for Friday, June 6, 2025

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

With increasing pressure from the West, can Israel resist a China charm offensive?

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

The recent efforts by Chinese Ambassador to Israel, Xiao Junzheng, highlight China's renewed attempt to improve relations with Israel, despite the tensions following China's perceived support for Hamas after the October 2023 attacks.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Trump’s new travel ban will block ‘those in need of real refuge,’ American Jewish Committee says

Andrew Lapin in JTA

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has criticized President Trump's new travel ban, which targets 12 countries, mostly with Muslim majorities, arguing that it unjustly blocks individuals seeking refuge and lacks a clear connection to curbing antisemitism in the U.S.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The United Nations of Jew-Haters

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article presents a scathing critique of the United Nations' historical and ongoing biases against Israel, highlighting the UN's failure to acknowledge the atrocities committed by Hamas, particularly in the wake of the October 7th massacre.

0 Politics Israel

Zohran Mamdani once said mayoral candidates should pledge to boycott Israel. Now that he’s running, he’s not so forthcoming.

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Zohran Mamdani, a current New York City mayoral candidate, has shifted his stance on the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel from when he initially supported it during the 2020 NYC mayoral race.

0 Politics Leadership

CAMERA, pro-Israel media watchdog, fires longtime CEO, spurring public acrimony

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

The abrupt departure of Andrea Levin, the longtime CEO of CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting), has stirred controversy within the organization known for defending Israel in the media.

0 Politics Israel

Don't be grateful two hostages' bodies were recovered. Be furious.

Dan Perry in Forward

The article by Dan Perry reflects on the deep tragedy of Judi and Gadi Haggai, whose bodies were recently recovered after being murdered in the October 2023 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz.

0 Politics Education

Trump’s Illegal Cuts to University Funding, Explained - The administration is using Title VI to justify the suspension of federal grants, while completely leapfrogging the legal process.

Alex Kane in Jewish Currents

The Trump administration's unprecedented cuts to federal university funding have targeted pro-Palestinian activism, labeled as antisemitic by Trump.

0 Politics Israel

The False Dilemma

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

In "The False Dilemma," Natan Slifkin critiques the so-called "Enlistment Law" in Israel, arguing that it is not truly about forcing charedim to enlist in the army but rather about formalizing exemptions.

0 Politics Israel

Gaza aid distribution effort revamped amid chaos, killings and confusion

Ben Sales in JTA

The ongoing chaos surrounding aid distribution in Gaza has led Israel to revamp its strategy by empowering rivals to Hamas, resulting in more violence and confusion at distribution sites.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Things got pretty Jewish at NYC’s Democratic mayoral debate

Joseph Strauss in JTA

The NYC Democratic mayoral debate saw Jewish issues take center stage, with discussions on antisemitism, Trump's actions on college campuses in response to alleged antisemitism, and future foreign visits to Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Analysis | Who Will Blink First, Israel or Hamas?

Dan Perry in Moment

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas resembles a high-stakes game of chicken, with both sides waiting for the other to concede first amidst growing violence and international scrutiny.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Democrats vying for NYC mayor show rare unity against Trump crackdown on universities

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

The New York City Democratic mayoral primary debate saw candidates unite against the Trump administration's punitive measures towards universities amidst escalating campus protests and violence.

0 Politics Israel

How the Media Manufactured a ‘Genocide’

Zach Goldberg in Tablet

The article by Zach Goldberg examines how media outlets have expanded the application of the term "genocide," particularly in the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

0 Politics Communities

After Boulder attack, Trump revives Muslim travel ban with targeted changes

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Following a firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, that injured Jewish marchers, President Trump signed a revised version of his contentious Muslim travel ban.

0 Politics Israel

Argentina’s rabbi-ambassador to Israel says El Al will launch direct flights to Buenos Aires

Juan Melamed in Forward

Rabbi Axel Wahnish, Argentina's ambassador to Israel and personal rabbi to Argentine President Javier Milei, has announced that El Al will soon launch direct flights between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires, marking a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations.

0 Politics Jewish Law

NYC comptroller candidate Mark Levine speaks Hebrew in first campaign ad

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President and candidate for New York City comptroller, has launched a multilingual campaign ad that includes Hebrew to connect with the city's diverse populations.

