for Thursday, August 7, 2025

Education ›

Boosting teacher salaries: A promising approach from Denver Jewish Day School

Denver Jewish Day School (DJDS) has successfully piloted an innovative approach to teacher compensation by establishing a teacher salary endowment fund.

0 Education Israel

The real barrier to Israel education isn’t the conflict. It’s us.

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish educators across North America face challenges in teaching about Israel, especially concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, due to a lack of institutional support.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Should the War Continue?

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin explores the moral and strategic complexities surrounding Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

0 Politics Israel

Hamas should release all the hostages. But it's foolish to think that would end the war

Becca Strober in Forward

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Becca Strober argues against the notion that the war will end with the release of hostages held in Gaza.

0 Politics Israel

End the war in Gaza, major Jewish philanthropists tell Netanyahu in open letter with more than 1,600 signatures

Grace Gilson in Forward

Influential Jewish philanthropists, including Charles Bronfman and Marcia Riklis, have signed a letter urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza.

0 Politics Communities

Major Diaspora philanthropists call on Netanyahu to end war and aid Gaza, in mass open letter

Grace Gilson in JTA

Nearly 2,000 influential Jewish philanthropists from the U.S. and U.K. have penned an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging an end to the war in Gaza and advocating for humanitarian aid to the Palestinian region.

0 Politics History

Politics is the new religion, and Jews should know better.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

In Joshua Hoffman's article, he explores how politics has morphed into a new form of religion, offering meaning and community for many, in a world where traditional religious institutions are losing their prominence.

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.

Science ›

0 Science Politics

Yet Another White House Says It Won’t Fund Engineered Deadly Viruses

Thomas Kelly in Tablet

The article discusses recent moves by the Trump and previous administrations to curb gain-of-function (GOF) research, which involves experimenting on potentially pandemic-inducing viruses.

0 Science Israel

Artificial Intelligence Takes on Health Care at Hadassah

Wendy Elliman in Hadassah

At Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare with groundbreaking applications in radiology and oncology.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Culture

In Israel, I’m safe. In Britain, I’m under constant threat.

Ella Ben Emanuel in Future of Jewish

Ella Ben Emanuel reflects on her experiences living between Israel and the UK, describing a sense of safety in Israel compared to feeling increasingly threatened in Britain due to rising antisemitism and societal changes.

0 Antisemitism Politics

What does the Star of David represent? A new ruling offers a legal answer

Hannah Feuer in Forward

A recent federal ruling by Judge Trevor McFadden, spurred by an alleged attack involving an Israeli flag, has sparked significant legal discourse.

0 Antisemitism Israel

Antisemitic graffiti and torched cars outside IDF soldier’s family home prompt police investigation in St. Louis suburb

Philissa Cramer in Forward

In Clayton, Missouri, police are investigating an antisemitic hate crime involving graffiti reading "Death to the IDF" and the torching of three cars outside a residence linked to a former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier.

Communities ›

0 Communities Ethics

I prepare bodies as part of my synagogue's burial society, but I'm an anti-Zionist. Is that OK?

Mira Fox in Forward

The article addresses a personal query from an anti-Zionist volunteer in a chevra kadisha questioning whether their political stance might be inappropriate within a Zionist synagogue's burial society.

0 Communities Israel

The Power We Harness in Hadassah

Carol Ann Schwartz in Hadassah

Hadassah Greater Detroit has been transforming the lives of Israeli children through handmade dolls used to comfort young patients at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem.

0 Communities Culture

Bosnian national museum says proceeds from display of Sarajevo Haggadah will go to ‘helping Palestine’

Philissa Cramer in JTA

The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina has announced its decision to donate proceeds from the display of the historic Sarajevo Haggadah to aid Palestine, citing opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza.

0 Communities History

Where We’ve Been, Where We Are: A Jewish Soul Walks Through Portugal

Jewdicious

In this reflective piece, Amy Salman explores her emotional journey in Portugal, a country with a complex Jewish history marked by expulsion and covert practice.

