for Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Antisemitism ›

Deborah Lipstadt, exiting as US antisemitism envoy, is hoping for the best under Trump

Lauren Markoe in JTA

Deborah Lipstadt, concluding her tenure as the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, expressed uncertainty about her successor's capability under the incoming Trump administration but expressed confidence in Marco Rubio, the nominee for Secretary of State.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Lipstadt has ‘hope’ Trump team will build on her antisemitism work

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Deborah Lipstadt, the Biden administration's special envoy to counter antisemitism, expresses cautious optimism that the incoming Trump administration will maintain her efforts in combating antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Nearly half the globe has ‘elevated levels’ of antisemitic beliefs, ADL survey finds

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports a significant rise in global antisemitic beliefs, with nearly half of adults worldwide exhibiting such attitudes, according to their Global 100 survey.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Well done to the Met for standing up to Gaza mob

Jewish Chronicle

The article critiques the failure of left-wing solidarity with British Jews amidst rising antisemitism linked to pro-Palestinian activism following the October 7 Hamas massacre.

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.

Literature ›

0 Literature Jewish Law

Letters, Winter 2025

Jewish Review of Books

Alexandra Popoff's response to Gary Saul Morson's review of her biography of Ayn Rand debates the interpretation of Rand's literary influences and Jewish identity.

0 Literature Culture

Look Ma, No Hands!

Jesse Tisch in Jewish Review of Books

Joseph Epstein, renowned for his wit and formidable career as a writer and editor, has ventured into the personal realm with his memoir "Never Say You've Had a Lucky Life."

0 Literature Politics

Boy Meets Girl Meets Apocalypse

Akiva Schick in Jewish Review of Books

Akiva Schick's review of Benjamin Resnick's novel "Next Stop" explores a dystopian narrative where Israel has mysteriously vanished, sparking authoritarianism and antisemitism globally.

0 Literature Philosophy

“I’m Eighty-Five Years Old, Bubba’leh”

Ariel Horowitz in Jewish Review of Books

In a reflective narrative, Mordechai Yavin-Jesselson—a respected academic, rabbi, and writer—contemplates his life after the death of his wife, Paulina, and his son, Josh.

0 Literature Philosophy

A Need for Roots

Adam Kirsch in Jewish Review of Books

The article discusses the complexities of Simone Weil's personal and intellectual life through her family correspondence, translated into English as "A Life in Letters."

0 Literature Politics

Bellow after Gaza: Rereading To Jerusalem and Back

Elliot Kaufman in Jewish Review of Books

Elliot Kaufman revisits "To Jerusalem and Back," Saul Bellow's 1976 literary-political travelogue, exploring its enduring relevance amidst Israel's ongoing tensions.

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.

History ›

0 History Language

Scattered Seeds: The Origins of Diaspora

Malka Z. Simkovich in Jewish Review of Books

Malka Z. Simkovich explores the origin and significance of the term "diaspora" as coined during the translation of the Hebrew Torah into the Greek Septuagint in the late third century BCE.

0 History Communities

Dusting Off the Old Stories

Richard Kreitner in Jewish Review of Books

Richard Kreitner reviews Adam Jortner's book "A Promised Land," which recasts early American Jewish history by integrating more evidence-backed narratives.

0 History Antisemitism

Our Misfortune

Allan Arkush in Jewish Review of Books

Frederick C. Beiser's book delves into the tumultuous period for Jews in Germany during the 1870s, exploring the rise of antisemitism which emerged despite the newfound equal rights after the unification of the German Empire.

0 History Gender/Identity

One Book, One Hadassah: ‘The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum’

Leah F. Finkelshteyn in Hadassah

Margalit Fox's biography, "The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum," explores the intriguing life of Fredericka "Ma" Mandelbaum, a Jewish immigrant who became a notorious organized crime leader in 19th-century New York.

