for Saturday, January 11, 2025

Communities ›

LA fires won't stop bar mitzvahs this Shabbat, as joy and pain meet

Louis Keene in Forward

Despite the devastating wildfires sweeping Los Angeles, which have left many homeless and disrupted daily life, the Jewish community has united to ensure that bar mitzvahs continue as planned.

0 Communities Politics

HIAS cuts 22 staff even as it braces for Trump immigration crackdown

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Facing a challenging financial situation, HIAS, the Jewish refugee advocacy organization, has laid off 22 staff members, including two senior executives, amidst preparations for potential increased anti-immigrant policies under the forthcoming Trump administration.

0 Communities Leadership

A synagogue that survived the Palisades fire has become a ‘refuge’ for many who lost their homes

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation in Pacific Palisades, California, uniquely survived the devastating fires that swept through the neighborhood, destroying numerous homes and buildings.

0 Communities Culture

When fire spread to West Hollywood, a rabbi's mom chose to grab candlesticks

Samuel Eli Shepherd in Forward

Amidst the devastating fires in Los Angeles, Mushka Lightstone chose to save her family's Shabbat candlesticks, symbolizing the deep spiritual significance they hold.

0 Communities Politics

A Jewish day school finds itself at a pivotal intersection — literally — of New York’s congestion pricing

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

The recent implementation of congestion pricing in New York City is affecting the commute of families and staff at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School, a Jewish day school located at the edge of the congestion zone.

0 Communities History

What a remarkable Torah rescued from Iran — then LA's fire — can teach about community amid devastation

Rob Eshman in Forward

In the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire that destroyed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, the resilience of the Jewish community shines through the story of a remarkable Torah.

0 Communities History

Heeding the call of Jewish reengagement through history

eJewishPhilanthropy

In response to the complexities of the modern Jewish diaspora and the events following October 7, there has been a notable surge in Jewish communal participation and a reawakening of interest in Jewish history as a means of resilience and connection.

0 Communities Culture

After 15 months of war, Israelis are all scaffolding, helping hold each other up

Jessica Steinberg in Forward

The author reflects on the pervasive sense of mourning and resilience in Israeli society amid ongoing conflict and recent tragedies.

0 Communities Leadership

Their Pacific Palisades synagogue is standing, but all three rabbis lost their homes

Louis Keene in Forward

Rabbis from Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, including Senior Rabbi Amy Bernstein, are grappling with the loss of their homes due to the devastating Palisades Fire, which destroyed roughly 17,000 acres and claimed the residences of numerous community members, including Jewish celebrities.

0 Communities Culture

Melissa Rivers Rescued Mom Joan Rivers’ Only Emmy from Devastating Palisades Fires

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

As devastating fires swept through Southern California, many, including Jewish celebrities, faced immense loss.

Politics ›

0 Politics Education

What the Media Misses

Emily Alhadeff in The Cholent

Emily Alhadeff critiques a New York Times opinion by Pamela Paul on the American Historical Association's condemnation of Israel's impact on Gaza's education system.

0 Politics Communities

London Police ask upcoming pro-Palestinian rally to move away from synagogue

Ben Sales in Forward

A pro-Palestinian march planned by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in London is challenging police orders to change its starting point, which is close to the historic Central Synagogue.

0 Politics Israel

Has the War in Gaza Diminished US Support for Israel?

Emes Ve-Emunah

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that imposes sanctions on those cooperating with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) efforts to prosecute Israeli leaders, reflecting steadfast U.S. support for Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Israel’s judicial overhaul is back. So are the protests.

Ben Sales in Forward

Israel is witnessing a resurgence of mass protests against renewed judicial overhaul proposals by the government led by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, with the support of Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

0 Politics History

A President's Inconvenient Palestinian Facts

Michael Golden in Future of Jewish

Michael Golden explores the complex history of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, focusing on President Bill Clinton's reflections on the failed Oslo Accords negotiations where Yasser Arafat ultimately rejected a significant peace proposal.

0 Politics Ethics

Jews excel at collective organizing. The LA fires are a call to rally resources to fight climate change

Rabbi Jennie Rosenn in Forward

Rabbi Jennie Rosenn highlights the detrimental impact of wildfires in the Los Angeles area, reflecting on the urgent need for collective Jewish organizing and action against climate change.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

This is not a good way to fight antisemitism.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's article critiques the universalistic approach taken by some Jewish initiatives like the Stand Up to Hate campaign and the Rally for Humanity when addressing antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Politics

A rabbi and his son were arrested for vandalizing a swastika mural. Are they heroes or hooligans?

Andrew Lapin in JTA

In a highly polarizing incident, Zechariah Mehler and his father, a retired rabbi, were arrested for vandalizing a Milwaukee mural depicting a swastika inside a Jewish star, criticizing it as antisemitic and threatening.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Why the longest hatred isn’t going anywhere soon

Jewish Chronicle

In his new book, Shalom Lappin, a Jewish academic specializing in artificial intelligence, explores the resurgence of antisemitism, particularly its manifestations on the academic left.

Culture ›

0 Culture Gender/Identity

Interview | An Israeli-Yemeni Woman Embraces the Culture She Tried for Years to Avoid

Debby Waldman in Moment

Ayelet Tsabari's debut novel, "Songs for the Brokenhearted," explores the nuanced relationship of an Israeli-Yemeni woman grappling with her cultural identity.

0 Culture Communities

She chronicled life's magic moments — the milestones and the mundane

Jodi Rudoren in Forward

Sally Friedman, a Jewish journalist renowned for her wry and heartfelt columns on everyday life, passed away at the age of 86.

0 Culture Communities

These Unique Jewish Baby Names Will Trend in 2025

Daci Platt in Kveller

Kveller has identified a trend among Jewish parents of seeking unique and pronounceable Jewish baby names.

Sports ›

0 Sports Communities

Jewish hockey player Ozzy Wiesblatt’s unlikely journey to the NHL

Jacob Gurvis in JTA

Ozzy Wiesblatt, at 22, made headlines for his debut with the NHL's Nashville Predators, marking a significant milestone in his and his family's journey.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Culture

‘Here’s why I need to be fatter ’

Jewish Chronicle

The author's narrative interweaves their lifelong struggles with body image and societal weight standards with the practicalities and emotional complexities of undergoing a mastectomy revision.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Politics

How unhealthy is Uncensored? Piers Morgan’s show and the theatre of rage

Jewish Chronicle

Piers Morgan's show, "Uncensored," serves as a platform for contentious debates on the Middle East conflict, yet risks amplifying extremist views by inviting polarizing guests like Roger Waters and Jeremy Corbyn.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Politics

How to Criticize Israel — A Guide

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Nachum Kaplan's essay provides an in-depth guide on how to criticize Israel impartially, underscoring the importance of differentiating legitimate critique from antisemitism.

JL;DR

for Saturday, January 11, 2025

Communities ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Sports ›

Gender/Identity ›

Television/Film ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 11's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Sports ›

Gender/Identity ›

Television/Film ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 11's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, January 11, 2025