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Politics

On October 7, a terrorist attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas revealed extreme brutality against women, including rape, mutilation, and murder.
During a secretly recorded conversation at a Supreme Court dinner, Justice Samuel Alito expressed his personal views as a conservative Catholic, affirming the need for a return to "G-dliness."
The article discusses the concept of the White Savior Complex within activism, particularly focusing on advocacy for Palestinians.
CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, both Jewish, will moderate the upcoming 2024 presidential debate raising anticipation over questions about Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Biden administration of withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel, citing an "inconceivable" delay in deliveries.
In the recent European elections, right-wing groups achieved significant victories, indicating European wariness of increased Islamic immigration and a recognition of Israel as a key ally.
Former UK government minister and MP Robert Halfon discusses the challenges facing the Conservative party as polls predict a significant loss in the upcoming election.
The article discusses the challenges faced by Israel in dealing with security threats from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in the north, emphasizing the need for a strategic shift.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address a joint meeting of Congress, prompting Democrats to consider whether to attend the speech amidst disagreements over Israel's policies.
Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a screening of the documentary "Screams Before Silence" at the White House, produced by Sheryl Sandberg, to shed light on the sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas terrorists during a massacre in Israel.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) reached out to a Jewish leader in Westchester County for a photo to show his friendship with Jewish people during a primary election against challengers who gained support from the Jewish community.
In the recent European Parliamentary elections, several communist and antisemitic parties faced significant losses, particularly those in Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, and other countries.
In a Virginia congressional primary between hardline Republican candidates, the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) endorsed State Sen. John McGuire over incumbent Rep. Bob Good due to Good's stance against aid to Israel.

Communities

Willie Mays, a baseball legend facing financial struggles in 1963, found a savior in Jacob Shemano, a Jewish banker, which blossomed into a lifelong friendship that bridged cultural divides.
Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith of Aish.com discusses the impact of October 7, a significant date in Jewish history, on kiruv efforts and Jewish identity.
The Accelerate Conference of Financial Professionals brought together individuals in the bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO industries who are typically competitors but showed a genuine willingness to help each other.
The letter is a heartfelt message from a single person to their married friend, expressing the difficulty of their differing life stages.
The text discusses the delicate balance between parental involvement and children's independence, particularly in the context of newlyweds and their families.
Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, a Limmud FSU weekend festival recently brought together 200 Ukrainian Jews in the relatively safe city of Uzhhorod for Jewish learning and culture, marking the first such event in Ukraine since the war began.
Paul McCartney, the beloved musician and former Beatle, has strong Jewish connections through his first wife, Linda Eastman, who hailed from a prominent Jewish family.
In the article "A Thriving Shtetl in the American Desert" by Ross Kagan Marks, the author discusses the growth and impact of the Jewish community in Las Cruces, New Mexico, led by Rabbi Bery and Rebbetzin Chenchie Schmukler of Chabad-Lubavitch.
The Jewish Federation of North America recently identified a surge in individuals actively seeking connections to Jewish life, particularly among young and mid-life adults who value personal invitations and familiar faces at Jewish events.
The text discusses the emergence of Jewish celebrations of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America.

Literature

In Salman Rushdie's "Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder," he reflects on his experience of being stabbed during a talk in Buffalo and the subsequent recovery process.
Aaron Zeitlin delves into his father Hillel Zeitlin's philosophical and theological perspectives on Jewish history, emphasizing the unique national identity and historical mission of the Jewish people.

Sports

Matan Adelson, the youngest son of Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, has taken on the challenge of transforming Hapoel Jerusalem into a prominent force in Israeli basketball and potentially an international brand.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had promised to take the team to Israel if they won the NBA championship, a pledge now fulfilled with their victory.
Ryan Warsofsky has made history by becoming the first Jewish head coach in the NHL in over three decades when he was appointed as the head coach of the San Jose Sharks.
Malika Andrews, host of ABC's NBA Countdown and ESPN's NBA Today, has risen to stardom as a basketball reporter and TV personality despite not being a player.

Food

The New York Times has highlighted 11 Jewish sandwiches that define NYC's culinary scene, showcasing a variety of iconic and innovative creations.
London is offering a variety of Jewish-inspired dining experiences this summer, ranging from kosher smoked meats at Habibas Smoke House to Israeli dishes at Reubens Cafe and Kasa Bar and Grill.

Holocaust

Geddy Lee's memoir "My Effin Life" delves into the life of the renowned rock musician and child of Auschwitz survivors.
Anouk Aimé, born Nicole Françoise Florence Dreyfus, passed away at 92 in Paris, leaving behind a rich legacy in French cinema.
In 1985, President Ronald Reagan's visit to Bitburg, a German military cemetery containing graves of Waffen-SS members, sparked controversy as Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and others urged him to reconsider honoring SS soldiers.
During WWII, while the Gestapo rounded up Jews in other European countries, the Danish Jews had a different fate.
In the midst of challenging times faced by Jewish parents and grandparents, feelings of fear and anxiety are prevalent due to concerns about safety, antisemitism, and the ongoing conflict.

