for Wednesday, May 20, 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 »

Language ›

0 Language Holocaust

Interviews with Holocaust survivors reveal the richness of Yiddish

Jeffrey Shandler in Forward

The creation of the Corpus of Spoken Yiddish in Europe (CSYE) has made historical Yiddish dialects accessible by utilizing over 200 Holocaust survivor interviews from the USC Shoah Foundation's Visual History Archive.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Anti-Israel Republican Thomas Massie ousted from Congress as Trump endorsee wins primary

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Rep. Thomas Massie, known for his anti-Israel voting record, lost his primary in Kentucky to Ed Gallrein, a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump and supported by pro-Israel PACs.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Jewish groups rally behind bipartisan Senate antisemitism bill with $1B security allocation

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Jewish organizations across the United States are advocating for the swift passage of the bipartisan Jewish American Security Act in the Senate, aimed at combating antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

With AOC backing and anti-Israel message, Chris Rabb wins primary in Philadelphia

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Chris Rabb, a progressive state lawmaker known for his staunch criticism of Israel, has won the Democratic primary in Philadelphia’s heavily Democratic Third Congressional District.

0 Politics Israel

Two polls find growing split among Republicans over support for Israel

Grace Gilson in JTA

American support for Israel is becoming increasingly polarized, particularly among Republicans, as shown in two recent polls.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Thomas Massie, leading anti-Israel Republican in Congress, faces tight Kentucky primary

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Thomas Massie, a prominent Republican congressman known for his anti-Israel stance, is facing a tight primary challenge in Kentucky's 4th district against Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL.

0 Politics Culture

At Mamdani’s Shavuot gathering, Jewish allies make the case for engagement

Grace Gilson in JTA

At a vibrant pre-Shavuot celebration hosted by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Gracie Mansion, over 100 attendees, including left-wing Jewish activists and representatives from Orthodox groups, gathered to promote Jewish engagement.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Rep. Jared Moskowitz becomes latest Jewish lawmaker to reveal antisemitic threats

Grace Gilson in Forward

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Jewish lawmaker from Florida, has recently shared the alarming rise in antisemitic threats he's encountered, marking a broader trend of antisemitism becoming more normalized in American discourse.

0 Politics Communities

Mamdani’s first Jewish Heritage event reveals a narrowed circle

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

New York City's Jewish American Heritage Month reception at Gracie Mansion highlighted tensions between Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration and the broader Jewish establishment.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Israeli flag attack ad prompts antisemitism charge in PA state race — yet boosts the Jewish candidate

Hannah Feuer in Forward

A Pennsylvania state senate race has been stirred by a campaign mailer attacking Bradley Merkl-Gump, a Jewish candidate, with allegations of being tied to an 'Israel-first' political agenda.

0 Politics Israel

Mamdani defends Nakba Day video as Jews debate whether to attend his Shavuot party

Philissa Cramer in JTA

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is at the center of a controversy involving a Nakba Day video released by his office, which profiles a Palestinian survivor from 1948.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Philosophy

Why Celebrate the Torah at The Wheat Harvest?

Tzvika Aviv in Lehrhaus

Tzvika Aviv explores the deep connection between Shavuot and the wheat harvest, arguing it serves as an ancient bioethical reminder addressing humanity's moral struggles with agriculture—a "sin" of wheat linked to the earliest human stories, including Cain and Abel.

0 Holidays Torah

What We’re Learning This Shavuot

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Rivka Bennun Kay and the 18Forty team reflect on their personal and collective practice of learning during Shavuot, a holiday centered on the receiving of the Torah.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

The Question Jews Were Never Supposed to Ask

Joanne Strasser in Future of Jewish

Joanne Strasser reflects on the recurring question faced by diaspora Jews: must they choose between openly supporting Israel and being accepted by their peers?

0 Antisemitism Culture

An op-ed compared an NBA team to Israel as underdog success stories. Then the threats poured in.

Louis Keene in Forward

An op-ed analogy likening Israel’s historical underdog turn-around to the success of the Oklahoma City Thunder led to its author's vilification.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Supporting Israel now means supporting Israelis everywhere.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article discusses the rising global antisemitism directed at Israelis following the October 7th Hamas attack, emphasizing the social ostracization and threats faced by Israelis abroad.

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

Sally Rooney to issue novel in Hebrew with Israeli publisher who complies with BDS

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Irish novelist Sally Rooney has decided to release her latest novel, "Intermezzo," in Hebrew through an Israeli publisher, November Books, which aligns with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement's principles.

0 Culture History

Is Edikted, Gen-Z’s Favorite Fashion Brand, Israeli?

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Edikted, a fashion brand popular among Gen Z, initially started in Tel Aviv in 2020 by former leaders of the Israeli brand Adika, including CEO Dedy Shwartzberg.

0 Culture Antisemitism

5 Things Jew-Haters Can Learn from Jews

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Vanessa Berg's essay explores the often-misunderstood reasons for Jewish success and resilience, arguing that these qualities are rooted in cultural habits, values, and adaptability rather than secretive powers as suggested by antisemitic conspiracies.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

The San Diego imam defended Oct. 7. His mosque still deserves our help

Rob Eshman in Forward

In the wake of a tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, Jewish leaders were correct in expressing sympathy and support despite past controversial statements by the mosque's imam.

0 Communities Politics

Jewish groups denounce fatal shooting at San Diego mosque, say it proves need for security funding

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

Following a tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, Jewish groups have expressed their condemnation and called for increased federal security funding for all houses of worship.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Jewish Law

Harrison Ford Makes an Excellent Joke About His Jewish Mom

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

In a humorous and candid podcast interview hosted by Ted Danson, Harrison Ford shares snippets about his Jewish heritage, specifically through anecdotes about his mother and his upbringing.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

In 'Waiting for Godot,' the tragedy and comedy of the Jewish experience

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

Robert Zaretsky explores how Samuel Beckett's iconic play "Waiting for Godot" reflects the Jewish experience through its themes of waiting, desolation, and resilience.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

What a ‘paused gift’ actually pauses

eJewishPhilanthropy

Philanthropy is often viewed as detached from politics, but this perception clashes with reality.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

The symptom trap

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Jay Strear's piece discusses the recurring challenges faced by Jewish nonprofits, emphasizing a gap between mission clarity and effective execution.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

The Israeli song that almost won Eurovision was about far more than the breakup of a love affair

Aviya Kushner in Forward

Noam Bettan, Israel's Eurovision 2026 candidate, captured the audience with a poignant trilingual song "Michelle," sung in Hebrew, French, and English.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Language ›

Politics ›

Holidays ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

Education ›

Leadership ›

Music ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Language ›

Politics ›

Holidays ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

Education ›

Leadership ›

Music ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, May 20, 2026