JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Politics ›

0 Politics Communities

The New Antisemitism Czar is a Lubavitcher

Emes Ve-Emunah

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, a Lubavitch Hasid, has been appointed as the U.S. government's new Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, a role that has been elevated to ambassador status.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Arson suspect attacked Shapiro over pro-Israel stances, search warrant says

Louis Keene in Forward

The recent arson attack on the Pennsylvania Governor's residence is reportedly tied to alleged antisemitic and anti-Israel motives, as the suspect Cody Balmer expressed anger over Governor Josh Shapiro's pro-Israel stance.

0 Politics Culture

Welcome to This Week in Canada, from The Free Press

Rupa Subramanya in The Free Press

Rupa Subramanya, an Indian-born Canadian journalist, reflects on her experiences in Canada, highlighting her transition from India to Canada as a journey toward being able to question authority freely.

0 Politics Leadership

Sen. John Cornyn fighting to fend off insurgent primary challenge from Texas AG

Emily Jacobs in Jewish Insider

Texas is set for a high-profile GOP primary battle as Attorney General Ken Paxton challenges incumbent Senator John Cornyn, spotlighting evolving conservative Republican dynamics in the state.

0 Politics Education

Harvard is defying the Trump administration — after its own crackdown on academic freedom

Mira Fox in Forward

Harvard University is at the center of a controversy involving the Trump administration's demand for increased compliance regarding the reporting of foreign students and ideological changes in departments criticized for antisemitism, such as the divinity and Middle Eastern studies departments.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Passover attack on Josh Shapiro was terrifying. But don't assume it was antisemitic

Rob Eshman in Forward

The piece reflects on the arson attack targeting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during Passover, emphasizing that while it occurred during a period of historical persecution for Jews, there is currently no evidence suggesting it was driven by antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

B’Ivrit | Failure or Victory Lap? Israeli Media Assesses Netanyahu’s DC Visit

Nathan Guttman in Moment

Israeli media offers divergent perspectives on Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington, reflecting broader political divisions.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Harvard defends its response to antisemitism in rejecting White House demands

Grace Gilson in JTA

Harvard University is rebuffing the Trump administration's demands to intensify its efforts against antisemitism, which have resulted in a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze.

0 Politics Communities

US Jewish voting surges in Zionist election, with ballots open through May 4

Debra Rubin in JTA

American Jewish engagement in the World Zionist Congress election has reached unprecedented levels, with nearly 124,000 ballots already cast, surpassing the 2020 total.

0 Politics Communities

Perceptions of Israel: What the Data Tell Us

Jewdicious

Joanna Landau's presentation at the 2025 Jewish Funders Network Conference highlights troubling insights from recent surveys on American perceptions of Israel.

0 Politics Communities

“A Void Only the Houthis Are Filling” - Yemen scholar Helen Lackner explains how the rebel group, once unpopular among its subjects and peripheral in the region, has seen its legitimacy grow due to its action on Gaza.

Jonathan Shamir in Jewish Currents

In an insightful interview with Yemen scholar Helen Lackner, Jewish Currents explores the growing legitimacy of the Houthi rebel group due to its active opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza.

0 Politics Israel

Pro-Israel groups called for Mohsen Mahdawi’s deportation. He was arrested at a citizenship interview.

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian activist and permanent U.S. resident, was arrested by ICE at a citizenship interview, amid a crackdown encouraged by far-right pro-Israel groups like Betar and Canary Mission.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Student protesters being deported are not ‘martyrs and heroes,’ says former antisemitism envoy

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Deborah Lipstadt, former U.S. special envoy to combat antisemitism, addresses the contentious issue of international students facing deportation linked to pro-Palestinian activism under the Trump administration.

0 Politics Holocaust

This Nazi-era story shows why Trump won't fix a terrifying deportation mistake

Fredric Brandfon in Forward

Fredric Brandfon draws parallels between Trump’s refusal to rectify a wrongful deportation and a 1942 incident in Vichy France involving Marie Reille, a non-Jew mistakenly deported to Auschwitz due to a bureaucratic oversight.

Communities ›

0 Communities Sports

Jewish family killed in New York plane crash

Grace Gilson in Forward

A tragic plane crash in New York's Hudson Valley claimed the lives of a Jewish family and their loved ones en route to a Passover celebration.

0 Communities Culture

What I learned about American Jews while collecting Judaica for LA fire victims

Rachel Steinhardt in JTA

Rachel Steinhardt shares her experience organizing a Judaica collection drive for Jewish families affected by the L.A. wildfires.

0 Communities Politics

After 130 years, I’m leaving America for Israel.

Steven Brett Shaklan in Future of Jewish

Steven Brett Shaklan shares his personal decision to move from the United States to Israel, a change precipitated by a sense of increasing antisemitism and societal challenges in America.

0 Communities Politics

Eyeing an escape route in the Trump era, these American Jews are moving to Canada

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Amid growing discontent with the political climate in the United States, a segment of American Jews are choosing to relocate to Canada.

0 Communities Ethics

The Gedolim Among Us

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin reflects on encountering individuals of profound courage and community service, emphasizing diverse measures of greatness.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Leading voices against antisemitism at Harvard decry Trump’s overreach, but urge reforms

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Jewish faculty, students, and alumni at Harvard University have raised concerns over former President Trump's aggressive measures against the institution, following his administration's decision to withdraw $2.2 billion in federal funding.

0 Antisemitism Education

Northwestern University defaced by anti-Israel graffiti during passover

Grace Gilson in Forward

Jewish students at Northwestern University encountered disturbing anti-Israel graffiti on campus buildings during Passover, featuring messages like "death to Israel" and symbols associated with Hamas.

0 Antisemitism History

The Greatest Conspiracy Theory Ever Told — And the Real Conspiracy Nobody Talks About

Andrew Pessin in Future of Jewish

Andrew Pessin's essay delves into the persistent and widespread influence of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," a fabricated antisemitic text that purported to reveal a Jewish conspiracy for world domination.

Culture ›

0 Culture Holidays

This ‘Wrecking Ball’ Passover Parody Is a Banger

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen of Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles delivers a standout Passover parody with "Matzah Balls," a playful take on Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball."

0 Culture Holidays

Why Jews Added a Lemon to Their Seder Plates This Year

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

In a heartfelt addition to the traditional Passover seder, many Jews included a lemon on their plates this year, following the poignant call from Rachel Goldberg-Polin.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Antisemitism

Who is Alan Garber, the Jewish Harvard president who stood up to Trump over antisemitism?

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Alan Garber, a Jewish leader, serves as the current president of Harvard University and embodies a strong moral stance amid tensions with the Trump administration over antisemitism and academic freedom.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

In 'The Rehearsal' season 2, is Nathan Fielder serious?

PJ Grisar in Forward

Season 2 of Nathan Fielder's 'The Rehearsal' delves deeper into his signature blend of reality TV and personal exploration, this time taking on the aviation industry's communication flaws.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

The One Word That Defines the Jewish People

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman explores how the concept of "shalom" or peace fundamentally defines the Jewish people and their history.