for Thursday, October 31, 2024

Politics ›

The tension between Israel's dati-leumi and charedi communities has culminated in a crisis, fueled by the charedi community's persistent refusal to serve in the Israel Defense Forces amid severe manpower shortages.

0 Politics Communities

The Abandoned Americans

Peter Savodnik in The Free Press

The piece explores the repercussions of the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which released toxic chemicals into the environment, rendering parts of the town uninhabitable.

0 Politics Israel

Skepticism as Israeli officials indicate war with Lebanon is nearing end

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

Israel is reportedly ready to negotiate an end to its ongoing conflict with Lebanon, although skepticism remains about achieving a lasting cease-fire.

0 Politics Israel

Amish Shah receives pro-Israel plaudits in campaign against Rep. Dave Schweikert

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Amish Shah, a former state legislator in Arizona and a congressional candidate, is receiving positive attention from pro-Israel groups in his campaign against Rep. Dave Schweikert in a competitive Arizona district with a significant Jewish population.

0 Politics Israel

Trump sends mixed messages on Mideast policy in final days of campaign

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Donald Trump's campaign in the final days of the U.S. presidential race presents a complex and often contradictory Middle East policy to appeal to a wide range of voters, including pro-Israel Republicans, isolationists, and disenchanted Muslim and Arab American communities.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

Historic global LGBTQ advocacy group boycotts Israel and suspends Israeli affiliate

Andrew Lapin in JTA

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World) has suspended its Israeli member, The Aguda, and announced it will not consider Tel Aviv as a conference host in 2026 or 2027, citing adherence to its constitution and wider alignments with the Palestinian cause.

0 Politics Culture

Sally Rooney, Percival Everett among thousands of authors pledging to boycott all Israeli literary institutions

Andrew Lapin in JTA

A significant cohort of prominent authors, including Sally Rooney and Percival Everett, are boycotting Israeli literary institutions, citing allegations of genocide in Gaza and a broader protest against Israeli policies.

0 Politics Israel

US pushes back against Israeli laws curtailing main UN agency for the Palestinians

Luke Tress in JTA

Israel's Knesset has passed legislation severely limiting the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) within its territory, including East Jerusalem, amidst allegations of ties between UNRWA staff and Hamas.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Is Elissa Slotkin’s Senate bid in trouble?

Lauren Markoe in Forward

U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin's bid for the U.S. Senate is encountering unexpected challenges as the race against Republican Mike Rogers tightens, with recent polls showing a slim margin between the two.

0 Politics Israel

I have a loved one among the Gaza hostages. Kamala Harris is the candidate I trust to save them

Alana Zeitchik in Forward

Alana Zeitchik shares her personal ordeal with family members held hostage by Hamas and emphasizes her support for Kamala Harris as the U.S. presidential candidate best poised to address this crisis.

0 Politics Communities

Vote 'as a mensch': New campaign to get out the Jewish vote

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a new social media campaign spearheaded by the Jewish Future Alliance is mobilizing Jewish community members to vote under the slogan #DoItForTheShchuna.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Former ADL chief Abe Foxman slams group for muted response to Trump’s MSG rally

JTA

Abe Foxman, former head of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), criticized the organization's current leadership, particularly CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, for not directly condemning Donald Trump's controversial Madison Square Garden rally, which was seen as a display of antisemitism and other bigotries.

0 Politics Philosophy

What does the ‘special relationship’ mean for us?

Jewish Chronicle

Rabbi Dweck explores the concept of friendship, particularly the 'special relationship' between the US, UK, and Israel, in light of the upcoming US elections.

0 Politics Israel

An Open Letter to Those Worried About the 'Poor Palestinians'

Future of Jewish

Ned Blinick's guest essay argues that the ongoing struggles of Palestinians stem largely from their exploitation by both their own leadership and neighboring Arab countries.

0 Politics Leadership

The Durham Dilemma

Armin Rosen in Tablet

Josh Stein, the current North Carolina Attorney General and likely gubernatorial winner, represents a shift in Democratic leadership, focusing on moderation and effective governance.

0 Politics Antisemitism

ADL takes flak for failing to tie bigotry at Madison Square Garden rally to Trump

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) faces criticism for its response to a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, which was marked by bigotry and racist remarks against various minority groups.

0 Politics Holocaust

Donald Trump is no Adolf Hitler.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that equating Donald Trump with Adolf Hitler is an intellectually dishonest oversimplification that minimizes the unprecedented atrocities committed by Hitler.

Communities ›

0 Communities Gender/Identity

Bedouin Women Are Blazing New Trails

Leora Eren Frucht in Hadassah

Eman Bin Nasser is breaking new ground as one of the first Bedouin women in high-tech roles in Israel, challenging traditional societal norms by working as a software engineer in Beersheva despite living in the unrecognized village of Wadi al-Naam with limited resources.

0 Communities Education

What I told my Jewish students about this terrifying political moment

Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson in JTA

Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson speaks candidly to his Confirmation Class at Temple Emanu-El about the daunting political and social climate they are entering.

0 Communities Politics

Kyiv Jewish school damaged in early-morning Russian drone strike

Marcel Gascón Barberá in JTA

A recent Russian drone strike in Kyiv has significantly damaged Perlina Jewish School, part of the Or Avner Chabad educational network, causing extensive structural damage yet miraculously no injuries at the school.

0 Communities History

Jews are part of the very fabric of the Middle East

Jewish Chronicle

This reflection responds to an argument put forward on social media, claiming that Jewish indigeneity to the Middle East is irrelevant in contemporary political contexts.

0 Communities Culture

How do I get this pushy synagogue board member to leave me alone?

