for Thursday, February 12, 2026

Torah ›

0 Torah History

The Tunneling Burglar and the False Prophet: Opening New Chapters of Biblical Interpretation

Yaakov Taubes in Lehrhaus

Yaakov Taubes examines the Christian origins of chapter divisions in the Hebrew Bible, focusing on their impact on biblical interpretation and Jewish tradition.

0 Torah Philosophy

5 Ways the Torah Trains Us to Love Our Enemies

18Forty Staff in 18forty

The 18Forty Parsha Guide reflects on how the Torah instructs us to love our enemies through various commandments.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Hashem Is Headlining

Dana Kessler in Tablet

Israeli pop star Odeya embodies a contemporary cultural phenomenon where young Israelis blend secular and religious identities within their art.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

This Time, a Real Russiagate?

Park MacDougald in Tablet

The article explores the intricate connections between right-wing conspiracy theorists, Russian influences, and certain American political figures.

0 Politics Israel

Trump is poised to reinforce Iran's regime — despite Netanyahu's pressure

Dan Perry in Forward

Amid growing tensions with Iran, President Trump proceeds with diplomatic negotiations despite Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's clear dissent.

0 Politics Israel

What Carrie Prejean Boller tells us about Christian Zionism in the U.S.

Mira Fox in Forward

Carrie Prejean Boller's recent comments on Zionism and Christianity have spotlighted the complex relationship between American Christians and Israel.

0 Politics Jewish Law

An Embarrassing Rabbis' Letter on the Draft

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critically analyzes a public letter signed by forty rabbis from the religious Zionist community supporting the controversial Draft Exemption Law in Israel.

0 Politics Israel

After 3-hour White House meeting, Trump says he ‘insisted’ to Netanyahu that Iran talks should continue

Grace Gilson in Forward

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, aiming to influence the U.S. stance on negotiations with Iran.

0 Politics Communities

Most American Jews aren’t ‘Zionist’ — so what are they?

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

The persistent notion that nearly all American Jews are Zionists was recently challenged by data showing only 37% identify with the term, despite a strong belief in Israel's right to exist as a Jewish democratic state.

0 Politics Israel

It’s not just the kids: Only a third of US Jews 75+ call themselves ‘Zionists’

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

The latest survey by the Jewish Federations of North America has sparked discussions on Zionist identification among American Jews, revealing that only 37% identify as Zionists.

0 Politics History

For the titans of industry in Nazi Germany and Trump's America, silence and complicity enable authoritarianism

Terrence Petty in Forward

The article draws a parallel between the roles of industrial leaders during Hitler's rise and current American tech executives under Trump's presidency.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Carrie Prejean Boller spurns calls to step down after anti-Zionist clash at White House antisemitism hearing

Grace Gilson in JTA

Carrie Prejean Boller, a controversial figure on the White House Religious Liberty Commission, sparked uproar during a meeting meant to address antisemitism by asserting that anti-Zionism doesn't equate to antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

Netanyahu returns to Washington — this time to shape a deal with Iran, not fight one

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump are meeting in Washington to discuss strategies for confronting Iran's nuclear threat.

0 Politics Israel

5 things to know ahead of the Trump-Netanyahu meeting

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are preparing for a significant meeting at the White House, focusing primarily on U.S.-Iran relations amidst renewed nuclear negotiations and the controversial treatment of protesters by Tehran.

0 Politics Israel

The debate over Israel’s Gaza strategy is wrong.

Andrew Fox in Future of Jewish

Andrew Fox, a former British Army officer, critiques the application of Western counterinsurgency (COIN) strategies to Israel's military actions in Gaza.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Mamdani calls for release of Leqaa Kordia, the last Palestinian Columbia protester still detained by ICE

Grace Gilson in JTA

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly demanded the release of Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian activist linked to anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, who remains detained by ICE.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Florida’s anti-Israel GOP candidate James Fishback is railing against ‘goyslop.’ What is he talking about?

