for Friday, May 30, 2025

Antisemitism ›

How donors can prevent their university gifts from funding antisemitism

Concerned about rising antisemitism on American campuses, donors are seeking ways to ensure their university contributions do not support discrimination against Jewish students.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Education

‘The challenge attracted me’: Julio Frenk brings the fight against campus antisemitism to UCLA

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Julio Frenk, former president of the University of Miami and current chancellor of UCLA, is taking a strong stand against campus antisemitism.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

How Congress became impotent on foreign policy

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

The effectiveness of traditional pro-Israel advocacy within U.S. Congress has diminished due to the increasing consolidation of foreign policy powers by the executive branch, particularly under the Trump administration.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Will Jewish voters decide the NYC mayoral election?

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

In the upcoming New York City mayoral election, Jewish voters are poised to play a critical role amid heightened concerns over rising antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

An Israeli Journalist Reports from the Gulf

Nathan Guttman in Moment

Nathan Guttman, an Israeli journalist and senior fellow at the Moment Institute, reflects on his rare experience reporting from the Gulf states during President Trump’s visit.

0 Politics Israel

Israel announces biggest West Bank settlement expansion in decades

Ben Sales in Forward

Israel has declared the most significant expansion of West Bank settlements in decades, unveiling plans for 22 new settlements, partially legitimate existing outposts, under the leadership of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

0 Politics History

America’s Civil Religion and the First Amendment

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article explores the concept of 'America's Civil Religion' and its intersection with the First Amendment, emphasizing that the Founding Fathers intentionally avoided establishing an official religion while acknowledging common religious values, such as those found in the Ten Commandments.

0 Politics Israel

Israel is becoming a pariah state. Here's what American Jews must do

Daniel Sokatch in Forward

Daniel Sokatch argues that Israel is on the verge of becoming a pariah state due to its current government's actions, which are increasingly isolating the nation from democratic allies.

0 Politics Antisemitism

DSA condemns Capital Jewish Museum shooting after one of its factions praises the attack

Ben Sales in JTA

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) issued a statement condemning the murder of two Israeli embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum, following an attack praised by one of its factions, the Liberation Caucus.

0 Politics Ethics

For new parents, the aid crisis in Gaza is hitting hard

Nora Berman in Forward

As new parents navigate the joys and challenges of raising their children, the crisis in Gaza casts a shadow over their lives, highlighting the stark disparities in infant care.

0 Politics Culture

Is DOGE Dead? Plus. . .

The Free Press in The Free Press

The article primarily explores the viability of the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) initiative post-Elon Musk's departure, with insights from DOGE insiders and Washington figures.

0 Politics Israel

DSA condemns D.C. museum killings and distances itself from subgroup that posted ‘Free Elias Rodriguez’

Louis Keene in Forward

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) publicly condemned the murder of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington D.C., distancing itself from a subgroup within its ranks that praised the killings.

0 Politics History

The Radical Presidency

Michael Lind in Tablet

Michael Lind's article explores the expansion of executive power in the United States, highlighting the controversial practices of recent presidents like Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Anti-Israel Right Joins the Pro-Iran Left

Lee Smith in Tablet

The article examines the alignment of anti-Israel right-wing figures with pro-Iran left-wing entities in their criticisms of Israel.

0 Politics Culture

After 600 days of war, is it time to retire the phrase 'tikkun olam?'

Aviya Kushner in Forward

In an article reflecting on 600 days of war, journalist Aviya Kushner examines Israeli perspectives on the phrase 'tikkun olam'—a concept widely embraced by diaspora Jews as repairing the world.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Progressives' Terrorism Problem

Jonathan Forrester in Future of Jewish

Jonathan Forrester's guest essay critically addresses the challenge of violence within progressive movements, highlighting a recent incident involving Elias Rodriguez.

0 Politics Israel

Trump confirms he told Netanyahu not to attack Iran, saying, ‘I don’t think it’s appropriate’

Ben Sales in JTA

President Donald Trump acknowledged advising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against initiating an attack on Iran amidst ongoing diplomatic negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program.

History ›

0 History Politics

How Churchill’s Successor Gave Stalin the MiG

Dan Zamansky in Tablet

The article explores Clement Attlee's tenure as British Prime Minister post-World War II, focusing on his controversial decision to sell advanced Rolls-Royce jet engines to the Soviet Union.

Art ›

0 Art Gender/Identity

Go Forth O Daughters: Reclaiming the Yiddish “Women’s Bible” in Art

Guest Contributor in Lilith

Artist Danielle Alhassid's "Go Forth O Daughters" is an innovative art project exploring the Tsenerene, the Yiddish Women's Bible, integrating historical texts and modern stop-motion animation.

0 Art Culture

Is this salacious opera a critique of Jewishness — or a celebration of its complexity?

Mira Fox in Forward

The Metropolitan Opera's production of "Salome," directed by Claus Guth, explores the biblical story with a focus on themes of childhood trauma and power dynamics, layered with psychoanalytic symbolism reminiscent of Freudian theory.

