JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Saturday, November 8, 2025

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Most people do not understand the danger of Mamdani.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article highlights the controversial election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City, emphasizing its broader implications on liberal politics and the increasing normalization of antisemitism, specifically cloaked as anti-Zionism.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Mamdani's first statement on antisemitism as mayor-elect got some weird pushback

Mira Fox in Forward

Zohran Mamdani's victory as mayor-elect of New York was quickly followed by controversy after his condemnation of antisemitism, denouncing swastikas spray-painted on a Syrian Jewish yeshiva.

0 Politics Leadership

One lesson of NYC’s mayoral election: Rabbis’ political endorsements come with a cost

Aaron Dorfman in JTA

In the wake of New York City's mayoral election, Aaron Dorfman reflects on the implications of rabbis making political endorsements.

0 Politics Israel

When Ideology Trumps Common Sense

Emes Ve-Emunah

Leila Stillman-Utterback's recent deportation from Israel underscores the ongoing tensions between ideological pursuits and pragmatic diplomacy within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

0 Politics Communities

From Texas to Tel Aviv, invitations go out to Jews fleeing ‘Mamdani’s New York’

Grace Gilson in JTA

Following Zohran Mamdani's election as New York City's mayor, several figures, including Israeli officials and community leaders across the U.S., have encouraged Jewish New Yorkers to consider relocating due to concerns over Mamdani's stance on Israel and perceived antisemitism.

0 Politics Communities

Jewish Iranian-American sentenced to prison in Iran for visiting Israel 13 years ago

Grace Gilson in JTA

Kamran Hekmati, a 70-year-old Jewish Iranian-American from Long Island, has been sentenced to two years in Iran's Evin prison for visiting Israel 13 years ago.

0 Politics Culture

4 arrested after protesters set off smoke bombs at Paris performance of Israel Philharmonic

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

During a Paris performance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, protesters disrupted the event with smoke bombs, leading to chaotic scenes and the temporary evacuation of the venue.

0 Politics Culture

Horses and Asses

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critically examines the charedi community's stance on military service in Israel, highlighting what he sees as the irrationality and contradictions in their arguments.

Culture ›

0 Culture Food

What Hailey Bieber smoothies and instant matzo ball soup reveal about American Jewish taste

Louis Keene in Forward

In Los Angeles, the traditional kosher deli is becoming a relic of the past, replaced by new, trendy food products that appeal to a nostalgic yet modern Jewish Diaspora.

0 Culture Politics

Could poetry revive Yitzhak Rabin's legacy among young American Jews?

Noah Hirsch-Rechter in Forward

As the 30th anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination approaches, a new English translation of the Israeli poetry anthology 'Class of 95' aims to reignite interest in Rabin's legacy among young American Jews.

0 Culture Education

The Jewish Self Help Books We Desperately Need

Alexandra Lapkin Schwank in Hadassah

Exploring the rich tradition of Jewish self-help literature, several contemporary books illustrate how Jewish wisdom can provide pathways to emotional wellness, community building, and resilience.

0 Culture Holidays

Hadassah Magazine’s Hanukkah Gift Guide 2025

Leah F. Finkelshteyn in Hadassah

Hadassah Magazine's Hanukkah Gift Guide 2025 offers an array of present ideas that celebrate Jewish identity, heritage, and faith through modern design and cultural immersion.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Politics

On the trail of a priceless dove, a group of Palestinians and Israelis find that peace is for the birds

Olivia Haynie in Forward

"Bella" is a co-directed Israeli film by Jamal Khalaily and Zohar Shachar that follows Yaki, a struggling musician, as he attempts to retrieve a valuable dove he gave away.

0 Television/Film Culture

‘Boston Blue’ Has a Beautiful Black Jewish Family, Inspired by Its Jewish Co-Creator

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Boston Blue, a new spin-off of the show Blue Bloods, centers on a family with both Jewish and Black heritage, reflecting the personal experiences of Jewish co-creator Brandon Sonnier.

0 Television/Film Culture

Nobody Wants This? Everybody Should Want This

Rabbi Rachel Kobrin in Hadassah

Rabbi Rachel Kobrin reflects on the Netflix series "Nobody Wants This," which presents a narrative about a young rabbi and a non-Jewish podcaster falling in love.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

Make Your Own Golem

The Cholent in The Cholent

Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik, an artist known for blending Jewish themes with pop culture elements like comics, is conducting a workshop titled "Make Your Own Golem" at Seattle's Kol HaNeshamah.

History ›

0 History Culture

Did crypto-Jews invent the modern tarot deck?

Nora Berman in Forward

Stav Appel, an accidental historian, argues that the tarot cards, specifically the Jean Noblet Tarot de Marseille, might have been invented by crypto-Jews as an educational tool to preserve Jewish knowledge during a time of intense antisemitic persecution in medieval Europe.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

In Indiana, a vaunted Jewish studies program is upended by red-state politics over Israel and speech

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Indiana University's renowned Borns Jewish Studies Program is embroiled in controversy following a sudden leadership change.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms and Crunchy Onions

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig shares a Thanksgiving recipe for Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms and Crunchy Onions, an elevated twist on the classic green bean casserole.

0 Food Culture

Shifka, a new pita shop on the Bowery, aims to be the Chipotle of Israeli cuisine

Rachel Ringler in JTA

Shifka, a new Israeli-inspired pita shop on the Bowery, is the creation of the Jewish owners behind Sami & Susu, a well-regarded Mediterranean restaurant.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

When people forget God, they blame the Jews.

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Nachum Kaplan's essay highlights the resurgence of antisemitism on both the Far-Left and Far-Right, noting that despite their ideological differences, they find common ground in blaming Jews due to a loss of moral compass.

0 Antisemitism Politics

David Reaboi in Tablet

The article explores the Republican Jewish Coalition's 40th Anniversary Leadership Summit, highlighting the complexities of confronting rising antisemitism within the Republican Party.

0 Antisemitism Politics

The Jewish golden age in New York is over.

Benjamin Kerstein in Future of Jewish

Benjamin Kerstein's essay, adapted from his book "Self Defense: A Jewish Manifesto," argues that New York City’s Jewish community faces a looming threat under the impending leadership of Zohran Mamdani, whom he describes as an open antisemite.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Politics

The murky middle is where the Jewish future lies

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article by Jessica Leving Siegel discusses the need for Jewish institutions to embrace the "murky middle," a space of nuanced dialogue rather than divisive, clear-cut positions, especially concerning Israeli and Palestinian issues.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Culture

Judaism Against the Robots

Moshe Koppel in Tablet

As AI technology advances, Judaism offers a robust framework for preserving human judgment through its emphasis on structured practice, community, and lifelong learning.