for Friday, December 12, 2025

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Israeli tourists could soon be required to show 5 years of social media history to enter the US

Grace Gilson in JTA

Israeli tourists planning to visit the United States might soon have to provide five years of social media history as part of new draft regulations by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

0 Politics Israel

Trump administration struggles to lay out clear vision for Gaza peace plan

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

The Trump administration's Gaza peace plan, announced three months ago, remains vague in practice and fails to address significant issues, such as governance and security, especially with Hamas retaining control over much of Gaza.

0 Politics Communities

Mamadani and Jewish New York

Emes Ve-Emunah

As New York welcomes Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, discussions arise about his anti-Zionist rhetoric and its potential impact on the Jewish community.

0 Politics Communities

Exclusive: Inside Mamdani's meeting with New York rabbis, as Jews remain divided over him

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has been actively engaging with diverse Jewish communities since his election, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive governance.

0 Politics Communities

America First and Israel Last

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin discusses the perplexing alliances forming within the political landscapes of the US and Israel, highlighting a trend where ideological opponents find common ground based on tribalism and strategic interests rather than shared values.

0 Politics Israel

U.S. and Israel diverge over the road map to Damascus

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the U.S. and Israel find themselves at odds over how to approach relations with the new Syrian government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaida member.

0 Politics Leadership

The Pivot to Nowhere

Park MacDougald in Tablet

The article explores the recent U.S. strategic shifts under the Trump administration, which aim to reduce military commitments in Europe, increase focus on China, and engage both Russia and China with a more conciliatory approach.

0 Politics Ethics

Is the EU’s Spat with Elon Musk Really About Free Speech?

Lee Smith in Tablet

Elon Musk's clash with the European Union (EU) over free speech and social media regulations highlights deeper geopolitical and commercial tensions.

0 Politics Israel

Brad Lander launches run for Congress against pro-Israel Jewish incumbent Dan Goldman

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Brad Lander, former city comptroller and a Jewish progressive, has announced his congressional campaign against incumbent Dan Goldman in New York's 10th district.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Holidays

6 hostages murdered in Gaza lit Hanukkah candles in captivity, newly released footage shows

Grace Gilson in JTA

Footage released by the IDF reveals a poignant moment where six Israeli hostages, later murdered by Hamas, observed Hanukkah traditions while in captivity.

0 Holocaust History

Eisenhower’s great-grandson carries the torch for Holocaust remembrance

Lianne Kolirin in Jewish Insider

Merrill Eisenhower, great-grandson of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, is committing himself to Holocaust remembrance by participating in initiatives like the March of the Living.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

The 'Judaism of I' is killing Judaism.

Hava Mendelle in Future of Jewish

Hava Mendelle explores the shift towards individualized notions of Jewish identity, a phenomenon she refers to as the "Judaism of I."

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Jewish Law

Can Jewish tradition help you stay sane when all your bosses are ‘idiots’?

Beth Harpaz in Forward

In her final column for Bintel Brief, Beth Harpaz addresses a plea for guidance from someone exasperated with incompetent bosses by drawing on Jewish texts and wisdom for advice on maintaining sanity in such situations.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

This Hanukkah, my synagogue is illuminating our walls with relics of our Jewish immigrant stories

Ruth Messinger in Forward

The Society for the Advancement of Judaism in New York City is launching an exhibition titled "How We Got Here: Honoring Our Immigrant Forebears," showcasing family immigration stories through personal portraits and stories of congregants.

0 Communities Education

The timeless link: Why investing in grandparents secures the Jewish future

eJewishPhilanthropy

Grandparents play a crucial role in securing Jewish continuity and identity within families, as shared by Debra Debs Weinberg in eJewishPhilanthropy.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

Nanny on trial for allegedly poisoning Jewish family in France ‘because they have money’

Grace Gilson in Forward

The trial of Lela Y., an Algerian nanny accused of poisoning a Jewish family in France, highlights ongoing concerns about antisemitism in the country.

0 Antisemitism Television/Film

Jews ‘own everything,’ sports commentators Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco claim

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Sports commentators Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco Johnson sparked controversy by asserting that Jews "own everything" and are the "most powerful community" in the world, during a podcast episode.

Food ›

0 Food Holidays

When roast goose was a Hanukkah delicacy

Rukhl Schaechter in Forward

Roast goose, once a Hanukkah delicacy, played a significant role in Ashkenazi Jewish culinary traditions, particularly among shtetl communities in Eastern Europe.

0 Food Holidays

How to make quick and easy Sephardi pumpkin patties for Hanukkah

Susan Barocas in Forward

Sephardi pumpkin patties, or bimuelos de kalavasa, provide a delicious and easy addition to Hanukkah celebrations.

Culture ›

0 Culture Holocaust

Surprise, we’re going to Auschwitz! What happens when an influencer stumbles upon a Holocaust memorial

Mira Fox in Forward

Radhica Isac, a lifestyle influencer, sparked controversy after surprising her boyfriend with a birthday trip to Auschwitz, framed puzzlingly as a romantic gesture within a TikTok video.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Jewish authors get a lifeline

UJA-Federation of New York in Forward

Amid increasing anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment in the literary world, Jewish authors have faced alienation and professional setbacks, leading to a concerted response from the UJA-Federation of New York.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Sports

The real story of Marty Reisman, who inspired the new Timothée Chalamet movie ‘Marty Supreme’

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Timothee Chalamet stars in the film "Marty Supreme," directed by Josh Safdie, which draws inspiration from the life of eccentric Jewish table tennis champion Marty Reisman.

History ›

0 History Leadership

The Bonds and Betrayals of Brotherhood: From Yosef to the Hasmoneans

Malka Simkovich in 18forty

Malka Simkovich's article draws parallels between the biblical story of Yosef and the Hasmonean era, emphasizing the themes of brotherhood, betrayal, and forgiveness.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays History

How Did Chanukah Become a Jewish Holiday?

Malka Simkovich in 18forty

Chanukah, commemorating the Judean Jews' victory over the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE, intriguingly became a universally celebrated Jewish holiday despite its initial regional significance.

Education ›

0 Education Communities

Curiosity and the Jewish education of teens

eJewishPhilanthropy

BBYO, a leading Jewish youth organization, plays a critical role in shaping the educational journey of Jewish teens by focusing on experiential learning rather than traditional classroom settings.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

“That Your Slave May Rest With You” – Rethinking Oneg Shabbat

Shimi Kaufman in Lehrhaus

Shimi Kaufman examines the Shabbat commandment's dual representation in the Torah—first as a commemoration of creation, then as a remembrance of liberation from Egyptian slavery.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Dancing through Itzhak Perlman’s birthday klezmer concert was a joyous blast from my Yiddish past

Curt Leviant in JTA

Celebrating Itzhak Perlman's 80th birthday, a joyous klezmer concert was held at the Beacon Theater, featuring Perlman alongside renowned klezmer musicians from bands like The Klezmer Conservatory Band and The Klezmatics.

JL;DR

for Friday, December 12, 2025

Politics ›

Holocaust ›

Jewish Law ›

Ethics ›

Communities ›

Antisemitism ›

Food ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

History ›

Holidays ›

Education ›

Torah ›

Music ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

December 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Holocaust ›

Jewish Law ›

Ethics ›

Communities ›

Antisemitism ›

Food ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

History ›

Holidays ›

Education ›

Torah ›

Music ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

December 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, December 12, 2025