for Thursday, February 13, 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 »

Sports ›

0 Sports Culture

Jewish baseball star Bregman signs with Red Sox in record-breaking payday

Louis Keene in Forward

Alex Bregman, the Jewish baseball standout and former Houston Astros star, has signed a record-breaking contract with the Boston Red Sox for $120 million over three years, marking the largest payday for a Jewish player in MLB history.

Literature ›

0 Literature Jewish Law

A Word Search Adventure

Mollie Fisch in Lehrhaus

Mollie Fisch's review of Mitchell First's latest book, "From Eden to Exodus," highlights First's exploration of Hebrew etymology through the parshiyot of Bereshit and Shemot.

0 Literature Gender/Identity

Intrepid Pioneers & Creating a Storm: A Conversation with Isabelle Seddon

InternsFall21 in Lilith

Isabelle Seddon, a British tour guide and author, discusses her journey from an Orthodox Jewish upbringing in Plymouth to her achievements in exploring Jewish women's roles in public life and the arts.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law History

The Feminised Jew

Daniel Saunders in Future of Jewish

In his essay "The Feminised Jew," Daniel Saunders explores the historical understanding of Jewish masculinity and its connection to antisemitism.

0 Jewish Law Politics

Gedolim Against Israel

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading figure in the Lithuanian stream of Charedi Judaism, has made contentious statements against Zionist ideology, attributing the survival of Jews in Israel solely to Torah study and dismissing military service.

Politics ›

0 Politics Education

A grant to study Hebrew is ‘woke DEI,’ Ted Cruz says

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Senator Ted Cruz has labeled a grant studying linguistic differences between Hebrew and English as an instance of "woke" Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) funding.

0 Politics Holocaust

Why does Trump's Gaza plan sound so familiar? Because the Nazis tried it first

Eric Kurlander in Forward

Eric Kurlander analyzes the parallels between President Trump's proposed Gaza relocation plan and the Nazi Germany's Madagascar Plan, both involving the removal of an ethnic group from their homeland.

0 Politics Israel

Trump’s mind-bending Middle East gambit: Egging Netanyahu on, from the right

Dan Perry in Forward

Dan Perry examines President Donald Trump's unprecedented approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where instead of restraining Israel's right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, he is encouraging even more extreme policies.

0 Politics Israel

The Tragically Moronic Strategy of Hamas

Jewdicious

Following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, significant debate has emerged around the strategies and consequences of Hamas' actions.

0 Politics Antisemitism

‘Not the Jewish party’: Candidate to lead Michigan Dems under fire for antisemitic comments

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Al Williams, a candidate for Michigan's Democratic Party chair, is under scrutiny for comments made during a virtual forum, stating the Democratic Party is not exclusive to Jewish voices, particularly in discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

0 Politics History

Pick your Nazi.

John Matthews in Future of Jewish

John Matthews explores the inflammatory and often inaccurate comparisons between Israelis and Nazis within the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

0 Politics Culture

Israel’s arrest of Jerusalem’s booksellers is a grave, self-defeating error

Yona Shem-Tov in Forward

The arrest of Mahmoud and Ahmad Muna, Palestinian booksellers in Jerusalem, by Israeli police raises significant concerns about the suppression of intellectual and cultural voices that could foster understanding in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

0 Politics Culture

Prominent Israeli writers and US Jewish leaders rally behind east Jerusalem bookstore that was raided by police

Ben Sales in Forward

Prominent Israeli writers and American Jewish leaders are rallying behind the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem following a police raid that led to the house arrest of its owners, Mahmoud and Ahmad Muna, over alleged incitement charges, which were later downgraded.

0 Politics Israel

What They're Saying in Israel About Hamas and the Delicate Ceasefire

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grapples with the challenges posed by Hamas' psychological warfare in the ongoing hostage crisis.

0 Politics Culture

A Heartfelt And Troubling Challenge To American Jews

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Gary Rosenblatt reviews Joshua Leifer's controversial book, "Tablets Shattered: The End of an American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life," which critiques American Jewish communities, particularly their Zionist affiliations and the evolving societal values over the last century.

0 Politics Communities

A century-old Zionist group is being rebooted with a new motto: ‘Jews fight back’

Andrew Lapin in Forward

The article examines the revival of Betar, a century-old Zionist organization, being revived under the leadership of public relations executive Ronn Torossian.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

A kosher chocolatier on the Upper East Side goes all-in on Valentine’s Day

Risa Doherty in JTA

Neto, a kosher chocolate boutique in New York City, celebrates Valentine's Day by offering a range of artisanal chocolates with themed designs, despite Valentine's being a non-Jewish holiday.

