for Thursday, January 23, 2025

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 Antisemitism

Save your outrage: Elon Musk's inauguration salute is just another distracting meme

Rob Eshman in Forward

Rob Eshman urges readers not to get caught up in the controversy surrounding Elon Musk's alleged Nazi-like hand gesture during an inauguration event.

0 Politics History

Of Churbans and Nakbas

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin explores the contrasting ways Jewish and Palestinian societies process national tragedies, comparing reactions to the fall of Judea (churban) with Palestinian perceptions of their catastrophic events, such as those in Gaza.

0 Politics Antisemitism

‘Pallywood’ and the Art of Anti-Jewish Propaganda

Dena Tauber in Future of Jewish

Dena Tauber's guest essay critiques mainstream media and organizations like the UN and Amnesty International for perpetuating anti-Israel and antisemitic narratives.

0 Politics Israel

Netanyahu’s rejection of an Oct. 7 inquiry is a national disgrace

Dan Perry in Forward

In this op-ed, Dan Perry criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to reject an inquiry into the October 7th Hamas attack, labeling it a national disgrace.

0 Politics Israel

The IDF chief quit. The timing is not coincidental.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, announced his resignation, effective March 2025, amidst criticism over the IDF's response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Elise Stefanik decries ‘antisemitic rot’ in United Nations, backs Elon Musk at confirmation hearing

Ben Sales in Forward

Rep. Elise Stefanik addressed antisemitism within the United Nations at her Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. ambassador to the U.N. She argued for defunding UNRWA, a Palestinian aid agency, and criticized the U.N. for disproportionately targeting Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Trump lifts sanctions on West Bank settlers, earning praise from the Israeli right

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

In a significant policy reversal from the previous administration, President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on several Israeli settler organizations and individuals accused of violent extremism against Palestinians.

0 Politics Culture

Nazi salute or not, Elon Musk was gesturing to a new spectacle of fascism

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

Elon Musk's hand gesture during the 2025 presidential inauguration has sparked intense debate and speculation regarding its meaning, reminiscent of historic fascist salutes.

0 Politics Ethics

Opinion | When Your Enemy Is a Friend to Democracy

Amy E. Schwartz in Moment

In her opinion piece, Amy E. Schwartz reflects on the complexities of recognizing heroism in politically discordant figures amidst challenges to democratic norms in the U.S. and beyond.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Culture

The first-ever full-scale replica of Anne Frank’s secret annex opens in NYC

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

A groundbreaking exhibition at the Center for Jewish History in New York City offers visitors a full-scale replica of Anne Frank's secret annex.

0 Holocaust Politics

Belgium’s railway should apologize but not pay for sending Jews to Nazi death camps, government panel concludes

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

A Belgian government panel has concluded that while the Belgian National Railway Company (SNCB) should formally apologize for its role in transporting Jews to Nazi death camps during the Holocaust, it should not be required to pay compensation to survivors.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

What is Modern Orthodoxy?

Emes Ve-Emunah

Exploring the evolution of Modern Orthodoxy in the context of historical tensions and contemporary challenges, this piece reflects on past debates such as the role of mechitzas in Orthodox congregations and the influence of organizations like Edah.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Gender/Identity

An installation in Pennsylvania marks a milestone in the journey of Orthodox women rabbinic leaders

Rabba Sara Hurwitz in JTA

Rabbanit Leah Sarna's installation as the first senior rabbinic leader at an Orthodox synagogue in Pennsylvania marks a significant milestone in the journey of Orthodox female rabbis.

Literature ›

0 Literature Holocaust

Brave New Words: Taking God To Task For The Shoah

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Menachem Rosensaft's book, "Burning Psalms: Confronting Adonai After Auschwitz," challenges the traditional portrayal of God through a series of 150 psalms that express deep anger and a sense of abandonment during the Holocaust.

0 Literature History

Lee Yaron’s account of Oct. 7 attacks named Jewish book of the year

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Israeli journalist Lee Yaron's book \"10/7: 100 Human Stories\" has been awarded the Jewish Book of the Year at the 74th National Jewish Book Awards.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film History

The Brutalist director on why he made a film now set for Oscar glory

Jewish Chronicle

Brady Corbet's ambitious film "The Brutalist" centers on the fictional character László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor and architect, symbolizing the lost potential of Bauhaus-trained Jewish architects post-WWII.

