JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Communities ›

0 Communities Israel

Reflecting on safety from a safe room

eJewishPhilanthropy

Traveling to Israel as part of a JFNA Pride Month delegation, the author found an unexpected sense of safety and belonging despite the ongoing conflict, highlighting the contrast to rising antisemitism faced by LGBTQ+ Jews in the U.S.

0 Communities History

Boro Park Shivah

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr reflects on a poignant journey to Boro Park for the shivah of an old friend, Beryl, with whom she had lost touch decades ago.

0 Communities Culture

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

"Off Track" by Cindy Scarr explores the challenges of communal living in a summer bungalow community, highlighting a recurring issue of children irresponsibly using golf carts and scooters.

0 Communities Israel

How American Jews are helping Israel’s communities near Gaza rebuild and return to life

Larry Luxner in JTA

American Jewish organizations are significantly contributing to the recovery and resilience of Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip, impacted by the recent conflict with Hamas.

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.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Politics

The Other "Genocide" in Israel

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin addresses the recent controversy over the euthanasia of 262 crocodiles at a farm in Israel, highlighting the complexities involved in managing wildlife and the impact of animal rights activism.

0 Ethics Politics

All of Israel is responsible for one another

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the wake of the Gaza humanitarian crisis, Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch underscores the dual responsibility of Jews to care for global humanity while also prioritizing the Jewish community, as highlighted in both the Torah and Talmud.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Feeding the Enemy

Erez Winner in Tablet

Erez Winner argues that Israel is not starving Gaza, but has mishandled the humanitarian crisis by failing to implement a strategic plan that would undermine Hamas's influence on aid distribution.

0 Politics Israel

A rabbi walked into a convention of Lutherans — and rebuked their ‘one-sided’ debate on Israel

Grace Gilson in JTA

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, leader of the Union for Reform Judaism, addressed the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America during their Churchwide Assembly to express his concern over their one-sided narrative on Israel and Palestine.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Mahmoud Khalil pushes back on claims of antisemitism at Columbia in Ezra Klein interview

Grace Gilson in JTA

Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian protest leader previously detained by immigration authorities, contested the narrative of widespread antisemitism at Columbia University during an interview with Ezra Klein.

0 Politics Israel

A US official just made history in the West Bank — did he imperil prospects for peace?

Dan Perry in Forward

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson made headlines by visiting the Ariel settlement in the West Bank, becoming the highest-ranking U.S. official to do so.

0 Politics Israel

Resenting Charedim, Evyatar David, and Occupying Gaza

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article explores the tensions between Israeli society and the Charedi community related to military enlistment, while also assessing the broader context of Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

0 Politics Culture

‘You can’t fake it’: Why images of starving children in Gaza are so difficult to dismiss

Hannah Feuer in Forward

The article discusses the powerful impact of images depicting malnourished children in Gaza, which have intensified international pressure on Israel.

0 Politics Education

Bard president Leon Botstein says Trump’s campaign against colleges follows ‘a classic antisemitic routine’

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

Leon Botstein, President of Bard College, critiques the Trump administration's approach to higher education, highlighting its impact on college leadership and international students.

0 Politics Israel

Netanyahu reportedly plans to occupy Gaza, in move opposed by IDF brass and majority of Israelis

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip has sparked significant internal and international controversy, chiefly due to its potential risks and divergence from previous military strategies.

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.

Culture ›

0 Culture Jewish Law

Missed Connections

Marco Roth in Tablet

Navigating a moment of introspection during a mundane subway commute, the author reflects on a chance encounter with Mayer, a young Lubavitcher Hasid.

0 Culture Ethics

How hot are the customers at NYC’s Jewish restaurants? This website will tell you.

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

The article explores LooksMapping, a website that uses AI to rank how attractive the clientele is at various restaurants, including several notable Jewish establishments in New York City.

0 Culture Gender/Identity

Birds of a Feather

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr's narrative in "Birds of a Feather" follows Bayla as she navigates a first date with Binyamin, who initially appears unconventional due to his mismatched socks.

0 Culture Holidays

Hosting the Shechinah in Exile

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr explores the spiritual dimensions of summer travel and hosting guests in the Jewish tradition.

0 Culture Music

When the Chuppah Becomes a Concert

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article analyzes the trend of transforming the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony under the chuppah into elongated musical performances.

History ›

0 History Israel

My grandmother was Palestinian, but not the kind you think.

Forest Rain in Future of Jewish

Forest Rain's essay explores the historical use of the term 'Palestinian,' reflecting on his grandmother's identity as a Jewish woman from the British Mandate of Palestine.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Mood Mix with Shimon Chaim Lichtman

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Shimon Chaim Lichtman, a talented musician and choir director, shares insights into his musical influences and experiences working with the Yingerlach choir and in summer camp settings.

Education ›

0 Education History

The Torah World in Transition

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Following the Holocaust, a remarkable resurgence of the Torah world occurred through the efforts of visionary leaders and committed laypeople, notably in the United States and Israel.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

The Smile That Changed Lives

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rav Moshe Chaim Dunner ztzl was a beloved spiritual leader whose passing at the age of 46 has deeply affected many across the globe.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Nazi Grok is a problem. So are the far-right Jews using AI to spread hate

Nadav Ziv in Forward

Nadav Ziv addresses how artificial intelligence (AI) is mirroring societal biases, including both antisemitism and internal Jewish community hate towards Muslims.

0 Antisemitism Philosophy

Fighting antisemitism is no longer useful if we don't go inward.

Adam Louis-Klein in Future of Jewish

In a thought-provoking essay, Adam Louis-Klein argues for a shift in the Jewish community's response to antisemitism and anti-Zionism by emphasizing internal reflection and cultural enrichment.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

Why a little-known Jewish writer from Belgium went viral — and why you should read her too

Lauren Hakimi in Forward

Jacqueline Harpman, a Holocaust survivor and Belgian author, has gained posthumous fame as her novels garnered viral attention on TikTok.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Eastern European Fruit Punch

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig reflects on the nostalgic and cultural significance of kompot, an Eastern European fruit punch, highlighting its roots in Jewish culinary traditions.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

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.