for Saturday, August 3, 2024

Politics ›

My friend Evan Gershkovich is free. The first thing I want to do with him: Get a bagel

Sam Silverman in Forward

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia on espionage charges, which his friends and family found unimaginable given his character.

0 Politics Israel

‘Rejecting the binary’: Jewish Democratic leaders praise Harris for support Israel and Gazans

Rebecca Massel in Forward

Vice President Kamala Harris and her Jewish husband, Doug Emhoff, spoke at a Passover Seder about Israeli hostages in Gaza and ceasefire negotiations, emphasizing understanding of Jewish American experiences and rejecting binary narratives.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The campaign to tank Josh Shapiro’s VP chances is gathering steam — and accusations of antisemitism

Ron Kampeas in JTA

The campaign to prevent Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Jewish candidate, from becoming Kamala Harris's running mate due to his pro-Israel stance has sparked accusations of antisemitism.

0 Politics Communities

Jewish Dems showcase new energy with Zoom call for Harris and six-figure ad buy

JTA

The Jewish Democratic Council of America organized a virtual event to support Kamala Harris, emphasizing her support for Israel and connectivity to the Jewish community.

0 Politics Israel

Swaps, Assassins and What Comes Next

Jacob Forman in Moment

A prisoner exchange involving Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Vladimir Kara-Murza is highlighted as the largest since the Cold War, with negotiations involving Russian political assassin Vadim Krasikov.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Potential VP Pick Josh Shapiro Puts Jewish Family and Values at the Forefront

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Josh Shapiro, the Jewish Governor of Pennsylvania, is being speculated as a potential Vice Presidential pick by Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 election.

0 Politics Leadership

Israel’s assassinations will not defeat Hamas and Hezbollah, but they are an effective tool for weakening them

Jewish Chronicle

The practice of assassinating key leaders of terror organizations, as recently seen in Israel's targeting of Hamas and Hezbollah figures, is acknowledged not as a decisive defeat tactic but as a tool for weakening these groups by causing psychological damage, disrupting leadership, and sowing fear and distrust.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Democrats used to embrace Jews – now they impose litmus tests

Jewish Chronicle

In a reflection on the evolving relationship between Democrats and Jews, the text discusses the historical acceptance of Jews in the Democratic party, exemplified by Joe Lieberman and his selection as Al Gore's running mate in 2000.

0 Politics History

The Dark Side of Israel

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The text discusses the recent assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, portraying the incident as a sophisticated and remote-controlled bombing operation likely carried out by Mossad operatives with the precision akin to previous Israeli targeted assassinations.

0 Politics Israel

Josh Shapiro's alarmist response to campus protests should disqualify him from being Harris' running mate

Rafael Shimunov in Forward

Rafael Shimunov criticizes Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's response to campus protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, arguing that it disqualifies him from being Kamala Harris' running mate due to his suppression of free speech, comparisons of protesters to white supremacists, and lack of nuanced approach on Palestinian issues.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

The Sabaya

Yaniv Voller in Tablet

The text discusses the term "sabaya" used by both Islamic State militants against Yazidi women and Hamas militants against Israeli female soldiers, highlighting the connection between sexual violence and conflict.

0 Politics Jewish Law

As Evan Gershkovich returns home, another Jewish prisoner's captivity reaches 500 days

Louis Keene in Forward

The article discusses the emotional struggle of Emma Tsurkov, sister of Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Jewish academic abducted by an Iraqi paramilitary group 500 days ago in Baghdad.

Israel ›

0 Israel Food

'They allowed Hezbollah to bombard it': With Israel's north on the brink of war, a chef commits to the land he loves

Rob Eshman in Forward

Chef Erez Komarovsky expresses deep attachment to Israel's north, particularly to his home in Mattat, despite the government's evacuation order following Hezbollah attacks.

0 Israel Politics

I Spent a Month in Israel and I Just Don't Care About Anything Anymore

Emily Alhadeff in The Cholent

The author reflects on their recent trip to Israel during a time of conflict, recalling their past connections to the country and how those ties had faded over the years.

0 Israel Art

In a Tel Aviv jewelry store, a green necklace tells the story of life in Israel during wartime

Aviya Kushner in Forward

In a Tel Aviv jewelry store, a woman's emotional purchase of a green necklace amid ongoing warfare in Israel prompts reflections on the struggles and fears faced by ordinary people during the conflict with Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran.

0 Israel Education

The world forgot our hostages, but my 4-year-old has not

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rachel Hollander Sirner reflects on the challenge of explaining the plight of Israeli hostages in Gaza to her young son, Rafi, who is curious and perceptive.

0 Israel Communities

Why do so many anti-IDF protesters wear yarmulkes?

