for Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Communities ›

The Amazing Trajectory of Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Kolakowski aka The Koblentzer Rebbe

Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Kolakowski, known as the Koblentzer Rebbe, serves as a chaplain at a state prison in Pennsylvania, being the first Jew to hold this position in the state.

0 Communities Education

Family First Inbox: Issue 886

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The Family First Inbox in Issue 886 features various perspectives and reflections from readers on different topics.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Art

Shimon Blinker // Chutzpah Watches

Nesanel Gantz in Ami

Shimon Blinker is a watch reseller who makes millions selling high-end watches like Rolex and Cartier, yet he's known for his unconventional approach.

0 Ethics Jewish Law

Meet the Jewish activist fighting for the rights of people with disabilities

Larry Luxner in JTA

Eric Rosenthal, a Jewish activist, founded Disability Rights International to advocate for people with disabilities worldwide, focusing on ending institutionalization and abuse.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

Exposed // An update on the grand Jewish plot

Avi Shafran in Ami

The text sarcastically claims that Jews have been exposed for their alleged global conspiracy, detailing a fanciful narrative involving a Zionist cabal controlling world events, including orchestrating a pandemic through infected bagels.

0 Antisemitism Art

Israeli and Jewish artists face threats, boycotts at U.S. shows

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Israeli and Jewish artists performing in the U.S. are facing threats and boycotts due to their connection to Israel or vocal support for the country.

0 Antisemitism Education

Jews on California campuses stage statewide ‘sleep-in’ protests as Congress launches antisemitism probe into Berkeley

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Jewish academics and students in California organized a statewide sleep-in protest in response to increased antisemitism on campuses, notably at the University of California, Berkeley, where there was a congressional probe following violent clashes during a speaker event.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Rampant hate, no transparency, antisemitism behind the scenes: Why Jews should support a TikTok sale

Laura E. Adkins in Forward

American Jews are urged to support the forced sale of TikTok due to the platform's rampant hate speech, lack of transparency, and ties to China's meddling in U.S. affairs, including promoting anti-Jewish sentiments.

0 Antisemitism Politics

An Inconvenient Truth

August Hanning in Tablet

Germany is facing challenges reminiscent of its past, with issues such as a migrant influx, economic stagnation, and political divisions.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Can Germany’s Far Right Be Stopped?

Jeremy Stern in Tablet

Robert Kagan's article in Foreign Affairs raised concerns about the resurgence of far-right nationalism in Germany, attributing it in part to the weakening of American influence under Donald Trump.

0 Antisemitism Communities

NYC residents clean up pro-Palestinian graffiti left on Effy’s, a kosher restaurant

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

Effys Café, a kosher restaurant on the Upper West Side in NYC, was vandalized with pro-Palestinian graffiti in March 2024, which police are investigating as a hate crime.

Sports ›

0 Sports Communities

All the Jewish MLB players to watch in 2024

Jacob Gurvis in Forward

The 2024 MLB season is anticipated to feature a record number of Jewish players, following a historic 19 Jewish players appearing in a game in 2023.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

You should probably be aware of that Purim song’s racist backstory

Louis Keene in Forward

Louis Keene discusses the problematic origins of a popular Purim melody, Mishenichnas Adar, which is sung to the tune of the folk song "Pick A Bale of Cotton," originally of African American origin and including offensive lyrics related to slavery.

0 Music Culture

Arts agenda: From ‘Pickle’ to klezmer, get ready for showtime

Katie Grant in Jewish Chronicle

Spring welcomes a new wave of Jewish cultural events, from Deli Segal's humorous one-woman show "Pickle" at Soho Theatre, KlezNorth AllStars Concert featuring klezmer music talents, to David Labis' exploration of fatherhood and trauma in "Pieces of a Man" at JW3.

0 Music History

Bernstein in the Desert

Shalom Goldman in Tablet

Leonard Bernstein's profound connection to Israel began even before its establishment as a state.

Literature ›

0 Literature Holocaust

Analysis | After October 7, Holocaust Literature Will Never be the Same

Amy E. Schwartz in Moment

The article discusses how recent events, such as hostage situations and first-person accounts of trauma, have reshaped the landscape of Holocaust literature, particularly affecting the third generation (3G) of survivors and their descendants who struggle to connect with their family's past.

0 Literature Culture

How ‘Hester Street’ made its way to the stage

PJ Grisar in Forward

The stage adaptation of the film "Hester Street" was initially met with skepticism by director Joan Micklin Silver in 2015 but eventually was embraced and brought to life as a Yiddish and English play with music, premiering at Theater J in Washington, D.C. in March 2024.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Israel

The Eighth Deadly Sin

Future of Jewish

In Saul Goldman's guest essay, he addresses the concept of silence being a deadly sin, urging Diaspora Jews to speak up and act against rising antisemitism.

0 Holocaust History

Helena Bonham Carter Grew Up Knowing She Was ‘Unmistakably Jewish’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Helena Bonham Carter, known for her captivating roles in various films, particularly shines in the biopic "One Life" as Barbara Winton, a woman who assisted her son in rescuing 669 Jewish children during World War II.

