for Saturday, March 22, 2025

Television/Film ›

Is this new documentary giving voice to American Jewish anguish — or simply stoking fear?

Nora Berman in Forward

The documentary "October 8" sparks a debate over its portrayal of American Jewish experiences following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

0 Television/Film Culture

The Very Jewish Concept at the Heart of the ‘Severance’ Finale

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Kveller writer Lior Zaltzman explores the connections between the hit show "Severance" and Jewish traditions, focusing on themes like sacrifice and atonement as seen in the series finale.

0 Television/Film Culture

‘Operation Mincemeat’ is a musical farce about fooling Hitler — with nothing much to say about Nazis

PJ Grisar in Forward

"Operation Mincemeat" is a musical comedy that recounts the true story of a British intelligence operation during World War II aimed at deceiving the Nazis with fake plans to invade Greece and Sardinia.

Politics ›

0 Politics Education

Columbia bans face masks in protests and acquiesces to other Trump administration demands

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Columbia University has yielded to several demands from the Trump administration to regain $400 million in federal grants, following the administration's concern over antisemitism related to pro-Palestinian protests.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Nearly 80 bipartisan lawmakers call on Trump administration to unfreeze security funding for religious institutions

Grace Gilson in Forward

A bipartisan group of nearly 80 U.S. lawmakers is urging the Trump administration to lift a freeze on security funding crucial to religious institutions, including synagogues, schools, and Jewish community centers.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Seems like everyone's mad at Chuck Schumer. That's bad for Jews (including the ones who are mad at Chuck Schumer)

Rabbi Joshua Davidson in Forward

Rabbi Joshua Davidson reflects on the controversy surrounding Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, highlighting the political turmoil he faces from both sides of the aisle.

0 Politics Antisemitism

While pledging to fight campus antisemitism, Trump cuts office investigating it

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

President Trump's administration has taken steps to close the Department of Education, which is responsible for investigating antisemitism complaints, despite pledging to combat such issues on college campuses.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Israel’s own antisemitism envoy says she wasn’t consulted ahead of the government’s controversial antisemitism conference

Ben Sales in JTA

The article highlights a controversy surrounding a conference on antisemitism organized by Israel's Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, without consulting Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel's special envoy for combating antisemitism, or major Jewish organizations.

0 Politics History

They were poster children for Jewish criticism of Donald Trump 8 years ago. Where are they now?

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Tal and Jacob Zlotnitsky became prominent symbols of Jewish support for Muslim immigrants shortly after Trump's 2017 inauguration through their vocal opposition to the Muslim ban.

0 Politics Communities

They were poster children for Jewish opposition to Donald Trump 8 years ago. Where are they now?

Andrew Lapin in JTA

In 2017, Tal Zlotnitsky and his family became symbols of Jewish support for Muslim refugees, protesting against Trump's Muslim ban.

0 Politics Antisemitism

'Don't tell my mother': Schumer responds to Trump saying he's 'not Jewish anymore'

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed controversial remarks made by former President Donald Trump, who suggested Schumer "used to be Jewish" and referred to him in a derogatory manner as Palestinian.

0 Politics Culture

From Madness to Insanity

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Rabbi Natan Slifkin discusses the growing political insanity in Israel, particularly focusing on Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent actions and statements.

0 Politics History

The two-state solution is dead. Long live Israel.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine is no longer viable, citing the events of October 7, 2023, as a pivotal turning point.

0 Politics Leadership

Inside the Miami conference giving rabbis a safe space to be Zionists

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Zionism: A New Conversation, a Miami conference organized by the Leffell Foundation, provided a refuge for 125 rabbis from across the political spectrum to openly support Zionism and strategize responses to dwindling pro-Israel sentiment among young clergy.

0 Politics Education

Australia’s Most Dangerous Export

Helen Dale in Future of Jewish

Helen Dale's essay examines the global spread of settler-colonial ideology originating from Australia, likening it to the Sicilian mafia as a detrimental export.

History ›

0 History Jewish Law

No, Jews and Muslims are not Abrahamic brothers.

