for Thursday, May 7, 2026

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Politics ›

0 Politics History

Princelings of Persia

Peter Theroux in Tablet

The article explores allegations surrounding certain Iranian nationals receiving favorable immigration treatment to the United States during the Obama administration, amidst the Iran nuclear deal negotiations.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The great antisemitism rug pull

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

As Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire media platform faces declining viewership and recent layoffs, the once-promising relationship between Jews and American conservatives seems to be fraying.

0 Politics History

An Israeli genocide scholar looks to Israel's history to understand 'what went wrong'

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

In his new book "Israel: What Went Wrong?", historian Omer Bartov provides a critical examination of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reflecting on its deep historical roots and the tragic developments post-October 7, 2023.

0 Politics Communities

Rutgers cancels graduation speaker over tweet claiming Israelis ‘train dogs to sexually assault prisoners’

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Rutgers University canceled the commencement speech of alumnus Rami Elghandour at the School of Engineering following backlash over his inflammatory tweet involving Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Trump and the American Jewish Community

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the complex relationship between former President Donald Trump and the American Jewish community, highlighting the mixed reception to his presidency.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Israel, US condemn Belgium over planned prosecutions tied to Jewish circumcisions

Grace Gilson in JTA

Belgium is facing backlash from Israeli and U.S. officials after announcing prosecutions against two Jewish individuals involved in ritual circumcisions, viewed as a practice requiring medical licensing in Belgium.

0 Politics Communities

‘Death to the IDF’ protesters return to Park East Synagogue — and this time are kept at bay

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Pro-Palestinian protesters returned to Park East Synagogue in Manhattan during an Israeli immigration event, drawing sharp police response following disturbances at a prior protest.

0 Politics Communities

Protesters picket Manhattan synagogue over Israel real estate sale, testing Mamdani and new law

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Park East Synagogue in Manhattan during an event promoting real estate in Israel and the West Bank, a demonstration that sparked debates over free speech and security measures around religious institutions.

0 Politics Culture

The New Terrorists

Katherine Dee in Tablet

Katherine Dee explores the evolution of extremist movements, highlighting how online platforms have changed the nature and perception of extremism.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

Brussels cathedral installs plaques apologizing for medieval antisemitic persecution depicted in stained glass

Grace Gilson in Forward

The Cathedral of St. Michael in Brussels has installed plaques apologizing for the antisemitic persecution depicted in its stained glass windows, which illustrate the 1370 accusation against Jews for desecrating the Eucharist, leading to executions and expulsions.

0 Antisemitism Education

Maryland school district urged to adopt ‘zero-tolerance policy’ on antisemitism amid wave of incidents

Grace Gilson in Forward

In response to a surge in antisemitic incidents within Montgomery County Public Schools, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington is urging the Maryland school district to implement a zero-tolerance policy against antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Canadian Jewish groups call on government to designate Palestine Action as ‘terrorist entity’

Grace Gilson in JTA

Prominent Jewish organizations in Canada have urged the government to designate the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist entity.

0 Antisemitism Communities

London’s Metropolitan Police launches new 100-officer unit to protect Jewish communities

Philissa Cramer in JTA

In response to a surge of antisemitic incidents, London's Metropolitan Police has inaugurated a 100-officer Community Protection Team focused on safeguarding Jewish communities.

0 Antisemitism Politics

ADL says antisemitic incidents dropped by a third in 2025, but assaults reached record levels

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) latest audit reports a 33% decrease in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2025 compared to 2024, though the number of severe physical assaults, including some deadly attacks, rose significantly by 39%.

0 Antisemitism Education

The new face of Holocaust denial is harder to spot — and more dangerous

Menachem Z. Rosensaft in JTA

Menachem Z. Rosensaft addresses the evolving danger of Holocaust denial, illustrated by a New Hampshire legislative incident where Holocaust deniers attempted to influence state education on the subject.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Why we have to show up and speak out

eJewishPhilanthropy

Roy Bchler, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, emphasizes the critical role of civic engagement and advocacy in combating rising antisemitism.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

Georgetown Law graduation speaker backs out after students protest his ‘controversial, Zionist and harmful opinions’

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

Morton Schapiro, a Jewish economist and former Northwestern University president, withdrew as Georgetown University Law School's commencement speaker following protests by students criticizing his pro-Israel views.

