JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Thursday, December 11, 2025

Welcome, visitor! Here's a digest of what's been published in Jewish media over the last day. JL;DR members have access to summaries of everything plus our full archive. Donate & start reading »

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

“That Your Slave May Rest With You” – Rethinking Oneg Shabbat

Shimi Kaufman in Lehrhaus

Shimi Kaufman examines the Shabbat commandment's dual representation in the Torah—first as a commemoration of creation, then as a remembrance of liberation from Egyptian slavery.

0 Torah Culture

5 Things Yosef’s Brothers Teach Us About Jealousy in the Age of Comparison

18Forty Staff in 18forty

The exploration of Parshat Vayeshev in this piece highlights the dangerous progression of jealousy within familial relationships, as illustrated by Yosef and his brothers.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Brad Lander launches run for Congress against pro-Israel Jewish incumbent Dan Goldman

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Brad Lander, former city comptroller and a Jewish progressive, has announced his congressional campaign against incumbent Dan Goldman in New York's 10th district.

0 Politics Israel

A Sea Change in the Mainstream Media

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the perceived anti-Israel bias in mainstream media, particularly focusing on CBS's coverage of the Gaza conflict.

0 Politics Communities

The Jewish left is misplaying its hand — by not focusing enough on Jews

Charlotte Ritz-Jack in Forward

Charlotte Ritz-Jack critiques the Jewish left for not sufficiently addressing the exclusionary practices in Israel that affect not only Palestinians but Jews as well.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Why The Haredi Draft Bill Is A Threat To Zionist Israel

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

The Haredi draft bill in Israel has become a contentious issue, highlighting the growing divide between the Haredi community and the rest of Israeli society.

0 Politics Jewish Law

A new bill would ban protests near synagogues, after the Park East protest. Is that legal?

Hannah Feuer in Forward

A new bill proposed by New York State Assemblyman Micah Lasher seeks to prohibit protests within 25 feet of houses of worship and reproductive health care clinics.

0 Politics Torah

The limitations of Trump’s executive order targeting the Muslim Brotherhood

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

President Trump's executive order targeting the Muslim Brotherhood focuses on reviewing individual branches for potential terrorism designations, such as in Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Dancing through Itzhak Perlman’s birthday klezmer concert was a joyous blast from my Yiddish past

Curt Leviant in JTA

Celebrating Itzhak Perlman's 80th birthday, a joyous klezmer concert was held at the Beacon Theater, featuring Perlman alongside renowned klezmer musicians from bands like The Klezmer Conservatory Band and The Klezmatics.

0 Music Culture

Praise for soccer star Leo Messi in album of Yiddish kids' songs

Zach Golden in Forward

In "Pantakozak and Other New Yiddish Songs for Kids," Santa Fe-based musician Jordan Wax combines traditional Yiddish culture with modern storytelling and music to create an engaging album for children.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

What happens when you’re the only Jewish family in Oklahoma?

Olivia Haynie in Forward

Oklahoma Samovar, a new play by Alice Eve Cohen debuting at La MaMa’s Downstairs Theater, delves into the rarely discussed history of Jewish immigrants in the Midwest.

0 Culture Holidays

The part of the Hanukkah story we ignore — and why it matters to converts like me

Austin Albanese in Forward

Hanukkah, typically seen as a festival celebrating Jewish resilience and miracle, carries complex historical undertones of power and conversion that are often overlooked.

0 Culture Politics

Something extraordinary is happening in Israel’s cultural world.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The cultural scene in Israel is experiencing a remarkable revitalization despite facing global boycotts and cancellations due to political tensions.

History ›

0 History Politics

Officials removed exhibit on Black soldiers in WWII over fear of Trump’s ‘ire,’ emails show

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Emails obtained by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reveal that the removal of panels honoring Black American soldiers at the U.S. military cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands, was influenced by concerns over potential backlash from the Trump administration.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

Ran Gvili, last remaining Israeli hostage in Gaza, featured on 2 Times Square digital billboards

Grace Gilson in JTA

The ongoing effort to secure the return of Ran Gvili, the last remaining Israeli hostage in Gaza taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, has taken a prominent stage in New York's Times Square.

0 Israel Politics

Israel needs a reset — and the Diaspora has earned the right to say so.

Adam Hummel in Future of Jewish

In his essay, Adam Hummel argues that the Diaspora has earned the right to influence Israeli policy following widespread, unprecedented support from Jewish communities worldwide.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

Columbia must add Middle East faculty who are ‘not explicitly anti-Zionist,’ antisemitism task force urges

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Columbia University's antisemitism task force has recommended hiring more Middle East faculty who do not hold explicitly anti-Zionist views.

0 Education Communities

Jewish education is too important to sit this one out

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish education leaders are urging the community to participate in shaping a new federal scholarship tax credit program that can significantly aid Jewish school affordability.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Helen Nash, kosher cookbook author and NYC philanthropist, dies at 89

Grace Gilson in Forward

Helen Nash, a pioneer in modern kosher cooking and noted philanthropist, passed away at 89.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Science

ADL says bots can be tricked into antisemitism — if you feed them a really elaborate prompt

Grace Gilson in Forward

The ADL's recent study highlights the susceptibility of open-source AI models to manipulation into generating antisemitic content.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Philosophy

Liberal-thinking Jews like me need a new way to think about Hanukkah

Herbert Levine in JTA

Herbert Levine explores the evolving narrative of Hanukkah for liberal Jews who may find traditional stories of miracles and military victories incongruent with modern values.

Communities ›

0 Communities Leadership

The stories we carry, the future we build

eJewishPhilanthropy

Following the October 7, 2023 attacks, the Jewish Parent Academy (JPA), a grassroots movement initially founded by Russian-speaking Jewish (RSJ) parents, has become more vital than ever in shaping Jewish resilience and leadership.