for Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Music

Has Bob Dylan Been Reading Emmanuel Levinas?

Michael Blank in Lehrhaus

The article explores intriguing parallels between Bob Dylan's recent work and the philosophical ideas of Emmanuel Levinas, notably on the themes of the 'Other' and ethical responsibility.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Hamas is feeling the beginning of the end.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The future of Hamas appears increasingly tenuous as the IDF closes in on a decisive victory.

0 Politics Communities

Pro-Israel influencer Lizzy Savetsky called a video of Meir Kahane ‘the truth’ — and set off a firestorm

Ben Sales in JTA

Pro-Israel influencer Lizzy Savetsky ignited a significant backlash after sharing a video clip of Jewish extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane, calling his message "the truth."

0 Politics Communities

Cuomo and Adams hope Jewish voters will fuel comeback in NYC mayor’s race

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Eric Adams, the current NYC mayor, and former governor Andrew Cuomo are both vying for the Jewish vote in the upcoming NYC mayoral race, leveraging their ties with the Orthodox community.

0 Politics Leadership

Trump 2028: Truth or MAGA Troll?

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article examines a provocative topic discussed at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC): the possibility of Donald Trump seeking a third presidential term.

0 Politics History

As If There Were Closure

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr explores the complex emotions surrounding the release of Israeli hostages from Hamas, juxtaposing the joy and relief of their return with the grim reality of the broader struggle against terrorism.

0 Politics Communities

Is Adams on the Eve of the End?

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Political turmoil surrounds New York City Mayor Eric Adams, as scandals and associations with controversial figures, such as Donald Trump, threaten his leadership.

0 Politics Israel

Why are Jewish influencers suddenly talking about Meir Kahane?

Samuel Eli Shepherd in Forward

Prominent pro-Israel influencer Lizzy Savetsky sparked controversy by posting a video of Meir Kahane, a far-right Israeli nationalist, advocating for force against Palestinians.

0 Politics Israel

Meir Kahane - Revisited

Emes Ve-Emunah

Rabbi Meir Kahane, a controversial and provocative figure within Jewish and Israeli politics, is revisited in this critique that assesses his legacy and ideological influence.

0 Politics Israel

Europe can save Gaza. Here's how.

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Nachum Kaplan's guest essay criticizes European involvement in the Gaza conflict, highlighting Europe's historical mismanagement and perceived antisemitism.

0 Politics Communities

Right-wing Zionist group Betar wars with ADL after being added to its extremism database

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Betar US, a militant pro-Israel group, has launched an aggressive campaign against the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) after being added to the ADL's extremism database.

0 Politics Communities

Cuomo winning over Jewish voters in his nascent mayoral campaign

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is positioning himself as a potential mayoral candidate for New York City, garnering significant support from the Jewish community despite past COVID-19 restriction controversies.

0 Politics Antisemitism

New FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has a lot to say about George Soros

Louis Keene in Forward

Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and prominent right-wing podcaster, has been appointed deputy director of the FBI by President Trump.

0 Politics Israel

Does the Middle East Rest in the Hands of One Real-Estate Investor?

Nathan Guttman in Moment

Steve Witkoff, a real-estate investor turned Trump's special envoy, finds himself at the center of U.S.-Israel relations as he mediates critical Middle Eastern conflicts.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

From Billy Joel to Vampire Weekend, these Jewish musicians created NYC’s soundtrack

Joseph Strauss in JTA

The Museum of the City of New York's exhibit "Songs of New York: 100 Years of Imagining the City Through Music" highlights the influential role of Jewish musicians in shaping the musical tapestry of New York from the 1920s to the present.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Greenblatt’s Dire Warning at the Knesset

Moment in Moment

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), delivered a stark message at the Israeli Knesset regarding the alarming increase in global antisemitism since the October 7 attacks.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Steve Bannon has given an old antisemitic trope a fresh 'pro-Israel' spin

Emily Tamkin in Forward

Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Donald Trump, recently reignited an age-old antisemitic trope by labeling American Jews as primary enemies of Israel unless they support MAGA and his political agenda.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Silent Jews

Dena Tauber in Future of Jewish

Dena Tauber's essay reflects on the phenomenon of "Silent Jews," specifically those who choose not to publicly respond to antisemitism or support for Israel in the wake of the October 7, 2023 events.

Education ›

0 Education Jewish Law

The first Jewish day school for students with mental health challenges is set to open in NYC

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Adir Academy is set to become the first Jewish day school in the U.S. specifically for high school students with mental health challenges, opening in New York City in 2026.

0 Education Ethics

Rewards

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Exploring the practice of using rewards as a parenting tool, Cindy Scarr's article weighs the pros and cons of this approach.

0 Education Holidays

We Know You Will

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Exploring the power of language and historical perspective, Cindy Scarr recounts a poignant visit with seminary students to the site of a massacre, using it as a teaching moment.

0 Education Politics

A Progressive Education Nonprofit’s Silence on Gaza - Facing History & Ourselves, which is known for its model lessons on genocide, has angered staff and disappointed teachers with its refusal to provide resources about Gaza.

Alex Kane in Jewish Currents

Facing History & Ourselves, a nonprofit known for its educational resources on genocide and human rights, faces internal and external criticism for its handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Politics

Hamas has made me hate. How can I pray for peace?

Rabbi Marc Katz in Forward

Rabbi Marc Katz reflects on the complex emotion of hatred, which has surfaced in him and his congregants following the brutal acts of Hamas, including murder and abductions of Israelis.

Communities ›

0 Communities Holocaust

When Hope Turned to Heartbreak

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article poignantly reflects on the heart-wrenching loss and suffering experienced due to violence in Israel, focusing on a mother, her two children, and their grandfather.

