for Thursday, July 31, 2025

Education ›

Jewish education’s double payment problem — and a creative solution

The article examines the financial dilemma faced by Jewish day schools, particularly the issue of paying for both in-school and external informal Jewish educational programs, such as those offered by NCSY and Bnei Akiva.

0 Education Culture

A bridge over troubled water: Why online encounters are an inseparable part of Jewish education

eJewishPhilanthropy

Online encounters have become a vital component of Jewish education, serving as a bridge between teens in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

Politics ›

0 Politics Leadership

A young Jewish organizer takes on Jerry Nadler in a generational challenge

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Liam Elkind, a 26-year-old Jewish organizer from New York, is challenging long-time Congressman Jerry Nadler in a Democratic primary, advocating for generational change and grassroots activism.

0 Politics Israel

The obsession with Netanyahu is hiding something far uglier.

Cynthia Lazar in Future of Jewish

Cynthia Lazar critiques an article in The New York Times Magazine that she believes unfairly portrays Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the sole culprit behind the prolonged conflict involving Gaza, ignoring the roles and responsibilities of Hamas and other Islamist groups.

0 Politics Communities

Secular and Dati Apologists for Charedim

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critiques the alliance between Israel's Likud party and charedi communities, highlighting the pragmatic but problematic reliance on charedi political support despite their non-participation in military service and economic challenges posed by underemployment.

0 Politics Communities

Zohran Mamdani holds a wide edge among Jewish voters as he dominates in new NYC mayoral race poll

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a frontrunner in the New York mayoral race, leading by a significant margin among Jewish voters despite his controversial stance on Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Marjorie Taylor Greene may be first Republican lawmaker to call Gaza war a ‘genocide’

Grace Gilson in Forward

U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has stirred controversy by labeling Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, becoming the first Republican to use this term in Congress.

0 Politics Israel

I have the answer to Jon Stewart’s toughest question about Israel

Rob Eshman in Forward

Rob Eshman addresses Jon Stewart's struggle with navigating conversations about Israel among friends who disagree with his critical views.

0 Politics Communities

On the Other Hand... (and Charedi Intransigence)

Emes Ve-Emunah

The author addresses the tension within the Charedi leadership over the trend of Haredi yeshiva students enlisting in the IDF, which is viewed by some community leaders as a threat to their long-standing opposition to military service.

0 Politics Israel

New York Times adds editors' note to front-page image of emaciated Gaza toddler after backlash

Grace Gilson in Forward

After backlash from pro-Israel groups and accusations of bias, The New York Times amended the caption of a front-page image showing an emaciated toddler in Gaza, clarifying that the child had underlying health issues in addition to suffering from malnutrition.

0 Politics Culture

NY Times front-page image of emaciated Gaza toddler sparks backlash, then an editors’ note

JTA

The New York Times faced backlash after publishing a front-page image of an emaciated Gaza toddler, initially attributing his malnourishment solely to the conflict in Gaza.

0 Politics History

A Hopeful Deja Vu

Jewdicious

Michael Oren draws historical parallels between Israel's recent conflicts and the 1967 Six-Day War, emphasizing how Israel's decisive military actions against regional proxies in both instances have led to transformative shifts in Middle Eastern politics.

0 Politics Israel

Europe's New Policy: Punish Jews, Reward Islamists

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article criticizes British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement to recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel makes concessions.

0 Politics Israel

Zohran Mamdani’s pro-Palestinian positions drove 83% of his new voters in the NY primary, poll shows

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

Zohran Mamdani's strong advocacy for Palestinian rights significantly influenced the outcome of the New York mayoral primary, appealing particularly to first-time voters.

0 Politics Israel

Recognizing a Palestinian state is a great way to doom Palestinians

Dan Perry in Forward

In this opinion piece, Dan Perry argues that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state by France and the UK could inadvertently strengthen Hamas and undermine prospects for peace in the region.

0 Politics Antisemitism

We need a new antisemitism strategy.

Mijal Bitton in Future of Jewish

Mijal Bitton argues for a revised strategy in addressing the growing antisemitism in Western politics, suggesting that Jewish communities should shift from reactive outrage to strategic coalition building.

0 Politics Israel

UK will recognize Palestinian state if Israel does not end ‘appalling situation’ in Gaza

Grace Gilson in Forward

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Britain will join France in recognizing a Palestinian state at the United Nations if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire and take steps to improve conditions in Gaza.

