for Thursday, November 20, 2025

Communities ›

0 Communities Ethics

Template thank-you notes undermine donor retention

In her article, Deborah Kaplan Polivy emphasizes the critical role of personalized donor acknowledgments in nonprofit retention strategies.

0 Communities Leadership

Surging LGBTQ enrollment in Jewish seminaries signals ‘astounding’ shift in US rabbinate

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

The landscape of the American rabbinate is undergoing a dramatic shift, as reflected by recent studies showing that over half of non-Orthodox rabbinical students identify as LGBTQ+.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

China and the Future of the U.S.-Israel Alliance

Sapir

As the geopolitical shift towards great-power competition with China intensifies, the traditional U.S.-Israel alliance—which was historically rooted in defense and Middle Eastern strategy—must evolve to maintain its relevance.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Kaploun leans on personal story and Holocaust education in bid to become Trump’s antisemitism envoy

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, President Trump's nominee for U.S. antisemitism envoy, emphasized Holocaust education and fighting global antisemitism during his Senate confirmation hearing.

0 Politics Communities

Jessica Tisch to stay on as Mamdani’s NYPD commissioner, reassuring some Jewish leaders

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Jessica Tisch will remain as NYPD Commissioner under incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Prioritizing Charedi Lives

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin analyzes the changing perspectives within charedi rabbinic leadership regarding IDF enlistment.

0 Politics Communities

Mamdani’s ‘Affordability’ Grift

Armin Rosen in Tablet

The article by Armin Rosen critically examines New York City's political and economic climate following Zohran Mamdani's election as mayor, highlighting the contentious issue of rent control in an affordability-focused campaign.

0 Politics Israel

Trump prioritizes Saudi partnership, leaving Abraham Accords on hold

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

President Trump recently focused on bolstering ties with Saudi Arabia during a visit from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, leaving intentions for advancing the Abraham Accords and Saudi-Israeli normalization under-discussed.

0 Politics Communities

In a city torn by poster wars and politics, repair for New York’s Jews requires us to fight for it

Nina Mogilnik in JTA

Nina Mogilnik reflects on New York City's recent socio-political turmoil following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and its impact on the Jewish community.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Ben Gurion and Hazon Ish: The Sequel

Nathaniel Helfgot in Lehrhaus

The article revisits the historic 1952 meeting and subsequent correspondence between David Ben Gurion, Israel's Prime Minister, and Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, known as the Hazon Ish, amidst tension over the conscription of women into the Israeli Defense Forces.

0 Politics Language

Grok said Hebrew translation was disabled on X — but it's not

Mira Fox in Forward

The AI chatbot Grok on the platform X (formerly Twitter) erroneously claimed that Hebrew translation was disabled because it encouraged violent content, leading to widespread misunderstanding.

0 Politics Israel

Green Lighting a Charedi Draft Bill

Emes Ve-Emunah

In light of the ongoing debate over drafting Charedim into the IDF, this piece discusses the potential compromise bill currently under consideration in the Knesset.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Marjorie Taylor Greene is feuding with Donald Trump. Could she win over Jewish Democrats?

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, known for her far-right stances and controversial remarks involving Jews and Israel, has garnered surprising praise from some top Jewish Democrats like Jamie Raskin and Adam Schiff.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Marjorie Taylor Greene is feuding with Donald Trump. Could she win over Jewish Democrats?

Andrew Lapin in JTA

The article examines the recent political dynamics surrounding Marjorie Taylor Greene, focusing on her public break with Donald Trump and subsequent interactions with Jewish Democrats.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

Cameron Kasky, Jewish Parkland shooting survivor, is running for Congress on platform to ‘stop funding genocide’

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Cameron Kasky, known for his activism after surviving the Parkland shooting, has announced his candidacy for New York's 12th Congressional District.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Democrats urge Senate to oppose Trump’s pick for antisemitism envoy ahead of confirmation hearing

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

In a rare move, 18 House Democrats, including several Jewish lawmakers, publicly urged the Senate to reject the nomination of Yehuda Kaploun as the State Department's Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, citing his partisan rhetoric and lack of moral authority.

0 Politics Israel

How Israel Lost The Media War: Part Two

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Gary Rosenblatt discusses the ideological shift in mainstream media, particularly The New York Times, regarding coverage of the Gaza war and Israel.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

Imam-led walkout over Jewish participant at CUNY interfaith event draws wide condemnation

Andrew Lapin in Forward

An interfaith event at City College of New York was controversially disrupted when a Muslim leader led a student walkout against the presence of a Hillel director, whom he referred to as a 'Zionist.'

