for Friday, June 13, 2025

Education ›

Taking our students to the window: American Jewish civic education in an age of democratic fragility

In light of increasing antisemitism and democratic fragility in the United States, Jon A. Levisohn advocates for a renewed focus on civic education within Jewish educational frameworks.

0 Education Communities

How teenage teaching assistants play a crucial role at one New York City religious school

Bethany Karlinsky in JTA

Teenage teaching assistants at Temple Shaaray Tefila, a Reform synagogue on Manhattan's Upper East Side, have become an essential part of the religious school's efforts to address the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict with younger students.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

As Iran fires back, the question looms: How readily will the US come to Israel’s defense this time?

Ron Kampeas in JTA

The article explores the shifting dynamics of U.S.-Israel relations under President Donald Trump's second presidency, especially in the context of recent Israeli strikes against Iran.

0 Politics Israel

Analysis: What to watch for as Israel escalates 'shadow war' with Iran

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Israel has launched a significant military operation dubbed 'Rising Lion' aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, marking a stark escalation in their ongoing shadow conflict.

0 Politics Israel

Israel’s strike on Iran: How we got here, what we don’t know and what happens next

Ron Kampeas in JTA

Israel's recent preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities marks a significant escalation in the long-standing tension over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

0 Politics History

Why we should be paying more attention to Jordan, according to new King Abdullah II biography

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

The biography "The Most American King" highlights King Abdullah II's twenty-five-year reign in Jordan and his ability to cultivate strong relationships with US leaders, blending his American education with Middle Eastern affairs.

0 Politics Communities

Gottheimer’s bet on Jewish vote didn’t pay off

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

In the New Jersey gubernatorial primary, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) targeted the state's Jewish community, especially the Orthodox demographic, as a key part of his strategy to secure a victory.

0 Politics Israel

The Normal President

Lee Smith in Tablet

Lee Smith's article explores the recent Israeli military operation against Iranian leadership and nuclear facilities, highlighting how it was perceived as a surprise due to the longstanding American reluctance to confront Iran.

0 Politics Ethics

Israel doesn’t owe anyone an explanation.

Yonatan Daon in Future of Jewish

Yonatan Daon critiques the expectations placed on Israel to justify its actions in the context of its conflicts, particularly against the backdrop of media interviews that frame Israel as the aggressor.

0 Politics Communities

Q&A: Ilan Berman on Iran, the Knesset and the Haredi Draft

Amy E. Schwartz in Moment

The interview with Ilan Berman explores the ongoing tensions within Israeli politics regarding the Haredi draft and its impact on both domestic and international fronts.

0 Politics Science

RFK appoints Israeli MIT professor who said ‘vaccines cause serious harm’ to vaccine advisory panel

Grace Gilson in JTA

Retsef Levi, an Israeli professor at MIT known for his critical stance on mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, has been appointed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the CDC's vaccine advisory panel, replacing all 17 previous members.

0 Politics Israel

Trump is forcing liberal Zionists to confront an extraordinarily inconvenient truth

Eric Alterman in Forward

Liberal Zionists are being forced to grapple with the reality that the Trump administration's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict deviates sharply from the long-standing U.S. policy supporting a two-state solution.

0 Politics Communities

‘I will work to protect you,’ Mamdani tells Orthodox voters in interview with Hasidic paper

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is reaching out to New York City's Haredi voters, especially the Satmar Hasidim, despite controversy surrounding his views on Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Sympathy for Israelis drops among Republican and Democratic voters, poll finds

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Quinnipiac University poll reveals a significant decline in American voter sympathy towards Israelis, with Republican support dropping by 14% and Democrats showing even less favorability towards Israel, as compared to previous years.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

Opinion | Tranquility Will Have to Wait

Letty Cottin Pogrebin in Moment

Letty Cottin Pogrebin reflects on the progress and setbacks over the past fifty years concerning women's rights, Jewish identity, and Israeli politics.

0 Politics Israel

Is Israel About to Attack Iran?

Emes Ve-Emunah

Tensions between Israel and Iran are escalating as reports surface about Israel's possible imminent strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Bosnian hotel cancels meeting of European rabbis amid anti-Israel pressure from prominent locals

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

The Conference of European Rabbis' meeting in Sarajevo was canceled by Swissotel due to public pressure, sparked by anti-Israel sentiments from local officials, including a Bosnian minister and a religious leader.

0 Politics Leadership

Little Children

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critiques the Israeli government's handling of military service exemptions for the charedi community, highlighting the fragile cooperation between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the charedi political factions.

