for Saturday, October 25, 2025

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

Israelis are not cartoons. We’re real people.

Julie Gray in Future of Jewish

Julie Gray, an ex-Californian living in Israel, reflects on the complexity and depth of Israeli identity and culture that often gets obscured by international caricatures and stereotypes.

0 Culture Politics

Can an idyllic dream of Israel ever be reality? She says: 'Coexistence, My Ass'

Nora Berman in Forward

Israeli comedian and activist Noam Shuster Eliassi is the focus of "Coexistence, My Ass," a new documentary that captures her bold comedic and political journey.

0 Culture History

Is Anything Illuminated?

Akiva Schick in Jewish Review of Books

Akiva Schick reflects on the complex endeavor of tracing Jewish ancestry through a reflection on Judd L. Teller's depiction of Hungarian Jews and Adam Sobsey's memoir, "A Jewish Appendix."

0 Culture Ethics

I Noah Guy

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin draws parallels between his role at the Biblical Museum of Natural History and the biblical figure Noah, highlighting both's responsibilities for caring for numerous creatures and facing societal ruin.

0 Culture Sports

The best Shabbat I ever kept, or how to dodge the biggest World Series spoiler ever

Louis Keene in Forward

Author Louis Keene recounts his experience of maintaining Shabbat observance during the World Series clash between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which coincided with Shabbat.

0 Culture Communities

The Christian Influencer Culture Wars

Maggie Phillips in Tablet

In this article, the backlash against Jackie Hill Perry within conservative Christian circles is analyzed after she commented on the legacy of Charlie Kirk, a Christian influencer.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Are you a Good Witch or a Bad Witch? Or a Jewitch?

Lisa Mayer in Forward

The term "Jewitch" humorously encapsulates notions of both Jewish identity and witch-like aesthetics, as Lisa Mayer navigates through the intersection of popular culture stereotypes and personal identity.

Politics ›

0 Politics Leadership

As 1000+ rabbis sign anti-Mamdani letter, others decry mounting ‘red lines’ in Jewish communities

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Amid the New York City mayoral race, thousands of rabbis and cantors have signed a letter against Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, highlighting tensions over anti-Zionism in the Jewish community.

0 Politics Communities

Mamdani has created 'great fear,' and Jewish voters are 'more motivated than I have ever seen,' Cuomo says

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Andrew Cuomo, engaged in the New York City mayoral race, is focusing on Jewish voters concerned about Zohran Mamdani's controversial positions on Israel.

0 Politics Leadership

These rabbis didn’t sign their colleagues’ anti-Mamdani letter. Here’s why.

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Tensions arose among American rabbinic leaders over a letter condemning anti-Zionist political figures, which was signed by 1,000 rabbis and cantors nationwide.

0 Politics Communities

Who Jews Should Vote for on November 4th

The Cholent in The Cholent

In the lead-up to the November 4th election, Jewish political action committees and individuals in Seattle have mobilized to create voter guides emphasizing candidates' positions on issues affecting the Jewish community, especially in light of concerns about rising antisemitism and extremism.

0 Politics Israel

Annexing the West Bank Versus a Palestinian State

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the complex dynamics within the Israeli Knesset regarding the annexation of the West Bank versus the potential establishment of a Palestinian state.

0 Politics Israel

Netanyahu and far-right ministers do damage control on West Bank vote and Saudi Arabia comments that angered Trump

Grace Gilson in JTA

Amid backlash from both the Trump administration and the potential Saudi normalization talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu navigates domestic and international tensions over a provocative Knesset vote on annexing the West Bank.

0 Politics Communities

Cuomo slammed for ‘Islamophobia’ after interview with Jewish shock jock Sid Rosenberg

JTA

New York City's mayoral race has been heated by accusations of Islamophobia following an interview between former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Jewish radio host Sid Rosenberg.

0 Politics Ethics

How to Steal the Meaning of Genocide: A Guide

Paul Friesen in Future of Jewish

Paul Friesen's essay delves into 'semanticide,' a phenomenon where overused terms lose their meaning, exemplified by political rhetoric in international forums like the UN Human Rights Council.

