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Israel

As ceasefire talks in Gaza progress, Israel faces a crucial moment to demonstrate its commitment to negotiating sincerely.
The author shares a personal account of losing 31 family members in Gaza due to Israeli bombardments and highlights the devastating impact of the conflict on civilian lives.
The New York City Council is considering a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza to promote peace and safety for all.
The successful rescue operation of four hostages in Gaza posed a dilemma for Israeli security forces, who now face the challenge of rescuing the remaining captives.
The article argues against rewarding Palestinian terror with a state, highlighting how recent events have eroded support for a two-state solution in Israel.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum recently released a special Shavuot cookbook featuring 75 recipes, each accompanied by a photo and a description of a hostage, some deceased and some still in captivity.
Residents of northern Israel, facing ongoing threats and instability from Hezbollah in Lebanon, visited Washington, D.C. to highlight their displacement and the looming danger on Israel's northern border.

Antisemitism

The success of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the European Parliament election has raised concerns among mainstream Jewish leaders and politicians in Germany, with parallels drawn to the country's pre-Nazi era.
The essay highlights concerns about rising antisemitism globally, with a focus on Western countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, and Argentina.
Eric Ciotti, the president of France's mainstream conservative party, has proposed forming an alliance with Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally, despite its history of antisemitism.
David Lourie, the head of Collegiate School in Manhattan, has resigned amid criticism of the school's response to antisemitism issues, particularly during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The article discusses the emerging trend of "hot rodent men" in beauty standards, where certain male celebrities are being compared to rodents as a new form of attractiveness.
During a pro-Palestinian protest at UCLA, Rabbi Dovid Gurevich of Chabad was harassed and threatened by masked demonstrators who demanded he leave, calling him derogatory names and making violent threats.
Anti-Israel activists targeted the Nova music festival exhibition in Lower Manhattan for protest, led by the group Within Our Lifetime.
Following recent anti-Israel student activities at American universities including Columbia and UCLA, the author highlights a concerning rise in organized anti-Israel activism on university campuses, with protesters endorsing Hamas and Hezbollah and defacing property with anti-Zionist messages.
Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has made efforts to address antisemitism within the party, expressing regret for its presence and aiming to rebuild trust with Jewish members.
Prosecutors are seeking to drop hate crimes charges against Maxwell Friedman, also known as Malaika, who allegedly assaulted an Israeli student on Columbia University's campus during a dispute over Israeli hostage posters.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez discussed antisemitism with Jewish activists, acknowledging its dangers but also criticizing the weaponization of the term by political actors.
The increasing anti-Israel sentiment amidst Pride events is causing safety concerns for LGBTQ+ Jews, with fears of harassment and violence due to the recent conflict in Gaza.

Culture

Morrie Markoff, a Jewish supercentenarian born to Jewish parents in New York City in 1914, passed away at 110 in Los Angeles.
Despite growing up in a liberal Jewish family with rabbis, the author rebelled against dating Jewish men until meeting her non-Jewish soulmate on a flight to Los Angeles.
Desroches Island in the Seychelles is a remote and untouched paradise, home to a unique Four Seasons resort and 150 giant tortoises, led by the charismatic Big Pete.
"What Do I Do With All This Heritage?" is a new play by The Braid, a Jewish theater company in Los Angeles, celebrating Asian American Jews and their complex identities.

Sports

MLB veteran Kevin Pillar, currently enjoying success with the L.A. Angels, reflects on his identity as a Jewish baseball player.

Holocaust

The University of Minnesota initially selected an Israeli scholar, Raz Segal, who accused Israel of genocide as the new director of its Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, sparking backlash from Jewish groups and prompting board resignations.
"Treasure" and "A Real Pain" are two films that explore the theme of Holocaust tourism and its impact on Jewish identity.

Education

Los Angeles Shalhevet High School's student newspaper, the Boiling Point, faced censorship of two articles related to the Israel-Hamas war by the school's rabbi and principal, sparking a debate on the limits of student journalism in a Jewish day school.
The author reflects on recent events in Israeli society, including proposed changes to exemption laws for ultra-Orthodox individuals and a disturbing suicide of a reservist with PTSD.

Torah

The text discusses the concept of whether we are currently living in messianic times, examining various perspectives and historical examples.
Jewish tradition encourages staying up all night studying Torah on Shavuot to rectify the mistake of the ancient Israelites oversleeping when receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Gender/Identity

Richard Lubbock, a Jewish man from north London, led a double life as a drug addict and dealer, resembling a regular granddad but getting involved in crystal meth dealing following personal struggles.
The article criticizes the politicization of victims of sexual assault, highlighting a Times piece that skewed the truth for a specific agenda regarding incidents of rape at Nova festival, Route 232, and Kibbutz Reim.

Politics

Hunter Biden's memoir "Beautiful Things" serves as a tribute to his late brother Beau Biden and delves into his struggles with addiction, family dynamics, and his controversial involvement with the Ukranian company Burisma.
The text discusses the challenges Israel faces in achieving a so-called "total victory" over Hamas and other adversaries due to complex geopolitics and international dynamics.
The Washington Post has been criticized for its reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, specifically in a recent article that omitted key details about the captivity of Israeli hostages by Hamas.
The essay discusses growing concerns among some Jewish individuals who feel the need to prepare for potential threats, such as antisemitism.

Television/Film

"Kafka," a limited series now streaming on ChaiFlicks, offers a fresh and deeply Jewish perspective on writer Franz Kafka, exploring his Jewish identity, relationships, and influences.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles faced criticism from Jewish Hollywood figures for its exhibit on Jewish founders in Hollywood, with some figures portrayed negatively.

Holidays

The letter writer expresses hurt that their non-Jewish friends do not acknowledge Jewish holidays while they go out of their way to recognize Christmas and Easter.
The author describes their journey through grief after their mother's death, reflecting on their relationship with her and their struggle to write following her passing.
The Book of Ruth is often seen as a tale of loyalty and selflessness, focusing on Ruth's dedication to her mother-in-law Naomi and the eventual lineage of King David.

Philosophy

Awe, as described by psychologist Abraham Maslow, is a profound feeling of happiness and well-being triggered by grand and sublime experiences, often associated with moral beauty and acts of kindness.

Communities

The article discusses the concept of social contracts and covenants, drawing parallels between historical events like the American War of Independence and the French Revolution with the Jewish covenant at Mt. Sinai.
Tzvi, a 25-year-old filmmaker from a Haredi community in Brooklyn, drew inspiration for his first feature, "Killer of Men," from the gritty backdrop of Sheepshead Bay.

Food

A baklava cheesecake recipe has won a prestigious contest and will be featured in a charity cookbook for Chai Cancer Care.

History

This text recounts a group of tourists, including some Jewish people, reciting the Kaddish prayer for Bella Terner, a Polish Jewish woman who settled in Cuba in the 1930s and was buried there.

Editors' Note

Welcome to JL;DR!
by Matt Sienkiewicz

Top Topics in Jewish Media

for June 5–June 12

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

June 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

Stopping the Presses
7 Jun · The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Israel Triumphs as Hamastan Comes to D.C.
10 Jun · The Commentary Magazine Podcast
The COVID Lies, Four Years Later
11 Jun · The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Israel at War – 4 are Free
11 Jun · For Heaven's Sake