0 Holocaust Television/Film

Over 450 Jewish Hollywood professionals slam ‘blood libel’ of Jonathan Glazer Oscar speech

PJ Grisar in Forward

Over 450 Jewish Hollywood professionals criticized Jonathan Glazer, director of "The Zone of Interest," for a controversial Oscar speech that seemed to denounce his Judaism.

0 Holocaust Television/Film

‘Masters of the Air’ Actor Nate Mann Opens Up About His Jewish Heritage

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Actor Nate Mann, who portrayed Lt. Robert Rosie Rosenthal in the Apple TV+ show Masters of the Air, discussed his Jewish heritage and the personal connection he felt to the character, delving into his family's history as Jewish immigrants.

0 Holocaust History

You’ve met the Windermere Children, here are the ‘Southampton Boys’

Faith Eckersall in Jewish Chronicle

Wintershill Hall in Hampshire, once home to the Southampton Boys, child Holocaust survivors liberated by Leonard Montefiore and rehabilitated in England after WWII, serves today as a wedding venue with a storied history.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

After a tense call, Jewish umbrella group says it remains ‘distressed’ with Chuck Schumer’s call for elections in Israel

Ron Kampeas in Forward

The umbrella group for major American Jewish organizations expressed distress following a call with Senator Chuck Schumer, who faced backlash for calling for new elections in Israel and criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

0 Politics Israel

'An act of faith': I attended my first anti-Netanyahu protest — and confronted my own complacency

Sruli Fruchter in Forward

The article describes the author's experience attending anti-Netanyahu protests in Jerusalem, focusing on demands for the release of hostages in Gaza and calls for new elections in Israel.

0 Politics Communities

Jews Take Note: Dems Are Not That into You

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The text discusses a shift in political allegiances among Jewish voters in the United States, questioning the traditional alignment with the Democratic Party.

0 Politics Israel

Israel’s critics aren’t interested in dialogue or compromise, they just want to hate

Daniel Finkelstein in Jewish Chronicle

Daniel Finkelstein, an Associate Editor of The Times, highlights the challenges of engaging in dialogue and compromise when it comes to discussions surrounding Israel.

0 Politics Israel

No... I do Not Hate Israel or My Religion

Emes Ve-Emunah

The text discusses former President Trump's comments suggesting that Jewish individuals who vote for Democrats hate their religion and Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Schumer says out loud what Biden is thinking – and fearing about Netanyahu

Ben Clerkin in Jewish Chronicle

US Senate leader Chuck Schumer, a prominent Jewish politician, publicly called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down before the November presidential election in an attempt to reassure discontented Democrats.

0 Politics History

Dear Joe Biden, please retire for the sake of the free world.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The text is a critical letter addressed to U.S. President Joe Biden, expressing dissatisfaction with his administration's approach to Israel and Jewish-related issues.

0 Politics Television/Film

Podcast review: Unholy is ‘The Rest Is politics' for Jews

Josh Kaplan in Jewish Chronicle

"Unholy" is a podcast featuring Jonathan Freedland and Yonit Levi discussing Jewish news and issues, described as a Jewish version of "The Rest Is Politics".

0 Politics History

‘We see our history in their eyes’: Why Ireland is so staunchly pro-Palestinian

Ron Kampeas in Forward

The Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, recently spoke alongside President Joe Biden at a St. Patrick's Day event, using the platform to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and explain why Ireland strongly supports the Palestinian cause.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Every time Donald Trump has accused American Jews of disloyalty

Louis Keene in Forward

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly made statements suggesting that American Jews who vote for Democrats are disloyal to Israel, insinuating a dual loyalty between American Jews and Israel.

0 Politics Communities

Trump: Any Jew who votes for Democrats ‘hates their religion’

Ron Kampeas in Forward

Former President Donald Trump, in a recent interview with Sebastian Gorka, stated that any Jew voting for Democrats hates their religion and Israel, suggesting Israel would be destroyed.

0 Politics Antisemitism

LaLota discusses a moderate path forward on Israel, Ukraine aid

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) discusses his support for a bipartisan foreign aid bill proposed by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) that includes aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and border security.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Schiff’s likely House successor vows to continue his pro-Israel legacy, from a progressive perch

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Laura Friedman, a progressive assemblywoman poised to succeed Rep. Adam Schiff in the House, is committed to continuing Schiff's pro-Israel legacy while emphasizing progressive values.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

Facing Hate in Berlin

Daniel-Ryan Spaulding in Tablet

An artist recounts his journey from holding negative views on Israel to changing his perspective through personal experiences in Tel Aviv.

Israel ›

0 Israel Holidays

Purim joy is not simple this year. What does a responsible Purim look like?

Aviva Richman in Forward

In light of recent antisemitic violence and the Israel-Hamas war, Rabbi Aviva Richman reflects on the complex lessons of the Purim story, focusing on themes of Jewish vulnerability and the use of force for self-defense.

0 Israel Politics

The war goes on but already minds are turning to who will pay for rebuilding Gaza

Anshel Pfeffer in Jewish Chronicle

Israeli forces entered Shifa Hospital in Gaza City amidst a gun battle with Hamas fighters, resulting in casualties and arrests, although the incident received minimal media coverage compared to previous events.