0 Politics Philosophy

Opinion | Freedom for All? Trump Says Forget It

Sarah Posner in Moment

Sarah Posner critiques Donald Trump's disregard for the separation of church and state, focusing on his alignment with Christian nationalist perspectives that undermine pluralistic values.

0 Politics Israel

Israel reportedly is preparing for an imminent Iran strike despite Trump’s prior admonitions

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Israel appears to be preparing for a possible military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, despite warnings from former President Donald Trump advocating for diplomatic negotiations.

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.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

As Israel launches war with Iran, Jews around the world open their Psalmbooks

Louis Keene in Forward

In the wake of Israel's military strikes against Iran, Jewish communities worldwide, particularly in the U.S., have responded with intensified prayer gatherings.

0 Communities Politics

Bay Area synagogue mobilizes for 2 Palestinian visitors detained at airport

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Kehilla Community Synagogue, known for its activism on humanitarian issues, is protesting the detention of two Palestinian visitors, Eid and Awdah Hathaleen, at San Francisco International Airport.

0 Communities Music

B’nai Jeshurun, renowned Upper West Side congregation, celebrates its 200th anniversary

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Bnai Jeshurun, a historic Upper West Side congregation, is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a series of events that reflect its rich musical and cultural heritage.

0 Communities Antisemitism

How Jewish can you be in a Boca country club? Wrapping tefillin got a family suspended, lawsuit says

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

In Boca Raton, Florida, the Orthodox Jewish Scharf family faces a legal battle with Boca Grove's country club over religious expression after being suspended for wrapping tefillin in the clubhouse, a practice documented in a viral video by a Jewish comedian.

0 Communities Education

Steal This: Opening the Jewish innovation playbook

eJewishPhilanthropy

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.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

In Brooklyn, you can party like it’s the Borscht Belt in 1963

Lisa Keys in JTA

Reviving the nostalgic allure of the Borscht Belt, a Brooklyn rooftop party titled "Catskills, BK: Dirtier Dancing" invites attendees to experience a 1960s-style Jewish summer celebration.

0 Culture History

From the Editor | Hop in the Time Machine

Nadine Epstein in Moment

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Moment magazine takes a nostalgic journey back to its origins in 1975, reflecting on its founders, including Leonard Fein and Elie Wiesel, and revisiting its inaugural themes and articles.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

10 things we can (probably) expect from ‘Spaceballs 2’

PJ Grisar in Forward

Mel Brooks has announced a sequel to his 1987 classic parody, Spaceballs, titled Spaceballs II, expected to release in 2027.

0 Television/Film Politics

An Israeli and an Iranian step onto a judo mat — and make a thriller about a forbidden relationship

PJ Grisar in Forward

"Tatami," co-directed by Israeli filmmaker Guy Nattiv and Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi, is a political thriller about an Iranian judoka pressured to withdraw from a tournament to avoid facing an Israeli opponent.

0 Television/Film Holocaust

This Fascinating Dutch Holocaust Period Drama Is Streaming for Free This Month

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

"The Jewish Council" is a 2024 Dutch period drama that explores the complex and controversial role of Judenräte, local Jewish councils appointed by the Nazis to facilitate communication with occupied Jewish communities during the Holocaust.

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.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

70 years ago, these beach reads explained Jews to America

Rachel Gordan in JTA

Seventy years ago, two popular novels, "Marjorie Morningstar" by Herman Wouk and "Auntie Mame" by Patrick Dennis, captured the evolving depiction of Jews in mid-20th-century America.

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.

History ›

0 History Communities

A Jewish bridge builder’s burial, 15 years late: The strange afterlife of Lawrence Rubin

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Lawrence Rubin, a significant Jewish civic engineer instrumental in the construction of Michigan's Mackinac Bridge, was finally laid to rest 15 years after his death.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Antisemitism

Moment Debate | Is Due Process Always Good For the Jews?

Moment in Moment

In a Moment magazine debate, Congressman Jamie Raskin and attorney William Choslovsky explore whether due process consistently benefits Jews.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Science

Hiding in Plain Sight

Jewdicious

The article juxtaposes the moon's apparent insignificance in scientific discussions about life's origins with its profound significance in Jewish thought.

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.

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.

JL;DR

for Friday, June 13, 2025

Education ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

History ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Antisemitism ›

Holocaust ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 13's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Education ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

History ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Antisemitism ›

Holocaust ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 13's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, June 13, 2025