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Antisemitism ›
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.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has released updated campus antisemitism report cards, incorporating recent events like pro-Palestinian activism, with some schools' grades changing.
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With never-before-seen security cam footage, movie brings viewers inside tense hostage crisis at Texas synagogue
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.
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.
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Protests, political action in France after alleged antisemitic rape of 12-year-old Jewish girl
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.
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.
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.
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Wikipedia called the ADL ‘unreliable.’ It's a wake-up call the civil rights organization badly needs
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 ›
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.
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.
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.
The article explores the concept of noticing what is not seen, using the analogy from Sherlock Holmes' story "The Adventure of Silver Blaze."
Social media presents a significant challenge in maintaining modesty, especially in terms of self-promotion and sharing personal content.
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.
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.
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.
The letters from the summer 2024 issue discuss various topics in the Jewish community.
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.
The text discusses the Jewish perspective on inclusion, equity, and justice, particularly in the context of recent debates within the community.
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 ›
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.
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Ahead of Bowman-Latimer primary, Jewish get-out-the-vote effort says ‘Antisemitism is on the ballot’
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.
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We're in a psychological war with 'the greatest propaganda machine in history' — will we survive it?
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.
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She came to New York hoping to escape Israeli politics. Instead, she founded a protest movement
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.
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Shany Granot-Lubaton came to NYC hoping to escape Israeli politics. Instead, she founded a protest movement
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.
The text discusses the contentious relationship between former U.S. President Barack Obama and Israel, highlighting key issues that caused tension.
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.
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.
Jewish Law ›
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.
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.
The discussion delves into the Torah's teachings on military ethics, particularly in the context of Israel's past conflicts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lab-grown meat, also known as clean or synthetic meat, is meat grown in a lab from animal cells.
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.
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.
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.
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Equity and Justice Values from a Jewish Perspective: The Jewish value of ongoing practice to make change in ourselves and our communities
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 ›
The text discusses the dynamics of strength and weakness in the Middle East, particularly in relation to Israel and Hezbollah.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ›
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.
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His family survived the Holocaust. He survived long COVID. It's Josh Fox's 'survivor's obligation' to fight the oil industry
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.
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
Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar star in the revival of Cole Porter's musical "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Barbican.
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 ›
"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.
Jews have a long history in Arab countries, predating the Arab conquests.
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 ›
"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.
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 ›
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Hebrew Union College to admit and ordain rabbinical students in interfaith relationships, ending longstanding ban
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.
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.
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.
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 ›
Tzenius, often translated as modesty, holds a deeper meaning revolving around an inner focus on spirituality and self-worth.
Food ›
This article highlights the joys of outdoor cooking and entertaining, particularly in the summer months.
Torah ›
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 ›
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.
Editors' Note
Welcome to JL;DR!
by Matt Sienkiewicz
by Matt Sienkiewicz
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