0 Antisemitism Politics

There's something rotten in our approach to antisemitism. Tucker Carlson exposed it

Rob Eshman in Forward

The article by Rob Eshman argues that the U.S. government and political leaders exhibit a double standard regarding antisemitism, targeting left-wing instances while ignoring or downplaying right-wing occurrences, such as those involving figures like Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes.

0 Antisemitism Education

‘My teenager’s going to boarding school. I’m panicked she’ll face antisemitism’

Beth Harpaz in Forward

A mother expresses concern about her teenage daughter potentially facing antisemitism at a boarding school in a Bintel column.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Every Jewish conspiracy is true, just not about Jews.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's piece explores the persistent projection of conspiracy theories onto Jews and Israel, asserting that the accusations more accurately describe the actions of certain Muslim-majority countries.

0 Antisemitism Communities

After Gaza, the war on antisemitism continues: Moving from coordination to collaboration

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish and Israeli communities face heightened challenges, with rising antisemitism and internal divisions necessitating unprecedented levels of cooperation and trust.

Culture ›

0 Culture Jewish Law

Elizabeth Banks Just Celebrated Her Son Magnus’ Bar Mitzvah

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Elizabeth Banks celebrated her son Magnus's bar mitzvah with flair, sharing the joyous occasion on Instagram without any pictures of minors.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Vacationing While Jewish (It’s never just a vacation.)

Hana Raviyt Schank in Future of Jewish

Hana Raviyt Schank's essay details her experiences at a yoga retreat in Malta, shedding light on the cultural clashes and ignorance surrounding Jewish identity and Israel.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Fried Greek Delicacies for Hanukkah

Adeena Sussman in Hadassah

Hen Mazzig, an Israeli with Mizrahi roots, celebrates Mizrahi Jewish traditions as part of preserving Jewish heritage, particularly post the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

Some blame Qatar and unions for K-12 antisemitism. Experts say that’s the wrong focus

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Amid growing concerns over antisemitism in K-12 schools, the Forward examines how actions to blame Qatar and teachers' unions are misplaced according to experts in Jewish education.

0 Education Culture

With students shifting their study habits, this Jewish university is embracing smart AI adoption

Peter Ephross in JTA

Touro University, under Jewish auspices, is actively integrating AI across its programs to enhance education and align with Jewish ethical values.

Sports ›

0 Sports Israel

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa says he wants to play an NFL game in Jerusalem

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa expressed interest in playing an NFL game in Jerusalem following the league's first game in Spain, which his team won against the Washington Commanders.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

In ‘31 Candles,’ a manchild becomes bar mitzvah to court his crush

PJ Grisar in Forward

31 Candles, a rom-com directed, written, and starring Jonah Feingold, follows Leo Kadner as he awkwardly pursues a childhood crush by belatedly preparing for a bar mitzvah.

History ›

0 History Holocaust

The Nazis would have embraced these elite Germans — nevertheless, they resisted

Dan Friedman in Forward

Jonathan Freedland's book, "The Traitors Circle," explores a little-known network of German aristocrats and intellectuals who resisted the Nazi regime through subtle and often non-violent means, offering a contrast to the typical stories of active rebellion.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Politics

Who is Jessica Tisch, the Jewish NYC police commissioner who will serve in Mayor-Elect Mamdani's administration?

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Jessica Tisch, the Jewish NYPD Commissioner, will continue her role under New York City's first Muslim Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist.

Torah ›

0 Torah Ethics

5 Things Toldot Teaches About Repeating—and Repairing—Family Cycles

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Parshat Toldot offers a compelling exploration of recurring family dynamics, highlighting how patterns of behavior, such as deception and favoritism, perpetuate through generations.

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

REVIEW: ‘Hunting in America’

Bryan Schwartzman in Hadassah

Tehila Hakimi's novel "Hunting in America," translated by Joanna Chen, explores cultural dislocation through the lens of an Israeli woman's alienation in an American tech workplace.

JL;DR

for Thursday, November 20, 2025

Communities ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Food ›

Education ›

Sports ›

Television/Film ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Torah ›

Literature ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

November 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Food ›

Education ›

Sports ›

Television/Film ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Torah ›

Literature ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

November 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, November 20, 2025