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback has stirred controversy by using the term "goyslop," a slang term that originated in far-right, antisemitic circles, to criticize school cafeteria food.

Culture ›

0 Culture Language

A podcast about disappearance – and Yiddish life

Luise Fakler in Forward

"I Think I Saw You (Right When You Disappeared)" is a podcast exploring the theme of disappearance through interviews with participants of the Yiddish youth camp, Generation J. This podcast, led by Eyal Davidovitch, an interdisciplinary artist based in Berlin, delves into personal narratives that intertwine with the history and culture of Yiddish.

0 Culture Gender/Identity

Extremist Modesty as the New Normal

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article reflects on the drastic shift in the norms of Orthodox Jewish life from the early 1960s to the present, with a focus on gender segregation and modesty.

0 Culture Holidays

The Perfection of Imperfection: A Purim Story

Jewdicious

"The Perfection of Imperfection: A Purim Story" explores themes of perfectionism and vulnerability through the creation of a Jewish children's book centered on a gorilla family during Purim.

0 Culture Music

The Jewish world needs a Bad Bunny.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article argues that the Jewish world lacks a cultural figure comparable to Bad Bunny who can rejuvenate Jewish culture with a modern, confident, and compelling identity.

0 Culture Politics

Bad Bunny, not the Blue Square, offered the Super Bowl vision American Jews need to thrive

Hen Mazzig in JTA

Hen Mazzig highlights the powerful example set by Bad Bunny during his Super Bowl performance, contrasting it with Robert Kraft's Blue Square campaign against antisemitism.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Jewish Comedy Legend Sandra Bernhard to Star In Season 4 of ‘The White Lotus’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Sandra Bernhard, the celebrated Jewish comedian and actress known for her roles in "Roseanne" and "Pose," is set to appear in the fourth season of HBO Max's "The White Lotus."

Sports ›

0 Sports Culture

This Jewish Olympian prays with her mom before every race

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Kamryn Lute, a Jewish Olympian and speedskater, maintains a pre-race ritual of praying with her mom, grounding her Olympic journey in faith and family.

0 Sports Communities

Team Israel’s World Baseball Classic team unveils its 2026 roster

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

Team Israel's roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic has been announced, showcasing a blend of major leaguers, minor league players, and Israeli talent.

0 Sports Israel

What You Need To Know About Jared Firestone, the ‘Jewish Jet,’ Competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Jared Firestone, known as the "Jewish Jet," will represent Israel in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, in the sport of skeleton.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

American synagogues are being forced into a terrible choice: Collaborate with ICE or risk our own safety

JTA

With increasing ICE operations in cities like Minneapolis, American synagogues face a critical issue: whether to accept security funding from the Department of Homeland Security, which now comes with conditions, including cooperation with ICE and restrictions on diversity initiatives, or risk their own safety.

Literature ›

0 Literature Holocaust

Art theft, angels and neo-Nazis force a reckoning with the past in ‘The Tavern at the End of History’

Olivia Haynie in Forward

Morris Collins' novel "The Tavern at the End of History" explores the tensions between memory and morality through a story about art theft, the Holocaust, and human frailty.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Culture

Identity is essential — but ignoring reputation repair is an existential risk

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article by Marnie Black and Mark Mandell critiques Bret Stephens' argument that Jewish identity alone can combat modern antisemitism, positing that repairing Jewish reputation is equally crucial.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law History

When Prayer Meets Principle: Rabbi Soloveitchik and the Limits of Accommodation

Jonathan Muskat in Lehrhaus

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's 1954 ruling against attending mixed-seating synagogues, even at the expense of missing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, reveals the broader struggle for maintaining Orthodoxy's traditional practices in America.

JL;DR

for Thursday, February 12, 2026

Torah ›

Music ›

Politics ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Sports ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Antisemitism ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Torah ›

Music ›

Politics ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Sports ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Antisemitism ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 12's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, February 12, 2026