0 History Music

The concert where Paul Robeson was warned not to sing in Yiddish

Igor Mazin in Forward

In 1949, African-American singer and activist Paul Robeson performed in Moscow amid a climate of intense antisemitism following the murder of Solomon Mikhoels and the imprisonment of Jewish figures.

0 History Politics

The Nazi Roots of Hamas

Daniel Greenfield in Future of Jewish

Daniel Greenfield discusses the origins of Hamas within the ideological framework of the Muslim Brotherhood and its historical connections to Nazism.

Politics ›

0 Politics History

Who Accuses?

Lauren Gottleib Lockshin in Jewish Review of Books

The article explores the influential role of Bernard Lazare, a Jewish writer, in the early developments of the Dreyfus Affair, focusing on how his work preceded and informed Émile Zola's famed "J'Accuse."

0 Politics Israel

Pete Hegseth, in Senate confirmation hearing, blames Oct. 7 on US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Andrew Lapin in JTA

In a contentious Senate confirmation hearing for his nomination as U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee, attributed the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and Russia's invasion of Ukraine to President Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

0 Politics Ethics

The Total Neglect of an Ongoing Hostage Crisis

Jen Gilman Porat in Future of Jewish

Jen Gilman Porat critiques the lack of attention given to the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza, drawing attention to the silence regarding hostages in the criticism of Israel's military operations.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Javier Milei, Argentina’s pro-Israel president, is first non-Jew to win ‘Jewish Nobel’

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Javier Milei, President of Argentina, has made history as the first non-Jew to receive the Genesis Prize, often referred to as the Jewish Nobel.

0 Politics Israel

Pete Hegseth in confirmation hearing: ‘I’m a Christian and I robustly support the state of Israel'

PJ Grisar in Forward

Pete Hegseth, nominated by Donald Trump for Secretary of Defense, expressed strong support for Israel and Christian Zionism during his Senate confirmation hearing.

0 Politics Israel

Blinken: Israelis must drop WB annexation and accept Palestinian state if they want peace and security

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken strongly urged Israelis to abandon plans for West Bank annexation and recognize the necessity of creating a Palestinian state to ensure peace and security in the region.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Why Amnesty won’t get another penny of my money

Jewish Chronicle

The author recounts their disillusionment with Amnesty International, once seen as a paragon of human rights activism.

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.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

The Big Schlep

Emil Stern in Jewish Review of Books

The film "A Real Pain," directed by Jesse Eisenberg, follows two American Jewish cousins, David and Benji, on a heritage trip to Poland post their grandmother's death.

0 Television/Film Culture

The Big Schlep

Emil Stern in Jewish Review of Books

"A Real Pain," a film by Jesse Eisenberg, explores the journey of two Jewish American cousins, David and Benji, as they navigate a heritage tour in Poland after their Holocaust-survivor grandmother's death.

0 Television/Film History

A lost film about Jewish immigrants on the Lower East Side returns to the big screen in NYC

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Breaking Home Ties, a silent film from 1922 about Russian Jewish immigrants on New York's Lower East Side, has been rediscovered and restored for the New York Jewish Film Festival.

0 Television/Film Art

Can one of our most problematic musicals finally overcome its racist past?

Rebecca Salzhauer in Forward

"Show/Boat: A River," directed by David Herskovits, revisits the classic musical "Show Boat" in the context of its controversial racial themes, blending criticism with homage.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy History

“As Long as You’re Healthy”: Paul Mendes-Flohr (1941–2024)

Benjamin Balint in Jewish Review of Books

Paul Mendes-Flohr, a renowned scholar of Jewish philosophy and a leading authority on Martin Buber, passed away at 83.

Culture ›

0 Culture Antisemitism

Ghosts of Hooligans Past

Mark Glanville in Jewish Review of Books

Mark Glanville, recounting his experiences as a Jewish teenager entrenched in the violent world of British football hooliganism, reflects on the allure of camaraderie amidst antisemitism and violence.

