for Thursday, January 29, 2026

Communities ›

What we know about the car ramming at Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters in Brooklyn

Louis Keene in Forward

A car crash at the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Brooklyn on Wednesday night raised alarm when the driver intentionally rammed the vehicle into the building's doors.

0 Communities History

For fleeing Jews, Venezuela was a golden land. Now in exile, they watch their homeland’s unrest with trepidation.

Andrew Silverstein in Forward

The once vibrant Jewish community of Venezuela, thriving during the 20th century as the country was seen as a 'goldene medine' (golden land), now faces a significant decline.

0 Communities History

For fleeing Jews, Venezuela was a golden land — now in exile, they watch their homeland’s unrest with trepidation

Andrew Silverstein in Forward

Venezuela once served as a sanctuary and vibrant home for Jewish immigrants fleeing European and Cuban hardship, notably for figures like Maximo Freilich and his family.

0 Communities Leadership

A Millennial rabbi built a synagogue where others have closed. Her maverick ideas are becoming a model.

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter has rejuvenated Jewish life in South Philadelphia with her innovative South Philadelphia Shtiebel, an unconventional Orthodox synagogue.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Book Review: The Devash Jr Book of Shemot

Joshua Ladon in Lehrhaus

The review highlights "The Devash Jr Book of Shemot," a children's book designed to introduce young readers to the Book of Exodus through engaging storytelling and interactive activities.

0 Education Politics

Father of former Israeli hostage joins Columbia as a Jewish history professor

Shira Li Bartov in Forward

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of a former Israeli hostage, has been appointed as a Jewish history professor at Columbia University, amidst efforts to diversify academic perspectives on the Middle East.

0 Education Israel

Conservative British pro-Israel commentator Douglas Murray joins Yeshiva University

Grace Gilson in Forward

Douglas Murray, a prominent British conservative author and pro-Israel commentator, has been appointed as Yeshiva University's first President's Professor of Practice.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Yoram Hazony’s 15 Minutes

Orit Arfa in Tablet

Orit Arfa, formerly the director of communications for the Edmund Burke Foundation, critiques Yoram Hazony for untruthfully claiming a lack of material disproving Tucker Carlson's alleged antisemitism.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Israel is teaming up with the far right to fight global antisemitism

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

The Israeli government, through its Ministry for Diaspora Affairs, is increasingly allying with far-right European political figures to combat antisemitism, particularly focusing on what they perceive as threats from the 'woke' far left and Muslim extremists.

0 Politics History

How a Russian Jewish activist's deportation case led to Mahmoud Khalil's

Hannah Feuer in Forward

The article explores the historical legal precedent set by Russian Jewish activist Dora Coleman's 1951 deportation case, which has resurfaced in the context of the Trump administration's attempts to deport pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Who will run Mamdani’s Office to Combat Antisemitism? These names are in the mix.

New York Jewish Week Staff in JTA

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is considering leadership for his Office to Combat Antisemitism, following his controversial revocation of certain executive orders related to supporting Israel.

0 Politics History

Should we be comparing ICE agents to Hitler's 'Brownshirts?'

Terrence Petty in Forward

The article by Terrence Petty debates the controversial comparison of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Hitler's Brownshirts, amidst Trump's intensified immigration policies.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Grandson of survivors barred from UN Holocaust memorial event after photographing Lizzy Savetsky’s encounter with security

Grace Gilson in JTA

Julian Voloj, the grandson of Holocaust survivors, was barred from the UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day event after photographing a confrontation between social media influencer Lizzy Savetsky and event security over her Israeli flag blazer.

0 Politics Israel

Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, a Republican, hopes shift to right will push him to victory against Moskowitz

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, a Republican, is challenging Democratic incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz for his Florida congressional seat.

