for Friday, February 21, 2025

Politics ›

ADL criticizes Steve Bannon following gesture resembling Nazi salute

Louis Keene in Forward

Steve Bannon is under scrutiny after making a gesture similar to a Nazi salute during his CPAC speech, leading to criticism from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and others.

0 Politics History

Eric Adams said he'd 'collaborate' on immigration enforcement — so did Vichy France during WWII

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

Robert Zaretsky draws a provocative parallel between New York City Mayor Eric Adams' collaboration with former Trump administration officials on immigration enforcement and the collaborationist regime of Vichy France during World War II.

0 Politics Antisemitism

German Jews express alarm after J.D. Vance’s comments boost far-right AfD ahead of election

Toby Axelrod in Forward

The rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of Germany's election has caused alarm among German Jews and politicians, especially following a speech by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.

0 Politics History

Our enemy kidnaps babies. And their support grows still.

Adam Hummel in Future of Jewish

In a deeply emotional piece, Adam Hummel reflects on the recent tragedy involving the kidnapping and death of Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, during a Hamas-led attack in Israel.

0 Politics Holocaust

‘It took the Nazis one month’: Pritzker compares Trump’s policies to 1930s Germany

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, invoking his Jewish heritage and historical knowledge, drew controversial parallels between Donald Trump's recent policies and the rise of Nazi Germany.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Hamas sent ‘anonymous, unidentified’ body in Shiri Bibas’ place, IDF says

Louis Keene in Forward

In a grave development amid the tensions surrounding the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, Hamas handed over an unidentified body instead of Shiri Bibas during a recent prisoner exchange, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed.

0 Politics Israel

‘Beyond comprehension’: Leaders in Israel, US and worldwide mourn Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas and Oded Lifshitz

Ben Sales in JTA

Global leaders have expressed sorrow and indignation over the return of four hostages' bodies from Gaza to Israel: Shiri Bibas, her young children Ariel and Kfir, and elder Oded Lifshitz.

0 Politics Israel

Kushner and Witkoff tout real estate expertise in shaping Trump’s Gaza policy

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Jared Kushner and Steven Witkoff, two prominent Jewish real estate moguls, have leveraged their business acumen to influence Middle Eastern diplomacy during Donald Trump's presidency.

0 Politics History

Jewish moms look at our children and think of Anne Frank. Now, we'll think of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, too

Carly Pildis in Forward

In a heartfelt opinion piece, Carly Pildis conveys the intense grief and anger felt by Jewish communities following the deaths of the Bibas children, who were among the hostages taken in the October 2023 Hamas attack.

0 Politics Ethics

The media is not showing the extent of Hamas' barbarity — is that a mistake?

Aviya Kushner in Forward

Aviya Kushner examines the media's complex role in relaying the true extent of Hamas' barbarity during the hostage ceremonies, while also contemplating the ethical implications of showing graphic violence.

0 Politics Israel

Their Time Is Up

Liel Leibovitz in Tablet

Liel Leibovitz grapples with the aftermath of the brutal murder of Israeli civilians by Hamas, focusing on both the grief and the need for a strong political and military response.

0 Politics Jewish Law

What Peter Beinart misunderstands about Jewish values

Yonkel Goldstein in Forward

Yonkel Goldstein criticizes Peter Beinart’s book and perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, arguing that Beinart fails to appreciate the importance of debating different viewpoints, a foundational Jewish value.

0 Politics Education

DeSantis appointee to Florida university board under fire for comments about Jews, women

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Scott Yenor, a conservative activist appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to chair the University of West Florida board, is facing widespread criticism for tweets critiquing Jewish and female Senate Democrats.

0 Politics Israel

Israel's Impossible Plight

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Since October 7, 2023, Israel faces a moral and strategic conflict as it seeks to rescue hostages taken by Hamas and neutralize the terror organization.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

At Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, Israelis mourn — and vow to keep fighting for the captives who remain

Deborah Danan in Forward

In Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, thousands gathered to mourn the return of four deceased hostages from Gaza, including peace activist Oded Lifshitz, and the Bibas family.

0 Communities Holocaust

Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas Deserved a Better World

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

The poignant piece reflects on the tragic story of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, Israeli hostages whose lives were brutally cut short.

0 Communities Politics

Slain Hostage Oded Lifshitz Dreamed of Peace

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Oded Lifshitz, a passionate advocate for peace and human rights, spent over 60 years nurturing a unique cacti garden at Nir Oz with his wife Yocheved.

0 Communities Culture

The LA fires destroyed countless Jewish heirlooms. A national Judaica drive aims to create new ones.

Louis Keene in Forward

Following devastating fires in Los Angeles, Amy Conroy and her daughter Chloe have initiated a national Judaica collection drive to help Jewish families who lost heirlooms in the blaze.

0 Communities Education

The ‘essential conference’ for Jewish professionals: This year’s Jewish Digital Summit tackles AI, brand building and more

JTA Staff in JTA

The Jewish Digital Summit 2025, organized by 70 Faces Media, is set to offer a comprehensive program for Jewish professionals aiming to enhance their digital capabilities.