0 Education Antisemitism

We’re teaching Jewish teens to be afraid

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish teens today are navigating significant antisemitism both online and offline, which has led Jewish educational institutions to focus on preparing them for these challenges.

Culture ›

0 Culture Ethics

Yes, I’m worried that giving to Gaza could benefit Hamas. But Zionism today demands hope.

Rabbi Daniel Greyber in JTA

Rabbi Daniel Greyber expresses his nuanced perspective on supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza without compromising his Zionist principles.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Boy George: ‘Our Jewish Community Brings Us So Much’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Boy George, the iconic singer of Culture Club, recently expressed solidarity with London's Jewish community following an antisemitic attack in Golders Green.

0 Culture Communities

These Jewish Celebrities Love Mah Jongg

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Mah jongg, traditionally seen as a game for Jewish grandmothers, has experienced a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, attracting both new players and celebrity fans.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Jewish Law

This popular Jewish principle has completely lost its meaning.

Matthew Feinberg in Future of Jewish

Tikkun olam, often understood as "repairing the world," has been co-opted by modern liberal Judaism as a broad slogan for various social causes.

Communities ›

0 Communities Antisemitism

A third emancipation for American Jewry requires a Jewish civil rights movement

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish history in the West has seen cycles of emancipation, retrenchment, and renewal, with periods granting rights followed by periods of restriction and subsequent renewal.

0 Communities Science

5 things Jewish women should know about breast cancer

JTA Staff in JTA

Jewish women face unique challenges concerning breast cancer, particularly due to the higher prevalence of genetic mutations such as BRCA among Ashkenazi Jews.

0 Communities Politics

American Jews Are Facing An Unfair Choice

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Amidst a backdrop of increasing security concerns and sociopolitical pressures, American Jews find themselves navigating a polarized landscape regarding Israel and their identity.

0 Communities Holocaust

Two Eternal Heroes

Jewdicious

Sam Harris and Norman Schlossberg, two prominent figures in Jewish communal life, recently passed, leaving behind profound legacies.

0 Communities Culture

How Yossi Farro, the 22-year-old tefillin wrapper, chases influential Jews from coast to coast

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Yossi Farro, a 22-year-old Hasidic Jew from the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, utilizes his Instagram platform and energetic persona to encourage influential Jews across the US to participate in the mitzvah of wrapping tefillin.

0 Communities Science

Her body has been unidentified for decades. Her Ashkenazi DNA may explain why

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Authorities in Arizona are grappling with the challenges of solving a cold case from 1989 involving an unidentified woman, whose Ashkenazi Jewish DNA presents unique issues.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Jewish Law

How to Become a Health Care Advocate

Rebecca Bloom in Hadassah

Rebecca Bloom's career as a women's health advocate emerged from personal experiences with her mother's breast cancer and uncovering a family tragedy that highlighted the importance of advocacy over silence.

Torah ›

0 Torah Ethics

Behar-Bechukotai: What It Costs to Let Go

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Rivka Bennun Kay's article explores the deeply challenging themes within the Torah portions of Behar and Bechukotai, focusing on the concept of shemittah, or the sabbatical year, and its theological and practical implications.

History ›

0 History Torah

Rabbis vs. Warriors

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin explores the evolving Jewish perspectives on physical versus spiritual strength, using historical contexts and textual interpretations.

0 History Politics

Something big is happening between Jews and Persians right now.

Matthew Nouriel in Future of Jewish

The article by Matthew Nouriel explores a revitalized relationship between Jews and Persians, tracing back over 2,500 years to the era of Cyrus the Great, whom the Jews regard as a key figure in their historical return to Zion.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

When crisis dims imagination: Three conditions Jewish leaders need now

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish leaders are facing significant challenges due to internal communal conflicts exacerbated by political upheaval, declining trust, issues surrounding Israel, and rising antisemitism.

JL;DR

for Thursday, May 7, 2026

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Ethics ›

Communities ›

Gender/Identity ›

Torah ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 7's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Ethics ›

Communities ›

Gender/Identity ›

Torah ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 7's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, May 7, 2026