for Tuesday, February 3, 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 Jewish Law

A Yeshiva That Gets It Right

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin reflects on his experience visiting a hesder yeshiva in Akko during a Shabbaton, highlighting the contrast between the educational approaches of dati-leumi and charedi yeshivas.

0 Education Communities

Boston-area Jewish day school to close after 25 years, saying its model is ‘no longer sustainable’

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

MetroWest Jewish Day School in the Boston area is set to close after 25 years due to dwindling enrollment and financial sustainability issues.

0 Education Communities

Beyond the ramp: Why intellectual accessibility is the next frontier of Jewish inclusion

eJewishPhilanthropy

As Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) unfolds, the focus on ensuring physical access within Jewish communities is expanding to include intellectual accessibility, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

France issues arrest warrants against 2 right-wing French-Israeli activists for ‘complicity in genocide’

Grace Gilson in Forward

Two right-wing French-Israeli activists, Nili Kupfer-Naouri and Rachel Touitou, are facing arrest warrants from France for alleged complicity in genocide, following their actions to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, which they believed would indirectly support Hamas.

0 Politics Culture

The Unfortunate Relationship Between Secular Judaism and Anti-Zionism

Hava Mendelle in Future of Jewish

Hava Mendelle articulates the complex relationship between secular Judaism and anti-Zionism, contending that rising anti-Zionism and assimilation weaken Jewish identity and continuity.

0 Politics Israel

Amid standoff with US, would Iran really attack Israel?

Dan Perry in Forward

Amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with President Trump considering military action, the Iranian regime threatens to attack Israel if confronted.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Top NY Democrats vow to fund synagogue security, criticize ICE spending at Jewish policy event

New York Jewish Week Staff in JTA

At a recent congressional event organized by JCRC-NY, top New York Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, committed to increasing security funding for Jewish institutions amid rising antisemitic threats.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Prominent British LGBTQ activist arrested for carrying ‘globalize the intifada’ sign in London

Grace Gilson in JTA

Prominent British LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell was arrested in London for displaying a sign advocating to 'globalize the intifada' during a pro-Palestinian rally.

0 Politics Israel

Swing district Democratic congressional candidate in Omaha blasts rivals over their criticism of Israel

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

In the race for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, Democrat Crystal Rhoades is focusing her campaign on supporting Israel, positioning herself against fellow Democrat John Cavanaugh, whom she criticizes for his stance on Israel.

0 Politics Israel

A Scoop of Anti-Israel Ice Cream

Mitch Schneider in Future of Jewish

In July 2021, Ben & Jerry's announced it would halt ice cream sales in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, citing ethical concerns over occupied territories.

0 Politics Communities

Democratic leader says GOP-led Congress boosted ICE funding while Jewish security is underfunded

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the GOP-controlled Congress at a New York Jewish gathering for prioritizing immigration enforcement funding over security grants for Jewish communities amidst rising antisemitism.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Jewish Law

In 92NY talk, Bret Stephens urges 'dismantling' ADL and investing more in Jewish identity

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward

Bret Stephens, a New York Times columnist, delivered a provocative address at the 92nd Street Y, suggesting a radical shift in the Jewish community's approach to combating antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Jewish Law

A border official mocked an attorney for observing Shabbat. Orthodox lawyers say the issue is not new.

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

A recent derogatory incident involving an Orthodox Jewish attorney highlights ongoing challenges faced by observant Jewish lawyers in maintaining their religious practices within the legal profession.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Communities

America’s Black-Jewish story gets an update on new PBS series featuring Henry Louis Gates, Michael Twitty and more

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History is an insightful PBS docuseries that launches into an engaging exploration of the historical and social intersections between Black and Jewish Americans.

Communities ›

0 Communities History

Elaine Grossinger Etess, third-generation owner of legendary Catskills resort, dies at 98

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Elaine Grossinger Etess, the last surviving member of the family who established the iconic Grossingers Catskill Resort Hotel, has passed away at 98.

0 Communities Leadership

Bringing philanthropy’s foundations into focus

eJewishPhilanthropy

The series "Foundations in Focus," developed by Yossi Prager, addresses key challenges in American Jewish philanthropy.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

In ‘Black and Jewish America,’ Henry Louis Gates Jr explores the history of Black-Jewish partnership and conflict

Olivia Haynie in Forward

The PBS series "Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History," narrated by Henry Louis Gates Jr., investigates the complex historical relationship between Black and Jewish communities in the U.S.

