for Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Politics ›

‘Don’t be a wimp’: Josh Shapiro, Philly DA Larry Krasner spar over ICE-Nazi comparisons

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, both Democrats with a history of rivalry, engaged in a public dispute after Krasner compared ICE agents to Nazis.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Antizionism Exception

Matthew Segal in Tablet

Matthew Segal critiques the emerging legal principle whereby anti-Zionist rhetoric is automatically deemed non-discriminatory, which he argues unfairly singles out Jews and Israelis.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Australian Left has an antisemitism problem.

David Free in Future of Jewish

David Free denounces the pervasive antisemitism prevalent within the Australian Left and the wider intellectual elite, following the Bondi Beach massacre, a targeted attack on Jews celebrating Hanukkah.

0 Politics Israel

Shifting Sands

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Saudi Arabia's geopolitical realignment, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, suggests a retreat from potential normalization with Israel and closer ties with nations like Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan, noted for their complex relationships with the West.

0 Politics Communities

Rally Around the Black Flag

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article explores the potential shifts in Israeli politics as left-wing protestors, originally rallying against Netanyahu and judicial reforms, are now aligning with Arab sectors to tackle rising gun violence in Arab cities.

0 Politics Israel

Trying to influence progressives in New Jersey, AIPAC may actually help one get elected

Jay Michaelson in Forward

In the New Jersey 11th congressional district Democratic primary, the involvement of AIPAC through its affiliated Super PAC, the United Democracy Project, highlights the organization's complex role in American politics.

0 Politics Antisemitism

A Gen Z student activist against antisemitism is running for State Assembly on Long Island

Micah Bidner in JTA

Will Sussman, a Jewish engineer and educator, is pursuing a seat in the New York State Assembly, motivated by his experiences with antisemitism on campus and a desire to tackle affordability issues in his community.

0 Politics Israel

Iranian 'diplomacy' is a complete scam.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that Iranian diplomacy is nothing more than a strategic facade designed to buy time for its nuclear program.

0 Politics Israel

France issues arrest warrants against 2 right-wing French-Israeli activists for ‘complicity in genocide’

Grace Gilson in Forward

Two right-wing French-Israeli activists, Nili Kupfer-Naouri and Rachel Touitou, are facing arrest warrants from France for alleged complicity in genocide, following their actions to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, which they believed would indirectly support Hamas.

0 Politics Israel

Will he or won’t he? Analysts don’t rule out Iran strike despite diplomatic flurry

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

Despite the Trump administration's diplomatic engagement with Iran, experts suggest that military action remains a strong possibility.

0 Politics Communities

Mamdani, socialist allies face first electoral test in battle for NYC House seat

Will Bredderman in Jewish Insider

Socialist-leaning New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, alongside the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is navigating a pivotal electoral test in the 7th Congressional District, which encompasses a significant Hasidic Jewish community.

0 Politics Culture

The Unfortunate Relationship Between Secular Judaism and Anti-Zionism

Hava Mendelle in Future of Jewish

Hava Mendelle articulates the complex relationship between secular Judaism and anti-Zionism, contending that rising anti-Zionism and assimilation weaken Jewish identity and continuity.

0 Politics Israel

Amid standoff with US, would Iran really attack Israel?

Dan Perry in Forward

Amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with President Trump considering military action, the Iranian regime threatens to attack Israel if confronted.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

The Fall of Europe

Marc Weitzmann in Tablet

Marc Weitzmann explores the disturbing shifts in European attitudes and the rise of antisemitism following events since October 7, 2023, particularly focusing on reactions to the New York mayoral election of Zohran Mamdani.

0 Antisemitism Television/Film

Robert Kraft’s new Super Bowl ad about antisemitism already feels dated

PJ Grisar in Forward

Robert Kraft's latest Super Bowl ad, produced by his Blue Square Alliance Against Antisemitism, presents an outdated depiction of antisemitism in schools.

0 Antisemitism Jewish Law

In 92NY talk, Bret Stephens urges 'dismantling' ADL and investing more in Jewish identity

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward

Bret Stephens, a New York Times columnist, delivered a provocative address at the 92nd Street Y, suggesting a radical shift in the Jewish community's approach to combating antisemitism.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Finding Escape and Hope in Jewish Films

Amy Stone in Lilith

In the face of profound societal challenges, the New York Jewish Film Festival offers a haven of cultural reflection and exploration, diving into the Jewish experience through a diverse film selection.