Antisemitism

Wikipedia editors have recently banned the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) citing concerns about its reliability on both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and antisemitism.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin has unsealed a racketeering indictment against George E. Norcross III, a prominent Democratic figure, accusing his company of manipulating government tax credits through political influence.
The author discusses New York Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to ban masking in the subway, claiming it endangers Jews, but the author, an immunocompromised Jew, highlights the critical importance of masks for health and safety.
The article discusses how initial reports of vandalism against Brooklyn Museum leaders, stating that all victims were Jewish, led to widespread condemnation and claims of antisemitism.
New York's district attorneys, along with the attorney general and county prosecutors, have collectively pledged to prosecute hate crimes fully in response to the concerning rise in antisemitic incidents in the state, particularly following the recent Hamas terror attacks and Israeli military actions.
The U.S. Department of Education found that the University of Michigan and City University of New York failed to protect Jewish students from discrimination following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 7.

History

"The Gaon Code" by Rytis Sabas is a gripping novel intertwining Russian mobsters, Mossad agents, and an 18th-century Lithuanian rabbi known as the Vilna Gaon.
The article discusses the controversy surrounding Ian Gribbin, a Reform party candidate, who expressed views suggesting that Britain should have accepted Hitler's offer of neutrality in the 20th century, criticized Churchill, and was influenced by historian John Charmley's argument regarding British history and Hitler.

Television/Film

Natalie Portman stars in "Lady in the Lake," a 1960s period thriller directed by Alma Harel.
"Breaking Dad" on Amazon Prime is critiqued as a documentary that fails to deliver on its promising concept of a British version of "Breaking Bad."

Miscellaneous

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine affecting 2-3% of the population, often diagnosed in children aged 10-12.

Philosophy

The text discusses the concept of "menuchas hanefesh" or inner peace, likening it to a concierge service where all needs are tended to effortlessly.

Education

The text discusses the deep symbolism of lighting the menorah and its parallels to parenting and teaching.
The text discusses various issues and experiences shared by different individuals in the Jewish community.
Becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer requires technical skills, attention to detail, and good communication.
The article discusses the importance of teaching children to give and how it leads to genuine happiness.
Rav Gershon Edelstein, a revered figure in the yeshivah world, passed away at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of quiet influence and profound Torah knowledge.
An investigation into complaints of sexism and harassment at the Ziegler School of Rabbinical Studies found that while most graduates reported no discrimination, a significant number of those who did not complete the program corroborated these concerns.
New York City's schools chancellor has removed two elected parent leaders, Maud Maron and Tajh Sutton, from their positions on local Community Education Councils due to controversies surrounding the Israel-Hamas war.

Music

Owen Elliot-Kugell, daughter of the late Jewish singer Cass Elliot from The Mamas and the Papas, unravels the myths surrounding her mother's life and death in her book "My Mama, Cass."

Israel

The article discusses the deep emotional impact of IDF soldiers' deaths, highlighting the sacrifice and dedication of these individuals to protect their people.
Eylon Levy, a media professional who gained fame as a volunteer spokesman for Israel during a hostage crisis, faced a challenging interview question that led to his celebrity status in pro-Israel circles.
As Pride month unfolds, tensions are rising for LGBTQ Jews due to discord over Israel.
The text provides a strategic guide on how to effectively defeat Hamas and other terrorist organizations, emphasizing the need to understand and adapt to the tactics employed by such groups.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), established in 1863 with a mission to aid victims of armed conflict, has a history of successful interventions in hostage situations worldwide.
In a guest essay by Nachum Kaplan on the Future of Jewish platform, the case for Israel to leave the United Nations (UN) is discussed.

Holidays

The discussion revolves around the importance of truly caring about Shabbos beyond just observing it by default.

Culture

"Welcome to Yiddishland" is a new documentary by Ros Horin that explores an international community of artists dedicated to Yiddish language and culture, showcasing musicians, actors, and writers from various backgrounds who use Yiddish as a creative source.

Editors' Note

Welcome to JL;DR!
by Matt Sienkiewicz

Top Topics in Jewish Media

for June 12–June 19

  1. Jewish Community
  2. Hamas
  3. Gaza
  4. Jewish History
  5. Jewish Identity
  6. Holocaust
  7. Zionism
  8. Hostages
  9. Resilience
  10. Idf

June 19's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

The Hunter for Red November
14 Jun · The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Israel's Deadly Weekend, Biden's Sad One
17 Jun · The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Border Bungles and Smashing Anti-Semitism
18 Jun · The Commentary Magazine Podcast