0 Politics Ethics

35 rabbis arrested in NYC and DC protests for Gaza food aid

Grace Gilson in Forward

In a bold demonstration of activism, 35 rabbis were arrested in New York City and Washington, DC for protesting the Israeli blockade of Gaza and advocating for humanitarian aid.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law History

The Daring Theology of the Kinnah of the Maharam

Yaakov Jaffe in Lehrhaus

Rabbi Meir of Rottenberg, the Maharam, is renowned for his legal writings but also composed a significant Kinnah, "Shaali Serufah Ba-Eish," reflecting on the burning of the Talmud in 1242.

0 Jewish Law Education

I Like to Learn Talmud the Way I Learn Shakespeare

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Rivka Bennun Kay reflects on her experiences with Talmud study, comparing it to her journey with Shakespeare.

Communities ›

0 Communities Holocaust

Julia Hyman, 27-year-old Midtown Manhattan shooting victim, mourned at Central Synagogue

Joseph Strauss in JTA

The article recounts the poignant memorial service at Central Synagogue for Julia Hyman, a 27-year-old Jewish woman who was tragically killed in a mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan.

0 Communities History

Lithuania scraps years of planning by Jewish groups to convert sports complex into Jewish heritage site

Grace Gilson in Forward

Lithuania's decision to turn the Vilnius Sports Palace, located on the historic Snipiskes Jewish Cemetery, into a convention center has sparked outrage from Jewish groups.

0 Communities Torah

The Moment: Issue 1072

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

In "The Moment: Issue 1072," Cindy Scarr recounts a story of providence involving David, a kollel member in Cincinnati who faced joblessness but found hope through Torah study and unexpected monetary compensation.

Culture ›

0 Culture Television/Film

Adam Sandler’s Mom Was Sarah Silverman’s Nursery School Teacher

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Sarah Silverman recently shared a charming anecdote about her nursery school teacher, who happened to be none other than Judy Sandler, Adam Sandler's mother.

0 Culture Language

It's a classic Yiddish saying — but did it come from a biblical story about Jesus?

Aviya Kushner in Forward

The Yiddish saying "mit eyn tokhes ken men nit tantsn af tsvey khasenes," meaning "you can't dance at two weddings with one behind," is explored for its rich cultural resonance and possible origins.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Mark Feuerstein Is a Gun-Toting Hot Chabad Rabbi in This New Movie

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

The film "Guns & Moses," starring Mark Feuerstein as a Chabad rabbi named Rabbi Mo, merges elements of Western genres with Jewish culture to create an action drama set in a small California town.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Education

Columbia’s settlement won't solve its campus crisis. Here's what could.

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Columbia University's recent settlement over alleged campus antisemitism highlights a broader issue not merely resolvable through legal means.

0 Antisemitism Education

UCLA settles antisemitism lawsuit with $6.13M payout, including donations to Jewish groups

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

UCLA has reached a $6.13 million settlement in the Frankel v. Regents of the University of California case, resolving accusations that the university allowed antisemitic discrimination against Jewish students during 2024 campus protests.

History ›

0 History Politics

Tisha B’Av recalls a Jewish nation under siege. The war in Gaza flips the script.

Rabbi Zachary Truboff in JTA

Rabbi Zachary Truboff draws parallels between the historical account of the Roman siege of Jerusalem, as depicted by Josephus, and the current conflict in Gaza.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays History

This Week in Jewish History: The Nine Days and the Ninth of Av

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

The article explores the historical and religious significance of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning commemorated by Jews for numerous tragedies that befell them on the ninth of Av, according to the Mishna Taanit.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Communities

Engaging Jewish start-up entrepreneurs in philanthropy: The story behind A Good Option

eJewishPhilanthropy

Yadin Kaufmann, a venture capitalist and social entrepreneur, established Tmura, The Israeli Public Service Venture Fund, in 2002 to incentivize Israeli tech startups to contribute a small fraction of their equity to support youth and education nonprofits.

Torah ›

0 Torah Jewish Law

God’s Estranged Wife: Rashi on Song of Songs, Lamentations and Hosea

Devorah Schoenfeld in Lehrhaus

Devorah Schoenfeld delves into Rashi's intricate interpretations of Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Hosea, presenting a provocative narrative of God's estrangement from Israel.

JL;DR

for Thursday, July 31, 2025

Education ›

Politics ›

Jewish Law ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Antisemitism ›

History ›

Holidays ›

Philosophy ›

Torah ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

July 31's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Thursday, July 31, 2025

Education ›

Politics ›

Jewish Law ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Antisemitism ›

History ›

Holidays ›

Philosophy ›

Torah ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

July 31's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, July 31, 2025