for Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Communities ›

Orthodox Jewish groups have been quiet about ICE. This Minneapolis rabbi wasn’t.

Louis Keene in Forward

Rabbi Max Davis, an Orthodox rabbi in Minneapolis, stands out in his community for publicly criticizing the actions of ICE in the city, contrasting with the silence from major Orthodox organizations.

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

Stories of ghosts, grief and Shabbat gladness win top prizes in Jewish children’s literature

Penny Schwartz in Forward

Neshama, a novel-in-verse by Marcella Pixley, took the gold medal in the Sydney Taylor Book Awards for middle-grade readers, highlighting the resilience and identity of Anna, a Jewish girl who finds solace in her heritage amidst adversity.

0 Literature Holocaust

A new exhibit honors writer Lore Segal, a child survivor and lifelong skeptic of easy truths

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward

An exhibit titled "And That's True Too: The Life and Work of Lore Segal," running at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan, celebrates the nuanced legacy of writer Lore Segal, a child survivor of the Holocaust.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Culture

NJ church deletes video of pageant featuring antisemitic character but says critics took it ‘out of context’

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

A Ukrainian church in New Jersey has come under fire for a Christmas pageant featuring a character dressed in stereotypical Jewish attire and racial slurs, prompting accusations of antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Politics

What an antisemitic conspiracy theory and the Alex Pretti killing have in common

Rob Eshman in Forward

The juxtaposition of the conspiracy theories surrounding the Argentine wildfires and the killing of Alex Pretti highlights a grim reality: the proliferation of misinformation and refusal to accept facts are tearing at the fabric of society.

0 Antisemitism Culture

Kanye West apologizes for his antisemitism: ‘I lost touch with reality’

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has issued a fresh apology for his antisemitic outbursts, attributing them to mental health challenges following a long-undetected head trauma.

0 Antisemitism Music

Ye apologizes for his antisemitism in Wall Street Journal ad: ‘’I lost touch with reality’

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, issued an apology in the Wall Street Journal for his antisemitic statements and behavior.

Politics ›

0 Politics History

The last hostage returned. Can Israel finally exhale?

Dan Perry in Forward

Israel experienced a significant moment of relief with the return of the remains of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili, the last hostage of the Hamas conflict abducted during the devastating October 2023 attack.

0 Politics Antisemitism

I am embarrassed to call myself a journalist.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Journalist Joshua Hoffman critiques contemporary Western media for drifting toward sensationalism and bias, highlighting a Wall Street Journal op-ed by Iran's Foreign Minister as emblematic of this trend.

0 Politics Torah

As with Cain and Abel, the blood of our brother Alex Pretti is crying out from the ground

Jay Michaelson in Forward

Jay Michaelson's article draws a parallel between the biblical story of Cain and Abel and the tragic death of Alex Pretti, who was killed while peacefully protesting in Minneapolis.

0 Politics Communities

Remains of final hostage Ran Gvili on way back to Israel after being located in Gaza

Grace Gilson in JTA

The return of the remains of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage from Gaza, marks a poignant milestone for Israel.

0 Politics Communities

Jewish voices rise up with concern following ICE killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis

Grace Gilson in JTA

Jewish organizations and leaders condemned the killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, by ICE agents in Minneapolis, reflecting broader concerns over federal immigration enforcement tactics.

0 Politics History

Tim Walz invokes Anne Frank in pressing Trump to end ICE operations in Minnesota

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, referencing his background in Holocaust education, invoked the memory of Anne Frank to critique the Trump administration's aggressive ICE operations in the Twin Cities.

0 Politics Torah

Mark Carney vs Pharaoh

Ken Silverman in The Beinart Notebook

Ken Silverman's piece draws parallels between biblical narratives and contemporary political discourse, focusing on defiance against tyranny.

0 Politics Culture

‘Soft Power' Isn't Soft — Especially for Israel

Jewdicious

Joanna Landau highlights the implications of Israel's declining ranking in the Global Soft Power Index, revealing deeper structural issues rather than a temporary dip in perception.

0 Politics Holocaust

Calling Trump a 'fascist' is offensive.

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Vanessa Berg's essay critiques the casual use of the term 'fascism' to describe Donald Trump, arguing that it trivializes the historical realities of fascism experienced by Jews and others.

0 Politics Communities

Tahesha Way campaigns as close ally of Jewish community in pivotal N.J. special election

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

In the pivotal New Jersey special election, Tahesha Way is campaigning as a close ally of the Jewish community, emphasizing her commitment to fighting antisemitism, supporting Israel, and strengthening U.S.-Israel relations.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Antisemitism, anti-Israel rhetoric a key feature of Saudi Arabia’s regional realignment

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

Saudi Arabia's recent pivot towards anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric, highlighted by state-sanctioned media outlets, signifies a shift in its regional alignments.

