for Saturday, November 15, 2025

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

I spent Shabbat in Gaza, and it was the holiest Shabbat of my life.

Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Naiman in Future of Jewish

Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Naiman recounts his transformative experience of spending Shabbat in Gaza, installing security systems under the threat of sniper fire.

0 Politics Communities

Settlers torched a West Bank mosque — and the milquetoast Israeli mainstream response won't suffice

Dan Perry in Forward

Settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, including the recent torching of a mosque, highlights the failure of Israeli authorities to control these acts.

0 Politics Israel

He was Zohran Mamdani’s Jewish wingman. What’s next for Brad Lander?

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Following the political alliance between progressive politicians Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani, Lander faces an uncertain future as his tenure as NYC Comptroller nears its end.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Is dining-hall matzah ‘DEI’? The answer isn’t clear to UVA’s pushed-out ex-president.

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Jim Ryan, the former president of the University of Virginia, reflects on his departure amid pressures surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates and antisemitism investigations.

0 Politics Communities

If Everyone Just Sits and Learns...

Emes Ve-Emunah

Rav Aharon Feldman explores the polarities within the Jewish community, intensified by recent conflicts in Israel.

0 Politics Antisemitism

How Israel Lost The Media War

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Gary Rosenblatt's analysis reflects on Israel's media battles since the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, highlighting how global coverage has shifted perception of Israel from victim to aggressor.

0 Politics History

We should call the Nazis what they really were — socialists.

Nick Buckley MBE in Future of Jewish

Nick Buckley argues that the Nazi Party, formally known as the National Socialist German Workers Party, should indeed be considered socialist due to their economic policies and ideological claims by leaders like Adolf Hitler.

0 Politics Communities

Baltimore Backs Them Up

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Rabbi Aharon Feldman and other leading American charedi rabbinic figures, including those from Baltimore's Ner Israel, have signed a letter endorsing Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef's stance against charedi enlistment in the IDF.

0 Politics Israel

Trump-MBS meeting poised to advance defense pact and F-35 deal as Israel normalization stalls

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

President Trump is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to advance a U.S.-Saudi defense agreement and the sale of F-35 jets, but normalization with Israel remains uncertain.

0 Politics Israel

Military veteran, Rockland County pol emerge as front-runners in Dem primary against Rep. Lawler

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

In New York's 17th Congressional District, the Democratic primary race is heating up with military veteran Cait Conley and Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson emerging as the front-runners against incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.

0 Politics Israel

Crowded field of Democrats seeks to win over Jewish voters in race to succeed Nadler

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

The race to succeed Rep. Jerry Nadler in Manhattan's Jewish-rich district is a fiercely contested Democratic primary, with key issues including candidates' stances on Israel shaping the debate.

0 Politics Israel

Trump has degraded American democracy. Now he's aiming for Israel

Sruli Fruchter in Forward

The piece discusses former U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to intervene in Israeli politics by urging Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his legal charges.

0 Politics Israel

Mamdani’s victory is a watershed for Jewish progressives. For the mainstream, it’s wait-and-see.

Louis Keene in Forward

Zohran Mamdani's election as New York City's mayor represents a significant shift for Jewish political dynamics in the city.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Philosophy

This Jesus horror movie could have used more heresy

Mira Fox in Forward

Lotfy Nathan's film, *The Carpenter's Son,* inspired by the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, stirs Christian controversy but ultimately fails to break new ground.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

Her parents fled Mexico and Mandatory Palestine, taking their traumas with them

Olivia Haynie in Forward

"Traces of Home," a documentary by Colette Ghunim, explores the inherited trauma of displacement experienced by her parents: her father, Hosni, was expelled from Safed, Mandatory Palestine in 1948, while her mother, Iza, fled Mexico City.

0 Culture History

So, there was a swastika at my Airbnb

PJ Grisar in Forward

PJ Grisar reflects on the historical and cultural perceptions of the swastika after encountering one on the floor of a rented mansion, originally inlaid in 1866 before its appropriation by the Nazis.

0 Culture History

A Jewish Journey Along the Silk Road

Joyce Eisenberg in Hadassah

In a fascinating travelogue, Joyce Eisenberg recounts her journey through Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Armenia, regions steeped in Jewish history and culture.

0 Culture Communities

His first business was The Hip Bagel. For Shelly Fireman, a legendary restaurant empire followed.

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Shelly Fireman, a pioneering Jewish restauranteur, transformed a small 1963 Greenwich Village bagel shop into a prominent New York restaurant empire over six decades.

