for Friday, June 21, 2024

Antisemitism ›

Killer of slain Jewish college student says victim threatened to out him

Louis Keene in Forward

Samuel Woodward, on trial for the murder of Jewish college student Blaze Bernstein, testified that he killed Bernstein in a panic after thinking Bernstein was going to out him for being gay.

0 Antisemitism Education

ADL doubles down on its campus antisemitism report cards despite backlash

Andrew Lapin in JTA

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has released updated campus antisemitism report cards, incorporating recent events like pro-Palestinian activism, with some schools' grades changing.

0 Antisemitism Television/Film

With never-before-seen security cam footage, movie brings viewers inside tense hostage crisis at Texas synagogue

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

The documentary "Colleyville" provides a gripping look into a tense hostage crisis at a Texas synagogue, featuring never-before-seen security camera footage showing a Muslim extremist holding five hostages, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Thousands flock to Nova massacre exhibit in NYC following anti-Israel protest outside

Julia Gergely in JTA

The Nova Music Festival massacre exhibit memorializing the tragic event where Hamas infiltrators killed 370 festival-goers has drawn over 100,000 visitors in its two-month run in Lower Manhattan, with increased attendance following a pro-Palestinian protest outside.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Protests, political action in France after alleged antisemitic rape of 12-year-old Jewish girl

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Following the alleged antisemitic rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl by two teenage boys in a Paris suburb, France has been grappling with a surge of protests and political action against rising antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Israel

Reviews in Brief Summer 2024

Rabbi Gil Student in Jewish Action

Rabbi Doron Perez's book "The Jewish State: From Opposition to Opportunity" explores the rise of anti-Zionism and offers solutions for Israel to serve as a positive influence globally while promoting Jewish unity.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Major antisemitism bills appear stalled in Congress with summer, election fast approaching

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

As Congress faces the summer recess and the upcoming election, there are concerns within the Jewish community about the stalled progress of two major antisemitism bills, the Antisemitism Awareness Act (AAA) and the Countering Antisemitism Act (CAA), in Congress.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Wikipedia called the ADL ‘unreliable.’ It's a wake-up call the civil rights organization badly needs

Rob Eshman in Forward

In response to Wikipedia labeling the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) as generally unreliable regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict and antisemitism, there is a call for self-reflection within the ADL.

Communities ›

0 Communities Gender/Identity

Help for Would-Be Parents

Jamie Betesh Carter in Tablet

A woman shares her emotional and challenging journey through infertility and the lack of support she felt from the Jewish community while trying to conceive.

0 Communities Leadership

Jewish seniors nonprofit Dorot rocked by budget cuts

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Dorot, a Jewish nonprofit in NYC, known for alleviating loneliness among seniors, faced financial challenges post-COVID despite a temporary revenue spike in 2021 due to pandemic relief funds.

0 Communities Ethics

The Jewish community has an effective antidote to combat the loneliness epidemic

eJewishPhilanthropy

In addressing the growing issue of social isolation and loneliness highlighted by Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, the Jewish community can draw on the wisdom of Hillel's teaching to not separate oneself from the community.

0 Communities Ethics

The Dog that Doesn’t Bark

A. Schreiber in Jewish Action

The article explores the concept of noticing what is not seen, using the analogy from Sherlock Holmes' story "The Adventure of Silver Blaze."

0 Communities Ethics

Can Social Media and Modesty Coexist?

Alexandra Fleksher in Jewish Action

Social media presents a significant challenge in maintaining modesty, especially in terms of self-promotion and sharing personal content.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Walking a Tightrope

Rebbetzin Ruchi Koval in Jewish Action

Rebbetzin Ruchi Koval, a kiruv professional and social media influencer, discusses her use of technology to share Torah content and snippets of her personal life authentically.

0 Communities Gender/Identity

High Fashion, Higher Standards

Sandy Eller in Jewish Action

Tamar Zinnar, a young woman from New York, created the Bat Melech Boutique to provide free and low-cost modest clothing to young women embracing tzeniut.

0 Communities Leadership

Is Compromised Tzenius the Cost of Being a Communal Leader?

Mark (Moishe) Bane in Jewish Action

The text explores the concept of tzenius (modesty) and its implications for communal leaders, particularly focusing on the multifaceted nature of tzenius in Jewish thought.

0 Communities Antisemitism

Letters Summer 2024

JA Mag in Jewish Action

The letters from the summer 2024 issue discuss various topics in the Jewish community.

