for Friday, June 12, 2026

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Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

UK Jewish leaders demand answers after Muslim police group paper calls Zionism a form of hatred

Kelly Hartog in JTA

British Jewish leaders are expressing serious concerns after discovering a policy paper from the National Association of Muslim Police, which described Zionism as a form of anti-Muslim hatred and labeled the Israeli army as a terrorist group.

0 Politics Culture

Gwyneth Paltrow draws backlash after starring in ad for luxury Israeli development

Kelly Hartog in JTA

Gwyneth Paltrow faced criticism for her participation in an ad for a luxury real estate development in Herzliya, Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Evaluating Media Bias: A Guide For The Perplexed

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Gary Rosenblatt discusses the pervasive bias in media coverage of Israel, emphasizing the lack of historical context and balanced reporting.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Jacob Reses, Vance’s Jewish chief of staff, to leave administration

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Jacob Reses, the Jewish chief of staff to U.S. Vice President JD Vance, is stepping down at the end of summer 2025 due to personal reasons.

0 Politics Israel

Helen Mirren criticizes Israel at film festival after being called ‘evil Zionist’ in viral video

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

Helen Mirren, speaking at the Taormina Film Fest in Italy, critiqued Israel's policies in light of her historical and personal connections with the country.

0 Politics Communities

Mamdani was set to meet Colombian president known for inflammatory Israel rhetoric

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, had planned to meet Colombian President Gustavo Petro during Petro's visit to New York for the UN Security Council session.

0 Politics Leadership

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

chanaweismancopy in Mishpacha

This piece analyzes the Democrats' prospects in the upcoming midterm elections, examining both their strengths and vulnerabilities.

0 Politics Israel

He Who Blinks First Loses

chanaweismancopy in Mishpacha

In a complex geopolitical landscape, the Trump administration's strategy of economic sanctions and military pressure aims to destabilize Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its stronghold on the Iranian economy.

0 Politics Culture

Jew-hate made hippies give up on peace.

Thane Rosenbaum in Future of Jewish

Thane Rosenbaum explores the shift in progressive politics from the 1960s hippie movements to today's progressive left and their stance on Israel, focusing on the recent decision by the Park Slope Food Coop to boycott Israeli products.

0 Politics Communities

FBI charges 8 tied to U of Michigan pro-Palestinian movement with threatening officials, Jewish federation

JTA

Eight individuals connected with the University of Michigan's pro-Palestinian movement have been charged by the FBI for engaging in a conspiracy to threaten and potentially harm university officials and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

0 Politics Israel

The anti-Israel dark money group behind Justice Democrats’ midterm splurge

Will Bredderman in Jewish Insider

Justice Democrats, known for bringing the progressive "Squad" to Congress, is heavily backed by the IMEU Policy Project, a group critical of Israeli policies, supporting far-left candidates across the U.S. Recent financial filings reveal that the IMEU Policy Project, which emerged shortly after the October 7 attacks, has funded Justice Democrats with $400,000.

0 Politics Israel

In Congress, a measure to tighten U.S.-Israel military ties sparks backlash on both sides of the aisle

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

A proposed measure in the U.S. Congress seeks to expand military cooperation with Israel, eliciting criticism from both Democrats and conservatives who worry about increased military entanglement and decreased oversight.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Leadership

Don’t be neutral. Not even once.

eJewishPhilanthropy

Sara Crown Star, in her acceptance speech for the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Humanitarian Award, highlights the evolution of antisemitic tactics from historical atrocities like the Holocaust to modern digital misinformation campaigns.

0 Antisemitism Communities

After dozens of Jewish girls get lost in NY creek tunnel, antisemitic comments follow online

Grace Gilson in Forward

Following a recent incident where Jewish girls from a Monsey, NY school got lost in a drainage tunnel during a field trip in Nyack, antisemitic remarks flooded social media.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Spain reports 86% rise in antisemitic incidents, as interior minister takes aim at ‘xenophobia’

Shira Li Bartov in Forward

Antisemitic incidents in Spain have surged by 86% in 2025, with 69 hate crimes, highlighting a worrying trend of increasing xenophobia amidst record hate incidents.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

The Ultra-Orthodox Debate That Jews Can No Longer Avoid

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Vanessa Berg examines the longstanding and complex relationship between ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities and the State of Israel, focusing on the tensions arising from military service exemptions and economic non-participation.

Culture ›

0 Culture Gender/Identity

Her father added the N-word to ‘Blazing Saddles.’ Now Richard Pryor’s Jewish daughter is interrogating its role in her life.

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, daughter of the legendary comedian Richard Pryor and his Jewish partner, explores her unique cultural and racial identity in her memoir "Something We Said."

0 Culture History

'Dirty Dancing’ be damned. A new musical shows another side of the Borscht Belt

PJ Grisar in Forward

A new Off-Broadway musical, "A Walk on the Moon," draws from Pamela Gray's childhood experiences at a Borscht Belt bungalow colony and her 1999 film of the same name.

0 Culture Jewish Law

Jewish Baby Names With Broadway Vibes

Naomi Kaye Honova in Kveller

Naomi Kaye Honova explores the intertwining history between Jewish culture and Broadway, highlighting prominent Jewish figures and contributions in musical theater.