History ›

0 History Culture

The Power and the Glory review: ‘Jews who wished they were to the manor born’

Jewish Chronicle

Adrian Tinniswood's "The Power and the Glory: The Country House Before the Great War" explores the extravagant lifestyle of British nobility before World War I, focusing on country houses and their eccentric owners.

0 History Antisemitism

In Praise of Germany’s Flawed ‘Culture of Remembrance’

Megan Naftali in Moment

Germany's postwar generation became a global model for dealing with the past, confronting the nation's Nazi history through a powerful remembrance movement that unraveled familial and national denial.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Kale Salad with Pomegranates

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig shares a recipe for a revitalizing kale salad with pomegranates from the cookbook "Zahav Home" by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Some ‘pro’ Palestine marchers simply enjoy frightening Jews

Jewish Chronicle

The article discusses recent public order charges against organizers of a pro-Palestine march in London, who moved from the designated protest site near Whitehall to Portland Place, near a synagogue.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Never again? How about dealing with Iran...

Jewish Chronicle

The article argues that Western nations have failed to uphold their promise of 'never again' regarding regimes committed to Jewish extermination by overlooking the ideologically driven antisemitism of Iran's leadership, particularly Ayatollah Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

0 Antisemitism Politics

How did the ADL conclude that Elon Musk didn’t give a Nazi salute? It isn’t saying.

Andrew Lapin in Forward

The article examines the controversy surrounding Elon Musk's gesture at President Trump's inauguration, which resembled a Nazi salute and sparked backlash from various Jewish and progressive groups.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Harvard settles major antisemitism lawsuits with promises to police anti-Zionist speech and forge Israeli partnership

Andrew Lapin in Forward

In response to allegations of antisemitism, Harvard University has resolved lawsuits with Jewish organizations by committing to address anti-Zionist rhetoric, increase its study of antisemitism, and forge partnerships with Israeli educational institutions.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Australia is no longer the Australia I grew up in.

Future of Jewish

Chavi Israel, a Jewish Studies educator in Sydney, reflects on the rise of antisemitism in Australia, particularly after October 2023.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Politics

We choose humanity even when the costs are high

Jewish Chronicle

The release of three Israeli hostages held by Hamas, while providing momentary relief, underscores profound ethical considerations related to humanization amidst conflict.

Israel ›

0 Israel Education

Securing Israel’s future by supporting the people behind its technology

eJewishPhilanthropy

Ami Moyal, president of Afeka Academic College of Engineering, emphasizes the critical role of investing in Israel's technological and educational sectors to ensure the country's long-term economic and defensive resilience.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Healing widespread trauma with narrative theory

eJewishPhilanthropy

In response to the traumatic events of October 7 in Israel, Jewish educators are turning to narrative theory to help themselves and their students process shared grief and loss.

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

Released hostage Emily Damari’s injured hand becomes an instant symbol of Israeli defiance

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Emily Damaris, who was injured during her captivity by Hamas, has become a symbol of resilience in Israel after her release.

0 Culture Food

New York Restaurant Week 2025: 9 Jewish and Jew-ish spots to try

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

New York City's 2025 winter edition of Restaurant Week features several intriguing Israeli, Jewish, and Jew-ish dining spots, even in the absence of strictly kosher options.

Language ›

0 Language History

Seize the Word

Joseph Lowin in Hadassah

Joseph Lowin explores the versatility of the Hebrew root (ḥet-tet-pe), meaning "to snatch", which appears in various contexts from ancient scriptures to modern slang.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

Opinion | The Strength of the Heartbroken

Fania Oz-Salzberger in Moment

Fania Oz-Salzberger reflects on a poignant meeting with survivors from Gaza border kibbutzim, discussing the enduring power of Jewish continuity and secular Jewish values in the wake of devastating violence on October 7.

JL;DR

for Thursday, January 23, 2025

Politics ›

Holocaust ›

Jewish Law ›

Leadership ›

Literature ›

Television/Film ›

History ›

Food ›

Antisemitism ›

Ethics ›

Israel ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Language ›

Communities ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 23's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Holocaust ›

Jewish Law ›

Leadership ›

Literature ›

Television/Film ›

History ›

Food ›

Antisemitism ›

Ethics ›

Israel ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Language ›

Communities ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 23's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, January 23, 2025