for Tuesday, April 21, 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 »

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).

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Belonging

Jonah Rocheeld in Lehrhaus

Jonah Rocheeld reflects on his struggle to reconcile his religious upbringing in a Modern Orthodox community with his intellectual journey that revealed numerous contradictions within his faith.

Communities ›

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.

0 Communities History

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

Larry Luxner in JTA

Pensacola, Florida, home to the state's oldest synagogue, Temple Beth El, celebrated its 150th anniversary, highlighting the area’s unique Jewish history and community efforts.

0 Communities History

To Everything There Is a Season

Guest Blogger in Lilith

Recounting a personal and poignant narrative, the blogger reflects on familial and cultural history in Brooklyn, specifically centering on the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital where both the blogger was born and their mother passed away.

Politics ›

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.

0 Politics Israel

Trump, on eve of new ceasefire talks: ‘Israel never talked me into the war with Iran’

Andrew Lapin in JTA

President Donald Trump has publicly denied claims that Israel influenced his decision to go to war with Iran, amidst speculation that Israeli pressure, particularly from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, played a role.

0 Politics Israel

Michigan Democrats back pro-Palestinian candidate for university board, sidelining pro-Israel Jewish incumbent

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Amid a shifting political landscape within the Democratic party regarding Israel-Palestine dynamics, Michigan Democrats have chosen Amir Makled, a pro-Palestinian candidate with a controversial social media history, over pro-Israel incumbent Jordan Acker for the University of Michigan's Board of Regents.

0 Politics Ethics

Netanyahu, IDF condemn Israeli soldier’s bludgeoning of Jesus statue in Lebanon

Philissa Cramer in JTA

The incident involving an Israeli soldier damaging a statue of Jesus in Lebanon has sparked widespread condemnation, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF.

0 Politics Culture

It’s Not Just the Presidential Candidates

Ken Silverman in The Beinart Notebook

The article highlights a forthcoming Zoom discussion featuring Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon, who have co-authored "The Future is Peace."

0 Politics Antisemitism

Europe is losing its strategic relevance to Israel.

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Vanessa Berg argues that Israel is increasingly finding more strategic and trustworthy allies outside Europe as European nations demonstrate dismissive attitudes towards Israeli concerns, especially regarding antisemitism and security cooperation.

0 Politics Israel

Ceasefires deepen Israeli divisions over Trump’s handling of war

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

Israel is experiencing intensified internal divisions over recent U.S.-brokered ceasefires with Lebanon and Iran, as the Israeli public debates whether President Donald Trump is prioritizing U.S. interests over Israel’s.

0 Politics Holocaust

A KGB operative warned us about the Israel narrative.

Ido Singer in Future of Jewish

Ido Singer's essay, as a child of a Holocaust survivor, delves into the psychological and ideological influences shaping narratives around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Holidays ›

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.

Television/Film ›

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.

Culture ›

0 Culture Education

Congress thinks my college is failing on antisemitism. My Jewish students disagree

Joel Swanson in Forward

Joel Swanson critiques a recent congressional report that accuses Sarah Lawrence College of inadequately addressing campus antisemitism, noting that it failed to engage with those most involved in Jewish campus life.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Ye concerts scrapped in Poland, Switzerland as backlash over antisemitic remarks continues

Grace Gilson in JTA

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, is facing significant backlash as international concerts in Poland and Switzerland have been canceled due to his past antisemitic remarks.

Israel ›

0 Israel Culture

Why My Second Daughter is Not Doing National Service

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin discusses his family's evolving views on military service for religious girls in Israel, framed by the experience of his daughters.

0 Israel History

For Israelis, A Week Of Sirens That Stir Memories Rather Than Fear

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Amidst ongoing trauma from conflicts with Iran and Hezbollah, Israelis commemorate Yom HaZikaron with a call to remember the 25,000 lives lost since 1948.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

A nose is a nose is a nose: A Brooklyn artist's quest to paint 100 Jewish noses, including mine

Clara Shapiro in Forward

Goldie Gross, a Brooklyn-based artist, embarks on a unique artistic venture with her "100 Jewish Noses Project," aiming to paint portraits of 100 Jewish noses, including that of the article's author, Clara Shapiro.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust History

'I'm fragmented, and a surviving remnant': The story of Westerbork prisoner 8331

Terrence Petty in Forward

Terrence Petty narrates the profound story of Jacob "Jack" Boas, born in Westerbork, a Nazi transit camp in Holland during WWII.

Literature ›

0 Literature Israel

The Words They Left Behind

Racheli Palant-Rozen in 18forty

"The Words They Left Behind" by Racheli Palant-Rozen explores the poignant project behind "If You're Reading These Words," a book compiling the last letters of soldiers who fell during the Gaza conflict.

History ›

0 History Holocaust

Tidbits: Traces of a ghetto bunker uncovered in Będzin, Poland

פֿאָרווערטס־רעדאַקציע in Forward

Recent archaeological efforts have uncovered traces of a Jewish ghetto bunker in Bdzin, Poland, dating back to 1943.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Culture

Even when hate goes viral, Jews still don’t count

eJewishPhilanthropy

Whitney Weathers reflects on the viral reaction to a podcast post centered on Black-Jewish dialogue, revealing the persistent issue of antisemitism in digital spaces.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Police eye Iran involvement as 3 London synagogues are targeted in arson attacks

Philissa Cramer in JTA

A recent series of arson attacks on London synagogues have raised alarm, with two teenagers arrested and suspicions of Iranian involvement growing.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Philosophy

‘I Will Be What I Will Be’: A futuring stance

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Esther L. Lederman reflects on the concept of God as "I Will Be What I Will Be" from the biblical passage of Moses at the burning bush, emphasizing the idea of a God who is constantly becoming.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Education

Jewish philanthropy can’t miss the AI revolution

eJewishPhilanthropy

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms global industries and ethical landscapes, Jewish philanthropy has a crucial role to play in leading this revolution, grounded in Jewish values and traditions.

JL;DR

for Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Jewish Law ›

Communities ›

Politics ›

Holidays ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Israel ›

Art ›

Holocaust ›

Literature ›

History ›

Antisemitism ›

Leadership ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Jewish Law ›

Communities ›

Politics ›

Holidays ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Israel ›

Art ›

Holocaust ›

Literature ›

History ›

Antisemitism ›

Leadership ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Tuesday, April 21, 2026