for Friday, February 14, 2025

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Natan Slifkin critiques the work of Irus Braverman and Hanine Shehadeh, who interpret Zionism as a violent, oppressive ideology.

0 Politics Israel

Hamas just admitted defeat.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Hamas is signaling a major setback in its conflict with Israel, as the organization's recent negotiations for ceasefires and prisoner releases reveal its strained capabilities and diminishing influence.

0 Politics Israel

'We don't really have any moral red lines': Peter Beinart's quest to disrupt Jews' relationship to Israel

Rob Eshman in Forward

Peter Beinart's new book, 'Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning,' challenges American and Israeli Jews to reconsider their often unexamined support for Israeli policies, especially in relation to Palestinians.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Linda McMahon, Trump’s education secretary pick, says she’ll fight antisemitism — but offers few specifics

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Linda McMahon, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, faced scrutiny during her confirmation hearing for her plans to combat campus antisemitism.

0 Politics History

It's tradition to plant trees in Israel for Tu B'Shvat. That custom has a dark history

Zak Witus in Forward

The tradition of planting trees in Israel associated with Tu B'Shvat has complex and contentious historical roots.

0 Politics Ethics

No Israeli Left Behind

Ori Nir in Moment

The article delves into the contentious issue of Israel's prisoner exchange deals with Hamas, focusing on the historic ethical and strategic debates surrounding the Jewish commandment of pidyon shvuyeem, or redeeming captives.

0 Politics Israel

Is AIPAC’s big bet on Sarah Elfreth paying off?

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

AIPAC, the well-known pro-Israel lobbying group, is confronting unexpected challenges after heavily investing in Sarah Elfreth's congressional campaign.

0 Politics Education

A grant to study Hebrew is ‘woke DEI,’ Ted Cruz says

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Senator Ted Cruz has labeled a grant studying linguistic differences between Hebrew and English as an instance of "woke" Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) funding.

Culture ›

0 Culture Jewish Law

In Idina Menzel’s new Broadway musical, a show tune about Tikkun Olam soars high

Samuel Eli Shepherd in Forward

In "Redwood," a new Broadway musical featuring Idina Menzel, Jewish themes intertwine with environmentalism and personal grief.

0 Culture Leadership

His calling: Wrapping the Jewish rich and famous — and Jake Paul — in tefillin

Louis Keene in Forward

Yossi Farro, a dedicated 21-year-old Chabad Lubavitch adherent, has gained attention for his unique approach to Jewish outreach through social media, targeting Jewish celebrities to engage them in the mitzvah of wrapping tefillin.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Kanye’s swastika shirt inspires a flurry of defiant Jewish spinoffs

Philissa Cramer in Forward

In the wake of Kanye West's controversy involving a shirt emblazoned with a swastika, various Jewish groups have responded by launching clothing lines with positive, defiant messages.

0 Culture Gender/Identity

How a Jewish daughter's search to find her parents became a book and a play and a movie

Jim Sullivan in Forward

Zara Phillips' journey to find her biological parents inspired her 2018 memoir "Somebody's Daughter," which later became a one-woman show and a documentary film.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

Abduction, Torture and Murder: The Story of Ilan Halimi

Jewdicious

The brutal abduction, torture, and murder of 23-year-old Ilan Halimi in France in 2005 remains a stark illustration of antisemitic violence.

0 Antisemitism Leadership

The war on the pediatrics ward: Inside the American Academy of Pediatrics’ battle with antisemitism

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a prominent pediatrician in Florida, has faced backlash for sharing anti-Israel views on social media, raising concerns within the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) regarding antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Why was there a pro-Hitler, Holocaust-denying ad on X?

Mira Fox in Forward

The appearance of a pro-Hitler, Holocaust-denying advertisement on Elon Musk's rebranded social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), highlights the growing issue of antisemitic content since Musk's acquisition.

0 Antisemitism Culture

It’s Time to Talk about Kanye West’s Antisemitism Again

Jordan Poltorak in Moment

Kanye West, now known as Ye, has once again incited controversy with a series of antisemitic statements and actions across social media, re-igniting debates around his influence and consequences within the cultural sphere.

0 Antisemitism Culture

It’s Time to Talk about Kanye West’s Antisemitism Again

Jordan Poltorak in Moment

Kanye West, now known as Ye, recently unleashed another round of antisemitic remarks to his large following on X, echoing similar behavior from 2022.

0 Antisemitism Ethics

Expressing Justifiable Outrage the Wrong Way

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the misuse of AI in creating false videos of Jewish celebrities, purportedly responding to antisemitic remarks by Kanye West.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Politics

A Jewish philosopher and mystic understood Trump's Achilles' heel

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

Jewish philosopher and mystic Simone Weil's interpretation of Homer's Iliad provides an intriguing lens for understanding Donald Trump's exercise of power.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

12 Chairs Café is going kosher — but only for 4 nights

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

12 Chairs Café, a notable Israeli restaurant in New York City, is offering a limited-time kosher dining experience in collaboration with Chef Avi Levy of Jerusalem's Hamotzi.

