for Wednesday, April 22, 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 »

Politics ›

0 Politics Culture

The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas says Zionists ‘talk like Black people during slavery’

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Julian Casablancas, lead singer of The Strokes, sparked controversy with remarks comparing American Zionists' behavior to that of enslaved Black people, during an interview for the web series SubwayTakes.

0 Politics Communities

Netanyahu heckled at Israel's official Memorial Day ceremony as bereaved families grasp for comfort

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced heckling at Israel's official Memorial Day ceremony, reflecting the deep political divides and tensions as Israel continues to grapple with conflict and loss.

0 Politics Culture

Marking Israel's most joyous day with anguish over the country's future

Dan Perry in Forward

As Israel celebrates its 78th Independence Day, the nation faces deep introspection about its identity, particularly whether it will continue as a modern civil state or shift towards a theocratic model.

0 Politics Communities

Netanyahu heckled at Israel’s official Memorial Day ceremony as bereaved families grasp for comfort

Deborah Danan in JTA

Israel's Memorial Day ceremonies were fraught with tension as political discourse clashed with personal grief.

0 Politics Jewish Law

A Tragically Insulting and Destructive Act

Emes Ve-Emunah

In a deeply concerning incident, an IDF soldier recently took a sledgehammer to a statue of Jesus in a Christian village in Lebanon, potentially harming the delicate relations between Jews and supportive Christian communities.

0 Politics Israel

Rahm Emanuel joins calls for end to US ‘financial aid’ to Israel

Grace Gilson in Forward

Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and a potential Democratic presidential candidate, has publicly called for an end to U.S. financial aid to Israel, suggesting that Israel should purchase U.S. weapons under the same conditions as other allies.

0 Politics Holidays

Israel puts mourning before victory — by design.

Leo Pearlman in Future of Jewish

The essay by Leo Pearlman delves into Israel's choice to commemorate Yom HaZikaron, a day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, just before Yom HaAtzmaut, Independence Day.

0 Politics Israel

Michigan Democrats nominate Eli Savit, progressive Jewish prosecutor, for state attorney general

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Eli Savit, a progressive Jewish county prosecutor, has been nominated by the Michigan Democratic Party as their candidate for state attorney general.

0 Politics Antisemitism

University of Michigan regents race turns into Israel litmus test for Democrats

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

The University of Michigan Board of Regents race has become a flashpoint for debates over Israel within the Democratic Party.

Israel ›

0 Israel Antisemitism

Israel’s Independence Day is no longer just for Israelis.

Hen Mazzig in Future of Jewish

Israeli writer Hen Mazzig shares a poignant reflection on Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, broadening its significance beyond Israeli borders to Jews globally.

0 Israel Leadership

Use Israeli bureaucracy to drive Israeli recovery

Contributing Author in eJewishPhilanthropy

In the wake of recent conflict and ongoing challenges faced by Israel, there is an urgent need to enhance the capacity of Israeli municipalities to respond to crises and support recovery efforts.

0 Israel Politics

This is what opinions about Israel always ignore.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article provides a personal account of the everyday realities of living in Israel, highlighting the ever-present threats of terrorism that Israeli society endures.

Literature ›

0 Literature Israel

Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s New Book Is Simply ‘Pain In Words’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Rachel Goldberg-Polin's new book, "When We See You Again," captures the universal experience of grief through a deeply personal lens — the tragic loss of her son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage and killed by Hamas in 2024.

0 Literature Politics

Introduction to Gazology

Matti Friedman in The Free Press

Matti Friedman reflects on the emergence of a new Western literary genre centered around Gaza, which he terms 'Gazology.'

History ›

0 History Israel

Echoes of Ancient Conflicts in Israel

Bill Slott in Hadassah

Bill Slott reflects on Israel's ongoing struggles and resilience by drawing parallels between historical events and modern realities, capturing the layered complexity of living in a land marked continuously by conflict.

Culture ›

0 Culture Gender/Identity

Lena Dunham's new memoir is the most millennial thing ever

Mira Fox in Forward

Lena Dunham's memoir 'Famesick' epitomizes millennial sensibilities, presenting an introspective journey through fame, personal struggles, and public critique.

0 Culture Holocaust

The ‘godfather of denim’ was an Italian designer whose Jewish father was murdered at Auschwitz

Grace Gilson in JTA

Adriano Goldschmied, known as the 'godfather of denim,' revolutionized the fashion industry by elevating jeans into luxury items.

