JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Thursday, August 21, 2025

Education ›

0 Education Israel

Why Jewish texts matter in Israel education

eJewishPhilanthropy

Increasing numbers of American Jews are searching for meaningful ways to understand Israel, with Jewish texts offering a path forward by integrating these texts into Israel education.

Politics ›

0 Politics Jewish Law

The US "Gedolim" Speak Out

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critiques the American Agudas Yisroel's take on global and Israeli Jewish issues as outlined in their proclamation.

0 Politics Israel

The Left’s October 7 Revisionism

Gadi Taub in Tablet

Gadi Taub critiques how the Israeli left, in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks, has positioned the narrative against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

0 Politics Communities

The Troubled and the Committed

Liel Leibovitz in Tablet

Liel Leibovitz addresses the controversy sparked by the UJA-Federation of New York's donation to Gazan humanitarian efforts, arguing that the debate highlights deeper divisions within the American Jewish community.

0 Politics Israel

Israel's new gift to the far right could help end the Gaza war

Dan Perry in Forward

Israel's recent approval for new settlements in the E1 corridor, orchestrated by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, is stirring significant controversy but may not spell the end for a two-state solution.

0 Politics Culture

The Kennedy Center canceled all its 'woke' programming — so why is this Jewish musical OK?

Nora Berman in Forward

Under President Donald Trump's leadership, the Kennedy Center has significantly reduced its 'woke' programming, yet the musical 'Parade'—focusing on the lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish man in 1915—remains on the schedule.

0 Politics Israel

Meet the Jewish senator emerging as Chuck Schumer’s heir apparent

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii is poised to succeed Chuck Schumer as a leading Jewish figure in Senate leadership, with backing from Schumer himself.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Is the IDF Anti Torah?

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the tension between the IDF's obligations to accommodate the religious practices of Charedi soldiers and the Charedi community's perceptions of military service as potentially anti-Torah.

0 Politics Culture

Activism is the new religion — and they’re worshipping false idols.

Lucy Tabrizi in Future of Jewish

Lucy Tabrizi critiques modern Western activism, likening it to a pseudo-religion where identity and belonging overshadow genuine understanding and impact.

0 Politics Israel

The Fantasies That Jews Project Onto Israel

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Nachum Kaplan's essay discusses the disconnect between diaspora Jews and the reality of life in Israel, particularly in light of recent conflicts like the October 7th massacre and the war in Gaza.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Torah

Legal Fictions: A Narrative Reflection on Yevamot 16:6

Dovid Campbell in Lehrhaus

Exploring a story from Yevamot 16:6, Dovid Campbell's creative project, "Legal Fictions," reflects on Mishnaic law through narrative, capturing the nuanced wisdom and ethical dilemmas it presents.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

The Holiest Hatred

Adam Louis-Klein in Tablet

Adam Louis-Klein's article delves into the historical and contemporary narratives of antisemitism, explaining how it often masquerades as a form of justice rather than outright hatred.

0 Antisemitism History

If an antisemite chops down a memorial tree in Paris, how do we know it makes a sound?

Robert Zaretsky in Forward

This reflective piece revisits the tragic case of Ilan Halimi, a young French Jew tortured and murdered in 2006, and examines the recent antisemitic act of vandalism against a memorial tree planted in his memory.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Homeland Security speechwriter promoted antisemitic ‘Great Replacement’ theory on podcast

Grace Gilson in JTA

Eric Lendrum, a recently appointed speechwriter in the Department of Homeland Security, has a history of promoting extremist ideas, including the antisemitic Great Replacement conspiracy theory.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Tensions flare in Crown Heights as extremist group targets ‘zionist white supremacists’ over 1991 incident

Grace Gilson in JTA

Tensions in Crown Heights have resurfaced as an extremist group called Crown Heights Bites Back targeted the Chabad Lubavitch movement with accusations stemming from the 1991 riots, specifically around the death of Gavin Cato.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

After decades of conflict, Armenia-Azerbaijan peace plan gives Caucasus Jews new hope

Larry Luxner in JTA

The article explores the potential benefits for Jewish communities in Armenia and Azerbaijan amid the prospect of peace between the two nations, historically embroiled in conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

0 Communities Politics

Penguins or Charedim?

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin highlights ongoing tensions between charedi communities and broader Israeli society, emphasizing the lack of awareness among American Jews about the complexities faced in Israel.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Communities

Jewish enemies play dirty games, and the Jews must play to win.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Using an analogy with Michael Jordan's response to the 'Jordan Rules' defensive strategy, which sought to physically and mentally challenge him, the article argues that Jews, like Jordan, should transform adversity into strength.

Sports ›

0 Sports Antisemitism

Yankees draft a player who drew a swastika on Jewish classmate’s door

Grace Gilson in Forward

The New York Yankees recently drafted Core Jackson, a 21-year-old baseball player who, as a freshman at the University of Nebraska, drew a swastika on a Jewish student's door.

0 Sports Antisemitism

Yankees knowingly drafts player who once drew a swastika on a Jewish classmate’s door

Grace Gilson in JTA

The New York Yankees have drafted Corey Jackson, a player with a troubling past involving antisemitism.

Culture ›

0 Culture Television/Film

This Love Fest Between Iconic Hollywood Jewish Women Makes Our Hearts Happy

Daci Platt in Kveller

Lena Dunham, renowned for her Jewish roots and dynamic career in film and television, embarks on her latest project, a Netflix romantic comedy titled "Good Sex," starring fellow Jewish actress Natalie Portman.

0 Culture Jewish Law

Zabar’s, iconic UWS Jewish grocery, inspires a new Adidas sneaker

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Zabar's, the iconic 91-year-old grocery store in New York's Upper West Side, has inspired a new limited-edition Adidas sneaker as part of a collaboration celebrating the U.S. Open.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Politics

For now, give until it feels less bad

eJewishPhilanthropy

Andrea Freedman discusses the evolving fund-raising strategies within the Jewish community, especially in response to crises such as the recent Oct. 7 attacks.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Stop censoring your rabbi

eJewishPhilanthropy

As the High Holidays approach, the role of rabbis in providing moral and spiritual guidance is crucial, especially amid current global and local crises such as increasing antisemitism and authoritarianism.

0 Leadership Communities

A Vanguard of Rabbinic Unicorns

Sapir

Rabbis today face significant challenges in taking bold stances due to institutional constraints and a cautious incentive structure within Jewish communal life.

History ›

0 History Culture

‘Read All About It!’ Two Centuries Of Jewish News At Your Fingertips!

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

The National Library of Israel's Historical Jewish Press project, Jpress, offers a digital treasure trove of over 500 Jewish newspapers from around the world, dating from the 19th century to today.

0 History Television/Film

From Hollywood Failure to Hitler’s Filmmaker

David Mikics in Tablet

David Mikics' article delves into the morally complex decisions faced by G.W. Pabst, a once-prominent Weimar director, who returned to Nazi-controlled Germany to continue filmmaking.

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

Judaism Without Borders, Diaspora Without Tears

Sapir

Allegra Goodman reflects on the evolution of Jewish-American literature beyond the prominent figures of Saul Bellow and Philip Roth.