0 Communities Leadership

Affirming the Miracle of Creation

Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal in Forward

Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal reflects on the Jewish value of equity and the miracle of creation, emphasizing that although humans are made in the same image, we are all unique individuals with diverse qualities and talents.

0 Communities Leadership

The Jewish Case for Inclusion, Equity, and Justice — By Whatever Name

Gali Cooks in Forward

The text discusses the Jewish perspective on inclusion, equity, and justice, particularly in the context of recent debates within the community.

0 Communities Gender/Identity

Opening Our Eyes: Embracing Complexity in the Jewish Community

Rabbi Sandra Lawson and Rabbi Deborah Waxman in Forward

Rabbis Sandra Lawson and Deborah Waxman discuss the importance of embracing complexity and diversity within the Jewish community, highlighting the marginalization of Sephardic, Mizrahi, Black, and brown Jewish narratives.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

The top DSA primaries to watch in New York

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in New York have been embroiled in controversy for promoting an event that drew backlash for glorifying violence against Israel and spreading antisemitic messages.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Ahead of Bowman-Latimer primary, Jewish get-out-the-vote effort says ‘Antisemitism is on the ballot’

Luke Tress in JTA

Concerned about what they perceive as rising antisemitism in the upcoming primary between Congressman Jamaal Bowman and George Latimer, a Jewish get-out-the-vote effort in New York's 16th district is mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to ensure Jewish voices are heard amid the clash between centrists supportive of Israel and progressives critical of it.

0 Politics Antisemitism

We're in a psychological war with 'the greatest propaganda machine in history' — will we survive it?

Dan Friedman in Forward

In "Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind" by Annalee Newitz, the book explores how stories have been weaponized throughout history, particularly in the current era of social media and propaganda manipulation.

0 Politics Israel

She came to New York hoping to escape Israeli politics. Instead, she founded a protest movement

Luke Tress in Forward

Shany Granot-Lubaton and her husband Omer Lubaton-Granot moved to New York City to escape Israeli politics, but seeing her mother protest in Tel Aviv prompted them to start a protest movement in NYC.

0 Politics Communities

Shany Granot-Lubaton came to NYC hoping to escape Israeli politics. Instead, she founded a protest movement

Luke Tress in JTA

Shany Granot-Lubaton and her husband Omer Lubaton-Granot came to NYC hoping to escape Israeli politics but instead found themselves leading a protest movement there.

0 Politics Israel

How Obama Lit the Middle East on Fire

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The text discusses the contentious relationship between former U.S. President Barack Obama and Israel, highlighting key issues that caused tension.

0 Politics Israel

Biden’s Italian Strike

Michael Doran in Tablet

The text discusses the allegations made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Biden administration is withholding arms shipments to Israel, leading to a depiction of Netanyahu as delusional by American officials.

0 Politics History

Attack of the Crypto-Nazis!

Michael Lind in Tablet

The text discusses how certain intellectuals and academics have historically viewed working-class and rural Americans as threats to American society and democracy, comparing them to Nazis and portraying them as authoritarian and dangerous.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Education

From the Newsletter | Squeezing More Juice out of the Lemon Test

Jennifer Bardi in Moment

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a law requiring Ten Commandments posters in all public school classrooms, sparking controversy and potential legal challenges on grounds of violating the Establishment Clause.

0 Jewish Law Culture

I don’t like my friend’s boyfriend. Do I have to invite him to my wedding?

Mira Fox in Forward

In this Bintel Brief article, a bride-to-be seeks advice on whether she is obligated to invite her friend's boyfriend, whom she dislikes, to her wedding.

0 Jewish Law Politics

What Does the Torah Have to Say about Military Ethics?

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody in Jewish Action

The discussion delves into the Torah's teachings on military ethics, particularly in the context of Israel's past conflicts.

0 Jewish Law

Questions from the Battlefield

Dovid Bashevkin in Jewish Action

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, a respected posek, educator, and community rabbi who interacts with soldiers, shares insights on halachic dilemmas faced by soldiers during wartime.

0 Jewish Law Communities

Rethinking Tzeniut

Bracha Poliakoff in Jewish Action

The book "Reclaiming Dignity: A Guide to Tzniut for Men and Women" explores the concept of tzeniut (modesty) from various perspectives, beyond just clothing, as a mitzvah and character trait.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

My Tzeniut Journey

Josepha Becker in Jewish Action

A personal reflection on embracing the mitzvah of tzeniut (modesty) as a transformative journey from external appearance to internal qualities, shaping behavior and fostering mindfulness in observance of other mitzvot.