0 Food Culture

A kosher chocolatier on the Upper East Side goes all-in on Valentine’s Day

Risa Doherty in JTA

Neto, a kosher chocolate boutique in New York City, celebrates Valentine's Day by offering a range of artisanal chocolates with themed designs, despite Valentine's being a non-Jewish holiday.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

Influential Jewish comics legend Will Eisner gets a retrospective in Chelsea

Lisa Keys in JTA

Will Eisner, a seminal figure in the comic book industry and a pioneer of the graphic novel, is honored with a retrospective exhibition at the Philippe Labaune Gallery in Chelsea, New York City.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Politics

‘Unspeakable evil’: Vice President Vance tours Dachau on first international trip

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Vice President JD Vance visited the Dachau concentration camp memorial in Germany on his first international trip, a visit underscoring the importance of Holocaust remembrance.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

What does it mean that Judaism is a religion of loopholes?

Dan Friedman in Forward

Elana Stein Hain's book, "Circumventing the Law: Rabbinic Perspectives on Legal Loopholes and Integrity," explores the concept of legal loopholes within Judaism.

0 Jewish Law History

The Feminised Jew

Daniel Saunders in Future of Jewish

In his essay "The Feminised Jew," Daniel Saunders explores the historical understanding of Jewish masculinity and its connection to antisemitism.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film History

A New Nazi Hunters Show Is Coming to Netflix

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Peter Morgan, acclaimed creator of The Crown, is embarking on a new Netflix series based on Ira Levin's 1976 novel "The Boys from Brazil."

0 Television/Film Culture

Ben Stiller Is Making a Documentary About His Famous Jewish Parents

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Ben Stiller is working on a personal documentary focusing on his legendary parents, comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, and their life in show business.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

Jewish philanthropists launch climate initiative with $18M for advocacy in US and Israel

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

The newly established Jewish Climate Trust has secured $18 million in commitments for climate advocacy in the United States and Israel, emphasizing the Jewish community's responsibility to address environmental issues.

0 Communities Education

Klal Yisrael: Moving beyond binary descriptions

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish identity is often oversimplified into binary categories like connected vs. disconnected or engaged vs. unengaged.

0 Communities Education

A Long Island Jewish school creates a living memorial to alumnus killed on Oct. 7

Micah Bidner in JTA

The Schechter School of Long Island has created a living memorial for Omer Neutra, an alumnus and Israeli soldier killed in a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics History

Transformation through trauma

eJewishPhilanthropy

Elisa Deener-Agus explores the concept of intergenerational Jewish trauma, particularly in connection with recent events involving Israeli hostages and rising antisemitism worldwide.

Sports ›

0 Sports Culture

Jewish baseball star Bregman signs with Red Sox in record-breaking payday

Louis Keene in Forward

Alex Bregman, the Jewish baseball standout and former Houston Astros star, has signed a record-breaking contract with the Boston Red Sox for $120 million over three years, marking the largest payday for a Jewish player in MLB history.

0 Sports Culture

Jewish baseball star Alex Bregman signs with Red Sox in record-breaking payday

Louis Keene in Forward

Alex Bregman, a prominent Jewish baseball star known for his strong connection to his heritage, has signed a lucrative three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, marking the highest salary ever for a Jewish player.

Literature ›

0 Literature Jewish Law

A Word Search Adventure

Mollie Fisch in Lehrhaus

Mollie Fisch's review of Mitchell First's latest book, "From Eden to Exodus," highlights First's exploration of Hebrew etymology through the parshiyot of Bereshit and Shemot.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

The Jewish music teacher representing a Muslim-majority country at Eurovision

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

Asaf Mishiev, a Jewish singer from Azerbaijan, is set to represent the Muslim-majority country at the Eurovision Song Contest, embodying a unique cross-cultural narrative.

0 Music Politics

Macklemore’s latest anti-Israel music video, ‘F—ed up,’ places the West Bank and Holocaust side-by-side

Ben Sales in Forward

Macklemore's latest music video, "Fed Up," has sparked controversy by comparing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank to the Holocaust, while criticizing powerful figures and advocating for pro-Palestinian positions.

JL;DR

for Friday, February 14, 2025

Politics ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Philosophy ›

Food ›

Art ›

Holocaust ›

Jewish Law ›

Television/Film ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Sports ›

Literature ›

Music ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 14's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Philosophy ›

Food ›

Art ›

Holocaust ›

Jewish Law ›

Television/Film ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Sports ›

Literature ›

Music ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 14's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, February 14, 2025