0 Culture Communities

SPONSORED CONTENT: The Importance of Rituals

Chantelle Wolfe in Hadassah

Rituals play a vital role in marking significant life events and fostering a sense of belonging, argues Chantelle Wolfe, a seasoned milestone event planner.

0 Culture Politics

There’s Nothing Offensive About Invoking the Holocaust to Defend Human Rights

Ken Silverman in The Beinart Notebook

Ken Silverman's article discusses the controversy surrounding comparisons of current events to the Holocaust, a debate sparked by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's analogy of undocumented children's experiences to those depicted in Anne Frank's diary.

0 Culture History

Trees tell beautiful stories about Judaism and Israel.

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Trees hold a deep symbolic and historical role in Judaism and the Land of Israel, intertwining narratives of faith, survival, and renewal.

0 Culture Jewish Law

Creating rituals for the transitions of aging

eJewishPhilanthropy

As people live longer due to advances in science and medicine, there is a growing need for new Jewish rituals to mark the transitions of aging, a life stage not yet clearly defined.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Politics

My grandmother Eva Schloss survived Auschwitz. She would not be silent about America today.

Alex Margolis in JTA

The article reflects on the late Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss and her outspoken criticism of contemporary socio-political trends she believed resembled early Nazi policies.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays History

These Ancient Jewish Newborn Traditions Have a Place in my Modern Nursery

Alta Franco in Kveller

Childbirth amulets, a time-honored Jewish tradition, served as protective symbols against the feared demon Lilith, believed to endanger infants.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

These rabbis are making an Orthodox case against AI. Will anyone listen?

Louis Keene in Forward

In January 2026, leading Haredi Orthodox rabbis met at a Lakewood yeshiva to discuss the growing influence of artificial intelligence, viewing it as a potential threat to their traditional lifestyle.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Politics

Hannah Arendt could have anticipated the Trump administration’s lies in Minnesota — and elsewhere

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

Robert Zaretsky reflects on how Hannah Arendt's analysis of political lying, particularly in reference to the Pentagon Papers scandal, remains relevant today.

Sports ›

0 Sports Communities

A new collective helps Jewish college athletes earn from their fame — and express their pride

Nuriel Shimoni-Stoil in JTA

Tribe NIL, co-founded by comedian Eitan Levine and entrepreneur Jeremy Moses, provides Jewish college athletes a platform to express their Jewish pride, connect with sponsors, and engage with a supportive community.

0 Sports Communities

Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli to be selected as an NBA All-Star

Jacob Gurvis in Forward

Israeli basketball star Deni Avdija has made history by becoming the first Israeli to be selected as an NBA All-Star.

0 Sports Culture

Deni Avdija’s rise from Maccabi wunderkind to NBA All-Star is a dream come true for Israeli basketball fans like me

Moshe Halickman in JTA

Deni Avdija's journey from being a Maccabi Tel Aviv prodigy to an NBA All-Star has been nothing short of extraordinary for Israeli basketball fans.

Art ›

0 Art Gender/Identity

Joan Semmel’s Revolution in Nudes

Sarah M. Seltzer in Lilith

Joan Semmel's retrospective at The Jewish Museum, titled "In the Flesh," showcases a powerful reclamation of the female form through her unique lens, challenging the traditional male gaze in art.

Torah ›

0 Torah Ethics

Tu b’Shvat and the Question We Can’t Keep Avoiding: Is the Tree of the Field a Human?

Aviva Lauer in Lehrhaus

Aviva Lauer's insightful exploration of Deuteronomy 20:19 connects the Jewish holiday of Tu bShvat with a broader ethical mandate against unnecessary destruction, extending from trees to human beings.

JL;DR

for Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Education ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Holocaust ›

Holidays ›

Jewish Law ›

Philosophy ›

Sports ›

Art ›

Torah ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 3's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Education ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Holocaust ›

Holidays ›

Jewish Law ›

Philosophy ›

Sports ›

Art ›

Torah ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 3's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Tuesday, February 3, 2026