for Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Leadership ›

Man of G-d: Remembering Rabbi Moshe Hauer

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, ztl, is remembered as a profoundly influential rabbinic figure who inspired many with his unwavering faith in G-d and commitment to Hashem-first perspectives.

0 Leadership History

A Guiding Light for Klal Yisrael

Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Ber in Jewish Action

Rabbi Kalman Meir Ber delivers a poignant eulogy for Rabbi Moshe Hauer, likening his passing to the sudden setting of a brilliant midday sun.

0 Leadership Communities

“His Life Was a Continuous Ascent”

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb in Jewish Action

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, ztl, is memorialized by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb as a remarkable figure whose life was characterized by continuous growth in wisdom, leadership, and empathy.

0 Leadership Ethics

To Illuminate Rather Than Condemn: The Legacy of Rabbi Moshe Hauer

Moishe Bane in Jewish Action

Rabbi Moshe Hauer's legacy is commemorated for his distinctive approach to Orthodox Jewish leadership, blending staunch advocacy with genuine warmth.

0 Leadership Communities

Portrait of a Leader

JA Staff in Jewish Action

Rabbi Moshe Hauer's tenure as both a congregational leader in Baltimore and the executive vice president of the Orthodox Union (OU) exemplifies his dedication to Jewish leadership and community building.

0 Leadership Communities

Life Lessons from My Stint as Junior Gabbai

Rabbi Akiva Males in Jewish Action

Reflecting on his childhood role as a junior gabbai in his Cleveland synagogue, Rabbi Akiva Males shares a formative lesson on humility and equitable leadership imparted by his mentor, Rabbi Doniel Schur.

Communities ›

0 Communities Ethics

Crushed by the Costs: The Hidden Financial Strain of the Orthodox Middle Class

Shalom Goodman in Jewish Action

Many Orthodox Jewish families, even with substantial incomes, face significant financial strains due to high community expectations and necessary expenses like tuition and housing.

0 Communities Culture

Faces of Orthodoxy: Stories of Orthodox Jews, One Face at a Time

Alexandra Fleksher in Jewish Action

In response to Netflix's portrayal of Orthodox Jews in "My Unorthodox Life," Alexandra Fleksher initiated a counter-narrative through social media campaigns like #myorthodoxlife and Faces of Orthodoxy.

0 Communities Prayer

Letters – Winter 2025

JA Staff in Jewish Action

This collection of letters to the Jewish Action magazine highlights various aspects of Jewish life across the United States and in Israel.

0 Communities Language

This Pennsylvania rabbi fuses liberal Judaism with Hasidic Yiddish

Dalia Wolfson in Forward

Rabbi Cody Bahir, the new head of a Conservative congregation in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, uniquely blends liberal Judaism with Hasidic Yiddish culture.

0 Communities Leadership

The Last Shift

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rivky's unexpected move from her longstanding position at Tikvah Refuah, the organization she helped build over 30 years, leaves lingering tensions and questions.

0 Communities Ethics

The Impact Forum and the next chapter of Jewish philanthropy

eJewishPhilanthropy

Adam Milstein reflects on his journey from a business career to becoming a strategic venture philanthropist, focusing on combating antisemitism, supporting Israel, and enhancing American Jewish life.

0 Communities Antisemitism

Jewish donors help raise $1.3M for Ahmed al Ahmed, the Muslim man who disarmed a Bondi Beach attacker

Grace Gilson in JTA

Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim fruit seller, heroically disarmed a gunman during a Hanukkah event attack in Sydney's Bondi Beach.

0 Communities Antisemitism

The bar mitzvah next door to the Bondi Beach shooting

eJewishPhilanthropy

A bar mitzvah celebration in Bondi Beach, Sydney, became the backdrop for a traumatic experience when a nearby shooting disrupted the event.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Education

Financial Minimalism

Rivka Resnik in Jewish Action

Rivka Resnik explores the concept of financial minimalism, urging readers to declutter their finances with intention.

0 Ethics Communities

Ahmed al Ahmed’s bravery at Bondi Beach reminds us of our own humanity in a world that seeks to erode it

Iddo Gefen in JTA

The courageous action of Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim fruit-seller who intervened to stop a violent attack on Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney, challenges rigid narratives of group identity.

Education ›

0 Education Communities

The Cost of Community: The OU’s Bold Effort to Make Frum Life Sustainable

Tova Cohen in Jewish Action

In response to the financial pressures faced by the Orthodox Jewish community, particularly the middle class, the Orthodox Union (OU) has launched several initiatives under its Living Smarter Jewish (LSJ) program to improve financial literacy.