0 Jewish Law

Public and Private in the Age of Instagram

Rabbi Yisroel Motzen in Jewish Action

In the discussion of public and private behavior on social media platforms like Instagram, the article highlights the trend of vulnerability posts, where individuals share personal emotions and experiences publicly.

0 Jewish Law Food

High Steaks: The Kashrus of Lab-Grown Meat

Rabbi Menachem Genack in Jewish Action

Lab-grown meat, also known as clean or synthetic meat, is meat grown in a lab from animal cells.

0 Jewish Law Food

What’s the Truth about . . . Boiling Three Eggs?

Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotofsky in Jewish Action

The tradition of boiling at least three eggs at a time to nullify blood spots is not explicitly mentioned in halachic sources like the Shulchan Aruch.

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Rays of Wisdom: Torah insights that light up our understanding of the world

Rabbi Mark Gottlieb in Jewish Action

Rabbi Mattisyahu Rosenblum's book "Rays of Wisdom: Torah insights that light up our understanding of the world" delves into the legacy of Rabbi Moshe Shapira, highlighting his profound Torah teachings and intellectual impact beyond the yeshivah world.

0 Jewish Law History

Summer Reading Recommendations

OU Press in Jewish Action

For those seeking intellectually stimulating summer reads, OU Press suggests the following titles: "The Return to Zion" by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik presents his keynote addresses on Religious Zionism and American Orthodoxy, offering timeless insights on Jewish destiny.

0 Jewish Law Communities

Equity and Justice Values from a Jewish Perspective: The Jewish value of ongoing practice to make change in ourselves and our communities

Rabbi David Jaffe and Yehudah Webster in Forward

In a sponsored post on Jewish values by Rabbi David Jaffe and Yehudah Webster, the ongoing practice of justice and equity is highlighted as fundamental in Judaism, emphasizing the Torah's instructions to care for the vulnerable, share resources, and oppose oppression.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

Hezbollah is weak. Israel should crush them.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The text discusses the dynamics of strength and weakness in the Middle East, particularly in relation to Israel and Hezbollah.

0 Israel Politics

Time to End the War?

Emes Ve-Emunah

While acknowledging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intentions for Israel's welfare, there are growing concerns about his decision-making, including recent conflicts with the Biden Administration over weapons shipments and doubts about completely eradicating Hamas.

0 Israel Jewish Law

On the Frontlines with Rabbi Shlomo Sobol

JA Mag in Jewish Action

Rabbi Shlomo Sobol, a prominent figure in the Jewish community, addresses various challenges faced by congregants during wartime, including soldiers' dilemmas about weddings, honesty with parents, and questions of faith.

0 Israel Gender/Identity

The Holiest Work

Leah Lightman in Jewish Action

Miriam Neumark Shalev, head of the Tziporit military bases chevra kadisha unit for women, discusses the work of the IDF chevra kadishas womens unit in preparing fallen female soldiers for Jewish burial, especially in the wake of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.

0 Israel Prayer

A Different Kind of Battlefield

Carol Green Ungar in Jewish Action

Amidst the Israel-Gaza conflict, a surge in miluimot – women with children whose husbands are serving in the IDF as reservists – has been noted, with increased challenges due to longer, scarier wars where communication is often limited.

0 Israel Antisemitism

Mah Shlomcha?

David Olivestone in Jewish Action

David Olivestone, a resident of Jerusalem, reflects on life in Israel during a period of war, highlighting the delicate balance between maintaining normalcy and being surrounded by reminders of conflict.

0 Israel Antisemitism

An Inflection Point in Jewish Life—Mi va’Mi Haholchim

Rabbi Moshe Hauer in Jewish Action

A group of rabbis, including Rebecca Alpert, met with the UN Secretary General to support the call for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticized Israel's actions.

0 Israel Leadership

A Lifeline for Israeli Teens

Chaim Pelzner in Jewish Action

The OU Israel established Makom Balev and the Oraita Program to provide programming for Israeli teens, particularly those in economically-disadvantaged areas, giving them leadership skills and guidance to succeed.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Antisemitism

This 102-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Is on the Cover of German Vogue

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Margot Friedlnder, a 102-year-old Holocaust survivor, writer, and Vogue cover model, shares a message of unity and humanity in her feature with German Vogue.

0 Holocaust

His family survived the Holocaust. He survived long COVID. It's Josh Fox's 'survivor's obligation' to fight the oil industry

PJ Grisar in Forward

Josh Fox, a director whose family survived the Holocaust, shares his journey recovering from long COVID-19 through his new project "The Edge of Nature," a film and theatrical experience.

0 Holocaust Ethics

Google is answering search queries with AI now. What does that mean for Holocaust history?

