JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Monday, September 8, 2025

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Torah

The Nature Of Theodicy

Chaim Trachtman in Lehrhaus

In this exploration of theodicy through the lens of the Book of Iyyov, Chaim Trachtman delves into why this particular biblical text uniquely captures the struggle of understanding the justice of God in a seemingly indifferent universe.

Culture ›

0 Culture Ethics

Malcolm Gladwell’s Fake Apology

Liel Leibovitz in Tablet

Malcolm Gladwell's public apology for his performance at a 2022 MIT panel reveals a more profound issue with his approach to journalism.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

U.K. Cabinet shake-up not likely to change British position on Israel, experts say

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

A recent Cabinet reshuffle in the United Kingdom, initiated by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is not expected to significantly alter the country's stance on Israel, despite some shifts in key positions.

0 Politics Israel

Lawler challenger Peter Chatzky says Israel violating U.S. arms sales laws

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

Peter Chatzky, deputy mayor and a Democratic candidate in New York's 17th district, is drawing attention for his critical views on U.S.-Israel relations.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Pro-Palestinians are not actually pro-Palestinian.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that many pro-Palestinian activists are misaligned in their advocacy, focusing their efforts on condemning Israel rather than supporting genuine improvements for Palestinian well-being.

0 Politics Israel

Mamdani calls for a permanent end to NYC investments in Israel Bonds

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, has voiced his intention to support the city's permanent divestment from Israel Bonds, aligning with outgoing city comptroller Brad Lander's decision in 2023 to stop investing in these government debt securities.

0 Politics Communities

Diverting the Gravy Train

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin discusses a provocative new campaign aiming to reform the fundraising dynamics that support the charedi yeshiva world in Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders talk Gaza war, pro-Palestinian protests at Brooklyn College

Joseph Strauss in JTA

In a recent event at Brooklyn College, Zohran Mamdani and Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the repression of pro-Palestinian activism in U.S. universities.

0 Politics Israel

‘The future of the Democratic party’: Mamdani joins Sanders to ‘fight oligarchy’

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Democratic socialists Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani united at the NYC Labor Day Parade, showcasing a shared commitment to progressive causes like income inequality and universal healthcare.

Communities ›

0 Communities Ethics

What I learned about life from preparing the dead

Austin Albanese in Forward

Austin Albanese shares his transformative experiences working with a chevra kadisha, a traditional Jewish burial society, which played a pivotal role in his journey as a convert to Judaism.

0 Communities Leadership

Conservative Judaism’s procedural paralysis

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Joshua Rabin reflects on Conservative Judaism's focus on procedural debates, such as interfaith wedding officiation, arguing these discussions overshadow more pressing systemic issues.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Conservative rabbis are already engaging interfaith families, with or without the movement

Contributing Author in eJewishPhilanthropy

Conservative rabbis are independently taking steps to address interfaith family inclusion, despite the formal position of the Conservative movement remaining unclear.

0 Communities Politics

25 years ago, he wrote the book on ‘Jew vs. Jew.’ Now Samuel Freedman is seeing new and deeper divisions.

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Samuel Freedman's landmark book, "Jew vs. Jew," published 25 years ago, captures the internal conflicts within American Jewry, a portrait that remains relevant today amidst deepening divisions.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Education

It’s not in Heaven: The future of Judaism is here and now

eJewishPhilanthropy

Daphne Macedonia addresses the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, emphasizing the importance of active involvement in Judaism, especially by the younger generation.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

When the Torah of God Meets the Torah of Man

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Rivka Bennun Kay explores the harmonious blend of Written and Oral Torah through her reflections on reading Rav Kook's "Orot HaTorah" during a vacation.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

100 years later, just how Jewish was Peter Sellers?

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

Peter Sellers, the iconic English comedian born in 1925, had a complicated relationship with his Jewish identity.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Culture

Why Americans Should Trade Self-Help for Mussar

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Rivka Bennun Kay argues that while the self-help movement focuses on individual happiness and self-empowerment, it often leads to feelings of brokenness and neglects the importance of societal connections.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Culture

Jews have to keep proving we’re human beings.

Ted Goldstein in Future of Jewish

In an impassioned essay by Jewish poet Ted Goldstein, a recent incident involving Coldplay's Chris Martin highlights persistent challenges of dehumanization faced by Israelis and Jews.