for Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Communities ›

A captured community’s survival: Thinking of the Jews of Iran

Sharon S. Nazarian reflects on the precarious situation of the Jewish community in Iran amid the intensifying geopolitical tension between Israel and Iran.

0 Communities Leadership

The Real Deal at Re-Deal with Mr. Ralph Herzka & Mr. Rubin Schron

Nesanel Gantz in Ami

Chaim Lefkowitz and Joel Rosenberg have transformed the real estate networking landscape for the frum community through their innovative Re-Deal events.

0 Communities Politics

How a Mediterranean vacation destination for Israelis turned into a displaced persons hub

Haley Cohen in Jewish Insider

The island of Cyprus unexpectedly became a refuge for nearly 2,500 Jewish people stranded due to Israel's military campaign against Iran.

0 Communities Politics

I thought the Dyke March should be open to Zionists. So my fellow New York organizers kicked me out

Jodi Kreines in Forward

Jodi Kreines, a longtime LGBTQ+ and disability rights advocate, was removed from the organizing committee of the New York City Dyke March after she advocated for Zionist inclusion in the march.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Suite and Sour

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr reflects on her lifestyle as the wife of Shneur, a driven entrepreneur running a successful travel business, TourNTravel, with his partner Akiva Weinstein.

0 Communities Culture

Inbox: Issue 1066

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

This collection of letters to the editor spans a range of topics, reflecting on articles and columns from a Jewish publication.

0 Communities Politics

1,500 Birthright participants were stranded in Israel. Now they're on a cruise to Cypress as Iran-Israel conflict unfolds

Grace Gilson in Forward

Due to the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran, Birthright Israel orchestrated a maritime evacuation for 1,500 young adults who were stranded in Israel after their trips were upended by halted air travel.

0 Communities Politics

At an Iranian Jewish hangout, retirees wonder if regime change is in the cards

Louis Keene in Forward

In Los Angeles, Iranian Jewish retirees like 79-year-old David gather to play cards and discuss the recent geopolitical upheavals impacting their homeland.

0 Communities Antisemitism

Proud, but pushed out: Why LGBTQ Jews are creating Pride spaces of their own

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

As antisemitic sentiments persist in some LGBTQ community spaces, Jewish LGBTQ groups are increasingly creating separate Pride events.

0 Communities Education

Their counselors stuck in Israel, US Jewish camps are putting out ‘Help Wanted’ signs

Grace Gilson in JTA

US Jewish summer camps are facing a staffing crisis as many Israeli counselors are stranded in Israel due to a sudden outbreak of conflict with Iran, which has halted air travel.

Education ›

0 Education Gender/Identity

A groundbreaking agreement for LGBTQ Orthodox Jews collapsed after 50 days. What happened?

Louis Keene in Forward

The brief existence of an LGBTQ club at Yeshiva University highlights the ongoing struggle to reconcile Jewish law (halacha) with inclusivity for LGBTQ individuals within Orthodox Judaism.

0 Education Communities

Dear Administrator

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

A seasoned preschool teacher reflects on the challenges of the past school year, highlighting the struggle of supporting students with severe behavioral issues without adequate resources.

0 Education Culture

From feeding to dining: Reimagining Jewish education for a new generation

eJewishPhilanthropy

Manette Mayberg, trustee of the Mayberg Foundation, argues for a profound transformation in Jewish education to move away from the industrial model that focuses on standardized metrics and towards a more holistic approach that nurtures the soul.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

WAR!

Ami Magazine in Ami

Israel has launched airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, resulting in a military conflict with Iran.

0 Politics Israel

Bigger Missles, Greater Danger

Yossi Krausz in Ami

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified as Iran uses long-range ballistic missiles and drones to attack Israeli cities.

0 Politics Israel

Vanilla Flotilla // Egotism springs eternal

Avi Shafran in Ami

Avi Shafran offers a satirical opinion on the recent incident involving the 'Freedom Flotilla,' an attempt to deliver aid to Gaza, highlighting the participation of Greta Thunberg.

0 Politics Israel

Let my people leave — by land or by sea

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Amid heightened tensions and military action between Israel and Iran, thousands of foreigners, including Americans, found themselves stranded in Israel due to the closure of Israeli airspace.

