for Thursday, February 27, 2025

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Facing blowback, Israel’s foreign minister defends siding with Russia at the UN

Ben Sales in Forward

Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, recently defended his country's controversial decision to vote alongside the United States against a U.N. resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has sparked significant backlash.

0 Politics Leadership

With Dermer, Netanyahu seeks a negotiator he can trust

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

The appointment of Ron Dermer by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel's chief negotiator for hostage talks has sparked political controversy, highlighting the trust Netanyahu places in Dermer.

0 Politics History

Kahane Lives

Liel Leibovitz in Tablet

In the article, Liel Leibovitz addresses the resurgence of discussions around Meir Kahane, a contentious figure within Jewish history, whose extremist views are denounced by almost all in the Jewish community.

0 Politics Israel

Washington coalesces around cautious sanctions relief for new Syrian government

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

Washington is cautiously considering phased sanctions relief for the Syrian government, led by former jihadist Ahmad al-Sharaa and his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

0 Politics Israel

The AI-fueled fever dream of 'Trump Gaza' is gaudy and abhorrent. But it identifies a real problem

Alex Lederman in Forward

In a provocative video, AI imagines a Trump-controlled Gaza transformed into a lavish resort-like area, free from conflict, but at the expense of displacing its Palestinian population.

0 Politics Culture

Miriam, Jared, Josh: 5 Jewish takeaways from Michael Wolff’s insider account of the 2024 Trump campaign

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Michael Wolff's latest book, "All or Nothing," provides insights into the Jewish aspects of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

0 Politics Israel

No, the West Bank can't be to Israel what Puerto Rico is to the US

Dan Perry in Forward

Dan Perry critiques the flawed analogy made by proponents of Israeli annexation of the West Bank, comparing it to the status of Puerto Rico in the United States.

0 Politics History

For Caring Jews, Trump Is Both Angel And Devil

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Gary Rosenblatt explores the complex relationship many Jews have with former President Donald Trump, comparing his situation to the historical dilemma faced by David Ben-Gurion in 1939.

0 Politics Education

Hochul orders Hunter College to remove Palestinian studies job listings

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to remove Palestinian studies job listings at Hunter College has reignited debate over academic freedom and allegations of antisemitism within the City University of New York (CUNY) system.

0 Politics History

A Jewish Champion for Democracy Speaks

Jewdicious

Marc Elias, a prominent voting rights attorney and founder of Democracy Docket, responds to Elon Musk's public criticism, which included mocking him for alleged trauma.

0 Politics Leadership

When Ignoramuses Speak for Judaism

Emes Ve-Emunah

A contentious debate arises over the nomination of Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, with stark divisions between various Jewish groups.

0 Politics Israel

Trump’s AI dream for Gaza is the golden calf, Samson and Nimrod rolled into one

PJ Grisar in Forward

President Trump's AI-generated video on his social media channels envisions a surreal, glamorized redevelopment of Gaza into a flashy tourist hub, complete with high-rises, luxury cars, and Elon Musk dining on the beach.

0 Politics Israel

Donald Trump posts AI video showing ‘Trump Gaza’ as a beachside paradise

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Donald Trump's recent posting of an AI-generated video showcasing a reimagined Gaza as a "Trump Gaza" beach resort has sparked mixed reactions.

0 Politics Israel

Just 33% of Democrats have a favorable view of Israel, Gallup poll finds

Ben Sales in JTA

The recent Gallup poll reveals a significant decline in favorable views of Israel among Democrats, with only 33% maintaining a positive perspective, compared to 83% of Republicans.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Supreme Court’s Death Row ‘Miracle.’ Plus. . .

Madeleine Kearns in The Free Press

Significant developments in three high-profile cases featured in The Free Press are highlighted.

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."

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film History

The Day That Terrorism Became a Global Spectator Sport

Judith Miller in Tablet

Judith Miller highlights the pivotal moment in history when terrorism became globally observed due to media coverage.

0 Television/Film Culture

Loved ‘Shtisel’? Try Some ‘Kugel’

Amy Klein in Hadassah

Kugel serves as a prequel to the acclaimed Israeli series Shtisel, exploring the lives of Shulem Shtisel's younger brother, Nuchem, and his daughter, Libbi, in Antwerp, Belgium.

