for Thursday, January 8, 2026

Politics ›

JD Vance continues to minimize right-wing antisemitism as fringe influencers gain ground

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Vice President JD Vance has once again downplayed the presence of antisemitism within conservative ranks, despite growing influence from antisemitic figures like Nick Fuentes, and the platforming of conspiracy theorists like Ian Carroll by prominent conservatives such as Tucker Carlson.

0 Politics Israel

U.S. lawmakers weigh in on fears of Saudi Arabia accommodating Islamists

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

The article discusses U.S. lawmakers' responses to fears that Saudi Arabia may be shifting towards Islamism, particularly in its conflicts in Yemen and Sudan, and increasing ties with Qatar.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Knesset member from Netanyahu’s party decries ‘new enemy’: Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens

Grace Gilson in Forward

In a recent Knesset address, Likud member Dan Illouz voiced concerns about certain American political commentators, specifically Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, labeling them as a new internal threat due to their antisemitic rhetoric.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Is Mamdani bad or good for Jews? Here's how not to tell

Emily Tamkin in Forward

Emily Tamkin explores the complex dynamics of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's actions concerning antisemitism and Jewish communities.

0 Politics Communities

Peter Beinart, Elliot Cosgrove and other Jewish leaders face off over the future of liberal Zionism

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward

A recent panel at Bnai Jeshurun in Manhattan, featuring notable figures such as Peter Beinart and Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, reflected on the crisis facing liberal Zionism.

0 Politics Communities

Terrible Accident or Murder?

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin discusses the recent tragedy in Jerusalem involving a bus accident at a charedi demonstration, arguing against the simplistic narratives being circulated in its aftermath.

0 Politics Communities

Breads Bakery employees unionize, call for end to Jewish Israeli owners’ ‘support for the genocide in Gaza’

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Employees at Breads Bakery, a prominent New York-based Israeli bakery chain, have organized a union named 'Breaking Breads', demanding an end to the company's support for Israel.

0 Politics History

Iran's regime is at war with Iran.

Ben Koan in Future of Jewish

The article by Ben Koan explores the ideological and historical complexities of Iran's animosity toward Israel.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Jewish New Yorkers say concerns about Mamdani are real, new poll shows. Most other voters say they’re overblown.

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Poll results reveal a divided opinion between Jewish and non-Jewish New Yorkers regarding Mayor Zohran Mamdani's critical stance towards Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Why Israel recognized Somaliland — and what the rest of the world might do next

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state highlights a shift in geopolitical strategies, driven by regional security concerns, particularly threats from the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

0 Politics Antisemitism

New York Jewish leaders hope Menin will serve as check against Mamdani

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Julie Menin's election as the New York City Council speaker is viewed positively by Jewish leaders, who see her as a potential counterbalance to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's critical stance on Israel.

Communities ›

0 Communities Antisemitism

We need to talk about Jewish mental health.

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Diaspora Jews are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and stress due to increased antisemitism following the October 7th attacks.

0 Communities Jewish Law

'From a shtetl to a diaspora’: After the fire, a Palisades synagogue forges through a year in exile

Louis Keene in Forward

Kehillat Israel, a synagogue in Pacific Palisades, remains resilient one year after a devastating fire destroyed homes and dispersed its community.

0 Communities Politics

Venezuela’s Jewish diaspora is relieved to see Maduro deposed. But can they imagine returning?

Larry Luxner in JTA

The fall of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro brings relief to the Venezuelan Jewish diaspora, but uncertainty remains about returning to their homeland.

0 Communities Jewish Law

The promise and perils of pluralism: Lessons from a midsized Hillel and a model for the Jewish future

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article explores the challenges and opportunities of fostering pluralism within Jewish communities, using the example of a midsized Hillel at the University of Rochester.

0 Communities Leadership

From burning out to burning brighter: A framework for serving those who serve

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish human service agencies across North America and Israel are grappling with systemic burnout due to rising mental health needs, antisemitism, and geopolitical conflicts.

0 Communities Leadership

She helped rescue the Torahs from their burning synagogue. A year later, the congregation is thriving.

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

A year after the devastating Eaton Fire destroyed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, the resilient synagogue community is thriving, adapting to temporary worship spaces at a local church while planning for a rebuild.

0 Communities Politics

I grew up in Venezuela. Will Maduro's ouster bring my Jewish community the security we need?

Dany Bahar in Forward

The removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States marks a pivotal moment for the Venezuelan Jewish community, which has faced years of deterioration in safety and relations since the rise of Hugo Chávez in 1999.

