JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Thursday, November 13, 2025

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

Modern Men of Faith: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’s Critique of Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik

Steven Gotlib in Lehrhaus

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was deeply influenced by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, yet throughout his career, he critiqued Soloveitchik's religious philosophy, highlighting tension between their ideas.

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

Sapir

The letters featured in the Sapir Journal address a recent issue on the topic of Jewish chosenness, reflecting diverse perspectives within the Jewish thought spectrum.

0 Philosophy History

What Milton Friedman Got Wrong

Sapir

The article critically examines Milton Friedman's views on capitalism and its relationship with Judaism, highlighting Friedman's misunderstanding of Jewish ambivalence towards capitalism.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Israel’s neighbors have banned the Muslim Brotherhood, but Israel hasn’t. Why not?

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

Israel's nuanced stance on the Muslim Brotherhood contrasts with its neighbors, largely due to the Brotherhood's non-centralized, ideological nature.

0 Politics Israel

The Future of Jews in America

Emes Ve-Emunah

The future of Jewish life and Israel support in the U.S. is experiencing shifts, as partisan lines blur and antisemitic sentiments rise on both extremes of the political spectrum.

0 Politics Communities

Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s ‘100% half Jewish’ grandson, is running for Jerry Nadler’s seat in Congress

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy and son of Jewish artist Edwin Schlossberg, has announced his candidacy for the 12th Congressional District of New York.

0 Politics Ethics

A single arrest has thrown the battle for Israel's soul into sharp relief

Dan Perry in Forward

The arrest of Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the former chief legal officer of the IDF, unveils deeper societal issues within Israel, reflecting a struggle between maintaining security and upholding moral principles.

0 Politics Torah

Embracing the Syrian President, a 'Former' Al-Qaeda Leader, Ignores a Ton

Jewdicious

Mitchell Schneider critiques the international embrace of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda leader, highlighting the risks of rebranding terrorists into legitimate political figures.

0 Politics Israel

Trump formally requests pardon in Israeli legal system for Benjamin Netanyahu

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially called for a pardon for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he describes as a staunch ally during challenging times.

0 Politics Communities

NYC voters elected a BDS mayor. Voters in my city went much farther.

Brian Sokol in JTA

Brian Sokol reflects on the shift in perception and action towards Zionism and anti-Zionist measures in Somerville, Massachusetts.

0 Politics Israel

Building Israel’s Trillion Dollar Economy

Sapir

Israel's economy has shown remarkable resilience and growth despite ongoing multifaceted conflicts and significant challenges.

0 Politics History

The Need for a Jewish Sovereign Wealth Fund

Sapir

Facing a shift in the American Jewish experience, the concept of establishing a Jewish Sovereign Wealth Fund is being proposed amid the backdrop of declining institutional trust and rising anti-establishment sentiment.

0 Politics Israel

The (Calculable) Costs of Israel’s Wars

Sapir

The article examines the immense financial burden Israel has faced due to ongoing military conflicts over the past few years, breaking down expenditures on defense systems like Iron Dome, Arrow interceptors, and offensive operations.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Buchanan Resurrection

Lee Smith in Tablet

The tension within the MAGA movement reflects a broader clash within modern conservatism, where internal divisions are exacerbated by an effort to reassess past ideological foundations.

0 Politics Israel

After Mamdani win, socialists look to challenge Democratic incumbents in NYC

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Zohran Mamdani's recent election victory as mayor of New York City has invigorated the democratic socialist movement, prompting efforts to challenge pro-Israel Democratic incumbents in upcoming midterm elections.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Progressive Jewish groups say ADL’s ‘Mamdani Monitor’ is ‘Islamophobic and racist’

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

A coalition of progressive Jewish organizations has criticized the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) Mamdani Monitor as Islamophobic and racist, targeting New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

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Future of Jewish

Future of Jewish, as shared by Joshua Hoffman, aims to provide in-depth and nuanced coverage of Jewish matters, distinguishing itself from mainstream media by making content on Jewish life, Israel, and global Jewish issues accessible to all, free from paywalls and adverts.

0 Culture Food

An immersive dinner takes a culinary journey through the Jewish Diaspora

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Dima and Yuliia Lytvynenko, former restaurant owners from Odessa, fled Ukraine due to war and have settled in New York City with their beef jerky business, Papa Did It.

0 Culture Communities

A young Muslim woman moved in with a 96-year-old Jewish actress – and it was bashert

Hannah Feuer in Forward

In a heartwarming story embodying hope and cross-cultural understanding, Negin Nader Bazrafkan, a young Muslim woman, and Rebecca Schull, a 96-year-old retired Jewish actress, share not only an Upper West Side apartment but also a deep bond akin to that of family.

0 Culture Leadership

Amy Goodman has been a fearless journalist for more than four decades; she says her Jewish roots made her that way

Olivia Haynie in Forward

Journalist Amy Goodman attributes her fearless approach to reporting to her Jewish upbringing, which instilled in her a relentless curiosity and a strong sense of social justice.

0 Culture Language

This Jewish Name Is in the Top Ten Baby Names for the First Time

Daci Platt in Kveller

The name Eliana, which means "my God has answered" in Hebrew, has climbed into the top ten baby names for girls on BabyCenter's list, marking a significant milestone.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Ethics

“Asher Yotzar”: A Lesson in Medicine

Nathan M. Bernstein in Jewish Action

Nathan M. Bernstein reflects on a poignant moment during his medical residency when he encountered the profound wisdom encapsulated in the Jewish blessing of Asher Yotzar.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

Jewish Masterpiece: Laws of Gifts to the Poor

Sapir

Maimonides' tragic personal experiences, including the death of his brother, deepened his understanding of poverty and shaped his views on charity, as reflected in his Mishneh Torah.