0 Israel Politics

Saving Sinwar

Judith Miller in Tablet

Yuval Bitton, a young dentist, diagnosed Yahya Sinwar, a Palestinian who would later lead Hamas in Gaza, with a life-threatening brain tumor while in Israeli prison in 2004.

0 Israel

How Israeli Startups Are Showing Resilience Amid War

Future of Jewish

Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war with Hamas, Israeli startups have displayed remarkable resilience in their tech ecosystem.

Food ›

0 Food Communities

Shawarma gets a fine dining touch at Spice Brothers in the East Village

Lana Schwartz in JTA

Spice Brothers in the East Village offers a unique twist on shawarma by using upscale ingredients and culinary expertise from the co-owners, Lior Lev Sercarz and David Malbequi, who have a background in Michelin-starred restaurants.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Communities

Child of My Prayers

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rav Tzvi Kushelevsky, an 88-year-old rosh yeshivah in Jerusalem, recently celebrated the birth of his first child, a son, with his second wife after being childless in his first marriage of over half a century.

0 Jewish Law Science

Bulbasaur & Bishul: An Adar-Fueled, Unnecessarily In-Depth Analysis of a Nonsensical Halakhic Question

Mark Glass in Lehrhaus

In an analysis by Mark Glass, the author delves into a humorous yet insightful halakhic question based on the popular game Pokemon, pondering if using a move called Solar Beam in the game during a battle on Shabbat constitutes a violation of the prohibition against cooking on Shabbat.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Culture

Purim on Your Terms

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article discusses different approaches to celebrating Purim and managing Purim-related expenses.

0 Holidays Jewish Law

Tefillah’ed Out

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The text reflects on the power and importance of prayer (tefillah) in the face of challenging times, particularly in light of recent tragic events in Eretz Yisrael.

0 Holidays Literature

A superhero, a scientist and a T. rex who scares his seder guests star in 2024’s new Passover children’s books

Penny Schwartz in Forward

New Passover children's books released in 2024 feature a diverse range of themes and characters, including a superhero, a scientist, a T. rex hosting a seder, Jewish bears, and more.

Miscellaneous

The Moment: Issue 1004

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rav Chaim Kanievsky's passing on Shushan Purim, commemorating two years since his death, symbolizes his unique dedication to Torah study and observance.

"MEMORIAL" - The Highland Park Shooting

Jewdicious

"MEMORIAL" is a documentary film by Jon Siskel that delves into the mass shooting that struck Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4, 2022, resulting in seven fatalities and 48 injuries.

History ›

0 History Israel

Purim Edition: Readers’ Mailbag

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

In a "Readers Mailbag" for Purim, various individuals write to historians Dovi & Yehuda about historical and contemporary Jewish matters.

Education ›

0 Education Music

An Ordinary Monday

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

On an ordinary Monday in Israel, the narrator is uplifted by the joyful singing of schoolboys celebrating Rosh Chodesh Adar with traditional Jewish songs.

0 Education Politics

At the Anti-Israel Carnival

Rebecca Cypess in Jewish Review of Books

The author discusses the dark aspects of anti-Israel protests on university campuses, particularly focusing on Rutgers University, where protesters adopt carnival-like tactics such as wearing costumes and masks, inverting facts, ideals, and celebrating violence.

0 Education Communities

In uncertain times, Jewish families seek community in Jewish day schools

Rachel Kohn in eJewishPhilanthropy

In the wake of recent challenges like the 10/7 events affecting American Jews, Jewish day schools are witnessing increased interest and enrollment inquiries from families seeking Jewish connection and community amidst rising antisemitism.

Art ›

0 Art History

This Jewish artist got her start before WWI. A century later, she's still in the avant garde

Diane Cole in Forward

The article discusses the extensive exhibition at Manhattan's Bard Graduate Center showcasing the work of Jewish avant-garde artist Sonia Delaunay, highlighting over 200 items, including paintings, textiles, films, and objects that demonstrate her enduring influence and relevance in contemporary art and design.

0 Art Gender/Identity

How one wedding dress came to symbolize the strength of more than 2,000 Jewish women

Laura Hodes in Forward

Artist Andi Arnovitz's creation "What We Bring" is a symbolic tribute to the strength of over 2,000 impactful Jewish women.

Culture ›

0 Culture Food

Where can you find the best egg cream in the world? Not New York

Sam Lin-Sommer in Forward

The article discusses the contention surrounding the best egg cream drink, typically associated with New York but contested by Philadelphia's Franklin Fountain.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Antisemitism ›

Sports ›

Music ›

Literature ›

Holocaust ›

Politics ›

Israel ›

Food ›

Jewish Law ›

Holidays ›

Miscellaneous

History ›

Education ›

Art ›

Culture ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Antisemitism ›

Sports ›

Music ›

Literature ›

Holocaust ›

Politics ›

Israel ›

Food ›

Jewish Law ›

Holidays ›

Miscellaneous

History ›

Education ›

Art ›

Culture ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, March 20, 2024