0 Politics Culture

TGIF: My Little Totenkopf

Nellie Bowles in The Free Press

Nellie Bowles humorously dissects recent political events, centering on Graham Platner, a Maine Democrat challenging Susan Collins for her Senate seat, who faces backlash for having a Nazi totenkopf tattoo.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Harmeet Dhillon says DOJ will fight antisemitism through law, not speech codes

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Harmeet Dhillon, as the Justice Department's Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, is emphasizing legal action over speech codes to combat antisemitism, aligning her efforts with former President Trump's agenda.

0 Politics Culture

Banned for Life

David Jager in Tablet

The piece explores the controversial figure of Gavin McInnes, known for founding the Proud Boys, a political group with far-right ideologies.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Trump nominee for Kuwait ambassador, grilled at confirmation hearing, loses support over Israel views

Andrew Lapin in JTA

The confirmation of Amer Ghalib, nominated by Donald Trump to be the ambassador to Kuwait, faces significant opposition from Republicans in the Senate due to his controversial views on Israel and Jews.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

The Jewish Museum has just completed a major renovation. Here are 7 highlights.

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

The Jewish Museum on Fifth Avenue has reopened after a $14.5 million renovation, unveiling new exhibits and educational spaces.

History ›

0 History Politics

The World War II origins of the White House East Wing, now demolished

Hannah Feuer in Forward

The demolition of the East Wing of the White House in October 2025 marks the end of a piece of World War II history that included a hidden bunker constructed during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Netflix’s ‘No One Saw Us Leave’ Is a Magnetic Jewish Series Based on a True Story

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

"No One Saw Us Leave," a Netflix series based on Tamara Trottner's autobiography, tells the intense story of her abduction as a child by her father, spanning multiple countries before reuniting with her mother in Israel.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

Advocates decry ‘pogrom on the playground’ after Jewish children targeted in Chicago suburb on Oct. 7

Grace Gilson in JTA

In a predominantly Jewish suburb of Chicago, an antisemitic attack targeted Jewish children in a public park on October 7, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and the anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel.

0 Antisemitism Politics

‘The church is asleep right now’: Ted Cruz calls on Christians to confront right-wing antisemitism

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Senator Ted Cruz, addressing a massive congregation at a Christian pro-Israel event, emphasized the alarming rise of antisemitism within right-wing circles and criticized the church's lack of response.

0 Antisemitism History

A Primer To Understand and Fight the 'Oldest Hatred'

Jewdicious

Professor Pamela Nadell's book, "Antisemitism, An American Tradition," analyzes the enduring and evolving nature of antisemitism in America, suggesting that many American Jews previously underestimated the persistence of antisemitic sentiment.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Hard Pills to Swallow If You’re a Jew

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's article delves into the persistent and complex nature of antisemitism that Jews face globally, emphasizing the challenges of being a perpetual outsider in both historical and modern contexts.

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

Katherine Janus Kahn, illustrator of ‘Sammy Spider’ Jewish children’s books, dies at 83

Penny Schwartz in JTA

Katherine Janus Kahn, renowned for her vibrant illustrations in the beloved Sammy Spider series, passed away at 83, leaving a lasting impact on Jewish children's literature.

Communities ›

0 Communities Ethics

Our communal definition of Jewish security is too limited. We need a wider one.

Rachel Sumekh in JTA

Rachel Sumekh addresses the narrow definition of Jewish security, emphasizing that it extends beyond physical safety measures like metal detectors and security guards.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Communities

Freedom is only the beginning: What former hostages can learn from Holocaust survivors

eJewishPhilanthropy

As Israeli hostages are freed and reunite with their families, the Jewish community is reminded of the long road to healing that lies ahead, inspired by the experiences of Holocaust survivors.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Science

Bowing to the Machine

Jeremy England in Tablet

Jeremy England's article explores the ambivalent attitudes towards the rise of artificial intelligence, drawing a parallel between AI and ancient idolatry as depicted in the Hebrew Bible.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Man of God, man for good: Rabbi Moshe Hauer

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, former co-executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, is remembered fondly by his colleagues for his passion, humility, and dedication to Jewish life and community building.

JL;DR

for Saturday, October 25, 2025

Culture ›

Politics ›

Art ›

History ›

Television/Film ›

Antisemitism ›

Literature ›

Communities ›

Holocaust ›

Philosophy ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

October 25's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Saturday, October 25, 2025

Culture ›

Politics ›

Art ›

History ›

Television/Film ›

Antisemitism ›

Literature ›

Communities ›

Holocaust ›

Philosophy ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

October 25's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, October 25, 2025