for Friday, June 19, 2026

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 »

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Beating, Not Joining, Ethnic Studies

Sapir

The debate over California's ethnic studies curriculum highlights a tension between education and ideology, particularly in its treatment of Jewish communities.

0 Education Jewish Law

Beyond Israel programming: The case for institutional redesign

eJewishPhilanthropy

Institutions within the North American Jewish community have long invested in Israel education through various targeted programs like campus initiatives and immersive trips.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

In a NY race with no pro-Israel candidate, AIPAC becomes a flashpoint anyway

Joseph Strauss in JTA

In the New York congressional race for the 7th District, which is characterized by the absence of a pro-Israel candidate, the influence of AIPAC still looms large.

0 Politics Communities

Jewish groups push back against Trump’s Iran deal — but more quietly so far than in 2015

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Numerous Jewish organizations are expressing concerns over President Trump's new memorandum with Iran, although their opposition is less vocal compared to the widespread protest against Obama's 2015 Iran deal.

0 Politics Holocaust

Trump envoy’s push to eliminate standalone Holocaust office divides Jewish leaders

Grace Gilson in JTA

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun of the Trump administration is leading an effort to merge the State Department's Office of the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues into his office, which focuses on fighting antisemitism.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Trump nominee defends college cartoon of Jewish student with devil horns at Senate hearing

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

Charlton Allen, nominated by Donald Trump for a federal workplace rights position, has faced scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing for a controversial cartoon published during his college years.

0 Politics Israel

JD Vance: Israeli Cabinet shouldn’t be criticizing ‘only powerful ally’ left in the world

Tovah Lazaroff in Forward

U.S. Vice President JD Vance cautioned Israeli officials against criticizing President Donald Trump amidst tensions surrounding the Iran deal and the ongoing war that began in February.

0 Politics Israel

A Victory for Iran

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article expresses deep disappointment with the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, criticizing the U.S. President for capitulating to Tehran.

0 Politics Israel

The Hard-Selling of the Iran Deal. The State of American Jewry on the Left. Plus. . .

The Free Press in The Free Press

This piece offers an in-depth look at several critical issues in American politics and their implications for American Jewry.

0 Politics Torah

Wisdom in the Face of Destruction

Sapir

In response to the violence and suffering witnessed in the conflict involving Hamas and Israel, the article reflects on Torah teachings about human cruelty and the necessity of memory to prevent recurring evil.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Georgia’s Jewish senator called his newly minted GOP opponent an antisemite. Why?

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Georgia's Jewish Senator Jon Ossoff has accused his Republican opponent, Mike Collins, of antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

Alex Bores’ supporters disagree on Israel. They agree on him.

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Alex Bores, aiming to succeed Rep. Jerry Nadler, is managing a rare political feat by uniting pro-Israel supporters and progressive groups often critical of Israeli policies.

0 Politics Israel

Organizers of London Israeli real estate fair apologize after West Bank properties surface despite denials

Kelly Hartog in Forward

Organizers of the Great Israeli Real Estate Event in London faced backlash after it was revealed that properties in the West Bank were promoted, despite prior denials.

0 Politics Israel

In Trump deal, Iran can have ballistic missiles and billions of dollars – but must give up nukes

Tovah Lazaroff in Forward

President Donald Trump's new deal with Iran, which was announced during the G7 summit, aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons while allowing it to keep its ballistic missile program.

0 Politics Israel

Trump defends his deal with Iran, saying it means Israel is ‘not going to be nuked’

Tovah Lazaroff in JTA

Former President Donald Trump defended his controversial deal with Iran at the G7 summit, asserting it prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and thereby protecting Israel from nuclear destruction.

Communities ›

0 Communities Antisemitism

Former antisemitic activist Lucas Gage explains to Jewish podcast why he left the movement

Grace Gilson in Forward

Former antisemitic activist Lucas Gage, who once propagated hate and conspiracy theories against Jews, publicly renounces his past views in a conversation with Jewish podcasters.

0 Communities History

This year’s biggest World Cup upset came from its most Jew-ish team

Louis Keene in Forward

Cape Verde's unexpected draw against Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup spotlighted its unusual Sephardic Jewish heritage.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

I escaped Hezbollah — and found the truth about Israel.

