JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Culture ›

0 Culture Philosophy

If not now, then how about some other time?

Hal Niedzviecki in Future of Jewish

Hal Niedzviecki explores his personal struggle with Jewish identity amidst the turbulence of the year 5784, a time marked by antisemitic protests and personal losses.

0 Culture History

Parshas Vayigash: Home Is Where the Heart Is

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article explores the enduring connection between Jewish people and the Land of Israel, anchored by the biblical story of Yaakov's conversation with Pharaoh in Parshas Vayigash.

0 Culture Education

Light in London

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

A grand Torah celebration took place at London's Copper Box Arena, originally built for the 2012 Olympic Games, drawing 10,000 participants from across Europe for Dirshu's siyum on Maseches Shabbos within their Amud Yomi program.

0 Culture Communities

8 fascinating Jewish news stories from 2024 that you might have missed

JTA Staff in JTA

The article highlights eight intriguing yet underreported Jewish stories from 2024.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Short on New Year resolutions? I have one for you: be proud Jews

Jewish Chronicle

Amidst increasing global antisemitism, the author proposes a New Year's resolution for Jews: to embrace Jewish pride and identity.

0 Culture Communities

The JC blind date: ‘It felt more fireplace than fireworks’

Jewish Chronicle

Leor, a 32-year-old musician, and Charlotte, a 33-year-old finance professional, participated in a blind date arranged by the JC.

0 Culture Politics

I can think of at least three reasons for Jews to be in happy in 2025

Jewish Chronicle

In a reflection on the current state of Jewish life and resilience, the author identifies three reasons for optimism in 2025 amidst challenging times.

0 Culture Television/Film

25 fairly feasible pop culture predictions for 2025

PJ Grisar in Forward

PJ Grisar humorously outlines 25 pop culture predictions for 2025, blending speculative fun with Jewish cultural references.

Communities ›

0 Communities Ethics

The Moment: Issue 1043

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rabbi Zevi Trenk's home in Flatbush embodies the Jewish principle of hachnassas orchim, serving as a welcoming place for guests while emphasizing the importance of making a positive impression in the community.

0 Communities Culture

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

When there's a significant age gap between siblings, familial dynamics can drastically differ, as seen in the stories of Jewish families where teens experience new siblings.

0 Communities Education

Family First Inbox: Issue 925

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The conversation featured in the collection of letters addresses the delicate issue of disclosing mental health treatment on seminary applications and the disparity between questions posed to future seminary students and yeshiva attendees.

0 Communities Ethics

The Maggid’s Message

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rabbi Paysach Krohn shares his deeply personal insights from his time recovering at the Kessler Rehabilitation Institute, highlighting the critical role of bikur cholim in providing both emotional and practical support.

0 Communities Gender/Identity

Jewish Moms Look Back at 2024

Jamie Betesh Carter in Tablet

In "Jewish Moms Look Back at 2024," Jewish mothers reflect on the complexities and challenges they faced over the past year while raising children in a world increasingly marked by antisemitism and cultural tensions.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Communities

The Last Generation of Holocaust Survivors

Hilary Danailova in Hadassah

As the last generation of Holocaust survivors, mostly in their 80s and 90s, reflects on their wartime experiences and life as American Jews, common themes emerge: displacement, hiding, and lingering memories of antisemitism.

Politics ›

0 Politics Culture

The world after Oct. 7, and before Trump 2.0: The essential Jewish conversations of 2024

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward

The year 2024 was marked by intensified Jewish discourse resulting from the trauma of October 7 and the subsequent Israeli conflict, deeply influencing global Jewish communities.

0 Politics Education

Needed: More Yeshiva Students!

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin challenges the charedi claim that yeshiva students' Torah study is crucial for Israel's protection, pointing out the lack of any effort to increase their numbers in Israel by calling upon charedi students abroad to move.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Our 10 most-read Jewish news stories of 2024

JTA Staff in JTA

2024 was marked by heightened tensions both in the Middle East and within U.S. politics, capturing the attention of Jewish Telegraphic Agency readers.

0 Politics Israel

How Predictions for 2024 Panned Out

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

2024 was a year of unpredictable political shifts around the globe, defying forecasts from media and experts alike.

0 Politics Israel

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The piece discusses Israel's current critical situation facing Iran, framing it as a defining chapter for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, often referred to as "Bibi."

