for Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

For Jews, it's time to celebrate — and then strategize.

Following the joyous return of Israeli hostages on Simchat Torah, Joshua Hoffman emphasizes the vital need for strategic renewal within the Jewish community.

0 Culture History

Windows on Memory and Resilience

Carol Ann Schwartz in Hadassah

Marc Chagall's stained-glass windows at the Hadassah Medical Center's synagogue in Ein Kerem, Jerusalem symbolize resilience and hope for Israel and the Jewish people.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Why was my Jewish identity so apologetic and humiliating?, Obama speechwriter asks in new book

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward

Sarah Hurwitz's new book, "As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us," delves into the complexities of Jewish identity amidst contemporary challenges such as rising antisemitism and debates over Israel.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

Letting go: Jews retire hostage rituals with gratitude and grief

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Congregation Beth El in New Jersey, like many synagogues, developed new rituals in response to the Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7, 2023, including prayers and symbols for the hostages.

0 Communities Holidays

These Videos of the Returned Living Israeli Hostages Mean the World

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Recently, the remaining 20 Israeli hostages who had been held for two years were released just before Simchat Torah, marking an incredible occasion of relief and joy amidst the remembrance of past sorrows.

0 Communities Antisemitism

The Mamdani Exodus

Yoni Weinberg in Tablet

In response to a rise in antisemitism, particularly following the October 7 events, Jewish New Yorkers in the creative industries are grappling with whether to leave the city they once felt was a safe haven.

0 Communities Politics

His son is due to be released from Gaza imminently. Ilan Dalal is grateful — and not just to Trump.

Deborah Danan in Forward

Amid anticipation for the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza, Ilan Dalal, father of captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal, and former captive Tal Shoham expressed gratitude to both Donald Trump and the Israeli government for negotiating their release.

0 Communities Politics

Walking for Freedom

Jewdicious

Hannah Creviston, alongside Baruch Meir, initiated a chapter of 'Run For Their Lives' in Scottsdale, Arizona, joining a global movement advocating for hostages in Israel.

Israel ›

0 Israel Communities

20 Lives Redeemed, As a Nation Rejoices

Jewdicious

Thousands of Israelis gathered to celebrate the emotional return of 20 hostages after 737 agonizing days, a moment marked by immense pride and relief across the nation.

0 Israel Politics

All 20 living hostages back in Israel, 2 years after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Two years after their abduction by Hamas, the last 20 living Israeli hostages have been released and returned to Israel, following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal.

0 Israel Education

Founding as an ongoing act: Arendt, authorship and Zionist future

eJewishPhilanthropy

The essay reflects on Hannah Arendt’s insights into the challenges of sustaining a revolution, applying her ideas to contemporary Zionism.

0 Israel History

From reactive urgency to proactive agency: Reclaiming Zionism in its proper context

eJewishPhilanthropy

Zohar Raviv argues for a transformative understanding of Zionism that transcends its recent survivalist narrative, emphasizing its roots as a proactive civilizational renaissance.

0 Israel Culture

Back to a Zionist future

eJewishPhilanthropy

Amidst global questioning of nation-states' relevance, this essay by Alex Pomson revisits the core tenets of Zionism, emphasizing its enduring significance.

0 Israel Politics

His son was released from Gaza after 738 days. Ilan Dalal is grateful — and not just to Trump.

Deborah Danan in JTA

After 738 days of captivity by Hamas, the father of recently-released hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Ilan Dalal, expresses gratitude not only to former President Donald Trump but also to the Israeli government for facilitating his son's release.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

The war in Gaza is over. The battle to stop Israel from becoming Sparta is just beginning.

JTA

The article examines the political and ideological crossroads at which Israel finds itself following the end of the war in Gaza and the release of hostages by Hamas.

0 Politics Israel

Iran, Abraham Accords and Bibi’s trial: What Trump said in his historic Knesset speech

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a historic speech to the Knesset, focusing on the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, his vision for the Middle East, and the state of U.S.-Israel relations.

0 Politics Israel

The hostages are home. The fight for their future is far from over

Sam Berkman in Forward

Following the release of the last surviving hostages from Gaza, the Jewish community experiences relief, yet significant challenges remain to secure lasting peace.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

Navigating My Jewish Identity in the Colorado Legislature

Dafna Michaelson Jenet in Hadassah

Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Jewish senator in Colorado, navigates the complexities of expressing her Jewish identity in a predominantly Christian political landscape.