Beth Harpaz in Forward

A reader seeks advice on dealing with a pushy synagogue board member who expects them to befriend his socially anxious daughter.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

Abigail Shrier: The Kinderfada Revolution

Abigail Shrier in The Free Press

Abigail Shrier discusses the growing trend of anti-Israel activism within American K-12 schools, focusing on a teachers' union meeting in Los Angeles where educators shared tactics to involve students in anti-Israel protests.

0 Education Communities

Jewish Day School Enrollment Surge Tied to the War

Sue Fishkoff in Hadassah

In the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, Jewish day schools in North America have seen a significant increase in enrollment.

0 Education Israel

Ramping up—and Rethinking— Israel Education

Sue Fishkoff in Hadassah

Jewish day schools in the US are re-evaluating their approach to Israel education following the October 7 Hamas attacks, as educators grapple with teaching students about the conflict and preparing them for potential campus challenges post-graduation.

0 Education Politics

A Vote For Bruce Leon is a Vote for School Choice

Emes Ve-Emunah

Bruce Leon, an Orthodox Jewish candidate for the Chicago School Board, advocates for school choice to address the financial and educational challenges faced by parents opting for parochial schooling, which is often too expensive.

0 Education Leadership

Reimagining supervision through chavruta

eJewishPhilanthropy

Chavruta, a traditional Jewish study method involving paired learning and dialogue, is being reimagined as a tool for enhancing professional relationships in the workplace.

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

Bubble-Wrapping Coates

Tevi Troy in Tablet

Ta-Nehisi Coates' recent interview on CBS, which featured challenging questions about his perspectives on Israel, sparked controversy, highlighting a trend of overly cautious approaches to intellectual debates in media.

0 Culture Food

Jewish candy company Joyva cooks up a Brooklyn-inspired rebranding

Julia Gergely in JTA

Joyva, a century-old kosher candy company established by Jewish immigrant Nathan Radutzky in 1907, is undergoing a significant rebranding to appeal to modern consumers while maintaining its legacy.

0 Culture Gender/Identity

My mother insists that I’m hot

Jewish Chronicle

In a humorous and poignant narrative, the author recounts a chaotic family gathering at a Jewish restaurant, where generational differences, health issues, and traditional family dynamics play out amidst the lively chatter of the patrons.

0 Culture Literature

A Streetwise Jewish Monster From Brooklyn

Andrew Fox in Tablet

Andrew Fox explores the beloved Jewish monster archetype through the character of Ben Grimm, aka 'the Thing' from Marvel's Fantastic Four.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Antisemitism

Learning to Love the Lessons of Jew-Hatred

Raphael Shore in Future of Jewish

Raphael Shore's book, "Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Jew: Learning to Love the Lessons of Jew-Hatred," explores his personal journey from ignorance to a deep exploration of Jewish identity and antisemitism.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Chicago Jews deride mayor’s statement on shooting of Orthodox man

Jacob Gurvis in Forward

Following the shooting of an Orthodox Jewish man in Chicago's West Rogers Park, Mayor Brandon Johnson's response sparked criticism for omitting the victim's Jewish identity.

0 Antisemitism Politics

The warnings from history are piling up for ‘non-Zionist’ Jews

Jewish Chronicle

Antisemitism disguised as anti-Zionism is under scrutiny as recent events highlight the shift from mere rhetoric to overt hostility.

0 Antisemitism Politics

I made the mistake of offering a factual comment on Israel

Jewish Chronicle

Daniel Finkelstein reflects on the repercussions of making a factual comment on Twitter about Israel not targeting children with drones, which led to a barrage of hostile responses.

0 Antisemitism Education

Should outsiders step in to address campus antisemitism? The question is dividing Jews at the U of Washington.

Andrew Lapin in JTA

The University of Washington is grappling with campus antisemitism, sparking debate among its Jewish community about the role of outside organizations in addressing the issue.

Art ›

0 Art Politics

Two new statues in D.C. honor white nationalists — well, sort of

Mira Fox in Forward

Two provocative bronze statues have appeared temporarily near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., offering a satirical commentary on white nationalism and recent American political history.

0 Art Culture

Dance review: Encounters and Legacy: ‘It’s heartening to see modern works’

Jewish Chronicle

The latest productions at the Royal Opera House highlight a vibrant diversification of ballet, showcasing contemporary dance pieces that break from traditional classics.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

9 Iconic Halloween Songs That Were Written By Jews

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Many iconic Halloween songs have surprising Jewish origins, demonstrating the significant contributions of Jewish musicians to this spooky genre.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Communities

If only Chris Hoy had been tested in time, as my dear husband was

Jewish Chronicle

The article highlights the importance of early prostate cancer detection, drawing a poignant comparison between Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and the author's husband, David, both diagnosed with the disease.

0 Ethics Gender/Identity

Women’s reproductive choices are disappearing. Our Jewish values demand we step up.

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article highlights the diminishing access to reproductive choices in the U.S. and emphasizes Jewish values in supporting the right to choose.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Jason Alexander lives out a lifelong dream, playing Tevye in 'Fiddler on the Roof'

PJ Grisar in Forward

Jason Alexander, best known for his role as George Costanza on "Seinfeld," is set to fulfill a lifelong dream by playing Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" at La Mirada Theatre.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

How Robert Caro gets it done

Talya Zax in Forward

Robert Caro, the acclaimed biographer of Robert Moses and Lyndon B. Johnson, continues to dedicate himself to exploring the mechanics of power, both on a local and national scale.

JL;DR

for Thursday, October 31, 2024

Politics ›

Communities ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Philosophy ›

Antisemitism ›

Art ›

Music ›

Ethics ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

October 31's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Communities ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Philosophy ›

Antisemitism ›

Art ›

Music ›

Ethics ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

October 31's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, October 31, 2024