0 Politics Antisemitism

NYC Mayor Eric Adams puffs cigars with antisemitic streamer Sneako, sparking outcry

Grace Gilson in JTA

NYC Mayor Eric Adams is facing criticism for hosting a cigar-smoking session with the controversial streamer Sneako, known for spreading antisemitic sentiments and conspiracy theories.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Brad Lander’s arrest by ICE marks a breakout moment for the Jewish NYC mayoral candidate

Lisa Keys in JTA

Brad Lander, the Jewish NYC comptroller and mayoral candidate, was arrested by ICE agents at an immigration court for attempting to block a detention, marking a significant moment in his campaign.

0 Politics History

My brother-in-law's kibbutz weathered Oct. 7. Then came the Iranian missile strikes

Rob Eshman in Forward

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the author shares the experiences of his Israeli brother-in-law, David, who faces frequent missile threats at Kibbutz Mishmar HaNegev.

0 Politics Israel

Israel just triggered the end of Iran’s rogue regime.

Andrew Fox in Future of Jewish

Andrew Fox analyzes Israel's recent military campaign against Iran, focusing on the strategic and psychological impact.

0 Politics Israel

As US appears increasingly likely to enter Iran conflict, tensions roil MAGA movement

Ami Eden in JTA

The MAGA movement faces internal tensions as the Trump administration considers U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.

0 Politics Torah

Why is Israel's attack on Iran called 'Rising Lion' — and what does the Bible have to do with it?

Aviya Kushner in Forward

In the wake of Israel's military operation against Iran, dubbed "Rising Lion," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's earlier reference to a biblical verse during the Chidon HaTanach has gathered new significance.

0 Politics Communities

Why Jewish voters in New York should care about the comptroller race

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

The hotly contested race for New York City comptroller has significant implications for Jewish voters, especially among Orthodox communities.

0 Politics Education

Understanding accused Minnesota shooter Vance Boelter's ties to Christian nationalism

Mira Fox in Forward

Vance Boelter, charged with shooting two Minnesota politicians and seriously injuring others, may have been influenced by Christian nationalist beliefs.

0 Politics Israel

Confidence Campaign

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr describes a significant turn in Israel's approach to Iran, as the country orchestrated a massive surprise military strike against Iranian nuclear assets.

0 Politics Ethics

ICE arrests Brad Lander, Jewish NYC comptroller running for mayor

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Brad Lander, the Jewish NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate, was arrested by ICE outside an immigration court while aiding immigrants in their legal proceedings.

0 Politics Israel

Q&A | The Israel-Iran Showdown

Moment magazine in Moment

The MomentLive! program brings together Middle East analyst Aaron David Miller and Robert Siegel to dissect the recent strategic dynamics between Israel and Iran.

0 Politics Israel

The Necessity of Total Victory

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article draws parallels between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Winston Churchill, praising Netanyahu's leadership amid Israel's aggressive military strategy against Iran.

0 Politics Israel

Opinion | Israel Roars, Iran Keeps Rattling

Eetta Prince-Gibson in Moment

The article by Eetta Prince-Gibson critiques Israel's recent military operations, particularly the Rising Lion campaign against Iran.

0 Politics Communities

The Birthright odyssey: 1500 tourists set sail for Cyprus as Iran-Israel conflict unfolds

Grace Gilson in JTA

Birthright Israel, a program connecting Jewish young adults with Israel, orchestrated a complex sea evacuation for 1,500 participants amid the Israel-Iran conflict, which halted air travel.

0 Politics Israel

Washington War Games. A Fiery Debate About U.S. Involvement. Plus. . .

The Free Press in The Free Press

The Free Press discusses the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and the potential role of the U.S. under Trump's unpredictable leadership.

0 Politics Communities

Laura Whitehorn - “We must have courage and not run for the hills.”

Nick Barber in Jewish Currents

The conversation with Laura Whitehorn, a former political prisoner, explores connections between struggles against political oppression in various contexts, focusing on Palestine.

0 Politics Culture

Who Might We Become for Each Other? - A conversation about Black–Palestinian interconnectedness and the legacy of June Jordan

Marina Magloire in Jewish Currents

This compelling discussion explores the historical and strategic interconnectedness between Black and Palestinian liberation movements, drawing inspiration from the works of poet and activist June Jordan.

0 Politics Communities

We Need New Jewish Institutions - Sustaining the struggle will require spaces for reimagining our tradition.

Arielle Angel in Jewish Currents

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, leftist Jewish activists in the U.S. grapple with the perceived collapse of traditional Jewish institutions tied to Zionism.

0 Politics History

The Gavel and the Gun - Palestinian history shows that armed struggle campaigns often catalyze gains in international lawmaking.