0 Politics Israel

Thank God the Israeli Hostages Are Coming Home

Peter Beinart in The Beinart Notebook

Peter Beinart discusses the deeply conflicted emotions surrounding the return of Israeli hostages and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

0 Politics Israel

Trump heralds 'the historic dawn of a new Middle East' in speech to Israeli parliament after hostages returned

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

During a speech at the Knesset, U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the return of hostages and the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas as a historic turning point for the Middle East.

0 Politics Communities

Zohran Mamdani makes his case to Jewish New Yorkers at Congregation Beth Elohim

Grace Gilson in JTA

Zohran Mamdani, a mayoral frontrunner in New York, faced intense scrutiny and protests during his appearance at Brooklyn's Congregation Beth Elohim.

0 Politics Israel

Rep. Steve Cohen draws younger, far-left challenger hostile to Israel in primary

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Rep. Steve Cohen faces a new primary challenge from Justin Pearson, a far-left state legislator known for his outspoken opposition to U.S. military support for Israel.

0 Politics Ethics

Returning the Israeli hostages is not nearly enough.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The poignant article reflects on the tragic life of Roei Shalev, a survivor of the Nova festival attack, whose death underscores the deep-rooted trauma left by terrorism.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Fox’s ‘Doc’ Explores Memory, Medicine and Some Jewish Faith

Curt Schleier in Hadassah

Fox's medical drama "Doc" explores themes of memory loss and personal identity, with a Jewish twist.

0 Television/Film Politics

‘Torn’ Is a Nuanced Documentary About the Israeli Hostage Posters in NYC

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

"Torn" is a compelling documentary exploring the deeply personal and political significance of the Israeli hostage posters that appeared in NYC following the October 7 kidnappings of Israelis and foreigners by Hamas.

0 Television/Film Culture

Biblical Intrigue With ‘House of David’

Susan Hornik in Hadassah

House of David, a Prime Video series developed by Christian filmmaker Jon Erwin, reimagines the biblical saga of King David through a modern lens, blending action, politics, and romance.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

I’m Obsessed With These Jewish Food Plates From West Elm

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

West Elm has launched a new collection of plates featuring charming watercolor illustrations of Jewish deli and holiday foods, evoking both nostalgia and a sense of artistry.

Music ›

0 Music Politics

The Israeli Protest Song That Became the Anthem for Hostages

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

The Israeli song "HaBayta" ("Home") emerged as a poignant anthem for freeing hostages, notably resonating when Israeli hostages were released and returned home after two years.

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

How Yiddish authors made a new world writing for children

PJ Grisar in Forward

Miriam Udel's new book explores how Yiddish children's literature evolved from a late 19th-century endeavor to a post-Holocaust movement, weaving themes of social justice and Jewish identity.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Marking this moment: 5 ways to cross a threshold

eJewishPhilanthropy

In a poignant reflection on Jewish educational practices, Shuki Taylor, CEO of M, discusses the creation of a resource series designed to help educators and communities find meaning and solace in tumultuous times.

Art ›

0 Art Communities

How Abe Kugielsky’s photos of Hasidic Brooklyn ended up on display in Grand Central Terminal

Grace Gilson in Forward

Abe Kugielsky, a Modern Orthodox Jewish photographer, has gained significant recognition for his work documenting the Hasidic Jewish community in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Transforming workplace conflict: 7 lessons from JSJR’s pilot program

eJewishPhilanthropy

In response to the burnout and workforce challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable (JSJR), in collaboration with the Righteous Persons Foundation, launched the Organizational Change Initiative to improve workplace dynamics in Jewish nonprofits.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Education

Ameilut in the Age of AI

Max Hollander in Lehrhaus

Max Hollander explores the interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) advancements and the traditional Jewish value of 'ameilut ba-Torah' (toiling in Torah study).

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Politics

The role of American Jewish philanthropy in Israel today

eJewishPhilanthropy

American Jewish philanthropy plays a crucial yet complex role in supporting Israel, a dynamic that has evolved since even before the state's founding.

JL;DR

for Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Culture ›

Communities ›

Israel ›

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Food ›

Music ›

Literature ›

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Leadership ›

Jewish Law ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

October 14's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Culture ›

Communities ›

Israel ›

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Food ›

Music ›

Literature ›

Education ›

Art ›

Leadership ›

Jewish Law ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

October 14's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Tuesday, October 14, 2025