for Thursday, January 15, 2026

Television/Film ›

He works at a Holocaust museum by day. How’d he end up in 'Marty Supreme'?

Louis Keene in Forward

Isaac Simon, a Holocaust museum employee turned accidental actor, landed a role in the Oscar-nominated film "Marty Supreme" after being scouted at a baseball card show.

0 Television/Film Politics

In Jordan’s pick for the Oscars, a contradictory message about ethnonationalism

Olivia Haynie in Forward

"All That's Left of You," Jordan's Oscar entry directed by Cherien Dabis, examines the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a testament of generational trauma.

0 Television/Film Culture

How Maya Rudolph’s Jewish Father Inspired This ‘One Battle After Another’ Moment

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Paul Thomas Anderson's film "One Battle After Another" is both a political and personal endeavor, drawing inspiration from his family life and that of his partner, Maya Rudolph.

0 Television/Film Antisemitism

Jewish creators made a satirical cartoon. Then the Mississippi synagogue arson supsect shared it

Hannah Feuer in Forward

An arson suspect in Mississippi, Stephen Spencer Pittman, shared a satirical cartoon clip mocking Jews on the same day he set fire to Beth Israel Congregation.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

The Other Patriarchal Narratives

Malka Simkovich in Lehrhaus

Malka Simkovich examines the patriarchal narratives within Genesis, highlighting the stories of Noah's flood and the destruction of Sodom as parallel events featuring sexual transgressions and divine intervention.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Marine vet Ryan Crosswell aims to flip GOP-held Pennsylvania congressional seat

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

Ryan Crosswell, a Marine veteran and former federal prosecutor, is entering the political fray by running for a Democratic nomination to flip the GOP-held 7th Congressional District in Pennsylvania.

0 Politics History

Yes, Israel Can Apply Israeli Law to the West Bank

Eugene Kontorovich in Tablet

Eugene Kontorovich argues that Israel's application of Israeli civil law to the West Bank is not annexation, as the area was not sovereign Jordanian territory when Israel gained control in 1967.

0 Politics Israel

Trump's new Gaza plan marks a radical break from Israeli policy — can it succeed?

Dan Perry in Forward

In a pivotal shift, Trump's Gaza plan marks a significant departure from traditional Israeli policy by promoting the return of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Gaza.

0 Politics Ethics

The Greatest Human Rights Scam of Our Time

Mitch Schneider in Future of Jewish

Mitch Schneider critiques the uneven international response to human rights abuses in Iran compared to Gaza, highlighting media, UN, and activist biases.

0 Politics Communities

American Jews can't agree about anything — except Iran

Rob Eshman in Forward

In response to the ongoing protests in Iran, initiated by economic turmoil and escalating into widespread anti-regime demonstrations, Jews worldwide have unified in support despite their usual ideological divides.

0 Politics History

In Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine,' echoes of Nazi justifications for aggression

Terrence Petty in Forward

Terrence Petty draws parallels between Donald Trump's foreign policy approach and the aggressive expansionist strategies of Adolf Hitler.

0 Politics History

A Guide to the Middle East, for Western Audiences

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's article reveals how Western analyses often misinterpret Middle Eastern unrest, citing Iran as a prime example.

0 Politics Communities

The future of peacebuilding depends on bridging a growing generational divide

eJewishPhilanthropy

With the peacebuilding efforts between Israelis and Palestinians facing an increased generational divide post-October 7, 2023, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies explores the need for adapting strategies to bridge this gap.

0 Politics Communities

Militant pro-Israel group Betar US to halt NY operations after settlement with state attorney general

JTA

Betar US, a militant pro-Israel group, has agreed to cease operations in New York after a settlement with New York's Attorney General, Letitia James, who found that the group engaged in a campaign of violence and harassment against Arab, Muslim, and Jewish New Yorkers.

0 Politics Israel

Saudi Arabia’s talks to acquire Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 jets could complicate its pursuit of U.S. F-35s

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

Saudi Arabia's negotiations to acquire Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder jets are causing concern in Washington, as they could impact Saudi efforts to procure the advanced U.S. F-35 jets.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Mamdani’s antisemitism strategy: Reluctant to confront extremist threats while pledging to protect Jews

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has prompted controversy over his handling of antisemitism, particularly due to his reluctance to equate anti-Zionist protests with antisemitism, despite acknowledging violent acts against Jews as antisemitic.

0 Politics Sports

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair wears ‘stop the genocide’ eye black

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair made headlines by wearing eye black inscribed with "STOP THE GENOCIDE" during a postgame interview, signaling his pro-Palestinian stance amidst ongoing tensions in Israel and Gaza.

0 Politics Communities

As protests grip Iran, fears grow for a Jewish New Yorker held prisoner there

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

As Iran faces significant protests, concern rises for Kamran Hekmati, a 70-year-old Iranian Jew with American citizenship from Great Neck, New York, who has been imprisoned in Iran.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Deborah Lipstadt has second thoughts about tying Jackson synagogue arsonist to ‘Globalize the Intifada’

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Deborah Lipstadt, a former U.S. State Department special envoy for anti-Semitism, initially linked an arson attack on a synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, to pro-Palestinian movements, using the phrase 'globalize the intifada.'