0 Education Jewish Law

Ben Yeshiva: Pathway of Aliyah

Reviewed by Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer in Jewish Action

"Ben Yeshiva: Pathway of Aliyah" by Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky is a comprehensive guide for yeshiva students, addressing the challenges and nuances of the modern yeshiva experience.

Culture ›

0 Culture Ethics

Turning Off My Phone

Richard Simon in Jewish Action

Reflecting on how his smartphone dependency interfered with family time and personal well-being, Richard Simon decided to turn off his phone for an entire year as an experiment in digital detox.

0 Culture Antisemitism

After Bondi Beach, reclaiming difference in an age of sameness

eJewishPhilanthropy

Amidst the backdrop of Hanukkah and a recent attack at Bondi Beach, the article highlights the ongoing challenge and necessity for Jews to assert their distinctiveness in a world leaning toward cultural homogeneity.

0 Culture Jewish Law

In making a Christian case for Shabbat, Charlie Kirk stripped off its Judaism

Mira Fox in Forward

Charlie Kirk's posthumous book, "Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life," attempts to make a Christian case for observing Shabbat.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Pink Brings Light to a Difficult Holiday Season In New Hanukkah Video

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

During a challenging Hanukkah season marked by recent antisemitic violence, singer Pink brings light and joy through a candle-lighting video with Israeli activist Noa Tishby and her daughter, Willow.

0 Culture Communities

Stick the Pin. Make the Call.

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Five writers embark on an unconventional experiment inspired by a writing challenge to test if everyone indeed has a shidduch story.

0 Culture Communities

(Not) Yours to Decide

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr reflects on the nuances of gift etiquette, matchmaking fatigue, and parental concerns about future financial stability, all through the lens of Jewish cultural experiences.

0 Culture Education

Inbox: Issue 1091

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Issue 1091 of Mishpacha's Inbox features various perspectives on communal and personal challenges.

0 Culture Jewish Law

The Bigger Picture

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr's narrative reflects on a heartfelt moment between a mother and her son, Baruch, chronicling an event from Baruch's bar mitzvah when a unique photo opportunity was lost.

0 Culture Communities

9 Jewish things to do on Christmas in NYC this year

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Exploring festive ways to spend Christmas Eve and Day in New York City, this curated list highlights nine Jewish-themed activities.

0 Culture History

This Jewish family acquired a farm in 1889 Oklahoma. Now it’s on stage in New York City.

Lisa Keys in JTA

Alice Eve Cohen's play, "Oklahoma Samovar," explores the rich, unlikely history of her Jewish ancestors who settled in Oklahoma during the 1889 Land Run after fleeing Latvia.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Winner Winter Weeknight Dinner!

Naomi Ross in Jewish Action

Naomi Ross shares a selection of winter dinner recipes perfect for staying warm and utilizing pantry staples when fresh produce is less available.

0 Food Gender/Identity

Latkes…But Make Them Feminist

Guest Contributor in Lilith

Exploring the intersection of feminist values and traditional Jewish culinary practices, this piece by Bonny Reichert introduces a modern approach to making latkes.

History ›

0 History Philosophy

Kotzk: The Rebbe, The Message, The Legacy

Reviewed by Yehuda Geberer in Jewish Action

Yisroel Besser’s "Kotzk: The Rebbe, The Message, The Legacy" is an engaging exploration of the teachings and philosophy of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Morgenstern of Kotzk.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Education

Coming Soon from OU Press – Winter 2025

JA Staff in Jewish Action

Scheduled for release in Winter 2025, the revised edition of Rabbi Gersion Appel's "The Concise Code of Jewish Law: A Guide to Daily Prayer and Religious Observance," edited by Rabbi Daniel Goldstein, continues to be an indispensable resource for understanding practical Jewish law.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

Safe Haven

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

In "Safe Haven," Cindy Scarr highlights the importance of emotional safety within marriage, referencing attachment theory to explain how childhood experiences shape adult relationships.

Politics ›

0 Politics Communities

Zohran Mamdani visits the Rebbe’s Ohel, increasingly a pilgrimage site for politicians

Joseph Strauss in JTA

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani visited the Ohel, the gravesite of the Chabad-Lubavitch leaders, following the antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah event in Australia that claimed 15 lives.

0 Politics Antisemitism

JD Vance: 'There’s a difference between not liking Israel' and antisemitism

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Vice President JD Vance sparked controversy with remarks suggesting that reducing immigration is the key to mitigating antisemitism in the United States.

