for Thursday, July 11, 2024

Politics ›

What American Jews should know about Project 2025 and its connection to Christian Nationalism

Louis Keene in Forward

Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda attributed to the Heritage Foundation, has become a concern for American Jews due to its potential impact on authoritarianism, religious freedom, and its ties to Christian Nationalism, which many see as rooted in antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

Moment Debate | Who Do You Think Would Make a Better President—Biden or Trump?

Moment in Moment

In a debate between Ushi Teitelbaum and Diana Leygerman on who would make a better president, Teitelbaum supports Trump, citing his leadership, policies, and stance on issues like immigration and crime, while criticizing Biden's performance and foreign policy decisions.

0 Politics Israel

Hello, of course Hamas lied about Palestinian casualty numbers.

Kiyah Willis in Future of Jewish

The text discusses the United Nations revising Gaza casualty statistics during the Israel-Gaza conflict and highlights discrepancies in the numbers reported by Hamas and the UN.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Somber Realities Take Hold Here And In Israel

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

The text discusses somber realities facing Jews in America and Israel.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Jewish Congressman Strikes Back

Jewdicious

U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider faced anti-Semitic vandalism and harassment at his home and office, with a masked mob shouting vile statements and tearing down photos of hostages held by Hamas.

0 Politics Literature

Israel’s former First Lady Lihi Lapid: ‘When I get to politics, each word can be dangerous’

Jennifer Lipman in Jewish Chronicle

Lihi Lapid, Israel's former First Lady and a successful writer, discusses her foray into politics, highlighting the caution required in choosing words carefully.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Meet Victoria Starmer, the UK’s First Jewish ‘First Lady’

Thasanya Jayasumana in Kveller

Victoria Starmer, the wife of newly elected U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, recently made her debut as the first Jewish First Lady of Britain, showcasing her style and commitment to public service.

0 Politics Communities

Starmer is a mensch and deserving of our trust

Jewish Chronicle

Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party is praised as trustworthy and commendable, with the party securing a significant majority in the wake of concerns over the Conservative government's performance, including the handling of Partygate and economic issues.

0 Politics Literature

Joe Biden is beginning to look a lot like the biblical Jonah. That's bad news for all of us

Emily Tamkin in Forward

In a commentary drawing parallels between President Joe Biden and the biblical figure Jonah, Emily Tamkin highlights the importance of prioritizing democracy over individual ambitions.

0 Politics Ethics

Has Israel really killed up to 186,000 people in Gaza? How to understand the numbers war

Jessica Trisko Darden in Forward

The debate over the number of civilian deaths in Gaza has been marred by political agendas, hindering a clear understanding of the true human cost of the conflict.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Recommitting to Our Pride as Jews and Zionists

Carol Ann Schwartz in Hadassah

The article highlights the current challenges faced by Israel and the Jewish community, emphasizing the importance of recommitting to Jewish pride and Zionism in the face of increasing hostility and antisemitism.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

Fighting to Hold Hamas Accountable

Lisa Hostein in Hadassah

A group of American and international organizations sent a letter to the United Nations urging them to condemn Hamas for their use of sexual violence against Israeli women and girls.

0 Politics Israel

Democrats clash over aid to Israel at meeting of party platform committee

Ron Kampeas in Forward

The Democratic platform committee recently heard contrasting opinions on the party's stance towards Israel, with some advocating for continued military aid and others calling for cuts.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

Moment Debate | Who Do You Think Would Make a Better President—Biden or Trump?

Moment in Moment

In a Moment Debate between Ushi Teitelbaum and Diana Leygerman on who would make a better president, Teitelbaum supports Trump due to his leadership during his term, especially in foreign policies and business.

0 Communities

Last 3 defendants in Lev Tahor cult abduction case sentenced to more than 10 years in prison

Luke Tress in JTA

Three leaders of the Lev Tahor religious cult received sentences of more than 10 years in prison for child exploitation and kidnapping after abducting two siblings in 2018.

0 Communities History

In the dwindling Jewish community of Moldova, one man fights to keep the old traditions alive

Stella Mackler in Forward

Roman Soibelis, a 78-year-old man living in Beltsy, Moldova, is dedicated to preserving Jewish traditions and assisting the local Jewish community in a region where Jewish heritage was decimated during the Holocaust.

0 Communities Food

David Kachko Katzir’s favourite cream puffs

Jewish Chronicle

David Kachko Katzir was known for his adventurous spirit, love for his family, and passion for carrier pigeons, despite not being a great cook.

0 Communities Ethics

Emotion is not a measure of truth and morality

Jewish Chronicle

Rabbi Dweck discusses the importance of not allowing emotions to solely guide decision-making, particularly in moral matters.