0 Politics Culture

Schmear campaign: Andrew Cuomo's bacon bagel blunder bothers NY Jews

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Andrew Cuomo's misstep in New York politics involves his poorly chosen breakfast sandwich.

Culture ›

0 Culture Communities

NYC’s first-ever month-long celebration of Sephardic Jewish culture is now underway

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

New York City is hosting its inaugural month-long Festival Sefarad, celebrating Sephardic Jewish culture through over 40 events including Shabbat dinners, book talks, tours, films, and concerts.

0 Culture Literature

19 Naomis, 0 nametags: What happened when a group of Naomis met in Prospect Park

Lauren Hakimi in JTA

On a sunny Saturday in Prospect Park, 19 women named Naomi gathered for a unique book club meeting to discuss Naomi Klein's 2023 book "Doppelganger."

0 Culture History

Persecuted by the KGB, a Jewish master soared to new heights in the West

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

Valery Panov, a renowned Russian Jewish dancer who passed away at 87, epitomized resilience in the face of Soviet-era antisemitism.

0 Culture Politics

‘I’m a Zionist,’ rapper Azealia Banks declares in latest tweet spree

Grace Gilson in JTA

Azealia Banks, the controversial rapper known for her unpredictable social media presence, has recently declared herself a Zionist in a series of tweets.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

Holocaust Survivor and Victim of Boulder Firebombing Attack Speaks Out

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Barbara Steinmetz, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, was a victim of a recent firebombing attack during a 'Run For Their Lives' event in Boulder, Colorado.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Antisemtism in America - Revisited

Emes Ve-Emunah

Antisemitism in America is witnessing a resurgence, raising concern about safety even in traditionally secure Jewish neighborhoods like West Rogers Park in Chicago.

0 Antisemitism Communities

When 'Never Again' Becomes Now: Being Jewish in New York Amid Rising Antisemitism

Jewdicious

Amid a troubling rise in antisemitism, Jewish life in New York City is increasingly fraught with tension and fear.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Boulder’s ‘very shocked and very traumatized’ Jewish community takes stock of its losses, and its strength

Grace Gilson in JTA

Rabbi Marc Soloway of Boulder, Colorado's Congregation Bonai Shalom reflects on the recent traumatic attack targeting a Jewish community vigil, which resulted in injuries and widespread emotional distress.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

Run for Their Lives, the Israeli hostage solidarity movement, presses on after Colorado firebombing

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

In the wake of a firebombing attack on its gathering in Boulder, Colorado, Run for Their Lives, a movement raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza, is experiencing a surge in participation and support.

0 Communities Education

Disability inclusion is Jewish inclusion — and we’re not done yet

eJewishPhilanthropy

Meredith Englander Polsky, co-founder and new executive director of Matan, reflects on 25 years of progress and ongoing challenges in promoting disability inclusion within Jewish educational and communal settings.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Communities

Reimagining responsibility: How Jewish values drive global action

eJewishPhilanthropy

OLAM's InterACT Global Study Trip to Rwanda brought North American Jewish communal professionals face-to-face with urgent global challenges, highlighting how Jewish values can drive compassionate international action.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Torah

Choosing Our Chosenness: Answering the Call with Spiritual Intelligence

Yosi Amram in Lehrhaus

Yosi Amram explores the complex idea of Jewish chosenness, reflecting on the discomfort it can cause due to perceived elitism.

0 Philosophy Culture

Choosing Our Chosenness: Answering the Call with Spiritual Intelligence

Yosi Amram in Lehrhaus

Yosi Amram delves into the often misunderstood concept of Jewish chosenness, which traditionally implies a divine selection that can be perceived as elitist by both Jews and non-Jews.

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

The road to Jewish hell is paved with 'Tikkun Olam.'

Sam Hilt in Future of Jewish

This guest essay by Sam Hilt critically examines the modern adoption of the term "Tikkun Olam" in Jewish discourse as a simplification of Judaism's philosophical depth.

JL;DR

for Friday, June 6, 2025

Politics ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 6's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 6's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, June 6, 2025