for Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Communities ›

A Yom Kippur prayer for a year of healing for Israel

As Israel grapples with the aftermath of recent conflicts and unprecedented challenges, the country's healthcare system stands as a symbol of resilience, embodying the collective determination to heal both physically and psychologically.

0 Communities Ethics

Cast Your Bread

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr powerfully recounts her childhood experiences of living in poverty in 1990s Jerusalem.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Israel’s secret ‘Esther Project’: DOJ filings reveal paid US influencer campaign amid AI-powered PR blitz

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

Israel has initiated a strategic influence campaign, known as the Esther Project, aimed at bolstering U.S.-Israel relations through social media engagement.

0 Politics Israel

Before his death, Charlie Kirk told Netanyahu that Israel faced a ‘5-alarm fire’ over PR strategy

Grace Gilson in Forward

Before his assassination, conservative activist Charlie Kirk warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel's public relations strategies were faltering, particularly within the conservative MAGA community.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Hegseth says ‘no more beardos’ in the military. What about religious exemptions?

Hannah Feuer in Forward

In a recent address at the Quantico Marine Corps Base, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared a crackdown on beards in the military, challenging current exemptions for religious reasons.

0 Politics Leadership

Why Charlie Kirk Will Be Greatly Missed

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Charlie Kirk, the influential founder of Turning Point USA, was tragically assassinated, sparking a nationwide debate about free speech and political violence in America.

0 Politics History

I've seen what freedom looks like — and I can see Trump trying to take it away

Terrence Petty in Forward

Terrence Petty reflects on the democratic revolution that tore down the Berlin Wall in 1989 and compares it to the current threats to democracy he perceives under Donald Trump's leadership.

0 Politics Israel

Which hostage families was Zohran Mamdani quoting? Here’s what we learned.

JTA

New York City council member Zohran Mamdani recently quoted hostage family statements to criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming their expressions of "everyone for everyone" illustrate his universalist politics.

0 Politics Communities

Andrew Cuomo nabs endorsements from Jewish groups after Eric Adams drops out of NYC mayoral race

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Andrew Cuomo has received significant endorsements from various Jewish groups in the race for New York City Mayor after Eric Adams halted his campaign.

0 Politics Israel

A real Middle East peace plan starts with security for Israel.

Adam Hummel in Future of Jewish

Adam Hummel argues that security must be the starting point for any genuine Middle East peace plan, not the recognition of a Palestinian state.

0 Politics Culture

Cuomo’s Conundrum. Plus. . .

The Free Press in The Free Press

Amid a bustling news cycle, key political developments include Mayor Eric Adams bowing out of the New York City mayoral race and former Governor Andrew Cuomo's donors gearing up for a potential resurgence.

0 Politics Israel

When did Donald Trump become a liberal Zionist?

Rob Eshman in Forward

In an unexpected pivot, President Donald Trump has introduced a peace plan for Gaza that aligns with liberal Zionist principles, marking a significant departure from his previous hardline stance.

0 Politics Communities

Seattle Jewish leaders express concern with mayoral front-runner Katie Wilson’s Mamdani-esque views

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

As Seattle's mayoral race heats up, Jewish leaders express concerns over front-runner Katie Wilson's perceived anti-Israel stances, including describing Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.

0 Politics Israel

Trump's peace plan for Gaza will fail miserably.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman critiques U.S. President Trump's 21-point peace plan for Gaza, arguing that it will fail due to the fundamental ideological clash between Islamist groups like Hamas and Western values.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Politics

Do Women Exist?

Daniel Kodsi in Tablet

The article explores the contentious issue of whether female-only spaces and sports competitively segregated by biological sex are justified.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

Divine Companionship in the Tokhahah: A Textual Analysis

Milton Torres-Ceron in Lehrhaus

Milton Torres-Ceron's analysis of Leviticus 26, the Tokhahah, explores the juxtaposition of divine punishment and companionship through linguistic and thematic patterns.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Jewish Law

On Yom Kippur, the scales are in the balance. Radical kindness can tip them.

Rabba Sara Hurwitz in JTA

In her reflective piece, Rabba Sara Hurwitz emphasizes the urgent need for radical kindness, particularly in times of division within the Jewish community.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

'Free speech' is a free pass for antisemitism.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman critiques the misuse of free speech as a cover for antisemitic rhetoric, particularly against Israel and Jews.

0 Antisemitism Education

‘Today we burn Jews,’ Argentine students chant in viral video taken on graduation trip

Juan Melamed in JTA

A viral video from Argentina has sparked outrage as it shows high school students from Escuela Humanos chanting antisemitic slogans during their graduation trip in Bariloche.

0 Antisemitism Education

Hundreds of Northwestern students can’t register for class because they won’t watch an antisemitism training video. Here’s what’s in it.

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Amidst a campus controversy, over 300 Northwestern University students faced registration blocks for refusing to watch a mandatory antisemitism training video, which some argue sidelines Palestinian perspectives and alienates anti-Zionist Jews.