Darryl Li in Jewish Currents

Darryl Li's analysis delves into the significant shifts in international legal responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following the October 2023 Operation al-Aqsa Flood led by Hamas.

0 Politics History

History Lesson - On Adam Kirsch and settler colonialism

Laleh Khalili in Jewish Currents

Laleh Khalili critiques Adam Kirsch's denial of the settler colonialism framework as applicable to Israel by detailing historical examples from the early 20th century to the present.

0 Politics Culture

The Sympathy Trap - On Mohammed El-Kurd's Perfect Victims

Jackie Wang in Jewish Currents

Jackie Wang's review of Mohammed El-Kurd's book "Perfect Victims: and the Politics of Appeal" discusses the problematic narrative of portraying Palestinians as innocents to garner international sympathy.

0 Politics Ethics

How Support for Palestine Became a Hate Crime - A celebrated civil rights law is being used to target those opposing crimes against humanity—and ruining lives in the process.

Mari Cohen in Jewish Currents

Mari Cohen's article addresses the contentious issue of how legal systems are handling acts of protest and the tension between pro-Palestinian activism and charges of antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

Can Israel End Iran’s Nuclear Program?

Armin Rosen in Tablet

Armin Rosen delves into the intricacies of Israel's ongoing efforts against Iran's nuclear ambitions, focusing on the strategic challenges of neutralizing the Fordow nuclear facility.

0 Politics Israel

The 3 ways American Jews are responding to Israel's attacks on Iran

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

As tensions rise between Israel and Iran, the often-divided American Jewish community is experiencing an unusual unity, differing mainly over the U.S.'s role in the conflict.

0 Politics Israel

Germany, Britain and France are harshly critical of Israel in Gaza but have its back with Iran. Why?

Ron Kampeas in JTA

As the threat of Iran's nuclear capabilities intensifies, Germany, Britain, and France, despite critical stances towards Israel's Gaza policies, align closely with Israel against Iran.

0 Politics Israel

This is how Israel dismantled Iran from within.

Zineb Riboua in Future of Jewish

Israel's Operation Rising Lion dismantled Iran's military and intelligence capabilities, altering the regional balance of power.

0 Politics Culture

To practice ranked-choice voting, New Yorkers elect the city’s ‘most iconic’ bagel

Joseph Strauss in JTA

In an effort to demystify ranked-choice voting, WNYC crafted an educational mock election using bagels as candidates, where New Yorkers could vote for the city's most iconic bagel.

0 Politics Communities

For Israelis under Iranian barrage, deadly nights alternate with days brimming with life

Deborah Danan in JTA

Israeli life endures an unsettling duality amidst ongoing Iranian missile strikes that recall the resilience seen in wartime London.

Culture ›

0 Culture Antisemitism

British Jewish Actor Jason Isaacs Shares Why He Wears a Hostage Pin to All Red Carpet Events

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

British Jewish actor Jason Isaacs, widely recognized for his roles in 'Harry Potter' and 'The White Lotus,' has been consistently wearing a yellow hostage pin during public appearances to raise awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza.

0 Culture Education

The Perfection Trap

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

In an exploration of perfectionism in the frum Jewish community, the article questions whether striving for perfection is a Jewish value or a cultural influence born from Western self-improvement trends.

0 Culture History

The Borscht Belt Fest celebrates the Jewish Catskills of yesteryear

Noa Yolkut in JTA

Celebrating the nostalgia and cultural richness of the Jewish Catskills, the Borscht Belt Fest returns to Ellenville, New York, spotlighting the legacy of mid-20th-century resorts known for their humor and community.

0 Culture Education

Buckle Up and Bond: Tips for a Fun Road Trip

Sari Kopitnikoff in Jewish Action

Sari Kopitnikoff shares joyful insights for making road trips enjoyable and meaningful, suggesting various activities to strengthen bonds and keep everyone entertained during the journey.

0 Culture Philosophy

What You Deserve - Be careful what you wish for, is the moral of the story, except when the moral is something more like: unless, what if, if only.

Lyta Gold in Jewish Currents

In a modern twist on Jewish mystical traditions, Jess, a struggling artist, becomes embroiled in the creation of a golem as she prepares for a critical art show.

0 Culture Politics

What was Albert Einstein thinking as he gazed down on Trump’s military parade?

Talya Zax in Forward

During a controversial military parade orchestrated by President Trump, the Albert Einstein Memorial in Washington, D.C., created by Jewish sculptor Robert Berks, appeared to cast a contemplative gaze over the procession.

