JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

Shiva From Afar

Devora Steinmetz in Lehrhaus

Devora Steinmetz reflects on modern bereavement practices in light of traditional Jewish law, focusing on the phases of mourning—aninut and shiva—and the influence of technology like Zoom.

0 Jewish Law Israel

Third Time’s a Charm

Jeremy England in Tablet

Jeremy England explores the paradox of religious freedom for Jews in America versus Israel, particularly focusing on the restrictions on Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount.

Culture ›

0 Culture Leadership

Jesse Cogan, ad exec who coined the slogan ‘Turn Friday Night into Shabbos,’ dies at 74

Ari Goldman in JTA

Jesse Cogan, renowned for coining the iconic Jewish outreach slogan "Turn Friday Night into Shabbos," has passed away at age 74.

0 Culture Language

The Yiddish Word that Keeps Me Warm During Winter

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Lior Zaltzman whimsically explores the Yiddish term "gatkes," meaning long underwear, and the cultural warmth it conveys.

0 Culture Education

Gratitude is next to Godliness

Jewish Chronicle

The Clean Speech Project, initiated by Jewish educators, has expanded from Colorado to the UK, encouraging positive communication to counter negative dialogue in social media.

0 Culture History

For Bob Dylan and Laszlo Toth, Jewish reinvention has its limits

PJ Grisar in Forward

The films "The Brutalist" and "A Complete Unknown" explore Jewish identities and how pasts influence artistic renaissances.

0 Culture Communities

‘Shalom’? Or ‘Happy Jew Day’?

Jewish Chronicle

The article reflects on the experience of being greeted with "Shalom" by non-Jews in London shortly after the October 7 attacks.

0 Culture Israel

10 Short Stories That Perfectly Portray Israeli Culture

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman offers a colorful glimpse into Israeli culture through ten short stories that capture its unique characteristics.

Politics ›

0 Politics Ethics

The Pros and Cons of a Hostage Deal

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Israel is currently deliberating a ceasefire deal with Hamas regarding the release of hostages taken on October 7, 2023, during a conflict that has lasted over fifteen months.

0 Politics Israel

Will a hostage deal happen this week?

Ben Sales in Forward

Recent developments in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict hint at an imminent hostage release deal facilitated by diplomatic efforts from the United States, Qatar, and other Arab nations.

0 Politics Israel

Is a ceasefire and hostage deal imminent? Israel, Hamas, Biden and Trump all signal yes.

Ben Sales in JTA

Amid longstanding negotiations between Israel and Hamas, there is renewed optimism about a possible hostage deal, coinciding with the transition of U.S. presidential administrations.

0 Politics Israel

Why is Netanyahu poised to OK a ceasefire that's favorable to Hamas? One word: Trump

Dan Perry in Forward

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to accept a ceasefire with Hamas largely influenced by geopolitical factors, notably the impending presidency of Donald Trump.

0 Politics Antisemitism

B’Ivrit | Israeli Media’s Muted Response to Trump’s “ReTruth”

Nathan Guttman in Moment

Israeli media displayed a moderated response to Donald Trump's 'ReTruth' of a video containing antisemitic rhetoric by Jeffrey Sachs, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of influencing U.S. foreign policy negatively.

0 Politics Television/Film

Alamo Drafthouse employees petition to scrap screenings of 1972 Munich film ‘September 5’

PJ Grisar in Forward

Employees at the Alamo Drafthouse in New York City have petitioned to halt screenings of Tim Fehlbaum's film "September 5," which focuses on the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre, labeling it as Zionist propaganda.

0 Politics Israel

Some Hopeful News and Some Bad News

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses two major developments related to Israel and the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

0 Politics History

Past Presidents, Jewish Precedents: Inaugurations and the Jewish Electorate

Sienna Drew in Moment

Sienna Drew explores the historical influence of Jewish communities on U.S. presidential inaugurations, focusing on the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Barack Obama.

0 Politics Communities

British authorities chastise a Jewish charity for fundraising for an Israeli soldier

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

British authorities have reprimanded a London Chabad center for fundraising for an Israeli soldier, which violates UK law prohibiting donations to foreign militaries.