0 Culture Politics

Following uproar, IDF cantor to perform at Amsterdam Hanukkah concert after all — but not for everyone

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

The IDF's chief cantor will perform in Amsterdam's Royal Concert Hall for Hanukkah, following a contentious debate that highlights the deep divides within the Jewish and broader community regarding Israel's policies.

0 Culture Communities

The cheesy way to do teshuvah

PJ Grisar in Forward

"The Big Cheese," a documentary by Sara Joe Wolansky, showcases the quirky and meaningful journey of Adam Moskowitz, a third-generation cheese importer.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

‘What is antisemitism?’ At Northwestern, a class on the subject resists simple answers

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Northwestern University's course "What is Antisemitism?" led by Professor David Shyovitz, offers a nuanced examination of antisemitism without providing definitive answers, encouraging students to explore historical and contemporary scholarly frameworks.

0 Education Antisemitism

German universities never recovered after driving Jews out. American colleges must work to avert that fate.

Julio Frenk in JTA

Julio Frenk reflects on the historical impact of antisemitism on German universities, drawing parallels to the contemporary rise of antisemitism in American educational institutions.

0 Education Culture

Universal Jewish Literacy

Sapir

In a bold proposition, the article advocates for a moonshot-style endeavor to promote universal Jewish literacy among North American Jews within two decades, inspired by the achievements of programs like Birthright Israel.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Israeli Eurovision Star Noa Kirel Just Filmed Two Music Videos at Her Wedding

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Noa Kirel, Israel's pop superstar and recent Eurovision contender, celebrated her marriage to Bundesliga footballer Daniel Peretz with a unique artistic flair by releasing two music videos filmed at their wedding.

Communities ›

0 Communities Israel

From Terror to Faith

Rachel Román in The Cholent

Sapir Cohen and Sasha Troufanov's harrowing experience as hostages of Hamas unfolds from their violent capture at Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, through their eventual release.

0 Communities Culture

The compass, not the crossroads, defines us

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the context of the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly in Washington D.C., Stephen D. Smith explores the metaphor of the compass versus the crossroads to define the current Jewish experience post-October 7, a significant turning point in Jewish history.

Food ›

0 Food Television/Film

Brooklyn’s fusion restaurant Shalom Japan strikes ‘Shark Tank’ deal to bring matzah ball ramen to the masses

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Brooklyn's Shalom Japan, a Jewish-Japanese fusion restaurant, caught the attention of investors on the reality show Shark Tank.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Music

Rising Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

Jewdicious

Will Oldham's interaction with Johnny Cash as the latter recorded Oldham's song highlights the concept of 'deveikus,' a Torah idea referring to clinging or unity, especially in the relationship with God.

0 Philosophy Ethics

A Maimonides for the Age of AI

Sapir

The article explores the transformative impact of technological advancements, particularly AI, genetic engineering, and neuroscience, on human existence and ethics, drawing historical parallels with Judaism's response to the agricultural revolution.

Literature ›

0 Literature Gender/Identity

Esteemed by Oscar Wilde, England's 'greatest Jewess' may finally be getting her due

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

Amy Levy, a notable Victorian Jewish novelist and poet, is undergoing a reassessment with Cambridge University's acquisition of her personal archives.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Gifted with Obligation

Shoshana Friedman in Jewish Action

Shoshana Friedman reflects on the profound impact and legacy of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, ztl, who led the Orthodox Union with a deep sense of responsibility towards Klal Yisrael.

0 Leadership Communities

We gather this year at a moment of return and reckoning

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) convenes more than 2,000 Jewish leaders at the 2025 General Assembly in Washington, D.C., focusing on three critical themes: rebuilding Israel post-conflict, combating North American antisemitism, and sustaining a resurgence in Jewish engagement.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Education

British university bars academic who repeated antisemitic libels in lecture to pro-Palestinian student group

Philissa Cramer in JTA

University College London (UCL) has barred Samar Maqusi, an academic who repeated antisemitic conspiracy theories such as the blood libel, during a lecture to the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Antisemitism

Dear Jews, it's time for Tikkun Olam 2.0.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

In a provocative examination of Jewish self-defense, Joshua Hoffman calls for what he terms "Tikkun Olam 2.0," advocating for practical action and self-protection against antisemitism.

JL;DR

for Saturday, November 15, 2025

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Education ›

Music ›

Communities ›

Food ›

Philosophy ›

Literature ›

Leadership ›

Antisemitism ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

November 15's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Culture ›

Education ›

Music ›

Communities ›

Food ›

Philosophy ›

Literature ›

Leadership ›

Antisemitism ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

November 15's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, November 15, 2025