0 Communities Leadership

Yisrael Kleinman // Clearbrook Builders, The Cuttery

Nesanel Gantz in Ami

Yisrael Kleinman, a versatile entrepreneur and social worker, runs Clearbrook Builders, a construction firm, and The Cuttery, a woodworking parts service.

0 Communities Politics

Reclaiming the Urban Virtue of Judging

Hannah Elka Meyers in Tablet

The text discusses the importance of judgment in urban communities and how a rejection of criminal justice's core function of judgment has led to societal changes in New York City, particularly in the Upper West Side.

Culture ›

0 Culture Education

Opinion | A ‘Mixed’ Marriage, a Lifelong Journey

Letty Cottin Pogrebin in Moment

Letty Cottin Pogrebin reflects on her mixed marriage with Bert, who was a logical pragmatist and atheist, while she embraced her Jewish faith fervently.

0 Culture Communities

A hurricane named Beryl, an agonizing plight straight out of the Book of Job

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

In Houston, Hurricane Beryl left over a million people without power, drawing a comparison to the biblical story of Job seeking answers amid suffering.

0 Culture Art

For a Jewish Boricua whose great-grandfather spoke Yiddish, theater is almost a birthright

Miranda Jackel in Forward

Antonia Cruz-Kent, a Jewish Boricua playwright, draws on her family legacy and ancestry in her works, with a focus on themes of loving, mourning, and embracing ancestors from diverse backgrounds.

Miscellaneous

A Return to Mount Olympus

Maggie Phillips in Tablet

The resurgence of interest in ancient Greek polytheism, part of the broader neo-pagan movement, is being observed, with practitioners influenced by pop culture like Percy Jackson as well as scholarly interest.

Israeli kids with life-threatening illnesses find respite from war at Catskills camp

Luke Tress in JTA

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Israel, 28 Israeli children with serious illnesses, including cancer, found a temporary escape at Camp Simcha in the Catskills, New York.

How the IDF is using lessons from Gaza to teach the US how to minimise casualties

Jewish Chronicle

The IDF's Medical Corps, led by Brigadier-General Professor Elon Glassberg, significantly reduced the case fatality rate from 15% in 2006 to 6.5% during the recent Gaza war by deploying more medical personnel closer to the battlefield, streamlining evacuation processes, and using innovative treatments like powdered plasma and whole blood transfusions.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

Holy Delmore

David Mikics in Tablet

Delmore Schwartz, a prominent Jewish writer associated with the New York intellectuals, made a significant impact with his short story "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" and innovative poetry acclaimed by the likes of Allen Tate.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

His Ladder Will Take You to the Zohar

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty

Rav Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag, also known as Baal HaSulam, was a key figure in popularizing Kabbalah and the Zohar in the 20th century.

0 Jewish Law Israel

I believe in Israel’s Chief Rabbinate. Here’s how we can ensure its legitimacy.

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Kenneth Brander shares insights on the challenges facing Israel's Chief Rabbinate, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and responsive institution that can serve the diverse Jewish population in Israel and beyond.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Education

NYU settles suit brought by Jewish students who claimed discrimination in wake of Oct. 7

Julia Gergely in JTA

New York University settled a discrimination lawsuit brought by Jewish undergraduate students following incidents of antisemitism on campus by paying the plaintiffs and establishing a new coordinator position focused on tackling discrimination, including antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Politics

French Jews are caught between ‘les extrêmes’

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

In France, the recent defeat of Marine Le Pen's far-right party in elections by a left-wing coalition has left many French Jews conflicted.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Former Disney Star Raviv Ullman Is a Jewish Dad!

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Actor and former Disney star Raviv Ullman, also known as Ricky Ullman, has recently become a Jewish father with his wife, Julia Pott, who is an animator and illustrator.

0 Television/Film Culture

TV review: A Family Affair ‘A silly film that offers excellent escapism’

Jewish Chronicle

"A Family Affair" is a light-hearted rom-com available on Netflix that follows the story of a young assistant, Zara, to a famous actor, Chris, played by Jewish actors Zac Efron and Joey King.

Art ›

0 Art Communities

Jessica Hecht’s ‘Campfire’ Burns Bright

Annabelle Gurwitch in Hadassah

Actress Jessica Hecht, known for her role in Fiddler on the Roof, developed The Campfire Project to provide creative healing for young refugees globally.

0 Art Politics

How Israeli Extremists Hijacked the Biennale in Italy

YJ in Future of Jewish

Israeli extremists have caused the closure of the Israel pavilion at the Venice Biennale, a prestigious international art exhibition, by demanding a ceasefire and the release of hostages before opening it to the public.