0 Television/Film Culture

Jewish TV To Watch in February 2026

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

February 2026 promises an array of Jewish and Jew-adjacent television content, spanning thrillers, historical documentaries, and Olympic sports.

0 Television/Film Communities

America’s Black-Jewish story gets an update on new PBS series featuring Henry Louis Gates, Michael Twitty and more

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History is an insightful PBS docuseries that launches into an engaging exploration of the historical and social intersections between Black and Jewish Americans.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Teaching hope: Israel education for today and tomorrow

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article discusses a new curriculum, "HaTikvah: Our Hope for Israel," designed to enhance Israel education for fourth and fifth graders by focusing on building connections through comprehensive content.

0 Education Philosophy

Real Intelligence in the Age of AI

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

In "Real Intelligence in the Age of AI," Cindy Scarr explores the essential link between identity and intelligence, emphasizing the importance of recognizing a child's uniqueness in fostering genuine cognitive growth.

0 Education Culture

Anxious Toddler

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Addressing a parent's concern about their suddenly anxious toddler, this article reassures that heightened anxiety is common around age two due to increased cognitive awareness and imagination.

0 Education Jewish Law

A Yeshiva That Gets It Right

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin reflects on his experience visiting a hesder yeshiva in Akko during a Shabbaton, highlighting the contrast between the educational approaches of dati-leumi and charedi yeshivas.

Culture ›

0 Culture Television/Film

The Muppets are my rabbi, and they should be yours

Talya Zax in Forward

Amidst the turbulence of modern life, Talya Zax finds solace and spiritual wisdom in the joyful chaos of The Muppet Show.

0 Culture Food

Tea from a Coffee Pot

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig reflects on the significance of cherished kitchen objects in our lives, inspired by Bee Wilson's book, "The Heart-Shaped Tin."

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Sons Dedicate This Rendition of ‘Mi Sheberach’ to Minneapolis

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Jeff Tweedy, frontman of Wilco, along with his sons Spencer and Sammy, recently performed Debbie Friedman's rendition of the Jewish healing prayer, "Mi Sheberach," dedicating it to the community of Minneapolis following the tragic shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

0 Music Culture

Mood Mix with Shlome Wechter

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Shlome Wechter, a prominent figure in the chassidish and heimishe music scene, has carved out a niche as a skilled mixing engineer, having begun his career arranging music for Naftali Schnitzler.

0 Music Holocaust

A moving but problematic concert for Holocaust Remembrance Day

David Zakalik in Forward

On January 27th at the Kennedy Center, Maestro Francesco Lotoro directed a poignant Holocaust Remembrance Day concert featuring Yiddish songs from his vast collection of music composed in various concentration camps worldwide.

Communities ›

0 Communities History

HIAS shuts Vienna office that aided generations of refugees after Trump pulls funding

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

HIAS has closed its Vienna office, a historical transit point for Jewish refugees from Europe and the Middle East since World War II, due to the Trump administration's suspension of the U.S. refugee program, ending critical funding.

0 Communities Jewish Law

I traveled from Israel to Spain to convert new Jews. A single ‘Sababa’ made me feel safer.

Rabbi Hayim Leiter in JTA

Rabbi Hayim Leiter reflects on his experiences traveling from Israel to Spain to perform ritual circumcisions (brises) for converts amidst a politically charged atmosphere.

0 Communities Art

Plants, Transplants and Life

Carol Ann Schwartz in Hadassah

Following a terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, a unique project emerged to preserve the memory of the victims: Sydney Jewish Museum curators and artists gathered and preserved flowers from the memorial site for a future art installation.

0 Communities Leadership

After the unity moment, we started treating Jewish institutions like people

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the dynamic landscape of Jewish communal life post-October 7, 2023, there's a growing expectation for Jewish institutions to take definitive stances akin to individuals, reflecting the complex, identity-laden issues their communities face.

0 Communities Antisemitism

What the Australian response to Bondi reveals about Jewish institutional readiness

eJewishPhilanthropy

Following the tragic antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach, a visit by Rabbi Avi Weiss and Rabbi Amitai Fraiman highlighted disparities in how Jewish communities respond to such crises.

0 Communities History

Elaine Grossinger Etess, third-generation owner of legendary Catskills resort, dies at 98

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Elaine Grossinger Etess, the last surviving member of the family who established the iconic Grossingers Catskill Resort Hotel, has passed away at 98.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Music ›

Communities ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 4's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Music ›

Communities ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 4's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, February 4, 2026