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Politics

Benny Gantz's departure from the coalition government has raised questions about the future of Israeli politics, particularly regarding the decisions to be made in the aftermath of the recent conflict and potential conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
The article discusses the current state of racism and anti-Israel sentiment in South Africa, particularly within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party.
Benny Gantz, a key moderate figure in the Israeli government, resigned, leaving Netanyahu without a centrist partner and potentially leading to early elections.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is preparing to address Congress and should consider reducing Israel's reliance on American military aid, as he successfully did with economic aid in the past.
The text emphasizes how the Palestinian perspective resonates due to their deep-seated grievances against Israel, viewing it as an apartheid state that colonized their land.
The article discusses the recent IDF rescue of hostages from Hamas captivity and emphasizes the importance of pursuing negotiations to release all hostages, end bloodshed, and enhance Israeli and Palestinian security.
A recent hostage rescue in Israel sparked a sense of unity but also highlighted the country's complex challenges.

Communities

The Chazon Ish, a towering figure in Torah Judaism, left a lasting impact on Bnei Brak and beyond, with many followers known as Chazon Ishniks who strictly adhere to his rulings.
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, a prominent figure in Chabad-Lubavitch and vice chairman of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, passed away at 74, leaving a significant legacy in expanding Chabad's global outreach through establishing Chabad Houses worldwide, including on over 230 campuses through the Chabad on Campus International Foundation.
Kesher Israel Congregation, a prominent Modern Orthodox synagogue in Washington, D.C., is embarking on a substantial renovation and expansion project for its building, which has not been updated since 1931.
"The Rabbi's Daughter" recounts a visit to Yerushalayim with the author's parents who recently made aliyah.

Antisemitism

A survey conducted by the American Jewish Committee revealed that since October 7, over 40% of American Jews have felt unsafe wearing Jewish symbols in public, with a quarter choosing not to disclose their Jewish identity.

Torah

Mordechai Hager, founder and CEO of Regah Ventures, shared insights on Torah, business, and personal anecdotes with the interviewer.

Art

The article discusses the challenge of illustrating the Book of Ruth, focusing not on the plot but on the theme of redemption.
The article discusses a celebration of the 120th anniversary of British choreographer Frederick Ashton, known for his significant contributions to the Royal Ballet and his distinctive English style of ballet.

Israel

The essay discusses the issue of equating hatred of Jews with Nazism, focusing on the anti-Semitic nature of hating Zionists and Israel.
The text expresses a mix of emotions upon hearing about the daring rescue of Israeli hostages, including pride, joy, relief, and sorrow for those still held and killed by Hamas.
Israeli special forces successfully carried out a daring operation to rescue four hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, who were tearfully reunited with their families at the Tel Aviv hospital.

Miscellaneous

In "On Call Chapter 10: People I Know," Ayala Rubin, an ER doctor, reflects on the emotional challenges of treating familiar faces like Nora, a coworker diagnosed with an inoperable tumor, and Rabbi Weiss, a neighbor experiencing a heart issue.
Israeli forces successfully rescued four hostages from Hamas captivity in a daring operation in the Gaza Strip.
In a recent pro-Israel parade in New York and a rally in Tel Aviv, divergent perspectives on bringing hostages home were highlighted.

Education

In this article, Mishpacha writers reflect on the impact of sacred Jewish texts, or seforim, on their lives.
The inbox discussions cover various topics: a writer expresses disappointment over a character's choice to attend a friend's wedding instead of her boss's, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling mitzvot over personal enjoyment; a specialist highlights the importance of teaching boys to actually read Hebrew instead of relying solely on memory to avoid challenges in bar mitzvah preparation; a suggestion is made to meticulously plan a bar mitzvah guest list; the ethical issues of copying art and recipes are discussed, stressing the importance of originality and respecting creators' efforts; and concerns are raised over inappropriate boundaries in co-parenting relationships.
This text discusses the enduring value of Torah compared to other investments and assets, using metaphors like the rise and fall of cryptocurrencies to illustrate the consistency of Torah's worth.
The text discusses the evolving role of women in Torah study and education, highlighting how women are now actively engaged in learning and teaching Torah across various Jewish communities, thanks to movements like Beit Yaakov and educational initiatives promoting female involvement.

Jewish Law

Rabbi Avraham Gutterman ztzl donated a sefer Torah in the zechus of a refuah for his son, Rav Chaim Michoel Gutterman, who was gravely ill with liver and kidney damage.

Culture

In chapter 8 of the story "Picture This," a young couple, Yonah and Estee, experience tension over money and differing perspectives on supporting each other's dreams.

Food

Jessica and Michel Abraham, a French couple, relocated to Florida from Strasbourg 8 years ago to escape growing anti-Semitism and established a successful artisan French patisserie in Hallandale Beach.

Holidays

Esther Ottensoser offers creative floral-inspired ideas for table decor, including making tiny vase place cards using popsicle sticks and glass jars, flower-shaped breadsticks for a charming touch to any meal, and rustic cane decor with dried flowers.

Literature

The text delves into the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz, comparing their portrayals of societal collapse and ideological tyranny.

Editors' Note

Welcome to JL;DR!
by Matt Sienkiewicz

Top Topics in Jewish Media

for June 3–June 10

  1. Hamas
  2. Jewish Community
  3. Gaza
  4. Hostages
  5. Benjamin Netanyahu
  6. Gaza War
  7. Jewish Cuisine
  8. Holocaust
  9. Israeli Palestinian Conflict
  10. Shavuot

June 10's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

Yes, Indeed, Biden Is 'Slipping'
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Liberal Projections and Veep Predictions
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Stopping the Presses
7 Jun · The Commentary Magazine Podcast