0 Culture History

When a Jewish language is lost, we lose more than just words

Aviya Kushner in Forward

Aviya Kushner reviews Samantha Ellis's memoir, "Always Carry Salt," which reflects on the loss of Jewish languages, particularly Judeo-Iraqi Arabic.

0 Culture Israel

Ehud Banai’s Guide to the Soul of the Land

Ronnie Perelis in 18forty

This essay reflects on the deep connections between Jews in the diaspora and Israel, through the lens of Israeli musician and author Ehud Banai.

0 Culture Israel

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Future of Jewish in Future of Jewish

Future of Jewish, led by Joshua Hoffman, is a publication committed to providing deep, nuanced insights into Judaism, Israel, and the broader Jewish world, free from paywalls and ads.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Leadership

A Jewish nonprofit was training men to prevent sexual abuse. Then the funding disappeared

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Jewish Women International (JWI), a nonprofit focused on preventing sexual abuse and supporting female victims, has faced severe financial challenges due to the withholding of federal grants by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sports ›

0 Sports Culture

These Celebrity Jewish Knicks Fans Are All of Us

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

New York Knicks' dramatic victory in the NBA championship has led to an outpouring of celebration from prominent Jewish celebrities who are die-hard fans.

0 Sports Culture

Meet Matt Turner, the only Jewish player on Team USA in the World Cup

Jacob Gurvis in JTA

Matt Turner stands out as the sole Jewish player on the U.S. squad for the 2026 World Cup, potentially the only Jewish player in the entire tournament.

Communities ›

0 Communities Sports

Swiss World Cup team plays ball at California Jewish day school

Louis Keene in Forward

The San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) in California has become an unexpected hub for the Swiss national soccer team as they practice for the 2026 World Cup.

0 Communities Leadership

Why most Jewish nonprofits aren’t growing their donor base

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish nonprofits often experience stagnant donor growth, not from lack of effort or passion, but due to a missing systematic approach to engaging potential donors.

0 Communities Torah

Unlikely Scholar

naomierubner in Mishpacha

In Leeuwarden, Holland, a retired police officer named Hidzer Johan Postma has developed a deep connection to Judaism, despite not being Jewish.

0 Communities History

Layers of Light

chanaweismancopy in Mishpacha

The article "Layers of Light" recounts the historic and spiritual significance of the Boyaner tradition of lighting the Lag B'Omer bonfire in Meron.

0 Communities Culture

So Close Yet So Far

chanaweismancopy in Mishpacha

In this personal reflection, a mother named Tzippy eagerly plans an elaborate car-themed upsheren for her son Benny, only to grapple with a small guest list due to distant family.

0 Communities Education

Before the coffee date: New pathways for Jewish engagement

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jay Solomon, chief advancement officer of Hillel Ontario, reflects on the evolving strategies for Jewish student engagement on campus.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Successfully Unsuccessful: The Paradox of Modern Orthodoxy

Jonah Rocheeld in Lehrhaus

Jonah Rocheeld explores the paradox of Modern Orthodoxy, which attempts to reconcile traditional Judaism with modern rationality and accessibility.

0 Communities Culture

Cara Trager, beloved Queens Jewish communal leader and lifetime journalist, dies at 71

Grace Gilson in JTA

Cara Trager, a lifelong journalist and ardent supporter of Israel, passed away at 71 after a tragic car accident.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Education

Working Together Toward a Common Goal

Emes Ve-Emunah

This piece explores the potential collaboration between Orthodox and Conservative Judaism to strengthen Jewish continuity and observance.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Jewish Law

Hear Her Voice

chanaweismancopy in Mishpacha

Michal Horowitz, a Toronto-born teacher of Torah, discovered her calling to educate others despite experiencing severe hearing loss due to an undiagnosed inner-ear virus from her youth.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Education

Blank Check Messages Are Harming Couples

chanaweismancopy in Mishpacha

The article highlights the potential harm of simplistic marital advice often given to children, such as "marriage is hard work," "marriage takes sacrifice," and "you can change your spouse through influence."

0 Ethics Communities

Living with the Mess

chanaweismancopy in Mishpacha

Addressing the challenges of a disorganized household, the piece offers strategies for dealing with a husband resistant to tidiness, guiding children towards responsibility, and managing personal overwhelm.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

New Releases, Fresh Takes

naomierubner in Mishpacha

Shloime Gertner's new album "ADEI AD" showcases his unique musical style, blending timeless themes with contemporary touches.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

Do You See the Cup Half Full?

chanaweismancopy in Mishpacha

This commentary on Parshas Shelach draws connections between the sin of the Meraglim (spies) and the themes of perspective and gratitude.

JL;DR

for Friday, June 12, 2026

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Israel ›

Culture ›

Gender/Identity ›

Sports ›

Communities ›

Jewish Law ›

Leadership ›

Ethics ›

Music ›

Torah ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Israel ›

Culture ›

Gender/Identity ›

Sports ›

Communities ›

Jewish Law ›

Leadership ›

Ethics ›

Music ›

Torah ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, June 12, 2026