Israel ›

0 Israel Communities

Today was a defining moment for Israel.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The Israeli nation collectively mourns the tragic loss of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, victims of a brutal hostage crisis in Gaza, symbolizing the profound pain and unity of the country in adversity.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Her family is NY Jewish deli royalty. Now she’s launching her own food company with a Middle Eastern twist.

Rachel Ringler in JTA

Amy Dell, a key figure in New York's Jewish food scene, has launched Sababa Foods, introducing 'Saturday Sauce,' her take on the traditional Middle Eastern condiment, matbucha.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

At a Dan Friedman exhibition, the bizarre joy of being Dan Friedman

Dan Friedman in Forward

Dan Friedman reviews an exhibition celebrating the work of the late designer Dan Friedman at Superhouse in New York City.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Culture

Wanting as an Act: Female Desire in Nosferatu and Babygirl

Guest Blogger in Lilith

Exploring the films "Nosferatu" by Robert Eggers and "Babygirl" by Halina Reijn, this article delves into the portrayal of female desire and its suppression by societal norms, including within Jewish contexts.

Music ›

0 Music History

Reviving Jewish folk tunes that were nearly lost forever

Jennifer A. Stern in Forward

Sofia Magid, a Soviet-Jewish musicologist active between 1928 and 1938, made significant contributions to preserving Jewish folk music by recording a rich collection of Yiddish songs and Hebrew chants in Belarus and Ukraine.

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.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

Yarden Bibas’ Moving Eulogy for His Children and Wife

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Yarden Bibas delivered a poignant eulogy for his wife Shiri and their two children, Ariel and Kfir, who were killed after being held hostage by Hamas for over 15 months.

0 Communities History

How a small delegation of US Jews got to Syria for the first time in decades

Andrew Lapin in JTA

After the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, a small delegation of Syrian Jews visited their ancestral homeland for the first time in over 30 years.

0 Communities History

Whether fleeing Nazis, Cossacks, wildfires or ICE, we all need a 'go bag'

Joan Afton in Forward

Joan Afton reflects on the concept of a 'go bag,' a kit ready for quick evacuation, as she navigates the recurring wildfires in Los Angeles.

0 Communities Israel

American and Israeli Jews Are Out of Sync: Mind the Gap to Bridge the Gap

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty

Drawing on Susan Silk's Ring Theory, Sruli Fruchter explores the emotional divides between American and Israeli Jews, accentuated by recent crises.

0 Communities Politics

‘I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all,’ Yarden Bibas tells his sons and wife at their funeral

Philissa Cramer in JTA

The funeral of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, who were murdered in captivity in Gaza, became a focal point of national mourning in Israel.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Culture

Finally, a Holocaust Movie That Trusts Us

Justine Orlovsky-Schnitzler in Lilith

Jesse Eisenberg's film "A Real Pain" provides a refreshing take on Holocaust narratives by avoiding didactic tropes and instead focusing on personal and existential aches experienced by its protagonists, David and Benji, two cousins exploring their family's Holocaust heritage.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Leadership

From Apathy to Action: The Revival of Jewish Determination

Adam Milstein in Hadassah

Adam Milstein highlights a renewed vigor within the Jewish community in response to rising antisemitic threats, particularly in the aftermath of the events of October 7.

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.

Culture ›

0 Culture Communities

Not All Who Wander Are Lost—But I Didn’t Know That Yet

Asaf Peled in Hadassah

Raised in a Modern Orthodox family in Israel, Asaf Peled felt detached from Judaism as he questioned and wandered through Europe.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

Mom, my homework is antisemitic.

Hana Raviyt Schank in Future of Jewish

A Jewish student objects to an AP Research assignment that required analyzing a Washington Post article on Gaza, deemed by the student as biased and antisemitic.

0 Education Culture

It’s time for Jewish education to re-embrace the spiritual

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish education is being encouraged to reconnect with spirituality, as highlighted by the efforts of Jewish LearningWorks in the Bay Area.

0 Education Jewish Law

In Jewish day schools, we invest in everything but teachers

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish day schools have made significant investments in infrastructure and administrative roles, yet teachers—central to the educational experience—face chronic underfunding.

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.

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.

JL;DR

for Thursday, February 27, 2025

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Israel ›

Food ›

Art ›

Gender/Identity ›

Music ›

Communities ›

Holocaust ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Education ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 27's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Israel ›

Food ›

Art ›

Gender/Identity ›

Music ›

Communities ›

Holocaust ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Education ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 27's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, February 27, 2025