0 Communities Jewish Law

The Moment: Issue 1051

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Sarah, a Jewish woman who fled pogroms in Romania to live in Toronto, passed away and was scheduled for cremation against Jewish customs.

0 Communities Holidays

A 5-Year-Old’s Grief for His Friend Ariel Bibas

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Yoav Avital, a 5-year-old boy from a kibbutz, is processing the grief and confusion surrounding the tragic loss of his friend Ariel Bibas, who was taken hostage and killed in a terror attack.

0 Communities Holidays

My Relative Is Still a Hostage in Gaza. My Son Talks About Him All the Time.

Danielle Selber in Kveller

Danielle Selber shares her poignant experience of learning about her relative, Elkana Bohbot, who was taken hostage in Gaza.

0 Communities Culture

The art of engagement

eJewishPhilanthropy

A unique partnership formed between Flo Low, founder of Bamah, and Whitney Weathers, UpStart's managing director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, exemplifies the power of cross-cultural collaboration.

0 Communities Philosophy

3 years into war, Jewish life in Ukraine gets boost from NY Jewry

Larry Luxner in Forward

Three years into the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Jewish life in Ukraine is receiving substantial support from Jewish communities abroad, particularly through funded programs by the UJA-Federation of New York.

0 Communities Politics

Our Urgent Search for Non-Jewish Allies

Talia Bodner in Hadassah

Talia Bodner critiques the lack of non-Jewish peer support for Zionist Jews in the face of growing antisemitism on college campuses.

Science ›

0 Science Leadership

Software Savvy: Part 22

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Navigating the complexities of modern business operations, the article highlights how implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system can streamline processes for companies like KitchensPlus.

History ›

0 History Communities

The Life and Death of the Oldest Hostage in Gaza

Matti Friedman in The Free Press

Shlomo Mantzur, a deeply cherished carpenter and father, was the oldest Israeli hostage taken from Kibbutz Kissufim during the violent October 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian militants.

0 History Holocaust

"Struma" Ship Disaster a Reminder: Pray Daily for the Hostages and Survivors

Jewdicious

Eighty-three years after the Struma disaster, which saw over 790 Jewish refugees lose their lives in a tragic maritime event, the story of David Stoliar, the disaster's sole survivor, continues to resonate.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

Chaim Grade’s last Yiddish novel ‘Sons and Daughters’ finally available in English

Yossi Newfield in Forward

Chaim Grade's last Yiddish novel, "Sons and Daughters," now available in an English translation, offers a vivid portrayal of Jewish life in pre-war Poland, focusing on the breakdown of tradition in two rabbinic families.

0 Literature Culture

10 Jewish highlights and controversies from 100 years of The New Yorker

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Celebrating The New Yorker's centennial, this piece explores its significant engagement with Jewish themes and contributors.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Grilled Goddess Chicken

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig shares a recipe for Grilled Goddess Chicken, featuring a spin on the classic Green Goddess dressing that pairs with juicy grilled chicken.

0 Food History

Hummus and History

Paola Gavin in Tablet

Chickpeas, called chometz in Hebrew, have been integral to human diets since 8000 BCE, deeply embedded in cultural rituals and culinary arts across civilizations.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

As a teen, I see the Jewish present in new films about the Jewish past

Micah Bidner in JTA

Exploring the unique perspective of a Jewish teenager, Micah Bidner reflects on how recent films like Jesse Eisenberg's "A Real Pain" and others like "The Brutalist" and "September 5" resonate deeply with his own experiences and understanding of Jewish history.

0 Television/Film Israel

Jeers for Israel and a top award for a doc about hostages at Berlin film festival

Toby Axelrod in Forward

The Berlin International Film Festival awarded the top documentary prize to "Holding Liat," a poignant film about an Israeli family dealing with the aftermath of a Hamas attack that led to the abduction of Liat Beinin Atzili and the murder of her husband.

0 Television/Film Culture

A New Must-Watch Israeli Show Is Now Streaming on Netflix

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

"Seven Figures," an Israeli series now streaming on Netflix, explores the complex realities of sudden wealth through the stories of two couples and two single men, all lottery winners.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Communities

‘No Body Talk Week’: Creating sacred space for our full selves

eJewishPhilanthropy

Eden Village Camp is spearheading National No Body Talk Week, an initiative aimed at fostering deeper human connections by refraining from commenting on people's appearances.

Sports ›

0 Sports Israel

A Jewish college basketball star is turning NBA heads at Michigan

Louis Keene in Forward

Danny Wolf, a standout college basketball player from Glencoe, Illinois, and an Israeli citizen after representing Israel in the Under-20 European Championships, is attracting significant NBA attention.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

The Jewish Baby Names That Gained Meaning and Popularity After October 7

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

In the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, in Israel, several Jewish baby names gained popularity and new significance, reflecting themes of resilience, survival, and homage to the victims and places affected.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Communities

Knitting legend Rose Girone, world’s oldest Holocaust survivor, dies at 113

Lisa Keys in JTA

Rose Girone, a Holocaust survivor and prominent figure in New York's knitting community, passed away at the age of 113.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Philosophy ›

Politics ›

Music ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

Ethics ›

Communities ›

Science ›

History ›

Literature ›

Food ›

Television/Film ›

Gender/Identity ›

Sports ›

Culture ›

Holocaust ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 26's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Philosophy ›

Politics ›

Music ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

Ethics ›

Communities ›

Science ›

History ›

Literature ›

Food ›

Television/Film ›

Gender/Identity ›

Sports ›

Culture ›

Holocaust ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 26's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, February 26, 2025