0 Food Culture

Melted Cabbage Wedges with Dill

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig's discussion of Melted Cabbage Wedges with Dill not only provides a heartwarming recipe but also delves into the historical and cultural significance of cabbage in Jewish cuisine.

Music ›

0 Music Politics

Macklemore’s latest anti-Israel music video, ‘F—ed up,’ places the West Bank and Holocaust side-by-side

Ben Sales in Forward

Macklemore's latest music video, "Fed Up," has sparked controversy by comparing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank to the Holocaust, while criticizing powerful figures and advocating for pro-Palestinian positions.

0 Music Culture

Idina Menzel Sings from the Treetops in New Extremely Jewish Musical ‘Redwood’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Idina Menzel returns to Broadway after nearly a decade in the new musical "Redwood," a deeply Jewish and timely production.

Communities ›

0 Communities Education

A Long Island Jewish school creates a living memorial to alumnus killed on Oct. 7

Micah Bidner in JTA

The Schechter School of Long Island has created a living memorial for Omer Neutra, an alumnus and Israeli soldier killed in a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

0 Communities Leadership

The ripple effect of Jewish social innovation

eJewishPhilanthropy

Aaron Katler reflects on the enduring impact of Joshua Venture, a pioneering initiative in Jewish social innovation, which merged with UpStart, Bikkurim, and PresenTense to foster over 200 new ventures across the Jewish world.

0 Communities Politics

How a hostage's brother became a hero in Israel

Aviya Kushner in Forward

Sharon Sharabi has emerged as a pivotal figure in Israel, advocating for the return of hostages following his brother Eli's release.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Ethics

I liked the AI Jews-against-Kanye video — and we should all be terrified of it

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin in JTA

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin reflects on an AI-generated video featuring Jewish celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Mike Bloomberg denouncing Kanye West's antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Ethics

In AI video, Jewish celebrities from Scarlett Johansson to Adam Sandler give Kanye the middle finger

Philissa Cramer in Forward

A controversial AI-generated video, created by Israeli entrepreneur Ori Bejerano, features AI renderings of Jewish celebrities like Adam Sandler and Scarlett Johansson donning T-shirts that denounce Kanye West's antisemitism.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Antisemitism

Please Don’t Share That AI Anti-Kanye Celebrity Video

Jordana Horn in Kveller

A viral AI-generated video wrongfully featuring Jewish celebrities wearing shirts denouncing Kanye West raises significant ethical concerns.

Culture ›

0 Culture Food

Kosher cannabis? These gummy edibles have a rabbi's seal of approval — and a following

Mira Fox in Forward

Tokin Jews is innovatively merging Jewish culture with the cannabis industry by offering kosher-certified cannabis edibles with Jewish-themed flavors and packaging.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Can we separate Woody Allen the artist from the man born Allan Stewart Konigsberg

Carrie Rickey in Forward

Woody Allen's complex legacy as an artist and individual is scrutinized in Patrick McGilligan's biography, "A Travesty of a Mockery of a Sham."

0 Television/Film Culture

In the brutality of 'The Brutalist,' a misunderstanding of the Jewish architect's experience

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

Benjamin Ivry critiques Brady Corbet's film "The Brutalist" for its portrayal of Jewish architects and misconceived interpretation of brutalism.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

Religious Schools as Government Funded Charter Schools

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article explores the ongoing debate surrounding public funding for religious schools in the United States, particularly in light of a potential Supreme Court decision.

Israel ›

0 Israel Communities

Burned trees, traumatized animals: Nature is revealing the unseen effects of Israel’s wars

Deborah Danan in JTA

In the Hula Valley, Israel, the environmental impacts of conflicts with Hezbollah have become increasingly evident.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

When worlds collide: Unexpected lessons from running both a business and a nonprofit

eJewishPhilanthropy

Adi Vaxman, founder of Operation Israel and CEO of Sheba Consulting, highlights the innovative potential of merging strategies from business and nonprofit sectors.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Culture

The Metaphysical Balance Of The Universe

Mel Waldman in Lehrhaus

Mel Waldman reflects on his spiritual journey from devout faith in his youth to a period of disillusionment and eventual rediscovery of spirituality.

JL;DR

for Thursday, February 13, 2025

Sports ›

Literature ›

Jewish Law ›

Politics ›

Food ›

Music ›

Communities ›

Antisemitism ›

Ethics ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Leadership ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 13's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Sports ›

Literature ›

Jewish Law ›

Politics ›

Food ›

Music ›

Communities ›

Antisemitism ›

Ethics ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Leadership ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 13's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, February 13, 2025