0 Antisemitism Television/Film

Amid outcry, Fortnite removes ‘Peacemaker’ dance ’emote’ that users said resembled a swastika

Grace Gilson in JTA

Fortnite, a widely popular online video game, has removed a dance emote featuring John Cena's character from the show Peacemaker after users pointed out its resemblance to a swastika.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

Dozens of Northwestern students face penalties for boycotting required antisemitism training video

Grace Gilson in JTA

Following a boycott by Northwestern University students against a mandated antisemitism training video, the university clarified fewer than three dozen students were penalized, not hundreds.

0 Education Holocaust

How this Jewish day school teaches students about the Holocaust

Eitan Binstock in Forward

Ramaz Middle School in Manhattan has incorporated a unique Holocaust library within Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, highlighting the importance of Holocaust education with deep ties to Jewish cultural heritage.

0 Education Communities

Troubling trends in public education demand Jewish leadership

eJewishPhilanthropy

As public education increasingly incorporates ideological currents that marginalize Jews and Judaism, the North American Values Institute and the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition urge Jewish leadership to address these challenges.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Israel

Yom Kippur UnJews

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critiques an alternative version of the Yom Kippur confessional, Al Cheit, proposed by academics for addressing Israeli actions in Gaza.

0 Holidays Torah

A Day of Remembrance: From Torah Reading to Shofar Blast

Michael Kurin in Lehrhaus

The article explores the intriguing choice of the Akeidah, the binding of Isaac, as the Torah reading for the second day of Rosh Hashanah.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

The Newport Folk Festival imagined a more equitable world — can that dream be revived?

Olivia Haynie in Forward

"Newport & The Great Folk Dream," a new documentary by Robert Gordon, explores the Newport Folk Festival's pivotal years between 1963 and 1966.

Culture ›

0 Culture Gender/Identity

Gary Shteyngart reflects on his botched bris in a new short film

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Gary Shteyngart's short film, "The Guy Who Got Cut Wrong," explores his traumatic childhood experience of a botched circumcision performed as a seven-year-old Russian immigrant in Queens.

0 Culture Jewish Law

Inbox: Issue 1081

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

This collection of reader letters from a Jewish publication covers a variety of topics.

0 Culture Holidays

When Joy Feels Out of Reach

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

During the holiday of Succos, where joy is a central theme, experts like Shoshana Schwartz and Shira Savit provide insights into why joy might feel inaccessible to some and offer strategies to address this challenge.

0 Culture Holidays

What Is the Shofar Calling You to Do in 5786?

Guest Contributor in Lilith

With the High Holidays upon us, the shofar's call this year feels more critical than ever, prompting deep reflection and action.

0 Culture Gender/Identity

As an Asian American Jew, I never felt like I belonged. Then I fasted for Yom Kippur in China

Daniel Tam-Claiborne in Forward

Daniel Tam-Claiborne reflects on his journey of cultural identity as a multiracial Asian American Jew.

0 Culture Literature

The Monsters in ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ Are Based On — And Named After — Maurice Sendak’s Jewish Aunts and Uncles

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are," features monsters inspired by his Jewish aunts and uncles.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

Treasure Trove

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The aron kodesh at Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo in Rishon LeZion, Israel, stands as a testament to kavod haTorah, or honoring the Torah, through its grand scale and opulent design.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Holidays

Hallmark’s 2025 Hanukkah Movie Is Oy (To the World)

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Hallmark's 2025 Hanukkah movie, "Oy to the World," airs on December 14 and explores an interfaith romance through an enemies-to-lovers storyline.

0 Television/Film Music

Richard Linklater wants you to remember Lorenz Hart

PJ Grisar in Forward

Richard Linklater's 'Blue Moon' is a fascinating character study of Lorenz Hart, the celebrated lyricist known for his collaborations with Richard Rodgers.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

New Jewish Books of Holiness, Resilience and Courage for Fall

Sandee Brawarsky in Hadassah

This article provides an overview of notable new Jewish literature available in the fall, highlighting themes of holiness, resilience, and courage.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

'For the sins we have committed': Reimagining Yom Kippur liturgy in a post-Oct. 7 world

David N. Myers in Forward

In the aftermath of the traumatic events of October 7 and Israel's military response in Gaza, there is a strong call for revising the Yom Kippur liturgy to reflect the current moral crisis.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Jewish Law

Want better leaders? Start with better pay

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Joshua Rabin argues that inadequate compensation is a significant yet overlooked factor contributing to burnout in the Jewish professional sector.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Communities ›

Politics ›

Gender/Identity ›

Torah ›

Ethics ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

Holidays ›

Music ›

Culture ›

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Television/Film ›

Literature ›

Jewish Law ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

October 1's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

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Gender/Identity ›

Torah ›

Ethics ›

Antisemitism ›

Education ›

Holidays ›

Music ›

Culture ›

Art ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

Jewish Law ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

October 1's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, October 1, 2025