JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Saturday, September 20, 2025

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Netanyahu says Israel did not kill Charlie Kirk, rejecting an idea circulating on the far right

Andrew Lapin in JTA

In an unusual move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly refuted conspiracy theories circulating among far-right figures in the United States, denying any Israeli involvement in the murder of young conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

0 Politics History

The terrifying Nazi precedent for Jimmy Kimmel's suspension — and the reasons to stay hopeful

Nora Berman in Forward

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel from his late-night show by ABC, following comments on Charlie Kirk's death, draws parallels to a disturbing historical precedent set in Nazi Germany.

0 Politics Israel

The UN is a threat to Jewish safety.

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Nachum Kaplan's guest essay expresses strong criticism of the United Nations for its treatment of Israel, arguing that the organization has become a vehicle for promoting antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment.

0 Politics Israel

Zohran Mamdani didn’t go to bat for Democrats over Israel. Now some are withholding their backing from him for the same reason.

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral candidate for New York City, faces a complicated endorsement landscape due to his previous lack of support for Democratic leaders like President Biden and Kamala Harris, specifically due to their policies regarding Israel.

0 Politics Ethics

Will Judaism after Gaza actually be different from Judaism before Gaza?

Jay Michaelson in Forward

In this provocative analysis, Jay Michaelson examines the impact of Israeli military actions in Gaza on the broader Jewish community and religious identity.

0 Politics Communities

Jewish Texas man charged with making terroristic threat against NYC’s Zohran Mamdani

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Jeremy Fistel, a Texas man with an Orthodox Jewish upbringing, faces multiple charges, including making terroristic threats against Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor.

0 Politics Antisemitism

I read the UN 'genocide' report so you don't have to.

Kyle Orton in Future of Jewish

Kyle Orton critiques a UN report alleging Israel's genocidal intent in its response to Hamas.

0 Politics Israel

Yair Golan: On this Rosh Hashanah, Israel’s reckless government needs to hear the voices of Diaspora Jews

Yair Golan in Forward

Yair Golan, leader of the Israeli Democrats party, calls for Diaspora Jews to actively support Israel's democracy against its current government, which he views as extreme and divisive.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

Are the Schools Finally Learning?

The Cholent in The Cholent

Recent efforts by Seattle-area Jewish organizations are yielding positive outcomes in addressing antisemitism in public schools.

0 Education Communities

Planting seeds of renewal: Philanthropy’s role in rebuilding early childhood education in Israel

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the aftermath of the devastation in Israel's Gaza Envelope post-October 7, 2023, a transformative initiative focusing on early childhood education is underway, led by organizations such as SASA Setton, Alumot Or, and the Center for Jewish Impact.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

How a Yiddish acting troupe fooled the Tsarist government

Mikhail Krutikov in Forward

Ester Rachel Kaminska, often hailed as the "Mother of Yiddish Theater," played a pivotal role in founding Europe's first professional Yiddish theater in the late 19th century, navigating through Tsarist Russia's oppressive policies against Yiddish performances.

0 Culture Communities

The 10 most Jewish things to happen to me in 10 years at the Forward

Talya Zax in Forward

Talya Zax reflects on her decade-long journey at the Forward, illustrating the vibrancy, humor, and interconnectedness of the Jewish community through a series of personal anecdotes.

0 Culture Politics

Selective 'Cancel Culture' Outrage

Emes Ve-Emunah

ABC's cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night TV show over a controversial comment has sparked debate about selective outrage in cancel culture.

0 Culture Food

Samin Nosrat Discovers She Has Jewish Heritage

Daci Platt in Kveller

Chef and author Samin Nosrat, known for her book "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat," recently revealed on the "Talk Easy" podcast that she discovered her Jewish heritage through her late father's hidden YouTube videos.

Communities ›

0 Communities Ethics

If You Need Gas for an Empty Tank, or a Tenth for a Minyan . . .

Steve Lipman in Jewish Action

Chaverim, an international, non-medical volunteer emergency response organization, is highlighted for its dedicated service assisting the Jewish community with everyday problems such as being locked out, flat tires, or dead car batteries.

0 Communities Culture

We asked rabbis, ‘What are Jews most hungry to hear this new year?’

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

As Jews face another challenging Rosh Hashanah amid geopolitical tensions, rising antisemitism, and political upheaval, a diverse group of rabbis shared their insights on what their congregations yearn to hear.

0 Communities Israel

Working with youth gives me hope

eJewishPhilanthropy

Adina H. Frydman of Young Judaea Global reflects on the invigorating impact of engaging with youth, particularly in Zionist contexts.

Art ›

0 Art History

After years of war, world’s oldest synagogue paintings are revealed as intact in Damascus

Grace Gilson in Forward

The Dura Europos synagogue paintings, located in the National Museum of Damascus, have survived the Syrian civil war remarkably intact, as discovered by a delegation of Jewish scholars.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

‘Jews are banned from entering here!’ sign in German shop window spurs international backlash

Toby Axelrod in JTA

A blatantly antisemitic sign in a bookstore window in Flensburg, Germany, has sparked international outrage, including a lawsuit threat from Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid.

0 Antisemitism Politics

The Jewish debate has lost its mind.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article by Joshua Hoffman critiques the global discourse surrounding Israel and antisemitism, highlighting instances where traditional antisemitic tropes are repackaged as legitimate criticism.

0 Antisemitism Politics

University leaders among 100+ signatories to Jewish letter decrying Trump’s campus antisemitism wars

Andrew Lapin in JTA

An open letter from over 100 Jewish signatories, including academics, activists, and writers, criticizes former President Donald Trump's efforts to combat campus antisemitism, which they argue are disingenuous and target pro-Palestinian student activists.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Holocaust

How Scarlett Johansson’s Holocaust Family History Inspired Her Latest Film

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut, "Eleanor the Great," draws parallels to her own newly-discovered family history, despite its storyline focusing on fictional characters.

Food ›

0 Food Holidays

Bonus Recipe: Roasted Plum and Farro Salad

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig presents a delightful Roasted Plum and Farro Salad recipe, perfect for Rosh Hashanah celebrations.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

Why Talmud is the bedrock of my faith

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Aviva Richman of the Hadar Institute reflects on why the Talmud remains the foundation of her faith, especially as we approach the introspective period of Rosh Hashanah.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy History

The Beauty of Rupture

Joseph Feit in Tablet

Exploring the concept of rupture, both in Jewish mysticism and modern physics, the article highlights how fragmentation and subsequent restoration form a fundamental pattern across Jewish history and thought.