0 Antisemitism History

What the 'synagogue of Satan' slur tells us about Christian antisemitism

Louis Keene in Forward

The term 'synagogue of Satan,' originating from the New Testament's Book of Revelation, has resurfaced as a slur used in contemporary antisemitic rhetoric.

0 Antisemitism History

How 'synagogue of Satan' went from New Testament phrase to antisemitic catch-all

Louis Keene in Forward

The term 'synagogue of Satan' has its origins in the Christian Bible's Book of Revelation but has been repurposed in modern times as an antisemitic slur utilized by a range of extremist groups.

0 Antisemitism Culture

When Eating Jewish Becomes a Crime

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Jewish and Israeli restaurants around the world are facing a wave of targeted attacks that manifest as vandalism, harassment, and boycotts, under the guise of political protests against Israel's policies.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Rubble of Pasadena synagogue destroyed in wildfire is vandalized with anti-Zionist graffiti

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

The remains of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center in Southern California, which were destroyed in last year's Eaton wildfire, were vandalized with anti-Zionist graffiti.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Communities

Conservative Judaism’s new line on intermarriage is a great start. What comes next is key.

Adam Pollack in JTA

The Conservative/Masorti movement's recent report signifies a significant shift in its approach to interfaith relationships, moving from disapproval to engagement and acknowledging past harms caused by a categorical rejection of intermarriage.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Should Religious Values be Taught in Public Schools?

Emes Ve-Emunah

Peter Deutsch, the founder of the Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation, explores the intense cultural debate in the U.S. over whether public education should include religious values.

Culture ›

0 Culture Music

Strong start for Virginia’s first Yiddish culture festival

David Zakalik in Forward

The Richmond Yiddish Week festival enlivened the city with a vibrant celebration of Yiddish culture, music, and arts, attracting over 100 attendees and showcasing local klezmer bands The Vulgar Bulgars and My Son The Doctor.

0 Culture Politics

Australian writers’ festival collapses — and apologizes — after boycott over disinvited Palestinian activist

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Adelaide Writers Week in Australia was canceled after nearly 200 authors, including prominent figures like Zadie Smith and Jacinda Ardern, boycotted the event in protest of the disinvitation of Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah.

Communities ›

0 Communities Food

The hottest hangout for Jewish teens on the Upper East Side is — a kosher grocery store?

Misha Vaynerchuk in JTA

Ouris Market on New York's Upper East Side has become an unexpected hotspot for Jewish teens, thanks to its enticing array of kosher food items and savvy social media presence.

0 Communities Antisemitism

This California synagogue was just vandalized with anti-Zionist graffiti, one year after being destroyed by wildfire

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center in California, which was destroyed by the Eaton wildfire in January 2025, was recently vandalized with anti-Zionist graffiti.

0 Communities Leadership

He sold a house to Justin Bieber. Now this LA investor has given Chabad $100M to build one of the world's largest Jewish centers.

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

Alon Abady, a Los Angeles real estate investor, has made a landmark donation of a $100 million office tower in Pico-Robertson to Chabad of California.

0 Communities Politics

As protests grip Iran, fears grow for a Jewish New Yorker held prisoner there

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

Amid the escalating protests in Iran, the Jewish community faces increased danger, highlighted by the plight of Kamran Hekmati, an Iranian Jewish New Yorker imprisoned in Iran for previously visiting Israel.

0 Communities Antisemitism

The synagogue means something special to Southern Jews — which makes the Mississippi arson that much darker

Rachel Fink in Forward

The arson attack on Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, struck at the heart of the Southern Jewish community's identity.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Communities

The Holocaust Torah that survived a Mississippi synagogue fire was brought there by the state’s only survivor

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

The Torah from Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, showcases remarkable survival stories both past and present.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

We finally have data on the rabbinate. The reactions are a dataset, too.

eJewishPhilanthropy

Data on the non-Haredi rabbinate and its pipeline, as revealed in "From Calling to Career: Mapping the Current State and Future of Rabbinic Leadership," has prompted a variety of reactions, indicating both urgency and differences within the Jewish community.

History ›

0 History Politics

The Jewish Test

Michael Doran in Tablet

The article explores the historical resilience and survival of Jewish communities, juxtaposed against the rise and fall of empires, notably highlighted by the Roman Arch of Titus celebrating Jewish defeat.

0 History Antisemitism

For 250 years, American Jews have answered prejudice with defiance

Austin Albanese in Forward

American Jews have long responded to prejudice with defiance, a theme illustrated by historical records from as early as 1778.

JL;DR

for Thursday, January 15, 2026

Television/Film ›

Torah ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Jewish Law ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Holocaust ›

Leadership ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 15's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Thursday, January 15, 2026

Television/Film ›

Torah ›

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Jewish Law ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Holocaust ›

Leadership ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 15's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, January 15, 2026