0 Politics Ethics

I'm a rabbi arrested for protesting ICE in Minneapolis. The Book of Exodus shows us how this ends

Emma Kippley-Ogman in Forward

Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman reflects on her recent arrest alongside multifaith clergy while protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Minneapolis.

0 Politics Ethics

Antisemitism’s Favorite Jew

Lucy in Future of Jewish

The essay by Lucy Tabrizi critically examines the concept of the "good Jew"—a term used to describe Jews who align with anti-Zionist movements by denouncing Israeli policies and by extension, Jewish peoplehood itself.

Sports ›

0 Sports Antisemitism

Deni Avdija to make triumphant DC return as star NBA player

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

Deni Avdija, the Israeli NBA star, returns to Washington D.C. for a game that coincides with Jewish Heritage Night and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust History

German trains brought Jews to their death at Bergen-Belsen. They can’t be allowed to disturb the site.

Menachem Z. Rosensaft in JTA

Deutsche Bahn's proposal to establish a new high-speed train route close to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp loading ramp is drawing significant opposition due to its potential to disrupt Holocaust memorial integrity.

0 Holocaust Education

I went looking for Holocaust ‘upstanders.’ I found a Nazi rescuer who chose conscience over complicity.

Joyce Kamen in JTA

Lilly and Joyce Kamen are expanding their "Upstander Stories" series for young readers by spotlighting Otto Busse, a lesser-known figure who defied Nazi policies during World War II.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Jewish Law

Getting to the Root of Tu B’Shevat

Rabbi Ezra Sarna in Jewish Action

Tu B'Shevat, often misunderstood as a day of judgment, is a halachic New Year specifically for fruit trees, delineating their tithing cycle in Jewish agricultural law.

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

As Habonim Dror camps open space for anti-Zionist views, some families push back

Sivan Barda in JTA

As part of an evolving approach to fostering inclusiveness and addressing complex political realities, Habonim Dror North America—a historically Zionist youth movement—introduced a new principle welcoming non-Zionist and anti-Zionist perspectives in 2025.

0 Culture History

The Lions on the Ark: A Miraculous Story

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin shares the remarkable story of synagogue lions, tracing their historic journey from Eastern Europe to America.

0 Culture History

How yizkor books bring the sights, sounds, and even smells and tastes of lost Jewish shtetls back to life

Jane Ziegelman in Forward

Jane Ziegelman explores the profound role of yizkor books, chronicles composed by survivors and emigrants to memorialize the Eastern European shtetls obliterated during the Holocaust.

0 Culture Politics

Grape and Almond Cake

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig offers a nuanced reflection on the political climate in the United States amidst her recipe for a Grape and Almond Cake, highlighting social unrest, governmental actions, and the resilience and activism emerging across the country.

0 Culture Communities

A trauma-informed look at giving and community resilience

eJewishPhilanthropy

Amid recent heightened philanthropic giving in the U.S., there is a concerning trend of fewer donors making larger contributions and a decline in smaller, community-based donations.

0 Culture Gender/Identity

How the Internet Remade the Latin Mass

Maggie Phillips in Tablet

The article delves into the resurgence of the traditional Latin Mass (TLM) within the Catholic Church, especially among young people and online communities, and how this trend intersects with issues of gender and ideology.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

For the first time since Hitler, a Hebrew publisher sets up shop in Germany

PJ Grisar in Forward

For the first time since the Holocaust, a significant non-religious Hebrew publishing house has been established outside of Israel.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Politics

Columbia selects Jennifer Mnookin, Jewish U of Wisconsin chancellor, as its next leader

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Jennifer Mnookin, currently the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, has been appointed as the next president of Columbia University, marking the first time a Jewish person has held the position.

0 Leadership Communities

The power of recognition

eJewishPhilanthropy

In "The Power of Recognition," Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, president of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, highlights the significance of acknowledging Jewish professionals who contribute to community building.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Communities

At Sundance, the AIDS crisis through the eyes of a bar mitzvah boy

PJ Grisar in Forward

Moshe Rosenthal's film "Tell Me Everything," showcased at the Sundance Film Festival, explores the intricate dynamics within a family amid the AIDS crisis through the eyes of Boaz, a soon-to-be bar mitzvah boy in the 1980s and 1990s.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

A Story Well Lived

Thomas P. Balázs in Lehrhaus

Thomas P. Balázs explores how Judaism provides a path to infuse daily routines with spiritual significance, contrasting it with Western philosophies of seeking intense experiences for a vibrant life.

JL;DR

for Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Communities ›

Literature ›

Antisemitism ›

Politics ›

Sports ›

Holocaust ›

Holidays ›

Culture ›

Art ›

Leadership ›

Television/Film ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 27's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Literature ›

Antisemitism ›

Politics ›

Sports ›

Holocaust ›

Holidays ›

Culture ›

Art ›

Leadership ›

Television/Film ›

Philosophy ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 27's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Tuesday, January 27, 2026