for Friday, December 19, 2025

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Education

Rabbi Ariana Capptauber reflects on her experiences educating children from diverse backgrounds about Hanukkah in Central Pennsylvania.

0 Holidays History

Relying on a Miraculous Victory?

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin explores the Maccabees' improbable victory against the Seleucid Greeks celebrated during Chanukah as a miraculous event, despite Jewish tradition's prohibition against relying on miracles.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Liberal Zionist groups criticize Trump administration’s travel ban on those with Palestinian Authority passports

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Trump administration's extension of its travel ban to include holders of Palestinian Authority (PA) passports has raised strong objections from liberal Zionist groups.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Richmond mayor facing resignation calls over posts calling Sydney massacre 'false flag'

Louis Keene in Forward

Bay Area Jewish leaders are demanding Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez's resignation after he shared and then apologized for LinkedIn posts suggesting the Sydney massacre of Jews was a false flag operation by Israel, and attributing antisemitism to Israeli actions.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Mamdani appointee resigns over past antisemitic online posts about ‘money hungry Jews’

Grace Gilson in Forward

Catherine Almonte Da Costa, appointed by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, resigned from her role as director of appointments after past antisemitic posts surfaced.

0 Politics Communities

Meet the Israelis who fear an October 7th attack from the West Bank.

Lahav Harkov in Future of Jewish

In a guest essay, Lahav Harkov highlights the growing concern among Israelis living near the West Bank of a potential attack similar to the October 7th attacks by Hamas.

0 Politics Communities

This politician refused to say ‘Happy Hanukkah,’ then blamed ‘political correctness’ for the backlash

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Chris Chadwick, a North Carolina politician and chairman of the Carteret County Board of Commissioners, stirred controversy for refusing to say "Happy Hanukkah," instead defending his stance on emphasizing "Merry Christmas."

0 Politics Holocaust

Why Poland’s president canceled his menorah lighting — and how the West helped make that happen

Lev Golinkin in Forward

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki has ended the country's presidential menorah lighting tradition, aligning with far-right sentiments and nationalistic views in Poland.

0 Politics Antisemitism

4 House Democrats introduce bill that would enact progressive vision for fighting antisemitism

Grace Gilson in JTA

Four progressive House Democrats have introduced the Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act to address rising antisemitism, particularly in response to a recent attack in Sydney.

0 Politics Communities

‘We are not alright’: How Oct. 7 defined Eric Adams’ Jewish legacy

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, set to leave office at the end of 2025, has left a significant legacy within the Jewish community, notably characterized by his spontaneous and empathetic approach, as well as his firm stance on Israel and antisemitism.

0 Politics Antisemitism

As Australian Jews call for action on antisemitism, contrite PM unveils moves to curb hate speech

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Following a tragic attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia has unveiled new measures aimed at combating antisemitism and hate speech.

0 Politics Communities

Moderate N.Y. Democrat Rory Lancman hoping to reinvigorate party’s centrist wing in the suburbs

Haley Cohen in Jewish Insider

Rory Lancman, a moderate Democrat and former New York State Assemblyman, aims to counter the party's far-left influence in suburban areas outside New York City.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Citing Sydney attack, police in London say they will now arrest those who chant ‘globalize the intifada’

Philissa Cramer in JTA

In the wake of a deadly terror attack in Sydney, London and Manchester police have introduced a policy to arrest individuals chanting 'globalize the intifada' at pro-Palestinian protests, arguing the phrase can incite violence and instill fear within Jewish communities.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Sports

Why do sports stars keep getting antisemitic with a Jewish streamer?

Louis Keene in Forward

High-profile athletes have recently been criticized for making antisemitic remarks while appearing on the livestream of controversial Jewish streamer Adin Ross.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Jewish groups condemn Coast Guard for secret swastika policy change

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Jewish groups and leaders are condemning the U.S. Coast Guard after reports surfaced that it quietly downgraded the classification of swastikas and nooses from hate symbols to "potentially divisive" imagery, prompting a backlash and calls for accountability.

0 Antisemitism Politics

As Australian Jews call for action on antisemitism, prime minister unveils moves to curb hate speech

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced measures to combat antisemitism following a deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.

