for Thursday, June 12, 2025

Communities ›

Steal This: Opening the Jewish innovation playbook

At the recent JPro2025 conference, which gathered over 1,300 Jewish community professionals, organizations like Leading Edge, JFNA, and UpStart launched "Steal This," an initiative promoting open-source innovation within the Jewish community sector.

0 Communities Antisemitism

Jewish teens like me sent a message after the Run for Their Lives attack: We will not cower.

Shir Levenson in JTA

After a terror attack at a Run for Their Lives march in Boulder, Colorado, Jewish teens in New York reconfirmed their commitment to these walks, demonstrating resilience and unity.

0 Communities Leadership

‘Rabbi to watch’ Sandra Lawson turns DEI focus to North Carolina

Robin Washington in Forward

Rabbi Sandra Lawson, known for her pioneering role as Reconstructing Judaism's first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), has taken a new leadership position.

0 Communities Antisemitism

These therapists give a name to the way Jewish distress has been ignored since Oct. 7: ‘Traumatic invalidation’

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Boston-area trauma therapists Miri Bar-Halpern and Jaclyn Wolfman introduce the concept of "traumatic invalidation" to describe the dismissal and denial many Jews have experienced since the October 7 Hamas attacks.

0 Communities Antisemitism

I joined the crowds for Boulder’s Run for Their Lives on Sunday. I’m worried about next week.

Susanna Speier in JTA

The article reflects on the aftermath of a violent attack on the 'Run for Their Lives' group in Boulder, Colorado, which advocates for Israeli hostages.

0 Communities Ethics

Being There // Rabbi Sruli Fried talks about how to “be there” for others in times of need

Rabbi Eliezer Brand in Ami

Rabbi Sruli Fried, director of Chai Lifeline in Lakewood, shares insights on supporting others through trauma, drawing from his experience with the recent tragic accident involving three yeshiva students.

Literature ›

0 Literature Torah

Six: The Talmudic Histo-Remix

Wendy Amsellem in Lehrhaus

Gila Fine's book, "The Madwoman in the Rabbi's Attic," offers a provocative and insightful re-examination of six female figures in the Talmud, linking them to broader female archetypes in literature.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Marlee Matlin’s Moment

Guest Contributor in Lilith

Marlee Matlin, acclaimed deaf actress and the subject of the documentary "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore," collaborated with director Shoshannah Stern, also deaf, to bring her life story to the screen.

Politics ›

0 Politics Leadership

The Fire This Time

Lee Smith in Tablet

The article by Lee Smith explores the alleged premeditated efforts by Democratic operatives to destabilize a potential second presidency of Donald Trump through orchestrated riots and protests in major U.S. cities.

0 Politics Culture

California ICE protests spark calls for ‘nonviolence’ from Jewish community leaders

Grace Gilson in JTA

In response to escalating protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California, Jewish community leaders, including Rabbis and organizations, are calling for nonviolent demonstrations.

0 Politics History

Travels to 'the sixth borough' — a brief history of New York City mayors visiting Israel

Clara Shapiro in Forward

New York City mayors have traditionally visited Israel, a practice initiated by William O'Dwyer in 1951 to strengthen ties with the Jewish community and Israel.

0 Politics History

A Trumpian parade with soldiers, jets and military vehicles? No tanks.

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

In a provocative comparison, Robert Zaretsky contrasts the motivations and historical contexts behind military parades in the United States and France.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Tangled Knot of Anti-Zionist Violence - Doubling down on the conflation of Zionism and Judaism won’t stop violent attacks.

Daniel May in Jewish Currents

Daniel May explores the complex relationship between Zionism and Judaism in light of recent violent attacks linked to anti-Zionist sentiments in the U.S.

0 Politics Israel

Mike Huckabee's stunning, terrifying new gift to the Israeli right

Dan Perry in Forward

Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, stirred controversy by suggesting that a potential Palestinian state should be carved out of another Muslim country rather than existing Palestinian territories, marking a significant shift from longstanding U.S. diplomacy.

0 Politics Israel

Isolationists, Hawks, and Israel

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the conflict between isolationist and hawkish factions within the Trump administration regarding the approach to Iran and its nuclear ambitions, examining their implications for U.S.-Israel relations.