0 Politics Israel

Face to Face with Bezalel Smotrich

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's Finance Minister, emerges as a pivotal figure in the current right-wing government, known for his uncharacteristically measured and pragmatic approach amidst regional turmoil and internal discord.

0 Politics Israel

Getting to Know Trump’s Middle East Team

Nathan Guttman in Moment

As Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the political stage, his Middle East team consists of key figures with diverse backgrounds and roles.

0 Politics History

2025 could see a wave of optimism spread across the Middle East

Jewish Chronicle

Seth J. Frantzman discusses the complex and evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, highlighting both ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities for positive change in 2025.

0 Politics Communities

Trump will make the lives of American Jews better, but they won’t thank him for it

Jewish Chronicle

The article argues that despite American Jews' overwhelming support for the Democratic Party, Donald Trump's anticipated 2025 presidency may inadvertently benefit them.

0 Politics History

Have Syria’s new rulers really left jihadism behind?

Jewish Chronicle

Syria's new leadership, particularly Ahmed al-Sharaa of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), presents a complex image as they claim to move away from jihadism.

0 Politics Israel

Israel must use its light to dispel the UN’s darkness

Jewish Chronicle

In this article, Jonathan Harounoff, Israel's international spokesperson to the United Nations, examines the historical and ongoing challenges Israel faces at the UN.

0 Politics History

Why Jews Need to Reappraise and Rethink Jimmy Carter

Nadine Epstein in Moment

Nadine Epstein argues for a reassessment of Jimmy Carter's presidency by the Jewish community, highlighting that while he was initially perceived as unsupportive of Israel, his efforts had significant long-term impacts.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

The truth of the Palestinian cause

Jewish Chronicle

Melanie Phillips discusses the rise of antisemitic rhetoric in Western societies, attributing it to falsehoods and distortions spread by Palestinian entities and echoed by certain Western liberals.

0 Antisemitism Culture

How a One-Time Neo-Nazi Flipped Off His Past

Jewdicious

Arno Michaelis, a former leader in the neo-Nazi movement, recounts his transformation away from hate.

0 Antisemitism History

This belief about Jews is blatantly wrong.

Ariel Yaari in Future of Jewish

Ariel Yaari's essay addresses the widespread misconception that Ashkenazi Jews are not connected to the Middle East, a belief often used to delegitimize their presence in Israel and the Zionist movement.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Communities

Charedi Insight about IDF Service

Emes Ve-Emunah

In an exploration of Charedi perspectives on IDF service, the discussion centers on a debate between Rabbi Shulman, a pseudonymous Charedi scholar, and Rabbi Tzvi Goldstein, a Dati Leumi scholar.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Winter Break that Doesn’t Break the Bank

Chava Cohen in Jewish Action

Chava Cohen, a financial coach, emphasizes the importance of budgeting effectively, particularly when planning for winter vacations, which can be financially challenging.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

When Bob Dylan Sang ‘Hava Nagila’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Bob Dylan's complex Jewish identity is explored in the new biopic "A Complete Unknown," starring Timotheé Chalamet.

History ›

0 History Holocaust

German woman who lives in home looted from Jews must give it up, judge rules

Toby Axelrod in JTA

After a decade of legal battles, a German court has ruled that an 85-year-old woman, Gabriele Lieske, and her son must vacate a property once owned by Jewish caretakers, forcibly sold under Nazi duress in 1939.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Holocaust

How A Real Pain took Jesse Eisenberg on a road trip to his psyche’s ‘ground zero’

Jewish Chronicle

Jesse Eisenberg's new film, "A Real Pain," serves as both a comedic and serious exploration of Jewish identity and historical trauma, featuring a narrative centered on cousins visiting their Holocaust-survivor grandmother's childhood home in Poland.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

Darkenbloom by Eva Menasse review: ‘Utterly gripping and unforgettable days later’

Jewish Chronicle

Eva Menasse's novel "Darkenbloom" is a complex and gripping work set in 1989 Austria, reflecting on the enduring impact of World War II and the Holocaust on a small town.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

Why 'Israel' was the 2024 word of the year

Aviya Kushner in Forward

Throughout 2024, "Israel" has emerged as the defining word of the year, according to Jewish Forward's language columnist Aviya Kushner.

0 Israel Communities

Hanukkah Cholent Day 5: Israel

Emily Alhadeff in The Cholent

Emily Alhadeff reflects on the complex divisions within the Jewish world, particularly highlighted by Israel's conflicts and the realities of Jewish survival.