for Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Philosophy ›

Still We Rejoice: How Halakhah Guides Emotional Complexity

Batsheva Leah Weinstein in Lehrhaus

In "Still We Rejoice: How Halakhah Guides Emotional Complexity," Batsheva Leah Weinstein explores the Jewish halakhic approach to navigating complex emotions, especially in times of crisis.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

How Trump is banning DEI at universities — except for Jews

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

The Trump administration's recent directive prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federally funded universities, except for programs favoring Jewish students, has sparked legal and ethical debates.

0 Politics Ethics

They starve our people to crush the Jewish soul.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman explores the sophisticated psychological warfare tactics employed by Hamas and other adversaries to manipulate emotions and destabilize decision-making within Israel and globally.

0 Politics Communities

After the UFT endorsed Mamdani, some Jewish educators are withholding their dues in protest

Grace Gilson in JTA

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) in New York City faces internal conflict after endorsing Zohran Mamdani for mayor, a candidate with a history of anti-Zionist views.

0 Politics Communities

No, Your Rabbis Don't Know

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critiques an article by Gedalya Guttentag in Mishpacha magazine that defends the charedi community's aversion to military service in Israel.

0 Politics Communities

J Street head says he was ‘persuaded’ by arguments that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

Grace Gilson in JTA

J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami, initially denying that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, has now reversed his stance after considering legal and scholarly arguments.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

How NYC remembers ‘Battling’ Bella Abzug, the pioneering politician and feminist icon

Noa Yolkut in JTA

Bella Abzug, a pioneering Jewish politician and feminist icon, is celebrated for her tenacious advocacy for civil rights, women's equality, environmentalism, and gay rights during her three terms in the U.S. Congress.

0 Politics Ethics

Lamentations For Moral And Media Failures

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Gary Rosenblatt reflects on the modern resonance of the Book of Lamentations amid current events, particularly the Israeli conflict with Hamas.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Trump fired a commissioner over bad jobs numbers. Nixon targeted a ‘Jewish cabal’ at the same agency

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

The article draws a parallel between Donald Trump's recent firing of Erika McEntarfer, the Bureau of Labor Statistics chief, and Richard Nixon's antisemitic actions targeting Jews at the same agency.

0 Politics Communities

UK’s largest Jewish group calls Israeli aid to Gaza ‘long overdue,’ months after disciplining members for criticizing Israel

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has called for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, marking a significant shift from its previous stance.

0 Politics Ethics

The Dam Breaks

Peter Beinart in The Beinart Notebook

Peter Beinart discusses the shifting discourse in American policy towards Gaza, highlighting how voices previously marginalized for calling out Israeli policies are gaining recognition.

0 Politics Antisemitism

How to Dismantle the Israel Genocide Lie — A Guide

Ted Goldstein in Future of Jewish

Ted Goldstein's essay addresses the provocative and often bad-faith accusation that Israel is committing genocide, particularly in conversations post-October 2023.

0 Politics Israel

Epsteingate Is Russiagate 2.0

Lee Smith in Tablet

Lee Smith's article discusses the emergence of "Epsteingate" as a retaliatory narrative against the Trump administration, mirroring the tactics of "Russiagate."

Communities ›

0 Communities Holidays

Nothing could have prepared me for the loneliness of a Jewish community divided

Alana Zeitchik in JTA

Alana Zeitchik reflects on the intense personal and communal grief she experiences following a series of tragedies, including the hostage situation involving her relatives and the broader conflicts affecting Jewish and Palestinian communities.

0 Communities Jewish Law

In a first, Orthodox rabbinical school ordains an out gay rabbi

Louis Keene in Forward

Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, a leading liberal Orthodox rabbinical school, has ordained Rabbi Tadhg Cleary, marking the first time an out gay man has been ordained by an Orthodox Jewish institution in the U.S. This historic event highlights the evolving landscape of Modern Orthodoxy regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion.

0 Communities Philosophy

There’s no real competition in philanthropy, only collective impact

eJewishPhilanthropy

Following the traumatic events of October 7, 2023, numerous organizations mobilized to aid Israel, highlighting the power of collective impact in philanthropy.

Education ›

0 Education Communities

Teens need opportunities for inspirational, judgement-free learning and mentorship, both inside and outside of school

eJewishPhilanthropy

In a response to the proposed model of dividing Jewish education into formal academic and informal experiences, leaders from NCSY assert that the spiritual journey of Jewish teens is deeply personal and cannot be neatly compartmentalized.

0 Education Jewish Law

Why Reading Is Not Enough for Judaism

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Rivka Bennun Kay explores the complexities of Jewish learning in the modern world, contrary to some traditional perspectives.

0 Education Antisemitism

Don’t model antisemitism education on diversity training

eJewishPhilanthropy

With the rise in antisemitism, Jewish advocates have considered adopting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training models to address the issue.

0 Education Jewish Law

A Different Kind of Ga’on, A Different Kind of Sod

Avi Schwartz in Lehrhaus

The article is a tribute to Rabbi Dr. Neil Danzig, a revered Talmudic scholar at the Jewish Theological Seminary, following his passing.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

All the Jewish TV To Stream in August 2025

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

August 2025 offers an array of Jewish-themed TV content, as highlighted by Lior Zaltzman in an article for Kveller.

0 Television/Film Torah

Did the Bible foreshadow the hit reality series ‘Married at First Sight’?

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Married at First Sight, a reality TV series, parallels ancient biblical matchmaking by marrying strangers, reminiscent of the biblical story of Isaac and Rebekah.

Culture ›

0 Culture Ethics

That time my violin teacher tried to convert me to Christianity

Mira Fox in Forward

Mira Fox recounts a personal experience from her junior year in college, when her violin teacher attempted to engage her in a conversation aimed at converting her to Christianity.

0 Culture Education

Why Jews will miss the Corporation of Public Broadcasting terribly

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

The recent announcement of the impending closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) marks the end of a pivotal support system for Jewish cultural and educational media in the United States.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Facing the Music in a Rapidly Changing Industry

Rachelly Eisenberger and Ariella Konigsberg in Jewish Action

Dovid Pearlman, a 24-year-old rising star in Jewish music, navigates an evolving industry by prioritizing authenticity and trust in Hashem over trends and metrics.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Communities

Can YCT Still Be Called Orthodox?

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the ordination of Tadhg Cleary, an openly gay man, by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT), and questions whether the seminary can still be considered Orthodox.

History ›

0 History Philosophy

This Jewish history will change how you see our future.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman explores an alternate history where the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem were never destroyed, suggesting how this might have significantly impacted Jewish life and global civilization.

JL;DR

for Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Philosophy ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Education ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Music ›

Jewish Law ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

August 5's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Philosophy ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Education ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Music ›

Jewish Law ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

August 5's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Tuesday, August 5, 2025