0 Politics Antisemitism

JD Vance: Stopping immigration is the best way to curb antisemitism in the US

Philissa Cramer in JTA

JD Vance, facing criticism over antisemitism in the Republican Party, has argued that reducing immigration is crucial to mitigating antisemitic sentiments in the United States.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Blaming Jews for the crimes of our enemies never gets old.

Lucy in Future of Jewish

Lucy Tabrizi's essay delves into how narratives in pro-Palestinian social media spaces often shift blame for societal issues in Gaza from Hamas to Israel, portraying the latter as a scapegoat for the world's problems.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays History

Most people don't understand Hanukkah's true meaning.

Forest Rain in Future of Jewish

The true essence of Hanukkah extends far beyond its secularized, Christmas-like celebrations prevalent among Jews outside Israel.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

These Videos Help Us Find Resilience After the Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

The Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack, where a father-son duo inspired by ISIS opened fire on a Jewish celebration in Sydney, killing 15 people, is a tragic reminder of antisemitic violence.

0 Antisemitism Culture

Christians are displaying menorahs in their windows post-Bondi Beach attack. Why some Jews object

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Following the horrendous attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, some Christians have started displaying menorahs as a gesture of support for their Jewish neighbors.

0 Antisemitism Gender/Identity

My religion was 'None of the above,' until Oct. 7 and now Bondi

David Weill in Forward

In his poignant reflection, David Weill describes his journey from religious ambiguity to embracing his Jewish identity against the backdrop of rising global antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Why Sydney’s Hanukkah attack was not a surprise to hate researchers

Matteo Vergani in Forward

The tragic attack on a Jewish Hanukkah gathering in Sydney's Bondi Beach, where 15 people died, underscores a troubling rise in antisemitism both globally and in Australia.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Australian authorities confirm that Bondi Beach attackers were affiliated with Islamic State terror group

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Australian authorities have confirmed that the Bondi Beach attackers, a father and son who killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, were motivated by Islamic State ideology.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Antisemitism tensions rise as NYC Young Republicans host white nationalists, conspiracy theorists at annual gala

Joseph Strauss in Forward

The New York Young Republican Club's annual gala in December 2025 generated significant controversy due to the inclusion of far-right figures known for antisemitic views, sparking a broader debate on the growing antisemitism within the Republican Party.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Antisemitism isn't ignorance. Our enemies use it for control.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that antisemitism today is not merely a result of ignorance but a deliberate tool of power and control, utilized by political figures and regimes worldwide.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Antisemitism tensions rise as NYC Young Republicans host the far-right

Joseph Strauss in JTA

The New York Young Republican Club's recent gala stirred controversy for hosting figures associated with antisemitic rhetoric and far-right extremism.

0 Antisemitism Culture

The Jewish bargain with the West is collapsing quickly.

Bob Goldberg in Future of Jewish

Bob Goldberg's essay in *The New Zionist Times* discusses the perceived collapse of the Western societal contract with Jewish communities.

0 Antisemitism Communities

The Bondi Beach attack is inspiring Jewish pride. For our children’s sake, we need to allow our fear, too.

David Bryfman in JTA

In the wake of a brutal antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australian Jews face the challenge of balancing pride with processing fear and mourning.

Science ›

0 Science Ethics

Fitness IQ: Don’t Take It Sitting Down

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Extended sitting at a desk is detrimental to health, with studies linking it to increased mortality and cardiovascular risks.

Torah ›

0 Torah History

The Clash of Civilizations

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr's article delves into the distinct yet intertwined contributions of Jerusalem and Athens to Western Civilization, focusing on the Greco-Jewish clash epitomized by Chanukah.

0 Torah Ethics

Prometheus’s Flood

Yaakov S. Weinstein in Lehrhaus

In a reimagined biblical narrative, Yaakov Weinstein explores the story of Noah through a creative lens.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

The Maccabee in Me

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Readers reflect on the personal empowerment they have found through specific songs that resonate with Jewish themes and values.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Jewish Director Rob Reiner Was the Definition of a Mensch

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Rob Reiner, the famed Jewish director known for seminal works like "Spinal Tap," "When Harry Met Sally," and "The Princess Bride," was tragically murdered alongside his wife Michele Singer Reiner.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Leadership ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Food ›

History ›

Jewish Law ›

Politics ›

Holidays ›

Antisemitism ›

Science ›

Torah ›

Music ›

Television/Film ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

December 17's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Leadership ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Food ›

History ›

Jewish Law ›

Politics ›

Holidays ›

Antisemitism ›

Science ›

Torah ›

Music ›

Television/Film ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

December 17's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, December 17, 2025