Rawan Osman in Future of Jewish

Rawan Osman recounts his transformation from growing up in a Hezbollah stronghold in Lebanon, where he was taught to perceive Israel as the enemy, to discovering the truth about the Jewish state and what it represents.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Billy Crystal Is Coming Back to Broadway With a Very Personal Show

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Billy Crystal is set to return to Broadway with a deeply personal one-man show titled "860," following his successful performance in "700 Sundays."

0 Television/Film Culture

An Ode to Gene Shalit, TV’s Coolest Film Critic

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Gene Shalit, the iconic Today Show film critic known for his exuberant personality, distinctive style, and pun-laden humor, passed away at the age of 100.

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

The latest victim of the culture war over Israel is a leftwing, lapsed Catholic Bible scholar

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

The cultural boycott against Israeli and Jewish affiliations in Europe has now claimed a surprising figure: Erri De Luca, an Italian novelist and former left-wing activist with no direct ties to Israel.

0 Culture Education

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Future of Jewish in Future of Jewish

Future of Jewish, led by Joshua Hoffman, is making its content freely available to promote understanding of Judaism, Israel, and the global Jewish community.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Jewish Law

The manosphere says women owe their husbands sex — Judaism says the opposite

Mira Fox in Forward

Mira Fox explores the contrasting views on marital sex between Western cultural narratives and Jewish tradition, particularly in the Talmud.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Antisemitic incidents in Germany remained elevated in 2025, fueled by rise in far-right cases: Report

Toby Axelrod in JTA

Antisemitic incidents in Germany persisted at high levels in 2025, averaging 24 per day, with a prominent rise in right-wing extremism.

0 Antisemitism Education

Far-right YouTuber raises nearly $20K for Cornell student who said he was ‘not interested in working for a jew’

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

Austin Franco, a Cornell student, sparked controversy by refusing a job with Jewish employers and articulating antisemitic views online.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Alleged White House attack plot singled out officials seen as tied to pro-Israel groups, FBI says

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

Federal law enforcement officials unveiled a plot involving five suspects who allegedly planned an attack targeting U.S. lawmakers associated with pro-Israel groups, during an event at the White House.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Eggplant Caviar

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig's article passionately recommends trying her Eggplant Caviar recipe, an appestizer popular across Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Leadership

What Korach Teaches Us About the Future of Unity

Yosef Zvi Rimon in 18forty

In the context of ongoing conflict in Israel, Yosef Zvi Rimon explores the lessons drawn from the biblical story of Korach about the importance of unity amidst disagreement.

0 Jewish Law Education

Shivim Panim

Sapir

In the debut of Sapir's new feature "Shivim Panim," Rabba Yaffa Epstein and Rabbi David Wolpe discuss the ethical implications of paying students to study Torah.

0 Jewish Law Culture

To Err is Human; to Disagree, Jewish

Sapir

Jewish tradition embraces controversy as a core component of its intellectual and spiritual life, valuing disagreement and diversity of opinion as tools for growth and understanding.

Sports ›

0 Sports Politics

The Real Reason Israel Doesn’t Go to the World Cup

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Israel's absence from the FIFA World Cup isn't due to a mere lack of qualification, but rather the complex interplay of politics and sports.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Culture

Social Justice for Moderns

Sapir

The article explores the tension Jews face in modernity between particularism, focusing on Jewish-specific responsibilities, and universalism, where Jewish values drive broader social justice initiatives.

0 Ethics Leadership

Shivim Panim: A Column on Ethics

Sapir

Shivim Panim, part of the Sapir Journal, explores how Jewish wisdom applies to ethical dilemmas in communal life by featuring debates between Jewish thinkers.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

The God Who Dwells in Doubt

Sapir

The author discusses their journey from atheism to faith, grappling with both belief and doubt.

Torah ›

0 Torah Jewish Law

Avot 5:6: The Mouth of Korah’s Earth and the 2nd Edition of the Tosafot Yom Tov

Yaakov Jaffe in Lehrhaus

Yaakov Jaffe analyzes the evolution in R. Yom Tov Lipman Heller's interpretation of Avot 5:6 between the first and second editions of his Mishnah commentary, Tosafot Yom Tov.

Editors' Note

Welcome to JL;DR!
by Matt Sienkiewicz

June 19's Short Reads

The Free Press How Vermont Became Ground Zero for the Anti-Israel Movement

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Education ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Israel ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Gender/Identity ›

Antisemitism ›

Food ›

Jewish Law ›

Sports ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Torah ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 19's Short Reads

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for Friday, June 19, 2026