0 Antisemitism Communities

After MIT professor’s killing, Jewish influencers spread unverified antisemitism claim

Louis Keene in Forward

Following the murder of MIT professor Nuno Loureiro, a rumor quickly spread on social media that he was Jewish and targeted for his purported pro-Israel stance.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Harrison Ford Had an Issue With Adam Sandler’s ‘Chanukah Song’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Adam Sandler's iconic "The Chanukah Song," celebrated for its playful listing of Jewish celebrities, initially contained some inaccuracies, one involving actor Harrison Ford, whom Sandler incorrectly identified as "a quarter Jewish."

Art ›

0 Art Culture

A Jewish-Muslim art show builds ‘little bridges’ of coexistence

Stav Ziv in Forward

Fostering interfaith understanding, Jewish artist Hannah Finkelshteyn and Muslim filmmaker Aakef Khan co-curated "Open Archways: by the light of the same moon," an art exhibition featuring Jewish and Muslim artists at the Bowery Art Collective in Metuchen, NJ.

Communities ›

0 Communities Holidays

Harlem Jews asked to add a menorah to a park’s Christmas display. They got a community celebration.

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

In Harlem's Montefiore Park, a significant interfaith event marked the first-ever celebration of both Christmas and Hanukkah with a new Festival of Lights.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Judaism’s Conservative movement apologizes for decades of discouraging intermarriage, signals new approach

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

The Conservative movement, recognizing past policies that discouraged intermarriage as a misstep, has issued an apology and is committing to a more welcoming approach to interfaith families.

0 Communities Culture

Fueling the light of later years: Reclaiming adult engagement

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish adults over 50 are increasingly feeling marginalized by Jewish communal institutions, which often focus on youth and the elderly.

Culture ›

0 Culture Antisemitism

After Bondi Beach, Wearing my Jewish Star

Guest Contributor in Lilith

Reflecting on her childhood experiences of keeping her Jewish identity hidden, the author narrates the journey towards embracing her heritage by deciding to wear a Star of David.

0 Culture History

Decades after her ancestor was blacklisted from Hollywood, this teenager is bringing her family’s history to light

Olivia Haynie in Forward

Simone Elias, a teenager with a passion for classic Hollywood, discovered her familial connection to the blacklisted Jewish screenwriter H.S. Kraft, inspiring her to explore Hollywood's past during the Golden Age.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

King David gets the kiddie treatment

PJ Grisar in Forward

Angel Studios has released an animated film titled "David," targeting a younger audience with a sanitized retelling of King David's story.

Education ›

0 Education Israel

Forging Israel’s quiet heroes: Inside the Holtz Air Force High School

Elana Sztokman in JTA

Holtz Interdisciplinary Air Force High School in Tel Aviv plays a crucial role in preparing Israel's future Air Force personnel by providing technical education in avionics, drone technology, and computer engineering.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

I’m a 25-year-old semi-Zionist. Here’s what that means this Hanukkah.

Adam Eisenberg in Forward

Adam Eisenberg reflects on his nuanced stance as a semi-Zionist, particularly in light of the events following October 7.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

What is Judaism’s Stance on Dreams?

Kelsey Osgood in 18forty

Exploring the Jewish perspective on dreams, the article delves into Talmudic views and medieval rabbinic interpretations, particularly how some rabbis used dreams for halakhic decisions.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Science

A Professor, a Sea Lion and a Jew Walked Into a Room

Jewdicious

Andrew Rashkow, founder and CEO, shares a unique experience from a business meeting where first impressions about his identity as an observant Jew were challenged by a scientist's assumptions about religion and science.

0 Ethics Culture

Jewish morality sabotages Jewish self-defense.

Francisco Gil-White in Future of Jewish

Francisco Gil-White argues that Jewish morality, deeply ingrained through a focus on ethics inspired by figures like Rabbi Hillel, ironically makes Jewish communities vulnerable by prioritizing ethical goodness even in self-defense scenarios.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Antisemitism

This the moment Jewish leadership was built for

eJewishPhilanthropy

In a passionate call to action, philanthropist Mike Leven argues that the threats facing Jewish communities today are part of a coordinated effort to undermine Jewish life and legitimacy, requiring a radical restructuring of Jewish institutional responses.

JL;DR

for Friday, December 19, 2025

Holidays ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Music ›

Art ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Jewish Law ›

Ethics ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

December 19's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Holidays ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Music ›

Art ›

Communities ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Jewish Law ›

Ethics ›

Leadership ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

December 19's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, December 19, 2025