for Thursday, January 16, 2025

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Science

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Space travel poses several halachic questions and considerations, especially as companies like SpaceX make strides toward regular lunar and Mars missions.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Gaza ceasefire is the result of political machination — not Donald Trump

Jay Michaelson in Forward

The recent Gaza ceasefire announcement, hailed as a breakthrough, is not primarily the result of Donald Trump’s influence but rather stems from Israeli political maneuvers.

0 Politics Israel

Why the hostage and ceasefire deal is both reassuring and terrifying

Jodi Rudoren in Forward

Jodi Rudoren reflects on the mixed emotions surrounding a recent hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

0 Politics Israel

Is peace really coming? What about the West Bank? 5 crucial questions for Israel post-ceasefire

Dan Perry in Forward

In the wake of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, significant questions remain regarding the potential for lasting peace and political stability in Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Rubio, in Israel-heavy confirmation hearing, says US should revoke visas for ‘a supporter of Hamas’

Andrew Lapin in Forward

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, nominated as Secretary of State by President-elect Donald Trump, emphasized his strong pro-Israel stance during his Senate confirmation hearing.

0 Politics Israel

They love Donald Trump — and hate the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal he demanded

Ben Sales in Forward

In a twist of expectations, right-wing Israeli supporters of Donald Trump are expressing discontent with his recent endorsement of a ceasefire with Hamas, which included a controversial hostage exchange deal.

0 Politics Israel

Ceasefire in Gaza

Andrew Fox in Future of Jewish

The article analyzes the implications of a potential ceasefire agreement in Gaza from a strategic viewpoint, contrasting humanitarian goals with military strategies.

0 Politics Israel

Israel-Hamas deal draws renewed attention to Kfir and Ariel Bibas, the youngest remaining hostages

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Kfir and Ariel Bibas, the youngest remaining hostages taken by Hamas in their 2023 invasion of Israel, have become poignant symbols of the ongoing crisis.

0 Politics Israel

Here's why I'll gladly give Trump all the credit for the hostage deal

Rob Eshman in Forward

Rob Eshman discusses the recent hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, asserting the importance of the United States' role in Middle Eastern peace efforts.

0 Politics Israel

This hostage deal is Biden's victory. It's also Biden's shame.

Emily Tamkin in Forward

The article discusses President Joe Biden's efforts to secure a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, leading to hostage releases at the end of his administration.

0 Politics Israel

This hostage deal is months too late — because people like me believed Netanyahu's lies

Sruli Fruchter in Forward

Sruli Fruchter reflects on the moral and political misjudgments surrounding Israel's hostage deal involving Hamas, criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for delaying the agreement for political gains.

0 Politics Communities

The Bibas Family Reacts to News of Ceasefire and Hostage Deal

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

With the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, hope surfaces yet caution prevails for the Bibas family, whose young relatives Ariel and Kfir are anticipated to be among the first hostages released.

0 Politics Culture

Is the TikTok ban about China — or is it really about Gaza?

Mira Fox in Forward

The potential TikTok ban has sparked concerns that it may be less about national security threats from China and more about limiting pro-Palestinian content, especially regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

0 Politics Israel

'We've been speaking as one team': Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal is a rare bipartisan victory in US politics

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

In a rare display of bipartisanship, both Republicans and Democrats in the United States have voiced support for a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, halting hostilities for 42 days and ensuring the release of 33 hostages.

0 Politics Israel

Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal after 15 months of war

Ben Sales in JTA

After 15 months of intense conflict, Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached a ceasefire agreement, potentially ending the bloodiest war in Israel's history.

0 Politics Israel

Blinken’s vision for Gaza will only make things worse.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman critiques U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's speech on a Gaza reconstruction plan.

0 Politics Israel

Seriously? Again with the judicial reform?

Jewish Chronicle

As Israel's conflict in Gaza persists, some prominent leaders like Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar remain focused on controversial judicial reforms rather than pressing national security issues.

0 Politics Israel

We can keep hope alive for two states while being realistic

Jewish Chronicle

Fania Oz-Salzberger reflects on the complexities facing Israel amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas and internal disagreements regarding judicial reform.

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.