0 Culture Education

An ode to the Bible Quiz, Israel’s quirky and surprisingly consequential Independence Day tradition

JTA

The International Bible Quiz, a quirky yet significant component of Israel's Independence Day, has deeply influenced the authors' connection to Israel.

0 Culture History

Rachel Goldberg-Polin doesn’t know if you can handle her pain

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Rachel Goldberg-Polin's book "When We See You Again" offers a raw and unfiltered account of her grief following the loss of her son, Hersh, who was taken hostage and killed after being held in Gaza.

Communities ›

0 Communities Gender/Identity

Confronting Wexner-Epstein ties, alumni of Jewish leadership programs launch new survivor fund

Grace Gilson in JTA

Alumni of Jewish leadership programs funded by Leslie Wexner have launched a new initiative, the ASHRU Fund, to support survivors of sexual violence, in response to ongoing scrutiny of Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

0 Communities Ethics

‘For me, it’s still yesterday’: Supporting the families of Israel’s fallen

eJewishPhilanthropy

Yom HaZikaron is a day of national remembrance for Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, deeply observed by Israelis and Jewish communities globally.

0 Communities History

Steeped in history, Pensacola Jews celebrate the 150th anniversary of Florida’s oldest synagogue

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Temple Beth El in Pensacola, Florida, celebrates its 150th anniversary, highlighting its rich history as the state's oldest synagogue.

0 Communities History

At soldiers’ graves, the rows keep growing: Israel’s Memorial Day is shaped by new loss

Deborah Danan in JTA

Israel's Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron, which traditionally serves as a day of remembrance for the country’s fallen soldiers, is increasingly marked by the new and continuous losses from ongoing conflicts.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

A Hallmark Movie about Mah Jongg Is Coming

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Hallmark's announcement of a new movie, "Alls Fair in Love and Mahjong," has sparked controversy due to its perceived lack of representation and cultural sensitivity.

0 Television/Film Culture

Season 2 of ‘The Pitt’ Is Even More Jewish Than the Last

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Season 2 of HBO Max's medical drama "The Pitt" delves deeper into the Jewish identity of Dr. Michael Robby Robinavitch, played by Noah Wyle.

Music ›

0 Music Holocaust

In a forgotten 20th century masterwork, a Holocaust story from the perpetrator's perspective

Nina Siegal in Forward

The Dutch National Opera presents Mieczyslaw Weinberg's powerful opera, 'Die Passagierin' (The Passenger), a compelling piece that explores the Holocaust from a former Nazi camp guard's perspective.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust History

A son of Holocaust survivors and the granddaughter of a Nazi confront their separate inheritances

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Charlie Scheidt, son of Holocaust survivors, and Kat Rohrer, granddaughter of a Nazi, have collaborated on a book titled "Inheritance: Love, Loss and the Legacy of the Holocaust."

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Education

Flyers for 'IsraelFest' at New York high school ended up in a urinal. Now the school board president is facing calls to resign.

Grace Gilson in Forward

In a heavily Jewish suburb of New York City, the discovery of vandalized IsraelFest flyers at Scarsdale High School has stirred controversy and called into question the school board's leadership.

0 Antisemitism Education

Israeli Culture Club flyers ended up in a urinal. Now the school board president is facing calls to resign.

Grace Gilson in JTA

After flyers for an Israeli culture club event were found in a urinal at Scarsdale High School, the community, including school leaders and local politicians, has condemned the antisemitic act.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Communities

Israel and the Jewish People remember their sons and daughters

Contributing Author in eJewishPhilanthropy

Yom HaZikaron, often referred to as Israel's Memorial Day, holds deep layers beyond mere remembrance of fallen IDF soldiers.

0 Holidays Communities

At soldiers’ graves, the rows keep growing: Israel's Memorial Day is shaped by new loss

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Varda Morell, like many other Israeli families, finds Israel's Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron, to be a deeply personal and ongoing experience of grief rather than a singular day of remembrance.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on the Economic Vision of Tanakh and Hazal

Jared Rutner in Lehrhaus

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, known for his insightful blending of traditional Judaism with modern disciplines, deeply engaged with the economic vision within the Torah and teachings of the Jewish Sages (Hazal).

JL;DR

for Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Politics ›

Israel ›

Literature ›

History ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Television/Film ›

Music ›

Holocaust ›

Antisemitism ›

Holidays ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 22's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Politics ›

Israel ›

Literature ›

History ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Television/Film ›

Music ›

Holocaust ›

Antisemitism ›

Holidays ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 22's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, April 22, 2026