Zach Ross in Future of Jewish

Zach Ross challenges the perception that Jews and Muslims are "Abrahamic brothers," arguing that this concept is a construct developed for religious and political legitimacy rather than historical fact.

0 History Culture

7 standout treasures from YIVO’s vast collection in New York

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

YIVO, originally established in Vilna in 1925 to promote the study of Eastern European Jewish life and the Yiddish language, has become a poignant guardian of Jewish cultural heritage, especially through its New York headquarters.

0 History Culture

7 Jewish historical treasures from YIVO’s vast collection in New York

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

In a display of both historical preservation and resistance, a group of Jewish intellectuals from the Vilna ghetto, including notable figures like Abraham Sutzkever, secretly saved thousands of Jewish cultural artifacts from Nazi destruction during World War II.

Communities ›

0 Communities History

5 arrested for allegedly filming a music video in historic Indianapolis synagogue

Grace Gilson in Forward

Five individuals, including a videographer named Jaylen Young, were arrested for unauthorized entry at the historic Beth-El Zedeck Temple in Indianapolis, intending to film a music video.

0 Communities Antisemitism

This Week in Jews

The Cholent in The Cholent

Recent events in the Seattle Jewish community highlight both challenges and cultural developments.

0 Communities Gender/Identity

YU's Recognition of an LGBTQ Student Group

Emes Ve-Emunah

Yeshiva University has made the landmark decision to officially recognize an LGBTQ+ student group, Hareni, settling a long-standing lawsuit and marking a significant moment for queer Jews within the Orthodox community.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Yeshiva University recognizes LGBTQ+ student group in landmark settlement

Louis Keene in Forward

Yeshiva University has reached a significant settlement by officially recognizing an LGBTQ+ student group, marking a major victory for queer Jews within the Orthodox community.

0 Communities Politics

Despite war and political turmoil, Israel is the 8th happiest country on earth. I think I know why

Rob Eshman in Forward

Israel's surprisingly high ranking on the 2025 World Happiness Report, despite political turmoil and ongoing conflict, raises questions about the sources of national contentment.

0 Communities Gender/Identity

Yeshiva University recognizes LGBTQ student club, reversing a longtime ban

Ben Sales in JTA

In a landmark decision, Yeshiva University has approved Hareni, a new club dedicated to supporting LGBTQ students, ending a contentious legal battle that had lasted years.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Communities

Becoming the soup fairy

Jodi Rudoren in Forward

Jodi Rudoren's heartfelt narrative, "Becoming the Soup Fairy," explores the act of making and sharing soup as a gesture of community support and personal solace.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Politics

Shattered Tablets, Shattered Selves: Beyond Idols and Airstrikes

Aryeh Bernstein in Jewschool

Aryeh Bernstein explores how the Israelites' turn to idolatry, illustrated by the golden calf incident, reveals fundamental issues about human identity and collective ideals.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Torah

Spinning, fast and slow

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbinic leadership often resembles the quick, intuitive "spinning" of goats' hair as described in Exodus, necessitating rapid responses and decision-making.

0 Leadership Communities

‘Judaea Viva’: Remembering Ted Comet, z”l

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article commemorates the life and legacy of Ted Comet, a distinguished Jewish communal leader, who passed away at the age of 100.

Education ›

0 Education Leadership

Strengthening Jewish education from the inside out: Supporting our teachers

eJewishPhilanthropy

The management of Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC) presents a response to Hillel David Rapp's critique on Jewish day schools' investment priorities, emphasizing the need for better support of teachers.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

A Facebook history page noted a massacre of British Jews. Cue the laughing emojis.

Grace Gilson in Forward

The Facebook page "British History" recently highlighted the 1190 massacre of Jews at Cliffords Tower in York, England, attracting a disturbing number of laughing emojis and antisemitic comments.

JL;DR

for Saturday, March 22, 2025

Television/Film ›

Politics ›

History ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Leadership ›

Education ›

Antisemitism ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 22's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Saturday, March 22, 2025

Television/Film ›

Politics ›

History ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Leadership ›

Education ›

Antisemitism ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 22's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, March 22, 2025