JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Culture ›

0 Culture History

What Jews Do Best

Adam Hummel in Future of Jewish

Adam Hummel's essay weaves the story of Ephraim Hertzano, the creator of Rummikub, into the broader narrative of Jewish resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.

History ›

0 History Communities

October 7, Again

Jewdicious

Reflecting on the terrorist attack on the NOVA Festival near Gaza on October 7, 2023, this article delves into the ongoing impact of the event two years later, as viewed through the lens of an Israeli's personal and communal experience.

Literature ›

0 Literature Jewish Law

How Philip Roth invented a myth called 'Philip Roth'

Julius Taranto in Forward

Steven J. Zipperstein's biography, "Philip Roth: Stung By Life," focuses on Roth's intellectual and artistic development, distinguishing itself from other biographies by delving into Roth's self-mythologizing and his complex relationship with Jewish culture.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Israel is at an existential pivot point. It never needed to go this far.

Dan Perry in Forward

Dan Perry critiques the series of governmental missteps that have left Israel at a critical juncture, two years after the Oct. 7 attacks.

0 Politics Israel

Israel's relationship with the US has never been worse. What comes next could surprise us all.

Rob Eshman in Forward

In the wake of the October 2023 attacks, American support for Israel has significantly declined, with polls highlighting a stark decrease in sympathy, particularly among younger Americans.

0 Politics History

October 7 Was Israel’s Midlife Crisis

Amit Segal in The Free Press

In an exclusive excerpt from Amit Segal's new book, "A Call at 4 AM," Israel's political landscape is likened to a midlife crisis as it navigates existential dilemmas amidst internal and external turmoil.

0 Politics Israel

Poll: 40% of American Jews believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

Grace Gilson in Forward

A recent poll by the Washington Post reveals a significant shift in the perspectives of American Jews regarding Israel's actions in Gaza.

0 Politics Communities

There's a biblical precedent for the rifts opened by Oct. 7 — it should alarm us all

Andrew Rehfeld in Forward

As the Jewish community observes the second anniversary of the October 2023 Hamas attack, Andrew Rehfeld urges for introspection regarding the language used within the Jewish world, which has become increasingly divisive.

Israel ›

0 Israel Antisemitism

The Legacy of October 7

The Free Press in The Free Press

Marking the second anniversary of the devastating October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel, this special edition of The Front Page explores the aftermath's profound impact.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

This school is fighting antisemitism all wrong. Why is it working?

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Elon University in North Carolina has received accolades from Jewish organizations for its inclusive environment despite avoiding aggressive security measures often demanded to combat antisemitism.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust History

I Was a Hostage in Gaza. This Is How I Survived.

Eli Sharabi in The Free Press

Eli Sharabi, once a hostage of Hamas in Gaza, recounts his harrowing experience and survival in his memoir "Hostage," with an excerpt published in this piece.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Politics

He Spent 491 Days as a Hamas Hostage. This Is How He Survived.

Bari Weiss in The Free Press

Eli Sharabi's harrowing experience as a hostage of Hamas is detailed in his memoir, "Hostage," which documents the 491 days of captivity he endured, holding onto hope that he would be reunited with his wife and daughters.

0 Leadership Culture

Bari Weiss, Free Press founder who started as antisemitism crusader, named editor-in-chief of CBS

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

Bari Weiss, who began her career as a campus activist highlighting antisemitism, has been appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News, marking a significant shift in American media.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

On Paramount+, Apple TV, HBO and more, Oct. 7 emerges as a cinematic subgenre

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

Since the tragic events on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, this date has spurred a cinematic subgenre dedicated to portraying the aftermath through various lenses.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Communities

The Jews have a right to win.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman reflects on Sukkot as a symbol of Jewish resilience and unity, especially in the face of rising antisemitism and global challenges.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

What Anti-Zionism Really Is

Adam Louis-Klein in The Free Press

Adam Louis-Klein, reflecting on his return from remote life in the Amazon, discusses his re-entry into a world where anti-Zionism is pervasive, especially in left-wing academic circles.

Communities ›

0 Communities Holidays

In my small town, ‘that Jewish hut’ has turned Sukkot into a cross-cultural shelter of peace

Rabbi Rachel Isaacs in JTA

Rabbi Rachel Isaacs recounts how the small Jewish community in Waterville, Maine, has successfully turned their local Sukkot celebration into a multicultural event fostering community inclusivity and collaboration.