’rith says Camille Paglia’s ‘obscene and insensitive’ comment has ‘no place in our cultural discourse’

By JTA

Actress Reese Witherspoon attends the 2015 Baby2Baby Gala at 3LABS on November 14, 2015 in Culver City, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via JTA)

December 2, 2015, 5:30 am

‘Legally Blonde’ star to make film on Barbie’s maker

Reese Witherspoon adapting 2010 book on Ruth Mosko Handler, co-founder of Mattel and daughter of Polish Jewish immigrants

By JTA

Tiffany Shlain has quietly become one of the most influential Jewish filmmakers in the country. (Courtesy of Tiffany Shlain/JTA)

August 24, 2015, 1:54 am

The ‘digital diva’ is on a quest for the makings of a mensch

Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain’s new documentary shows how to improve your personality through 19th century Mussar teachings

By Gabe Friedman

November 27, 2014, 3:06 am

Artist’s ‘normal’ Barbie doll is modestly dressed, and can have cellulite too

Hitting the market this week, the Lammily doll may raise girls’ body image by mainstreaming realistic proportions — and even acne

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Artists Emiliano Paolini, left, and Marianela Perelli, pose for a photo while holding their Ken and Barbie dolls dressed as religious figures, in Rosario, Argentina, Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. Paolini and Perelli had planed to exhibit 33 unique pieces of the fashion dolls on Saturday. The provocative art exhibit that features the dolls as religious figures such as the Virgin Mary and her boyfriend Ken as a crucified Jesus Christ has been canceled amid complaints and threats by angry believers, creators of the collection said Friday. (photo credit: AP Photo/Marcelo Manera)

October 14, 2014, 7:03 pm

No show for Barbie Mary and Jesus Ken

Buenos Aires exhibit featuring fashion dolls as religious figures cancelled amid complaints

By victor r. caivano

Nickolay Lamm's cousins play with a prototype of the Lammily doll. (photo credit: JTA, courtesy of Nickolay Lamm)

March 15, 2014, 2:35 am

Young artist’s ‘anti-Barbie’ is a runaway crowdfunding success

Realistically proportioned doll earns $400,000 in first week, and Jewish designer seeks to manufacture, market toy

By JTA

Buddha's are banned in Iran (A buddha via Shutterstock.)

February 17, 2013, 2:42 pm

After Barbie & Bart, Iran bans Buddha

Along with the likes of Bart Simpson, figurines of Eastern spiritual icon are rounded up by cultural protection authorities