for Saturday, December 20, 2025

Antisemitism ›

The article by Joshua Hoffman reflects on the contradictory experiences of Jews in the modern world, especially in the West.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Jewish group calls for resignation of California mayor who spread antisemitic Bondi Beach conspiracy theories

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Bay Area is calling for the resignation of Richmond, California Mayor Eduardo Martinez following his reposting of antisemitic conspiracy theories on LinkedIn.

0 Antisemitism Communities

After the gunshots fade, hate keeps taking its toll

eJewishPhilanthropy

Antisemitism is resurging with alarming frequency and intensity worldwide, as evidenced by recent violent attacks and acts of vandalism targeting Jewish communities.

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.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Antisemitism

Holocaust survivor event features a Rob Reiner video address — recorded just weeks before his death

Grace Gilson in Forward

Rob Reiner's posthumous address marked the annual International Holocaust Survivors Night, organized by the Claims Conference, where he emphasized resilience in the face of adversity.

0 Holocaust Culture

This Video of Michele Reiner With Her Holocaust Survivor Mother Is So Moving

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

In a poignant reflection on legacy and survival, a recently shared video highlights Michele Reiner's emotional experience alongside her Holocaust survivor mother, Nicole Silberkleit.

Communities ›

0 Communities Holidays

Lighting the Hanukkiah with the Hostages

The Cholent in The Cholent

Itay Regev, a survivor of being held captive in Gaza, shared his harrowing yet hopeful story at a Hanukkah event in Seattle.

0 Communities Holocaust

Rob Reiner urges resilience in video address for Holocaust survivor event — recorded just weeks before his murder

Grace Gilson in JTA

Film director Rob Reiner delivered a poignant address for the Claims Conference Holocaust survivor event, recorded shortly before he and his wife, Michele, were tragically murdered.

0 Communities Holidays

In India, my Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah not with fear, but in belonging

Nissim Pingle in JTA

The Jewish community in India, primarily based in Mumbai and consisting of about 4,500 people, stands as a testament to cultural integration and belonging, celebrated during Hanukkah with the vibrant Khai Fest.

0 Communities Ethics

Federal judge lets Hasidic abuse whistleblower’s civil-rights lawsuit against NYC move to trial

Hella Winston in Forward

Sam Kellner, a Hasidic sex-abuse whistleblower, is at the center of a pivotal civil-rights lawsuit against New York City and the estate of the former Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes.

0 Communities Holidays

In Reykjavik, Hanukkah offers a chance for Iceland’s tiny, isolated Jewish community to come together

Jenna Gottlieb in JTA

In Reykjavik, Iceland's small and isolated Jewish community finds unity and resilience during a public Hanukkah menorah lighting, set against a backdrop of heightened security and global antisemitic violence.

0 Communities Antisemitism

‘The most Australian name’: Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach attack, embodies a nation’s grief

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Bondi Beach attack, which claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah celebration, has struck a deep chord in Australia, particularly with the tragic loss of its youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda.

0 Communities Politics

A Wider Bridge, a pro-Israel advocate in LGBTQ spaces, is shutting down

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

A Wider Bridge, a pro-Israel LGBTQ organization founded in 2010, announced it will cease operations by the end of 2025 due to financial challenges, despite its efforts to secure sustainable funding.

0 Communities Antisemitism

He lost family during the Bondi Beach attack. Hours later, he helped feed 600 unhoused people in LA

Nadav Ziv in Forward

In the wake of a brutal terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, Yossi Segelman, despite personal loss, demonstrated resilience by continuing his work at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles, a nonprofit preparing meals for those in need.

0 Communities History

One of America’s first Jewish farms was nearly lost to history. Now these Brooklyn parents are risking everything to keep their family's legacy alive.

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Brooklyn couple Malya and William Levin are spearheading efforts to revive their family's legacy at one of America's first Jewish agricultural settlements, the Alliance Colony in South Jersey.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Federal attorneys leave Trump’s University of California antisemitism investigation en masse, alleging ‘sham’ process

Andrew Lapin in Forward

A group of federal attorneys resigned from the U.S. Justice Department, protesting what they claim is a politically-motivated and excessively aggressive antisemitism investigation by the Trump administration into the University of California system.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Federal attorneys leave Trump’s UC antisemitism investigation en masse, alleging ‘sham’ process

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Amidst allegations of a politicized "sham process," nine federal prosecutors, including Jewish former attorney Dena Robinson, resigned from the Justice Department's antisemitism probe into the University of California system under the Trump administration.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Alleged Brown and MIT shooter found dead, capping days of misinformation about antisemitic motive

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Claudio Neves Valente, identified as the shooter at Brown University and MIT, was found dead, ending a saga rife with misinformation about antisemitic motives.

0 Politics Ethics

The biggest myth about terrorism is that poverty causes it.

David E. Firester, Ph.D. in Future of Jewish

David E. Firester challenges the pervasive myth that poverty causes terrorism, arguing instead that it is driven by ideological motivations and strategic incentives.

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."

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Communities

Federal judge allows lawsuit by Hasidic sex-abuse whistleblower against NYC to proceed

Hella Winston in JTA

Sam Kellner, a Hasidic whistleblower, is proceeding with a civil-rights lawsuit against New York City after a federal judge denied motions to dismiss his case.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Education

Placing the light in the window

eJewishPhilanthropy

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.

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.

JL;DR

for Saturday, December 20, 2025

Antisemitism ›

Holocaust ›

Communities ›

Politics ›

Ethics ›

Holidays ›

Music ›

Art ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

December 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Saturday, December 20, 2025

Antisemitism ›

Holocaust ›

Communities ›

Politics ›

Ethics ›

Holidays ›

Music ›

Art ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

December 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, December 20, 2025