0 Communities Politics

Connecting refugees to jobs is a win-win for employers and refugees. This Jewish humanitarian is making it happen.

Larry Luxner in JTA

Gideon Maltz, leading the Tent Partnership for Refugees, significantly impacts the lives of refugees by allowing them access to employment with major global corporations.

0 Communities History

We couldn’t save the Bibas boys, but we can still choose life

Meg Keene in JTA

In a powerful reflection on grief and resilience, Meg Keene addresses the Jewish community's collective response to the tragic deaths of the Bibas family members.

0 Communities Politics

Israel grieves as bodies said to be of hostages Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, Oded Lifshitz return from Gaza

Deborah Danan in JTA

Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to mourn four hostages, including the infants Ariel and Kfir Bibas and their mother Shiri, alongside 84-year-old Oded Lifshitz, who died in Hamas captivity.

0 Communities Education

Since Oct. 7, Washington University in St. Louis has quietly opened its doors to Jewish students leaving uncomfortable campus environments

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Following the October 7 Hamas attacks, Washington University in St. Louis has discreetly opened its doors to Jewish students seeking refuge from antisemitic environments on their previous campuses.

Culture ›

0 Culture Communities

An Ethiopian ‘Mouthful’ From Beejhy Barhany

Adeena Sussman in Hadassah

Beejhy Barhany, an Ethiopian-Israeli-American chef, is releasing her new cookbook, "Gursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens," celebrating Ethiopian cuisine and culture.

0 Culture Antisemitism

And Batman wept

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article deeply reflects on the emotional turmoil experienced by the Jewish community following the kidnapping of the Bibas family from Kibbutz Nir Oz, using the symbolic figure of Batman to explore themes of justice, vulnerability, and hope.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Elon Musk’s Jewish problem

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Elon Musk's controversial actions and statements, such as allegedly performing a Nazi salute and sharing antisemitic memes, have sparked debate regarding his views on Jews and antisemitism.

Education ›

0 Education Communities

Not a War on Yeshivas

Emes Ve-Emunah

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently halted public funding for two Brooklyn yeshivas due to non-compliance with secular education standards, marking a significant development in the ongoing debate over yeshiva educational practices.

0 Education Communities

‘Chazak v’ematz’: An ethos for the next generation of Jews

Rachel Kohn in eJewishPhilanthropy

Rachel Kohn reflects on the contemporary Jewish community's response to rising antisemitism and the challenges facing Jewish youth today.

0 Education Israel

Why The iCenter’s ‘Mifgash That Matters’ really matters

eJewishPhilanthropy

The iCenter's Mifgash That Matters program is an immersive educational experience that brings Jewish educators and professionals to Israel to confront its complex realities.

History ›

0 History Communities

For Ariel and Kfir Bibas, two empty chairs are symbols of a devastating loss

Aviva Engel in Forward

In the poignant exhibit "Every Hostage Has a Story" at Israel's National Library, two chairs once representing young hostages Ariel and Kfir Bibas, taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, have been removed following the tragic return of their bodies.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Culture

Her name is Rivke. She hates it when people on the phone call her 'sir'

Beth Harpaz in Forward

Rivke, a woman with a distinctively Jewish name, expresses frustration at being misgendered as 'sir' during phone conversations due to her voice.

Israel ›

0 Israel Ethics

Trump’s Gaza plan will cost Israel its soul

Sruli Fruchter in Forward

Sruli Fruchter argues against President Trump's proposal to forcibly displace two million Palestinians from Gaza, a plan which has received endorsement from various Israeli politicians.

0 Israel Politics

As news of Bibas deaths sinks in, orange becomes color of Jewish grief

Louis Keene in Forward

In response to the tragic deaths of the Bibas family members, orange symbols became widespread online as expressions of Jewish grief, honoring the young family held hostage by Hamas.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Holocaust

Discourses on Destruction and Rebirth: The Rav on the Shoah, Zionism and the American Diaspora

Alan Jotkowitz in Lehrhaus

Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik's recently translated discourses in "The Return to Zion: Addresses on Religious Zionism and American Orthodoxy" reveal his perspectives on the Shoah, Zionism, and American Jewry between 1939 and 1958.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Leadership

Marian Turski, Holocaust survivor and co-founder of Warsaw’s landmark Jewish museum, dies at 98

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward

Marian Turski, a prominent Polish journalist, historian, and Holocaust survivor, passed away at 98.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Shira Haas Plays a Proud Israeli Hero in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actress Shira Haas stars as Ruth Bat-Seraph, an Israeli character in Marvel's new film, 'Captain America: Brave New World.'

JL;DR

for Friday, February 21, 2025

Politics ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

History ›

Gender/Identity ›

Israel ›

Philosophy ›

Holocaust ›

Television/Film ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

History ›

Gender/Identity ›

Israel ›

Philosophy ›

Holocaust ›

Television/Film ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, February 21, 2025