JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Monday, September 15, 2025

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Jewish Law

The Power of Preparation: Elevating Mitzvos Through Hachanah

Moishe Bane in Jewish Action

Exploring the concept of hachanah, or preparation, Moishe Bane discusses its profound impact on mitzvah observance and spiritual life.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Torah

Tips for Preparing for the High Holidays

Rabbi Gil Student in Jewish Action

Rabbi Gil Student offers practical guidance for spiritual and emotional preparation during the High Holidays season.

Communities ›

0 Communities Leadership

Getting It Done, and Doing It Right, in Houston: Yakov Polatsek

S. Schreiber in Jewish Action

Yakov Polatsek has played a pivotal role in revitalizing Orthodox Jewish life in Houston.

0 Communities Leadership

Warmth Beyond Sunshine in Phoenix: Shaun and Gary Tuch

Sandy Eller in Jewish Action

Shaun and Gary Tuch, motivated by high living costs and the bustling pace of Los Angeles, moved to Phoenix with their families to build and grow within a Jewish community that offers opportunities for personal and communal contributions.

0 Communities Culture

Living Together in Linden: Andy and Samantha Van Houter

Sandy Eller in Jewish Action

The article highlights the vibrant and uniquely harmonious Jewish community in Linden, New Jersey, where both Modern Orthodox and Chassidic groups have formed a close-knit and cooperative environment.

0 Communities Leadership

Putting Springfield, New Jersey, on the Map: Ben Hoffer

Judy Gruen in Jewish Action

Ben Hoffer and Rabbi Chaim Marcus have been instrumental in revitalizing the Jewish community of Springfield, New Jersey, transforming it from an aging congregation into a bustling community with vibrant youth activities and an increasing number of families moving in.

0 Communities Leadership

How a Shul Rewrote Its Story: Yosef Kirschner

Judy Gruen in Jewish Action

The revival of Golf Manor Synagogue in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a story of effective leadership and community transformation.

0 Communities Leadership

The Accidental Activist: Avi Apfel

Merri Ukraincik in Jewish Action

Avi Apfel, originally from West Hempstead, New York, has emerged as an influential community leader in Rhawnhurst, a small, close-knit Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia.

0 Communities Leadership

Modeling Leadership in Memphis: Noam and Dr. Deena Davidovics

Rachel Schwartzberg in Jewish Action

Noam and Dr. Deena Davidovics are key figures in strengthening the Orthodox community in Memphis, Tennessee, where they have resided since 2012.

0 Communities Culture

Where Is Tennessee?

Rachel Schwartzberg in Jewish Action

Rachel Schwartzberg reflects on her life in Memphis, Tennessee, after moving from New York City with her husband.

0 Communities Israel

Lessons in Community Building—From Israel: How a Religious Community Took Root in Ariel

Carol Ungar in Jewish Action

Ariel, originally a secular town in the West Bank, is experiencing a shift towards a more religious Jewish community.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Snooker and Second Chances

JA Staff in Jewish Action

OU Israel's Teen Centers, including the one in Ariel, provide a crucial refuge for Israeli youth facing socio-economic and personal challenges.

0 Communities Education

Inside Ariel’s Jewish Campus Scene

JA Staff in Jewish Action

The article highlights the vibrant Jewish campus scene at Ariel University, facilitated by OU-JLIC (Orthodox Union's Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) under the leadership of Asaf and Shlomit Olshitzki.

0 Communities Leadership

Building a Community: Pointers from the Pros

JA Staff in Jewish Action

To build a thriving Jewish community, essential elements include establishing a K-8 day school and a high school to retain families, as well as infrastructure like a shul, mikveh, and eruv.

0 Communities Culture

The Shabbat Table That Found Me: Filling the Silence with Women’s Voices

Shirley Parker in Jewish Action

After the loss of her husband and a move from Brooklyn to Monsey, Shirley Parker struggles to find solace and community in her new surroundings.

0 Communities Ethics

All the Lonely People

Esther Kook in Jewish Action

The article by Esther Kook delves into the profound and often stigmatized experience of loneliness, particularly within the Jewish Modern Orthodox community, drawing from personal experiences and broader observations.

0 Communities Education

Letters – Fall 2025

JA Staff in Jewish Action

The correspondence in the Fall 2025 issue of a Jewish publication brings together perspectives on a range of topics.

0 Communities Philosophy

The Miracles of the Rabbis

Mel Waldman in Lehrhaus

Mel Waldman presents a poignant narrative about his wife Michelle's battle with severe health challenges and the profound impact of local rabbis on their lives.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

The Artistry of Shabbat Lights

David Olivestone in Jewish Action

The ritual of lighting Shabbat candles is a spiritually significant tradition in Jewish homes, predominantly performed by women.

0 Culture Jewish Law

The Sacred Pause: Finding Shabbat in a World That Never Stops

Charlene Trino in Jewish Action

Charlene Trino reflects on how the ancient practice of observing Shabbat has become a sacred pause in her fast-paced life as a marketing professional in Manhattan.

0 Culture Jewish Law

Shabbat in a Changed Israel: How Israelis Have Embraced Shabbat Since October 7

Carol Ungar in Jewish Action

In a poignant reflection on a difficult period in Israel's history, Carol Ungar explores the renewed embrace of Shabbat observance among many Israelis following the tragic events of October 7.