0 Communities Culture

What Happens When Assimilated Jews Start Searching?

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Following the October 2023 antisemitic events, many highly assimilated American Jews have rediscovered their Jewish identity, leading to a renewed interest in engaging with Jewish life.

0 Communities Leadership

Before we engage others, we need to engage each other: How Jewish Cincinnati’s leaders strengthen community

eJewishPhilanthropy

Cincinnati, a medium-sized city with historic roots in Reform Judaism, exemplifies a dynamic model of Jewish community engagement through collaborative initiatives like The Big Gather.

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.

Culture ›

0 Culture Holidays

Love is in the air — and on the Jewish calendar

Noa Yolkut in JTA

Tu B'Av, the Jewish day of love celebrated on the 15th of Av, has gained modern significance akin to Valentine's Day, particularly in Israel.

0 Culture Politics

Letters to the Editor: Two Jews, Three Opinions

Editor in Hadassah

This collection of letters to the editor from Hadassah Magazine's recent issue reflects the diversity of views within the Jewish community on key issues like tikkun olam, inclusivity of LGBTQ characters in media, and the complexities of dealing with antisemitism on university campuses.

0 Culture Language

This Yiddish Word Is Good for My Mental Health and Bad for My Bank Account

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Lior Zaltzman shares a playful exploration of the Yiddish word "tchotchke," which describes decorative trinkets that spark joy despite their lack of practical function.

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.

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

Amid the terror of war in Ukraine, a stirring debut novel demonstrates the power of love and art

Julia M. Klein in Forward

Sam Wachman's debut novel, "The Sunflower Boys," unfolds amidst the turmoil of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, offering a poignant narrative centered around the experiences of 12-year-old Artem.

0 Literature Culture

REVIEW: ‘Fervor’

Jaime Herndon in Hadassah

Toby Lloyd's novel 'Fervor' is a multifaceted exploration of a Jewish family's disintegration, blending elements of a coming-of-age story, mystery, and horror.

0 Literature Culture

Forget Everything About This Israeli Poet Except Her Poems

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

The legacy of Israeli poet Dahlia Ravikovitch is profoundly explored, emphasizing her wish that her life experiences be overshadowed by the enduring resonance of her poetry.

Art ›

0 Art Communities

Inside one man’s quixotic quest to preserve 200,000 Israeli tchotchkes

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Boris Gorbis, a 74-year-old retired lawyer and passionate collector, has gathered the world's largest known assembly of 20th-century Zionist souvenirs, including menorahs and seder plates, that were once popular among American Jews but are now largely forgotten.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Antisemitism

Is Adversity the Key to Greater Observance?

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article explores whether adversity, particularly increasing antisemitism, serves as a catalyst for greater religious observance in the Jewish community.

Language ›

0 Language Culture

In the Write Places

Joseph Lowin in Hadassah

The article explores the significance of the Hebrew root (khaf, tav, bet), which relates to writing, across various Jewish texts and traditions.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust History

Meet the French Women Who Defied the Nazis

Cathryn J. Prince in Hadassah

Lynne Olson's book, "The Sisterhood of Ravensbrück," chronicles the inspiring stories of four non-Jewish French women who resisted the Nazis and were subsequently imprisoned at the Ravensbrück concentration camp.

History ›

0 History Communities

Greetings Comrade, and welcome to the the Communist camp for working-class Jews

Jon Kalish in Forward

Camp Nitgedaiget was a unique proletarian resort for working-class Jews with leftist leanings in the Catskills.

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.

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.

JL;DR

for Thursday, August 7, 2025

Education ›

Politics ›

Science ›

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Literature ›

Art ›

Jewish Law ›

Language ›

Holocaust ›

History ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

August 7's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Education ›

Politics ›

Science ›

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Literature ›

Art ›

Jewish Law ›

Language ›

Holocaust ›

History ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

August 7's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, August 7, 2025