0 Culture Education

A Fight or Flight Response

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Exploring the psychological roots of emotional eating, Cindy Scarr delves into how stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, or please—affect eating behaviors.

0 Culture Philosophy

The Aging Priests of Atheism

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article explores a perceived decline in atheism among Western intellectuals, arguing that the cultural shift towards faith is part of a larger reaction against extreme secularism and "wokeness."

0 Culture Communities

The Story of Oscar Winner Marlee Matlin’s Bat Mitzvah Is Just So Moving

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Marlee Matlin, the first deaf actor to win an Academy Award, shared a moving account of her Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Bene Shalom in Skokie, Illinois.

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.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust History

In Memory of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

Vasily Grossman in Jewish Review of Books

Vasily Grossman's poignant essay, written but censored in 1948, is a moving tribute to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and its fighters.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

'The rabbis did disaster pretty well’: Amid wildfires, LA Jews cope with regret — and rancor

Rob Eshman in Forward

In the wake of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Jewish communities are grappling with significant loss while drawing on a strong tradition of mutual support and resilience.

0 Communities Ethics

L.A. Burning

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article "L.A. Burning" by Cindy Scarr provides a harrowing account of the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, which have devastated suburban areas and displaced over 100,000 people.

0 Communities Antisemitism

Israelis with Soviet roots unite in solidarity in Tel Aviv amid the war

Larry Luxner in JTA

Amid heightened tensions and security challenges in Israel, over 500 Israelis with roots from former Soviet states gathered in Tel Aviv for a Limmud FSU festival celebrating Jewish learning and community solidarity.

0 Communities Education

A new approach to lay empowerment in the Jewish community

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish communities thrive on strong religious leadership and empowered laity, but recent discourse has focused less on lay empowerment.

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.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Education

Say Sorry

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr's essay highlights the importance of correcting behavior over merely apologizing.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Mood Mix with Yitzy Kaplowitz

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Yitzy Kaplowitz is an accomplished Jewish musician whose work blends diverse styles with an intention to connect deeply with Hashem.

0 Music Culture

Striking a chord for Jewish pride

Jewish Chronicle

Hilton Nathanson founded the charity Bishnat in memory of his father to promote Jewish pride through music, particularly via synagogue singing—a pastime his father cherished deeply.

Education ›

0 Education Israel

Did our Jewish day school prepare us to discuss Israel with our peers in the real world? Yes, and no.

Jonah Bryfman in JTA

Former students of the Hannah Senesh Community Day School in Brooklyn share their experiences transitioning to diverse high schools and handling conversations about Israel amidst heightened tensions following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

0 Education Jewish Law

Religious Rights Versus Educational Mandates

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses a federal civil rights complaint filed by the Bobov, Chabad, and Satmar communities against New York's education authorities, claiming discrimination against yeshivas.

Food ›

0 Food Communities

Saffron and Clementine Chicken

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig intertwines a recipe for a Persian-inspired Saffron and Clementine Chicken with reflections on parenting during tumultuous times.

Art ›

0 Art Politics

An Israeli singer and AI entrepreneur dares to visualize peace in the Middle East — Taylor Swift included

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Yoni Bloch, an Israeli singer and AI entrepreneur, has released a music video that optimistically imagines a peaceful future in the Middle East, where Israeli and Iranian athletes embrace and Taylor Swift performs in Tel Aviv.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Education

The real rabbinic crisis

eJewishPhilanthropy

The shortage of non-Orthodox rabbis, exacerbated by the retirement of an older generation and fewer students entering rabbinic programs, represents a systemic failure rather than the result of individual institutional problems or denominations.

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.

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.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Antisemitism ›

Literature ›

History ›

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Philosophy ›

Culture ›

Holocaust ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Music ›

Education ›

Food ›

Art ›

Leadership ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 15's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Antisemitism ›

Literature ›

History ›

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Philosophy ›

Culture ›

Holocaust ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Music ›

Education ›

Food ›

Art ›

Leadership ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 15's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, January 15, 2025