0 Culture History

The High Holidays of My Youth

Adina Sapir in Jewish Action

Adina Sapir reflects nostalgically on her childhood experience of the High Holidays in a small shtiebel in Boro Park during the 1970s and 80s.

0 Culture Jewish Law

Alex Edelman and fans of ‘Long Story Short’ may disagree, but a new book says Jewish humor is dying

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Michel Wieviorka's new book, "The Last Jewish Joke," asserts that Jewish humor is declining due to changing social conditions, such as increased antisemitism and a shift in the cultural landscape regarding Jews.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Holidays

Shabbat Candles: Halachot & Customs

Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotofsky in Jewish Action

Shabbat candle lighting is an ancient rabbinic mitzvah deeply cherished within Jewish tradition, especially by women who use this time for prayers.

0 Jewish Law Education

From Kashering Boards to Cookie Factories: Inside a Groundbreaking Kashrus Program for Women

Naomi Ross in Jewish Action

The article explores the transformative role of women in the kashrus industry, examining a groundbreaking program called the ASK OU Summer 2025 Women’s Kashruth Experience.

0 Jewish Law Food

Coming Soon from OU Press – Fall 2025

JA Staff in Jewish Action

OU Press announces the forthcoming release of "HaHashgachah KeHilchatah" by Rabbi Peretz Moncharsh, a groundbreaking book detailing the halachic decision-making process behind OU Kosher, the world's largest kosher certification agency.

0 Jewish Law Culture

Articles of Faith: Traditional Jewish Belief in the Internet Era

Reviewed by Rabbi Steven Gotlib in Jewish Action

Rabbi Gil Student's "Articles of Faith: Traditional Jewish Belief in the Internet Era" explores the impact of the internet on Jewish discourse, advocating for critical openness in analyzing controversial topics like feminism, Zionism, and artificial intelligence.

Food ›

0 Food Holidays

An Apple a Day . . . Recipes for the High Holidays

Naomi Ross in Jewish Action

Naomi Ross shares a collection of apple-centric recipes designed for the High Holidays, illustrating how to integrate this symbolic fruit into seasonal dishes.

Literature ›

0 Literature Education

Reviews in Brief – Fall 2025

Rabbi Gil Student in Jewish Action

"Reviews in Brief Fall 2025" features evaluations of three notable Jewish scholarly works.

0 Literature Philosophy

A Fanatical Future Awaits Us. Do We Care?

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

In "The Third Temple," Yishai Sarid presents a dystopian vision where Israel, under a quasi-Messianic monarchy, is governed by Torah law while surrounded by threats, and the land teeters on the brink of disaster.

Politics ›

0 Politics Ethics

Sodom, Akeidat Yitzchak and the New York Times: A Yamim Noraim Reflection

Rabbi Moshe Hauer in Jewish Action

Rabbi Moshe Hauer reflects on the distorted narratives portrayed by some media regarding Israel, juxtaposing these perceptions with biblical narratives related to judgment and justice during the Yamim Noraim.

0 Politics Israel

Philadelphia House race puts spotlight on virulently anti-Israel Democratic candidate

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

The Philadelphia House race for Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District has stirred controversy, especially due to the candidacy of State Rep. Chris Rabb, known for his strong anti-Israel stance.

0 Politics Culture

Crossing the Line to the Point of No Return

Emes Ve-Emunah

In this reflection on political violence, the author discusses the assassination of Charlie Kirk by an individual reportedly motivated by hatred of Kirk's socially conservative values.

Education ›

0 Education Leadership

The Spirituality of Imperfection: Lessons for the Yamim Noraim

Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph in Jewish Action

Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph explores the concept of embracing imperfection as a path to spiritual and personal growth during the High Holy Days.

0 Education Antisemitism

Why we must invest in the campus ecosystem

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article emphasizes the importance of investing in the college campus ecosystem to ensure it is a safe and supportive environment for Jewish students and those studying Israel.

0 Education Antisemitism

The Abraham Accords offer a model and a means for countering antisemitism on campus

eJewishPhilanthropy

Marking the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, this article explores their potential as a model to counter antisemitism on college campuses through fostering interfaith dialogue.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Jewish Law

Dovid Bashevkin in Tablet

Dovid Bashevkin explores Jewish leadership through the lens of Herman Wouk's novel 'The Caine Mutiny' and the teachings of Rashi and the Talmudic tractate Horayot.

History ›

0 History Antisemitism

The Palestinians' Not-So-Secret Nazi Roots

Future of Jewish

Lucy Tabrizi's essay explores the historical connections between early Palestinian leadership and Nazi Germany, emphasizing the collaboration between the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, and Adolf Hitler.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

The only thing being genocided in Gaza is truth itself.

Andrew Fox in Future of Jewish

Andrew Fox, a former British Army officer, critiques the surge of global antisemitism disguised as criticism of Israel during its conflict with Hamas.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

Why I hate "Zionism"

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critiques the term "Zionism" as misleading and argues that the focus should be on the practical necessity of protecting the Jewish population in Israel, rather than ideological debates.