for Friday, November 21, 2025

Communities ›

Ophelie Namiech, a French-Israeli humanitarian worker, explores the complexities of her identity and the perception of Israeli humanitarians in the global arena.

0 Communities Education

Hadassah Tackles Israel’s Nursing Crisis

Barbara Sofer in Hadassah

The article discusses the critical nursing shortage in Israel, presenting interventions by the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) to address the crisis.

0 Communities Holidays

Ethiopian Jewish holiday Sigd commemorated at NYC City Hall for the first time

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

New York City celebrated the Ethiopian Jewish holiday of Sigd for the first time at City Hall, marking a significant milestone in promoting Jewish diversity and combating antisemitism.

0 Communities Ethics

Template thank-you notes undermine donor retention

eJewishPhilanthropy

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

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Leveraging intergenerational wisdom in formal Jewish education

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish education often overlooks the invaluable resource of grandparents, who possess a wealth of cultural stories, traditions, and lived experiences.

0 Education Holocaust

AI is rewriting the Holocaust — and history at large.

Jason Steinhauer in Future of Jewish

The article addresses the profound impact of AI technology on historical discourse and public understanding, with AI-generated content blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

0 Education Communities

At Tel Aviv school of last resort, missile damage from war bring challenges—and opportunities

Elana Sztokman in JTA

The Max Fein Vocational High School in Tel Aviv has long served as a nurturing ground for students who struggle with Israel's mainstream educational system due to trauma, socioeconomic issues, or other challenges.

0 Education Communities

Rethinking how we critique Hillel and its educators

eJewishPhilanthropy

Hillel International's educational approach is scrutinized for potentially prioritizing inclusivity over substantial Jewish content on university campuses.

Culture ›

0 Culture Education

Yiddishkayt LA and New Lehrhaus merge. Is this good for Yiddish?

Judah Sussman in Forward

Yiddishkayt LA and New Lehrhaus, two prominent Jewish cultural organizations on the West Coast, have merged to form a stronger institution amidst the modern nonprofit landscape.

0 Culture Holidays

Hanukkah 2025: How New York City is celebrating this year

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

New York City offers a vibrant and diverse range of Hanukkah celebrations in 2025, featuring events that cater to all ages and interests.

0 Culture Ethics

Glorified Drinking in the Orthodox World

Emes Ve-Emunah

Rabbi Yaakov Bender discusses a troubling trend of social drinking and alcohol abuse within the Orthodox Jewish community.

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.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

At long last, a TV show captures the experience of multi-racial Jewish families like mine

David Christopher Kaufman in Forward

The CBS television series "Boston Blue" offers a rare, authentic portrayal of a multi-racial Jewish-American family, resonating deeply with similar families who rarely see themselves on screen.

0 Television/Film Communities

A shocking true story of Mexico's Jewish community comes to Netflix

Mira Fox in Forward

The miniseries "No One Saw Us Leave," now streaming on Netflix, dramatizes the real-life saga of Tamara Trottner, originally from the Ashkenazi Jewish community in Mexico City.

0 Television/Film Holocaust

Jeremy Strong, Shira Haas, Lizzy Caplan To Star in New Netflix Nazi Hunters Show

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Netflix has announced a new adaptation of Ira Levin's 1976 thriller novel 'The Boys from Brazil,' which centers on Nazi hunters uncovering a shocking plot in South America.

0 Television/Film Politics

A new documentary humanizes Israeli soldiers. It also alleges war crimes.

Louis Keene in Forward

In "Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel's War," a new documentary available on YouTube and produced by Zandland, the complex moral dilemmas faced by Israeli soldiers in Gaza are laid bare through candid interviews.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Mamdani's response to synagogue protest: Condemn the language but criticize the Israel event

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's response to a protest at Park East Synagogue in Manhattan reflects tensions around events promoting migration to Israel.

0 Politics Communities

After protest outside Manhattan synagogue, Mamdani says Israel immigration event misused ‘sacred space’

Joseph Strauss in JTA

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani faces criticism following a protest against a pro-Israel immigration event at the Park East Synagogue.

0 Politics Leadership

Moderate consensus won at the WZC. Now Diaspora Jews must follow through

eJewishPhilanthropy

At the recent World Zionist Congress (WZC), a significant consensus was reached among representatives from various ideological backgrounds, demonstrating a commitment to Israel's democratic, pluralistic values and a rejection of extremism.

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 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

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 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.

Literature ›

0 Literature Politics

National Book Award in nonfiction goes to Gaza polemic ‘One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This’

Andrew Lapin in Forward

At the 2025 National Book Awards, Omar El Akkad's "One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This" won the nonfiction prize with its critique of Western liberalism's response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Torah

Women Are Rewriting the Role of Torah Scribe

Hilary Danailova in Hadassah

Women scribes are revolutionizing Jewish tradition as they take on the historically male domain of Torah writing.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Torah

Yaakov, Esav, and the Paradox of Money and Wealth

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Rivka Bennun Kay explores the complex relationship between selfhood, wealth, and spiritual growth using insights from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and the characters of Yitzchak, Yaakov, and Esav in the Torah.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

Beer is no longer automatically kosher, rabbis say. Will observant Jews skip the Dos Equis?

Louis Keene in Forward

Observant Jews who enjoy beer may soon face new challenges as major kosher certification agencies, including OU Kosher, Star-K, and OK Kosher, announce that beer will require kosher certification starting January 2026.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Science

AI has a reputation for amplifying hate. A new study finds it can weaken antisemitism, too.

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Researchers at the Anti-Defamation League's Center for Antisemitism Research have demonstrated that AI, often criticized for spreading hate, can effectively counter antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism History

Jewish genius keeps becoming a weapon used against us.

Irina Velitskaya in Future of Jewish

Jewish ingenuity has paradoxically been manipulated against Jewish interests throughout history, demonstrated by figures such as Albert Kahn, whose architectural brilliance facilitated Henry Ford's automotive success, despite Ford's infamous 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.'

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.

JL;DR

for Friday, November 21, 2025

Communities ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Politics ›

Literature ›

Gender/Identity ›

Philosophy ›

Jewish Law ›

Antisemitism ›

Food ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

November 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Friday, November 21, 2025

Communities ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Politics ›

Literature ›

Gender/Identity ›

Philosophy ›

Jewish Law ›

Antisemitism ›

Food ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

November 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, November 21, 2025