0 Politics Israel

Jake Sullivan’s Mental Prison (A Sequel)

Peter Beinart in The Beinart Notebook

Peter Beinart critically assesses outgoing National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's interview at the 92nd Street Y, highlighting Sullivan's language as Orwellian, filled with euphemisms that obscure the harsh realities faced by Palestinians.

0 Politics Education

Universities work to settle discrimination cases in waning days of the Biden administration

Haley Cohen in Jewish Insider

In the final days of the Biden administration, universities are hastily settling antisemitism cases amidst anticipation of stricter enforcement from the incoming Trump administration.

Literature ›

0 Literature Language

Franz Kafka’s Hebrew writings are now on view in New York City

Lisa Keys in JTA

Franz Kafka's lesser-known Hebrew writings are featured in a new exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City, highlighting the Jewish influences in his work.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Jewish groups pushed Meta to crack down on hate speech. Now, the company is reversing course.

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently reversed its strict regulations against hate speech, a move that has alarmed Jewish organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and World Jewish Congress.

Communities ›

0 Communities Holidays

His home did not survive the Eaton Fire. But one precious family heirloom did.

Louis Keene in Forward

Josh Kotler faced the devastating loss of his Altadena home in the notorious Eaton Fire, which consumed over 6,500 structures in Northeast Los Angeles.

0 Communities Politics

They converted to Judaism in Colombia. Why won’t Israel let them make aliyah?

Olivia Haynie in Forward

"Torah Tropical" is a documentary that explores the challenges faced by Colombian converts to Orthodox Judaism, known as "judíos emergentes," in their quest to make aliyah to Israel.

0 Communities Education

Remembering Bernie Marcus

Steve Lipman in Jewish Action

Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of Home Depot, was a prominent philanthropist whose influence extended deeply into Jewish communities, particularly in Atlanta.

0 Communities Politics

A South African Jew asks: Is it time to go?

Future of Jewish

Howard Sackstein, the chairperson of the SA Jewish Report, reflects on the uncertain future of the Jewish community in South Africa, given the rising antisemitism and government's radical Islamist sympathies.

0 Communities Leadership

Our responsibility to rebuild and sustain

eJewishPhilanthropy

Professor Steven Windmueller explores the pivotal role of Jewish communal leaders in the aftermath of devastating fires that have affected Los Angeles, home to a significant Jewish population.

0 Communities Culture

‘I can’t picture myself without going to the temple’: LA teens mourn their synagogue’s destruction

Ella Bilu in JTA

The article reports on the profound impact and resilience of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center community after their 80-year-old synagogue was destroyed in a fire.

0 Communities Ethics

Jewish values will guide us through this crisis, as they always have

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Noah Farkas reflects on the recent wildfires in California and the profound Jewish response characterized by communal solidarity and acts of kindness.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Politics

Who is Ari Berman, the rabbi who will deliver a benediction at Trump’s inauguration?

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, will deliver a benediction at Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

A New Netflix Show About Jewish Host Jerry Springer Asks None of the Right Questions

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

The Netflix documentary "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action" seeks to explore the legacy of Jerry Springer, a Jewish broadcaster whose infamous talk show redefined reality TV.

Education ›

0 Education Ethics

From Stress to Success: 5 Tips to Help Students Stay Calm and Do Well During Midterm Season

Sari Kopitnikoff in Jewish Action

Midterm season can be a challenging time for students, but Sari Kopitnikoff offers practical advice to navigate it with ease and confidence.

0 Education Ethics

From Stress to Success: 5 Tips to Help Students Stay Calm and Do Well During Midterm Season

Sari Kopitnikoff in Jewish Action

As midterms weigh heavily on students, managing stress becomes crucial.

History ›

0 History Communities

‘Like the burning bush’: Rabbi’s book survives Holocaust – and the Los Angeles fire

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Amid the devastation of a wildfire in Pasadena that destroyed Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater's home, a singular book emerged unscathed: "Sacred Fire" by Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, a Holocaust survivor.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Politics

Letters to the Editor: Raphael Jospe and Zach Truboff

Letters to the Editor in Lehrhaus

Raphael Jospe challenges the usage of the term "tinkering" in the intellectual context of Jewish theology, arguing that figures like Louis Jacobs were not merely tinkering but actively engaged in significant philosophical synthesis.