0 Communities Politics

Why Venezuela’s Jews are optimistic about their country’s future — even as the government promotes anti-Israel conspiracies

Hannah Feuer in Forward

The Jewish community in Venezuela, once a thriving population of 25,000, now numbers between 3,000 and 5,000, mainly due to political and economic instability.

0 Communities Jewish Law

At a former driving school, Kehillat Harlem plants roots for Jewish life uptown

Grace Gilson in Forward

Kehillat Harlem, a new synagogue in Central Harlem, has established a permanent presence by moving into a former driving school's storefront, becoming a center for Jewish life in an area once home to a significant Jewish population.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

The Most Anticipated Jewish Shows of 2026

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

2026 promises a slate of engaging Jewish-themed television series, characterized by returning favorites, new adaptations, and fresh projects featuring Jewish actors.

0 Television/Film Antisemitism

BBC draws fire after airing Holocaust cello repair story that does not specially mention Jews

Grace Gilson in Forward

A recent BBC One episode of "The Repair Shop" featured a segment on a Jewish child's cello damaged during the Kindertransport.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Communities

The Conservative movement eased its stance on intermarriage. Here’s why I am quitting its rabbis’ union anyway.

Rabbi Ari Y. Saks in JTA

Rabbi Ari Y. Saks articulates his decision to resign from the Rabbinical Assembly despite the Conservative movement's recent efforts to accommodate interfaith marriages.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

British Jewish groups call for resignation of police chief who banned Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from soccer match

Grace Gilson in Forward

British Jewish organizations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, are demanding the resignation of West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Pardoned Jan. 6 protester Jake Lang throws chocolate coins, Nazi salute during anti-AIPAC demonstration in DC

Grace Gilson in JTA

Jake Lang, a pardoned participant of the January 6 Capitol riot and current Florida Senate hopeful, led an antisemitic protest against AIPAC in Washington, D.C. Lang, who threw chocolate coins and performed a Nazi salute, spouted incendiary rhetoric including the Great Replacement Theory and attacked politicians funded by AIPAC, calling for violent retribution against them.

Art ›

0 Art Holocaust

A Showcase of Female Illustrated Post-WWII Books and Diaries

Judy Bolton-Fasman in Hadassah

The exhibition "Who Will Draw Our History? Women's Graphic Narratives of the Holocaust, 1944-1949," showcased at the Kniznick Gallery for Feminist Art at the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, highlights powerful artworks by female Holocaust survivors.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

These Jewish day schools embracing AI are reimagining education for the high-tech era

Peter Ephross in JTA

Jewish day schools across North America are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence into their educational frameworks, reshaping traditional learning experiences.

0 Education History

Stranger in a Strange Land: 5 Lessons on Identity from Egypt

18Forty Staff in 18forty

The article from 18Forty explores five lessons on identity from the Book of Exodus, highlighting the timeless struggle of Jewish communities in the diaspora to maintain their distinctiveness amidst external pressures.

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

REVIEW: ‘This is Not About Us’

Robert Nagler Miller in Hadassah

Allegra Goodman delivers another captivating exploration of Jewish American family dynamics in her novel "This is Not About Us," returning to her favored style of interconnected stories.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Television/Film

An idyllic Jewish village, full of life and hope, just hours before its utter annihilation

Simi Horwitz in Forward

"Shttl," a film by Ady Walter set in a Jewish Ukrainian village on the eve of Operation Barbarossa in 1941, captures a community's vibrant life just before its annihilation by the Nazis.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Leadership

Aggadic Men: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’s References to Rabbi Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel

Steven Gotlib in Lehrhaus

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, influenced deeply by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel during a formative meeting in 1968, frequently incorporated Heschelian ideas and references in his writings.

History ›

0 History Culture

The Untold History of the Swastika and the Star of David

Ruth Vanita in Future of Jewish

Ruth Vanita explores the complex history of two ancient symbols, the swastika and the Star of David, highlighting their Hindu origins and cultural significance beyond Judaism.

JL;DR

for Thursday, January 8, 2026

Politics ›

Communities ›

Television/Film ›

Jewish Law ›

Antisemitism ›

Art ›

Education ›

Literature ›

Holocaust ›

Philosophy ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 8's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Communities ›

Television/Film ›

Jewish Law ›

Antisemitism ›

Art ›

Education ›

Literature ›

Holocaust ›

Philosophy ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 8's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, January 8, 2026