Rob Eshman in Forward

A concerning trend has been observed in Israel where protesters, many wearing yarmulkes, support anti-liberal causes, particularly amid the growing influence of the deeply religious population in the country.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

How Tropes About Jews Do the Grunt Work for Anti-Israel Activists

Pat Johnson in Future of Jewish

The text discusses how common stereotypes and biases about Jews play a significant role in anti-Israel activism, often without individuals being consciously aware of them.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Among pro-Israel conservatives, concern mounts over isolationism — and antisemitism — on the far right

Ron Kampeas in JTA

Concern is growing within pro-Israel conservative circles due to the rise of isolationism and antisemitism on the far right.

0 Antisemitism Jewish Law

Antsemitism? Probably. But Could it Have Been Avoided?

Emes Ve-Emunah

A London rabbi, registered as a mohel in England, was arrested and charged in Dublin for performing circumcisions on non-Jewish children without authorization in Ireland, facing potential jail time and a hefty fine.

Literature ›

0 Literature Gender/Identity

Is This Anything? - Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s <em>Long Island Compromise</em> reproduces the nullity at the heart of contemporary American Jewish life.

Mitchell Abidor in Jewish Currents

In "Is This Anything? - Taffy Brodesser-Akner's Long Island Compromise," the novel is critiqued for reproducing a sense of emptiness within contemporary American Jewish life.

0 Literature History

A masterful new Kafka book will bring you closer to the writer than ever before

Aviya Kushner in Forward

The article discusses a new book, "Kafka: Selected Stories," which offers a masterful translation by Mark Harman, bringing readers closer to Franz Kafka's world and Jewish identity.

Sports ›

0 Sports Antisemitism

The Jewish Sport Report: A Jewish recap of the opening week of the 2024 Paris Olympics

Jacob Gurvis in JTA

The Jewish Sport Report recaps the opening week of the 2024 Paris Olympics, highlighting significant achievements of Jewish athletes such as Jessica Fox winning two gold medals in canoe paddling.

0 Sports Israel

Israeli judoka Inbar Lanir just medaled in Paris — and is going viral at home for her Oct. 7 selflessness

Ben Sales in JTA

Israeli judoka Inbar Lanir recently won a silver medal in Paris, marking one of Israel's best results in judo since 1992.

Communities ›

0 Communities Antisemitism

British rabbi jailed in Ireland on charges of performing circumcision without a medical license

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

British rabbi Jonathan Abraham was arrested in Ireland for performing circumcisions without a medical license, a practice allowed for Jewish mohels but not for non-Jews in Ireland.

Culture ›

0 Culture Literature

One Building. Five Stories. Infinite Possibilities.

Guest Blogger in Lilith

"Five Stories" by Ellen Weinstein is a place-driven children's picture book that delves into the cultural tapestry of New York City's Lower East Side through five diverse families living in the same tenement building across different periods.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

All the Jewish TV Coming in August 2024

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

In August 2024, Jewish TV shows and events continue to provide quality distractions, including ongoing series like Lady in the Lake and the Olympics.

Education ›

0 Education Jewish Law

Elegy for a gentleman, a scholar, and an avowed Jewish radical with an infectious, beautiful smile

Steven J. Zipperstein in Forward

The article reflects on the life and impact of David Biale, a Jewish scholar and radical known for his infectious smile and unwavering passion for Jewish studies.

Music ›

0 Music History

How a Jewish kid from Upper Manhattan became a rock 'n' roll legend

Jim Sullivan in Forward

Lenny Kaye, known as Patti Smith's collaborator, guitarist, and co-songwriter, is a rock 'n' roll legend stemming from his work on Smith's debut album "Horses" and the compilation album "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968."

Food ›

0 Food Culture

A multicultural husband-and-wife team thinks New York is ready for miso, matcha and gochujang bagels

Julia Gergely in JTA

Lanty Hou and Will Sacks, a multicultural couple combining Taiwanese and Jewish culinary backgrounds, have launched Bagel Joint, a business featuring Asian-Jewish fusion bagels like gochujang and miso creations.

0 Food History

The Simple Pleasures of Bananas and Cream

Jamie Betesh Carter in Tablet

The text reminisces about the author's close relationship with their grandmother, Grandma Molly, who taught them to cook and made every dish feel special.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Television/Film

The Art of Failure

Jewdicious

Ross Kagan Marks, a film director and educator, reflects on his experiences with failure and resilience, emphasizing the importance of learning from setbacks.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Education

USC athletes get crash course on antisemitism in trip to Poland

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

University of Southern California athletes were given a crash course on antisemitism during a trip to Poland as part of the USC Student Leadership Summit organized by the Shoah Foundation.

History ›

0 History Antisemitism

A Brief History of Jew-Haters

Masha Kleiner in Future of Jewish

The text provides a historical overview of the evolution of antisemitism from Biblical times to the 19th century, highlighting key examples of prejudice and violence against Jews.

JL;DR

for Saturday, August 3, 2024

Politics ›

Israel ›

Antisemitism ›

Literature ›

Sports ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Music ›

Food ›

Leadership ›

Holocaust ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

August 3's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Israel ›

Antisemitism ›

Literature ›

Sports ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Music ›

Food ›

Leadership ›

Holocaust ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

August 3's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, August 3, 2024