Culture ›

0 Culture Philosophy

The Road From ‘Cheers’ to Church

Maggie Phillips in Tablet

Rob Long, a former writer for the classic TV show Cheers, has embarked on a new path by attending Princeton Theological Seminary.

0 Culture Ethics

The Timeless Lessons of Tu B’Shevat

Avigail Kuperman in Hadassah

Amidst the societal challenges following the Hamas attacks on October 7, innovative efforts in Israeli agriculture take center stage in celebrating Tu BShevat, the new year of the trees.

0 Culture Television/Film

I’m a Jewish mum, ask me whatever you want

Jewish Chronicle

Comedian Rachel Creeger conceived her show, "Ultimate Jewish Mother," during lockdown, transforming the stereotype of the knowledgeable Jewish mother into an interactive comedy experience.

0 Culture Education

Judaism taught the West to think – now it must teach it how to survive

Jewish Chronicle

This piece explores the enduring identity of the Jewish people despite historical pressures of assimilation and persecution.

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.

Communities ›

0 Communities Leadership

Isak Haleva, Turkey’s chief rabbi and face of Jewish minority, dies at 84

David I. Klein in Forward

Chief Rabbi Isak Haleva, representing Turkey's Jewish community since 2002, passed away at age 84.

0 Communities Food

Silver Moon Bakery, UWS spot known for its challah, faces eviction after failing to pay rent

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Silver Moon Bakery, a beloved spot in New York City's Morningside Heights known for its challah and other Jewish bakery staples, faces potential eviction due to over $200,000 in unpaid rent.

0 Communities Israel

Passport Zionism

Rahel Musleah in Hadassah

Following the tragic events at the Nova music festival in Israel, where 401 people were killed by Hamas, tourism has significantly decreased, prompting a surge in voluntourism.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Towards the Derech: How Does a Reform Jew Return?

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty

Sruli Fruchter explores the spiritual journey of moving towards Orthodoxy from a Reform Jewish background, examining the complexities and insecurities of rediscovering Jewish identity and practice.

0 Communities Jewish Law

No need to reinvent the wheel in responding to Jewish economic vulnerability

eJewishPhilanthropy

The report "On The Edge," commissioned by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, highlights the situational financial vulnerabilities faced by many American Jews, often caused by unforeseen events like job loss or family changes.

Literature ›

0 Literature Philosophy

“Endless Light” and Boundless Soul

Chesky Kopel in Lehrhaus

In his latest poetry collection, "The Concealment of Endless Light," Yehoshua November delves deep into the essence of the human soul and its connection to the body, framed within the mystical teachings of the Tanya.

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.

History ›

0 History Culture

Was Casanova an antisemite, a believer in Kabbalah — or both?

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

Giacomo Casanova, the 18th-century adventurer and seducer, navigated a complex relationship with Jewish people and Kabbalistic practices.

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.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Music

Why I’ve made another film about Bob Dylan

Jewish Chronicle

James Mangold, the filmmaker known for big-scale projects like Logan, has taken a daring step in creating a Bob Dylan biopic titled "A Complete Unknown".

0 Television/Film Culture

In ‘Midas Man,’ a by-the-numbers tribute to the fifth Beatle

PJ Grisar in Forward

"Midas Man," a film featured at the New York Jewish Film Festival, presents a by-the-numbers portrayal of Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

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 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 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.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Why the Gap Year in Israel Is So Important

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty

Shira Melamed, director of Midreshet Torat Chessed in Israel, underscores the transformative power of the gap year for Jewish youth.

Israel ›

0 Israel Holocaust

Real Holocaust remembrance requires standing up for Israel

Jewish Chronicle

The article discusses the importance of Holocaust remembrance, especially in light of King Charles's upcoming visit to Auschwitz for commemoration events and the hosting of a Holocaust Memorial Day event in London.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

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.

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.

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.

JL;DR

for Thursday, January 16, 2025

Jewish Law ›

Politics ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

History ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Antisemitism ›

Philosophy ›

Holocaust ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 16's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Jewish Law ›

Politics ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

History ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Antisemitism ›

Philosophy ›

Holocaust ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 16's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, January 16, 2025