0 Politics Ethics

Minnesota, Rabbi Tarfon and the language of horror

Aviya Kushner in Forward

In this article, Aviya Kushner reflects on the collective societal response to recent ICE-related violence in Minnesota, drawing parallels to Jewish philosophical teachings to find a path forward.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

How Israel Did the Impossible — and Brought All the Hostages Home

Jonathan Sacerdoti in Future of Jewish

In a decisive move, Israel achieved the return of all hostages abducted by Palestinians in Gaza, including the body of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili, as affirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Culture ›

0 Culture Food

Enter Our Uterus Challah Baking Contest

Sarah M. Seltzer in Lilith

The piece by Sarah M. Seltzer humorously guides readers through creating a reproductive system-themed challah bread, merging traditional Jewish culinary art with modern thematic expression.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

‘Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!’ Is a Super Jewish Documentary About the History-Making Comedian

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

The documentary "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!" is a reverential exploration of the legendary comedian's deep connection to his Jewish identity, as shown through his work and life.

Art ›

0 Art Politics

Federal building with murals by Jewish artists at risk of sale, demolition

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

The Wilbur J. Cohen Building in Washington D.C., renowned for its New Deal-era murals by Jewish artists like Ben Shahn, is threatened by potential sale and demolition.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Josh Shapiro’s ‘dual loyalty’ story shows a gap between how American Jews see themselves — and how they’re seen

Michael Koplow in JTA

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's experience during vice-presidential vetting, where he was asked about being an Israeli agent, exposes ongoing issues of perceived dual loyalty among American Jews.

0 Antisemitism Culture

Tragedy alone will not create change

eJewishPhilanthropy

Leslie Zane and Mark Mandell argue that the magnitude of a tragedy, like antisemitic attacks, does not inherently prompt lasting social change.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

5 Ways the Torah Challenges Our Idea of Enough

18Forty Staff in 18forty

The weekly 18Forty Parsha Guide delves into the lessons from Parshat Beshalach, focusing on the Torah's challenge to our concept of scarcity and security through the story of Manna.

Sports ›

0 Sports Education

A Jewish teen takes on the sports betting apps that are hooking his peers

Henry Zizmor in JTA

Eli Senor, a senior at The Heschel School, has founded an initiative called Behind the Bet to combat the rising issue of sports betting addiction among teens, sparked by his own experiences and witnessing friends lose money and suffer academically.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Ethics

The Holocaustwashing of Every Cause

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

The concept of 'Holocaustwashing,' as explored by Vanessa Berg, refers to the inappropriate appropriation of Holocaust language and imagery to describe modern issues that do not match the historical event's scope, intent, or horror.

0 Holocaust Politics

Mamdani visits Holocaust survivor at her apartment on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani privately visited Olga Spiegel, an 82-year-old Holocaust survivor and artist living in a rent-stabilized Manhattan apartment.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Philosophy

How to turn a thank-you into a lasting donor connection

eJewishPhilanthropy

Many nonprofits miss the opportunity to engage donors meaningfully, often resorting to perfunctory acknowledgments.

History ›

0 History Jewish Law

The Men Who Bring Them Home

Dovi Safier in Tablet

In this poignant narrative, Dovi Safier recounts his visit to Israel as he supports Yasar Darom, a specialized IDF unit responsible for recovering the remains of fallen soldiers and civilians in conflict zones.

0 History Politics

What we talk about when we talk about Anne Frank hiding from ICE

Emily Tamkin in Forward

Amid concerns of rising antisemitism, the debate over Anne Frank's legacy is reignited by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's comments comparing children hiding from ICE to Frank's experience during the Holocaust.

JL;DR

for Thursday, January 29, 2026

Communities ›

Education ›

Politics ›

Israel ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Art ›

Antisemitism ›

Torah ›

Sports ›

Holocaust ›

Leadership ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 29's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Education ›

Politics ›

Israel ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Art ›

Antisemitism ›

Torah ›

Sports ›

Holocaust ›

Leadership ›

History ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

January 29's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, January 29, 2026