Prayer ›

0 Prayer Ethics

What We Daven For

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

This reflective article delves into the spiritual nuances of prayer and gratitude from a Jewish perspective.

Torah ›

0 Torah Jewish Law

Parashas Shelach: 5785

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

This exploration of Parashas Shelach discusses the reward of the righteous in contrast to the wicked, drawing on biblical and Talmudic sources.

Food ›

0 Food Education

Keeping it Fresh

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article by Cindy Scarr provides practical guidelines for managing the freshness and safe consumption of food, shedding light on the often-misunderstood expiration dates found on grocery items.

0 Food Culture

Zucchini Honey Cake

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig introduces her Zucchini Honey Cake recipe, reflecting on the intersection of food, tradition, and modern life.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Cause and Effect

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The evolution of sound effects in Jewish music reveals a charming shift from inventive low-tech methods to modern digital solutions.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

1,500 Birthright participants were stranded in Israel. Now they're on a cruise to Cyprus as Iran-Israel conflict unfolds

Grace Gilson in Forward

In the wake of a sudden Israel-Iran conflict that halted air travel and left many stranded, Birthright Israel efficiently relocated 1,500 participants to Cyprus via a rescue cruise, with plans to continue offering support to those remaining in Israel.

0 Israel Politics

‘The price to pay for attacking Iran has dramatically dropped’: Yaakov Katz on the war so far

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Yaakov Katz discusses the recent developments in the conflict between Israel and Iran, noting the significant changes over the past two years which have reduced the costs and risks for Israel in confronting Iran, particularly in light of weakened proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas.

0 Israel History

You don’t have to like the Jews, but you should fear us.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's article reflects on the transformation of Jewish identity from the image of the persecuted, passive Jew of the diaspora to the empowered, strong Zionist Jew epitomized by modern Israel's military and cultural resilience.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

Kohanim and Air Travel: Problems and Solutions

Rabbi Chaim Chemoff in Jewish Action

Rabbi Chaim Chemoff explores the complex halachic issues that arise when Kohanim, who must avoid ritual impurity from contact with dead bodies, travel by air.

0 Jewish Law Culture

Test Your Kosher Travel IQ

Rabbi Donneal Epstein in Jewish Action

Rabbi Donneal Epstein presents a thoughtful quiz focusing on halachic considerations for kosher observance while traveling.

Science ›

0 Science Culture

Don’t Dry Out This Summer!

Chaya Eisenberger in Jewish Action

Staying hydrated during the summer is crucial to maintaining overall health, as emphasized by Chaya Eisenberger, a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Seeing the Light

Rabbi Moshe Hauer in Jewish Action

Rabbi Moshe Hauer discusses the luminous spirituality of young Jewish leaders involved in OU-NCSY summer programs, emphasizing their mission to share love for Torah and Jewish identity amidst rising antisemitism.

0 Leadership Jewish Law

How Decisions Are Made: A Jewish Perspective on Authority vs. Influence

Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph in Jewish Action

Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph explores the dynamics between authority and influence in leadership, emphasizing influence's vital role over authority in effective decision-making and leadership.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

What's Ours - Myriam Boulos’s photographs probe the porous boundaries between everyday life and revolutionary rupture.

Aria Aber in Jewish Currents

Myriam Boulos's photographic series, "What's Ours," captures the vibrant and tumultuous reality of contemporary Lebanon, particularly during the October 17 Revolution.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

The Measure of the World - By attending to the vibrant specificity of Black life, poet Dionne Brand contests the cruel mathematics of empire.

Claire Schwartz in Jewish Currents

Dionne Brand, a renowned poet, reflects on the loss of ancestral identity through her seminal 2001 work, "A Map to the Door of No Return."

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Culture

Marcel Marceau’s Holocaust heroism is the focus of a new off-Broadway play

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Marcel Marceau, the renowned mime artist, is celebrated not only for his theatrical accomplishments but also for his courageous efforts during the Holocaust, as chronicled in a new off-Broadway play, "Marcel on the Train."

JL;DR

for Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Communities ›

Education ›

Politics ›

Culture ›

Prayer ›

Torah ›

Food ›

Music ›

Israel ›

Jewish Law ›

Science ›

Leadership ›

Art ›

Literature ›

Holocaust ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 18's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Education ›

Politics ›

Culture ›

Prayer ›

Torah ›

Food ›

Music ›

Israel ›

Jewish Law ›

Science ›

Leadership ›

Art ›

Literature ›

Holocaust ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

June 18's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, June 18, 2025