Sports ›

0 Sports Israel

Claire Weinstein, Jessica Fox and 12 other Jewish athletes to watch in the 2024 Paris Olympics

Jacob Gurvis in JTA

The 2024 Paris Olympics will feature a strong Jewish presence, with notable athletes like Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat, American wrestler Amit Elor, Australian canoe paddler Jessica Fox, and US fencer Nick Itkin among those to watch.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Dilled Rice with Limas and Sugar Snaps

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

The text discusses a recipe for Dilled Rice with Limas and Sugar Snaps, which is a variation on a traditional Persian dish called Baghali polo.

0 Food Politics

Trump’s bacon remark wasn’t kosher, but it may be right

PJ Grisar in Forward

Donald Trump recently lamented the decline in bacon consumption in America, attributing it to rising prices, despite his personal wealth.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

Israeli hospital has been quietly harboring 24 patients from Gaza and their families since October

Susan Greene in Forward

The Sheba Medical Center in Israel has been quietly providing treatment and shelter for 24 seriously ill patients from Gaza and their families since before October.

0 Israel Jewish Law

Two Messages: The Moetzes and Rav Weiss

Emes Ve-Emunah

The Moetzes of the American Agudah issued a message portraying the situation for Torah scholars in Israel as a spiritual holocaust due to government decrees demanding military service.

0 Israel Politics

Battle over bodies: Israel is holding a dead Palestinian prisoner as leverage for Gaza hostages

Ben Lynfield in Forward

Israel is withholding the body of deceased Palestinian prisoner Walid Daqqa, who spent 38 years in prison, in the hopes of using it as leverage in negotiations with Hamas for Israeli hostages in Gaza.

0 Israel Culture

The Over-Romanticism of Israel

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The text discusses the "over-romanticism of Israel" that some people fall into, highlighting how Israel is often idealized beyond its complex realities, including internal socio-political challenges, geopolitical issues, and the diverse population's daily lives.

0 Israel Communities

Decolonization Nation // Members of some other tribes offer insight

Avi Shafran in Ami

While some Native Americans compare Israel to a colonial power, indigenous groups like Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem and the Indigenous Coalition For Israel support Israel, recognizing Jews as indigenous to the Holy Land.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Communities

Jewish Life Stories: An Israeli-American soldier falls in battle

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Sergeant First-Class Yakir Shmuel Tatelbaum, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier from Michigan who died in battle in Gaza, was remembered for his dedication to his country and his desire to contribute even in death by donating organs.

0 Holocaust Israel

When a Cowboy Hat Meets a Shtreimel // My years with the Klausenberger Rebbe, zt”l

Ami Magazine in Ami

The text discusses the legacy of the Klausenberger Rebbe, particularly focusing on his experiences during the Holocaust, his founding of Laniado Hospital in Netanya as a beacon of hope and fulfillment of a vow made during that time, and his impact on survivors and the medical field in Israel.

Music ›

0 Music Literature

This new musical stars a thoroughly modern Moses

Deborah Cicurel in Jewish Chronicle

A new musical titled "Go!" brings a fresh perspective to the story of Moses and the Exodus, focusing on his complexities as a character and the challenges he faced after leading the people out of Egypt.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

What price would you be willing to pay to give your child a Jewish education?

Jewish Chronicle

Jewish independent schools in the UK are facing potential financial challenges due to Labour's proposed policies of levying VAT on school fees at private schools and removing business rates relief.

0 Education Science

Is ADHD Really a Disorder? // Two mental health practitioners express very different views on the condition and its treatment

Rechy Frankfurter in Ami

Dr. Yaakov Ophir, a clinical psychologist and author, challenges the idea that ADHD is a valid and helpful diagnosis, arguing that there are no objective physiological markers to prove its existence and that the criteria used to define it are subjective.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Literature

The End of Contradiction: Resolving the Mysteries of The Guide to the Perplexed

Josh Frankel in Lehrhaus

"The Guide to the Perplexed" by Moses Maimonides has long been shrouded in mystery and controversy within Jewish circles.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Jewish Law

How the Lubavitcher Rebbe Teaches Us to Transcend Ourselves

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty

The article discusses the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, focusing on the importance of collectivity, generosity, and empathy as ways to transcend oneself.

JL;DR

for Thursday, July 11, 2024

Politics ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Miscellaneous

Literature ›

Jewish Law ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Art ›

Sports ›

Food ›

Israel ›

Holocaust ›

Music ›

Education ›

Philosophy ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

July 11's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Thursday, July 11, 2024

Politics ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Miscellaneous

Literature ›

Jewish Law ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Art ›

Sports ›

Food ›

Israel ›

Holocaust ›

Music ›

Education ›

Philosophy ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

July 11's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, July 11, 2024