Mira Fox in Forward

A recent UNESCO report, "AI and the Holocaust: Rewriting History?" highlights concerns about the use of AI, such as Google's generative search function, in providing information on Holocaust history.

Miscellaneous

0 Music

Kiss Me, Kate review: this kissing lark is all in the line of duty

Jewish Chronicle

Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar star in the revival of Cole Porter's musical "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Barbican.

What super-busy actor Andy Nyman did next

Jewish Chronicle

Andy Nyman, a highly sought-after actor, known for his work in various media including films, plays, and TV series, is set to star in "Hello, Dolly!" alongside Imelda Staunton at the London Palladium.

History ›

0 History Holocaust

The Piano Player of Budapest review: A beautifully performed Holocaust symphony

Jewish Chronicle

"The Piano Player of Budapest" by Roxanne de Bastion is a touching account of her grandfather Stephen, a Hungarian composer and musician known as the Piano Player of Budapest, who survived the Holocaust.

0 History Communities

Jews of Arab Countries: The Loss of Ancestral Inheritance

JA Mag in Jewish Action

Jews have a long history in Arab countries, predating the Arab conquests.

0 History Art

Holding Jewish History in Your Hand

David Olivestone in Jewish Action

Rabbi Benjamin Yablok of Teaneck, New Jersey, holds a unique collection of Jewish historical treasures in his home, ranging from Temple times to the present day.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Literature

Brilliant insights from our much-loved Secret Shulgoer

Jewish Chronicle

"Being Rina: The Collected Writings of Rina Wolfson" provides a deep insight into the life and experiences of British Jewish woman Rina Wolfson from 1972 to 2021, capturing her wit and wisdom.

0 Gender/Identity Israel

Grappling With Pride

Becca Baitel in Tablet

The author reflects on their evolving relationship with Pride events, from feeling empowered and accepted at their first Pride festival to experiencing discomfort and isolation following conflicting views at later events.

Education ›

0 Education Gender/Identity

Hebrew Union College to admit and ordain rabbinical students in interfaith relationships, ending longstanding ban

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Hebrew Union College, a prominent Reform rabbinical seminary, has decided to drop its longstanding ban on admitting and ordaining rabbinical students in interfaith relationships, aligning with the Reform movement's acceptance of intermarriage.

0 Education Gender/Identity

Modesty: An Educator’s Perspective

Shifra Rabenstein in Jewish Action

A seasoned educator reflects on the evolution of teaching modesty (tzenius) to high school students, emphasizing a shift towards inner values and personal growth as opposed to solely focusing on outward appearance.

0 Education Jewish Law

A New Approach for Teens

Dr. Zipora Schorr in Jewish Action

Dr. Zipora Schorr, director of education at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School in Baltimore, discusses a new approach to teaching tzeniut (modesty) to a diverse student body, aiming for relevance and practicality while maintaining fidelity to Jewish law and values.

0 Education Torah

To Post or Not to Post

Gila Ross in Jewish Action

Gila Ross, an educator and podcaster, discusses the importance of accountability and thoughtful engagement on social media in a piece for a Jewish media outlet.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Education

Tzenius: The Key to an Inner Life

Rabbi Reuven Brand in Jewish Action

Tzenius, often translated as modesty, holds a deeper meaning revolving around an inner focus on spirituality and self-worth.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Taking it Outdoors

Naomi Ross in Jewish Action

This article highlights the joys of outdoor cooking and entertaining, particularly in the summer months.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

Giving: The Essential Teaching of the Kabbalah

Rabbi Yisrael Isser Zvi Herczeg in Jewish Action

In "Giving: The Essential Teaching of the Kabbalah," Rabbi Yehuda Lev Ashlag's insights are presented by Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Gottlieb, focusing on Kabbalistic aspects of giving and human perfection according to Torah.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Ethics

What Are You Good At? The Art of Positive Feedback

Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph in Jewish Action

In this reflection on the importance of positive feedback and recognizing strengths, Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph shares a personal story of how a friend's simple acknowledgment of his talents helped him through a dark time of self-doubt.

JL;DR

for Friday, June 21, 2024

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Politics ›

Jewish Law ›

Israel ›

Holocaust ›

Miscellaneous

History ›

Gender/Identity ›

Education ›

Philosophy ›

Food ›

Torah ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Friday, June 21, 2024

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Politics ›

Jewish Law ›

Israel ›

Holocaust ›

Miscellaneous

History ›

Gender/Identity ›

Education ›

Philosophy ›

Food ›

Torah ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, June 21, 2024