Communities ›

0 Communities Antisemitism

Northern Ireland’s lone, beleaguered synagogue aims to stave off decline by engaging Christian neighbors

Rosario Del Valle in Forward

The Belfast Hebrew Congregation, Northern Ireland's sole synagogue, faces significant challenges as it grapples with antisemitism, dwindling membership, and leadership difficulties.

0 Communities Antisemitism

'Keep showing up': Capital Jewish Museum reopens week after deadly shooting

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Following a tragic shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli diplomats, the museum reopened with a ceremony attended by Mayor Muriel Bowser and other officials.

0 Communities Culture

In Jerusalem and DC, Messianic and Episcopal communities mourn Capital Jewish Museum shooting victims as their own

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Following the tragic shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington D.C., the Messianic and Episcopal communities in Jerusalem and the U.S. have come together to mourn their deaths.

0 Communities Art

On being an artist-rabbi: Bringing ‘play’ into Jewish communal practice

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Hannah Dresner, recently retired from Or Shalom in Vancouver, reflects on integrating artistic practice into Jewish communal life, building on the idea of spiritual play.

0 Communities Holidays

The Jewish People stood together at Sinai. Can we today?

eJewishPhilanthropy

As Shavuot approaches, it serves as a reminder of the unity experienced by the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, where they received the Torah.

0 Communities Israel

A new conversation and a shared commitment

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 conflict and during the period of counting the Omer, American synagogues face critical challenges as congregants grapple with the complexities of Israel's political landscape and its integration into Jewish identity.

0 Communities Ethics

Hostages’ long-lasting mental and physical scars of Gaza captivity are treated at ‘Returnees Ward’

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

In the aftermath of being taken hostage by terrorists in Gaza, Israeli returnees face enduring physical and psychological challenges.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

Delving into a Family Tragedy

Eleanor J. Bader in Lilith

Marty Ross-Dolan's memoir "Always There, Always Gone" delves into the lingering impact of a tragic family history, centered around the love and loss experienced by her mother, Patsy, who was orphaned at 14 following a fatal plane crash that killed her parents, Garry Cleveland Myers, Jr. and Mary Martin Myers.

Food ›

0 Food Holidays

This Shavuot, fill your blintz with lox

Rob Eshman in Forward

Rob Eshman shares a culinary twist for Shavuot with a savory blintz recipe, featuring lox and scallion cream cheese.

Science ›

0 Science Ethics

This FDNY-approved e-bike battery swap network is powered by Jewish values

Joseph Strauss in JTA

PopWheels, co-founded by two Jewish New Yorkers, offers a lithium-ion e-bike battery swap service that addresses the fire hazards associated with home charging.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

The Jewish Symbol That Made It Into ‘The Last of Us’ Season Two Finale

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

The HBO series 'The Last of Us' included a subtle nod to Jewish culture with the inclusion of a hamsa bracelet in season two's finale.

Culture ›

0 Culture Education

Blintzes, Sinai, Revelation: The Concrete Implications of a Custom

Nachman Levine in Lehrhaus

Nachman Levine explores the Shavuot custom of eating dairy foods, particularly blintzes, highlighting its connection to the medieval Jewish tradition of Hakhnasah Le-Heder, where children began their Torah education.

0 Culture Politics

Who Can Date During a "Genocide"?

Jewdicious

The article delves into the complex interplay of personal identity and politics within the context of modern dating for a Jewish person navigating anti-Zionist sentiments.

0 Culture Politics

A Chicago cinema canceled a pro-Israel movie screening, relented — then canceled again

Grace Gilson in JTA

A planned screening of the documentary "Bring The Family Home" about campus antisemitism was canceled twice by the Facets Film Forum in Chicago, sparking controversy over free speech and accusations of antisemitism.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

Manna, Mitzvot, and Meaning

Ned Krasnopolsky in Lehrhaus

Ned Krasnopolsky explores the complex relationship between the Israelites' liberation from Egypt and their subsequent service to God, highlighting the transformative potential of divine commandments.

0 Torah Philosophy

Manna, Mitzvot, and Meaning

Ned Krasnopolsky in Lehrhaus

Ned Krasnopolsky explores the relationship between divine service and freedom, using biblical and rabbinic texts to examine the Jewish concept of mitzvot and submission to God's will.

Education ›

0 Education Torah

Yeshivos: Blight or Blessing?

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critically examines the role of yeshivot in modern society, particularly as Israel faces ongoing challenges.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Communities

Should Jewish employees get more days off than everyone else?

Beth Harpaz in Forward

The article explores the workplace fairness issue of Jewish employees receiving more days off for religious holidays compared to their non-Jewish colleagues.

JL;DR

for Friday, May 30, 2025

Antisemitism ›

Jewish Law ›

Politics ›

History ›

Art ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Food ›

Science ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Torah ›

Education ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 30's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Antisemitism ›

Jewish Law ›

Politics ›

History ›

Art ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Food ›

Science ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Torah ›

Education ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 30's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, May 30, 2025