for Thursday, August 28, 2025

Communities ›

0 Communities Ethics

Labor Day reminder: Policies aren’t enough when it comes to paid leave

As Labor Day brings attention to the achievements of American workers, a study by the Women's Rabbinic Network exposes critical issues regarding paid leave in Jewish workplaces.

0 Communities Culture

Kinky Friedman has been gone a year, but his family's summer camp lives on

Jon Kalish in Forward

Echo Hill Ranch, founded by Tom and Min Friedman in 1953, served as a pivotal Jewish summer camp in Texas, fostering values of tikkun olam and personal growth in a non-competitive environment.

0 Communities Culture

It’s time to take a serious look at digital engagement

eJewishPhilanthropy

In an era where community is being redefined by digital platforms, the Jewish community must adapt to engage youth effectively online.

0 Communities Education

Unapologetically Jewish and stronger than ever

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish students in Ontario are increasingly facing antisemitism on university campuses, but many are combating this by embracing their Jewish identity more openly and celebrating their culture.

0 Communities History

Transnistria’s Jews find themselves caught in a Soviet time warp as Ukraine war rages next door

Philissa Cramer in Forward

The Jewish population in Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova still clinging to Soviet ideals, is dwindling and aging amidst economic hardship exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

0 Communities History

Transnistria’s Jews find themselves caught in a Soviet time warp as Ukraine war rages next door

Larry Luxner in JTA

In the breakaway region of Transnistria, Jewish life persists against the backdrop of Soviet nostalgia and current geopolitical tensions.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

The Trees of Eden and the Trees of the Siege: Conquest and Protection

David Curwin in Lehrhaus

David Curwin's article explores the connection between the Torah's instructions on preserving fruit trees during a siege and the stories of the Garden of Eden.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Trump’s attack on George Soros is ludicrous. It also endangers Jews (and everyone else)

Emily Tamkin in Forward

Emily Tamkin critiques former President Donald Trump's repeated claims that Jewish philanthropist George Soros is behind civil unrest in the U.S. Trump’s assertions are deemed not only ludicrous but also antisemitic, reviving harmful age-old conspiracies about Jewish influence.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Minneapolis Catholic school shooter’s weapons were allegedly marked with antisemitic messages

Grace Gilson in JTA

In a tragic incident at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, shooter Robin Westman, 23, used weapons inscribed with antisemitic and anti-Israel messages, resulting in the deaths of two young children and injuries to numerous others before taking his own life.

0 Antisemitism Culture

What we can learn from antisemitism on TikTok

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

As TikTok emerges as a major news platform for young Americans, discussions about antisemitism on the app are marked by starkly divided opinions.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Minneapolis school shooter had antisemitic messages on his guns, ADL says

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

A tragic school shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis left two children dead and 17 injured, with firearms found to be emblazoned with antisemitic and anti-Israel slogans.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

Beverly Hills school board narrowly votes to fly Israeli flags in effort to combat antisemitism

Grace Gilson in JTA

Beverly Hills Unified School District has decided to display Israeli flags in its facilities during Jewish Heritage Month, igniting a debate on whether such a measure, aimed at combating antisemitism, is appropriate.

Politics ›

0 Politics History

In a first for an Israeli leader, Netanyahu says he recognizes the Armenian genocide

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a groundbreaking acknowledgment on a podcast by recognizing the Armenian genocide, a term historically avoided by Israeli leaders due to complex diplomatic ties, particularly with Turkey.

0 Politics Ethics

Gaza's media martyrs are a mockery of journalism.

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Nachum Kaplan critiques the portrayal of journalists as privileged figures during wartime, particularly in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

0 Politics Israel

American Jewish institutions have defied immoral Israeli policy before. They need to do it again

Sam Berkman in Forward

Sam Berkman advocates for American Jewish institutions to reinvigorate their assertiveness in addressing Israeli policies as they did in 2019 against annexation.

0 Politics Israel

Israel is not deliberately killing journalists in Gaza. But it does bear responsibility for their deaths

Dan Perry in Forward

Dan Perry discusses the complex and tragic reality of journalist deaths in Gaza amidst Israeli military operations.

0 Politics Israel

‘A People That Dwells Alone’

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Gary Rosenblatt discusses the complex challenges faced by Israel and the United States, touching on frayed bilateral relations, rising antisemitism, and domestic political dilemmas.

0 Politics Israel

A Few Minutes with Jack Ciattarelli

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Jack Ciattarelli, a prominent Republican candidate for the New Jersey governor's race, emphasizes his commitment to strengthening economic ties with Israel and supporting its right to self-defense.

0 Politics History

The Simple Difference Between Israelis and Palestinians

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that despite advanced military capabilities, Israel exercises significant restraint in conflicts, emphasizing moral superiority over Palestinian groups, notably Hamas, which use civilians as shields.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

The Borscht Belt was a haven for Jews — and for crossdressers

Mira Fox in Forward

The Borscht Belt is renowned for its Jewish heritage, particularly in comedy, but it also played a significant role in early transgender history through places like Casa Susanna.

0 Culture Communities

Yizkor books and yentas: When New York City was a Yiddish town

Allen Lewis Rickman in Forward

Allen Lewis Rickman reviews Henry Sapoznik's book "The Tourists Guide To Lost Yiddish New York City," which offers a vibrant exploration of New York's Yiddish past through stories on food, architecture, theater, and music.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

TikTok star BenGingi highlights Israeli cuisine in a proudly defiant new cookbook

Rachel Ringler in JTA

Ben Siman-Tov, known as BenGingi on TikTok, released a cookbook called "Eat Small Plates," celebrating Israeli cuisine amid a tense global climate following Oct. 7.

0 Food Culture

Whole Wheat Muffins

Sharona in Mishpacha

Family Table from Mishpacha Magazine explores three delightful whole wheat muffin recipes, perfect for those seeking a healthier yet delicious pastry option.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Torah

“Nothing as Whole as a Broken Heart”: What Makes Faith Authentic?

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Rivka Bennun Kay explores the concept of faith and authenticity (temimut) in Jewish tradition, drawing on various interpretations from Jewish scholars and psychologists.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

‘Platonic’ on Apple TV+ Is a Twist on ‘When Harry Met Sally’ — And Much More Jewish

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Apple TV+'s "Platonic" reimagines Nora Ephron's classic romcom question from "When Harry Met Sally," asking whether straight men and women can truly remain just friends.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Communities

Don't Panic

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin addresses the alarming allegations of organized ritual sexual abuse within Israel's ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities, scrutinized by the Knesset and media.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Art

Spotted in a Nazi’s daughter’s real estate ad: a painting looted from a famed Jewish art dealer

Toby Axelrod in JTA

A painting looted from the Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker during World War II has potentially resurfaced in Argentina, as reported by Dutch journalists.

History ›

0 History Politics

Palestinian nationalism is one big lie.

Dan Burmawi in Future of Jewish

Dan Burmawi's essay challenges the notion of Palestinian nationalism by arguing that the region's identity has historically been more rooted in Islam than in nationalist ideology.

JL;DR

for Thursday, August 28, 2025

Communities ›

Torah ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

Politics ›

Culture ›

Food ›

Philosophy ›

Television/Film ›

Ethics ›

Holocaust ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

August 28's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Torah ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

Politics ›

Culture ›

Food ›

Philosophy ›

Television/Film ›

Ethics ›

Holocaust ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

August 28's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, August 28, 2025