0 Politics Music

Another Irish band airs pro-Palestinian message at festival: ‘Israel is committing genocide’

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Irish band Fontaines D.C. used their platform at the Primavera Sound music festival in Barcelona to project a pro-Palestinian message, claiming Israel is committing genocide.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Now they're targeting Jewish politicians.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article discusses the recent decision by five Western democracies—Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway—to sanction Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for their inflammatory rhetoric deemed as incitement against Palestinians.

0 Politics Culture

Musk vs. Trump

Shloime Zionce in Ami

The tumultuous friendship between former President Donald Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk captivated Washington and the broader media landscape.

0 Politics Ethics

Inhumanitarianism

Avi Shafran in Ami

The article addresses the controversial financial support, both intentional and unintentional, received by Hamas and highlights the complexities of international funding.

0 Politics Communities

Here’s how Adrienne Adams quietly got the coveted Hasidic nod Andrew Cumo longed for

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

In the contentious New York City mayoral race, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has unexpectedly gained significant support from over two dozen Hasidic sects and schools in Borough Park, positioning her as a key contender.

0 Politics Israel

Theo Von talks Israel, Gaza and Hamas with JD Vance: ‘I’ve called it a genocide’

Grace Gilson in JTA

Comedian and influential podcaster Theo Von sparked controversy by arguing on his podcast that Israel's military actions in Gaza constitute genocide.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

If Holocaust-era Denmark could save its Jews, we can too.

Mary F Holley in Future of Jewish

Mary F. Holley reflects on the heroism of the Danish during the Holocaust, who collectively resisted Nazi attempts to deport the Jewish population, saving nearly all of Denmark's Jews.

0 Antisemitism History

A Turning Point for Antisemitism?

Pamela S. Nadell in Hadassah

Recent acts of antisemitic violence in the U.S., including the murders in Washington, D.C. and an attack in Boulder, Colorado, highlight the persistent threat against Jewish communities, which has intensified following Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel.

0 Antisemitism Politics

The head of a new RFK Jr. support group believes the Protocols of the Elders of Zion are real

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Leland Lehrman, recently appointed executive director of the MAHA Institute, which supports anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has promoted antisemitic beliefs, notably endorsing the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a notorious forgery used to fuel Jewish conspiracy theories.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Genocide is not a meme, so stop treating it like one.

Avi Taranto in Future of Jewish

In this essay, Avi Taranto critiques the misuse of the term "genocide" by the pro-Palestinian movement, arguing that it diminishes the gravity and specificity of genuine genocides, such as the Holocaust.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Education

10,000 free copies of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ will be distributed to New Yorkers this summer

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

To commemorate Anne Frank's 96th birthday, 10,000 copies of her acclaimed diary, "The Diary of a Young Girl," will be freely distributed across New York City as part of a summer-long initiative spearheaded by Anne Frank: The Exhibition.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

Outrage ensues after a Long Island high school study guide calls Zionism ‘extreme nationalism'

Hannah Feuer in Forward

A study guide for the New York State Regents Exam has sparked outrage in Long Island after depicting Zionism as extreme nationalism.

0 Education Communities

Cross-institutional collaboration in Jewish education: An innovative case study

eJewishPhilanthropy

A partnership between IKAR, a Jewish community with a supplementary school, and Sinai Akiba Academy, a Jewish day school, exemplifies the potential of cross-institutional collaboration in Jewish education.

0 Education Jewish Law

If the Torah had a report card, would our children pass?

eJewishPhilanthropy

Education in Jewish life has traditionally been about shaping character and instilling values from Torah teachings, not just academic success.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

I Am a “Jew in the Middle.” What Does this Mean?

Guest Blogger in Lilith

Amidst the recent escalation in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Jessica Keener identifies as "A Jew in the Middle," striving for a nuanced stance that acknowledges the fraught and complex realities of the situation.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Sweet & Sour Meatballs with Dilled Cauliflower Mash

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

In this week's Jewish Table article, Leah Koenig shares a recipe for Sweet & Sour Meatballs with Dilled Cauliflower Mash, inspired by her reflections on influential Jewish and non-Jewish activists in her family.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Shloime (Sol) Friedman // QUE Fence

Nesanel Gantz in Ami

Shloime (Sol) Friedman, founder of QUE Fencing, exemplifies resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship.

JL;DR

for Thursday, June 12, 2025

Communities ›

Literature ›

Television/Film ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Holocaust ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Food ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Literature ›

Television/Film ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Holocaust ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Food ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, June 12, 2025