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Sapir

Monetary currency, deeply embedded in Jewish law, serves as more than just a medium of exchange but as an expression of sovereignty and legitimacy crucial to civilization's continuity.

Education ›

0 Education Communities

NYC’s yeshivas can offer a well-rounded education. Will Mayor Mamdani help them get there?

Adina Mermelstein Konikoff in JTA

The article discusses the educational challenges faced by Hasidic and haredi yeshivas in New York City, where many schools provide insufficient secular education, particularly in STEM subjects.

0 Education Israel

Educating about a changed Israel

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the aftermath of the transformative events in Israel post-October 7th attacks, Jewish educators are evolving the way Israel is taught across North America.

0 Education Communities

Continuity Requires Content

Sapir

In this contemplative critique, the author argues that American Jewish leadership has neglected the rich content of Jewish civilization, culminating in a generation increasingly disengaged from its own heritage.

0 Education Politics

Public Funding for Private Education

Sapir

The article explores the historical and contemporary challenges of Jewish day school affordability in America, framing it as a critical issue for Jewish continuity.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Rosalia Sings in Hebrew on Her New Album ‘Lux’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Spanish artist Rosalia has incorporated Hebrew into her latest album, Lux, which is hailed by some as a standout release of the year.

Literature ›

0 Literature Holocaust

REVIEW: ‘The Last Dekrepitzer’

Robert Nagler Miller in Hadassah

"The Last Dekrepitzer" by Howard Langer, winner of the National Jewish Book Awards Book Club prize, follows Rabbi Shmuel Meir Lichtbencher, the sole survivor of a Hasidic sect exterminated during the Holocaust.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Education

First-ever empirical study of US rabbinate finds ‘shortage’ is more about fit than numbers

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

The first comprehensive empirical study of the American rabbinate by the Atra Center for Rabbinic Innovation reveals that the perceived shortage of rabbis is more a matter of misalignment than an actual deficit.

0 Leadership Philosophy

Showing Up as Jews for the Benefit of All

Sapir

Lynn and Stacy Schusterman discuss the evolution of their philanthropic endeavors, emphasizing the integration of both Jewish and secular causes as fundamental aspects of their giving philosophy.

0 Leadership Jewish Law

Mission Over Money

Sapir

Driven by a personal scholarship that pivoted him towards Jewish communal service, the author reflects on his long experience in the Federation system, emphasizing the need for Jewish organizations to prioritize mission over fund-raising metrics.

0 Leadership Philosophy

The Chief Rabbi and the Rebbe: Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’s Engagement with Habad Hasidism

Aryeh Solomon in Lehrhaus

This in-depth essay explores the impactful relationship between Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

Torah ›

0 Torah Culture

5 Things Chayei Sarah Teaches About Love That Lasts

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Parshat Chayei Sarah reveals timeless insights into lasting love, contrasting today's romantic pursuits with intentional, value-driven matchmaking.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

Europe said “Never Again” — but it’s happening again.

Leo Pearlman in Future of Jewish

Author Leo Pearlman warns that antisemitism is resurging in modern Europe, drawing parallels with the events of Nazi Germany's Kristallnacht.

0 Antisemitism Leadership

Money Can’t Buy You Love

Sapir

The Jewish Funders Network conducted a survey assessing philanthropic efforts targeted at combating antisemitism, revealing both the fragmented nature and significant increase in funding over the years, yet raising questions about the effectiveness of these expenditures.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Politics

Judaism and the Politics of Tikkun Olam

Sapir

The article examines the complexities of applying Jewish teachings, specifically tikkun olam, to social justice efforts, noting that Judaism encompasses a broad range of opinions that can support both liberal and conservative views.

0 Ethics Culture

The Jewish Case Against Materialism

Sapir

Using the biblical story of the golden calf as a starting point, this piece explores the tensions between materialism and spirituality within contemporary Jewish life.

0 Ethics Jewish Law

Publisher's Note

Sapir

Reflecting on a Talmudic passage from Eruvin 65b, the publisher explores the complexities surrounding money in Jewish tradition, emphasizing its role as both a practical necessity and a mirror of character.

Communities ›

0 Communities History

Broadening the Base of Jewish Giving

Sapir

Jewish philanthropy has shifted significantly over the past several decades, moving from a model of broad, socially pressured giving to one that emphasizes large donations from wealthy individuals.

0 Communities Ethics

More Than Money

Sapir

Jewish communal life has historically been sustained not only by financial contributions but also through direct service and volunteerism, embodying the Jewish ethos of tzedakah (charity) and avodah (service/worship).

0 Communities Ethics

Poverty and Jewish Community

Sapir

The experiences of Tanya and Jennifer in Philadelphia highlight the critical role of Jewish community bonds in mitigating economic hardship.

0 Communities Jewish Law

This Israeli hostage story will touch you in ways words can't describe.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

This compelling narrative recounts the harrowing and inspiring journey of Sapir and Sasha, two young Israelis who found themselves hostage to Palestinian terrorists after being kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during an attack in October 2023.

History ›

0 History Communities

The Bank on Orchard Street

Sapir

Sender Jarmulowsky, a Jewish immigrant banker on New York's Lower East Side, transformed American finance for immigrants in the early 20th century through innovative banking and credit practices.

Israel ›

0 Israel Culture

Gal Gadot wins Genesis Prize for her ‘defense of Israel’ as Gaza war divides Hollywood

Shira Li Bartov in Forward

Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress known for her role as Wonder Woman, was awarded the Genesis Prize for her vocal support of Israel, particularly amidst Hollywood’s division over the Gaza conflict.