for Thursday, February 19, 2026

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Letters to the Editor: Ari Zivotofsky Responds

The Lehrhaus Editors in Lehrhaus

In the wake of publishing a sensitive article, Ari Zivotofsky addresses critical responses it garnered through two letters to the editor.

0 Politics Israel

The dark message behind Tucker Carlson's attempt to drum up drama in Israel

Dan Perry in Forward

Tucker Carlson's recent trip to Israel, ostensibly to interview U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, quickly turned into a performance that underscored his post-Fox career pivot towards promoting a nationalist, conspiracy-laden narrative.

0 Politics Communities

She's a Democratic Socialist who affirmed Israel's right to exist. Can she be LA's next mayor?

Louis Keene in Forward

Nithya Raman, a Los Angeles City Councilmember and member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is eyeing a bid for the Los Angeles mayoralty.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Former Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop brings the fight against antisemitism to NYC’s business community

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Steve Fulop, former mayor of Jersey City, is now leading the Partnership for New York City with a focus on combating antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

Dan Goldman, in heated NY-10 primary, defends his pro-Israel stance as consistent with his ‘progressive values’

Joseph Strauss in JTA

In the heated primary race for New York's 10th Congressional District, Rep. Dan Goldman finds himself defending his pro-Israel stance amidst attacks from within the Democratic Party.

0 Politics Culture

Israeli police detain Women of the Wall leaders a day after high-stakes court hearing

Deborah Danan in JTA

Tensions flared at the Western Wall as two leaders from Women of the Wall were detained by Israeli police following their Rosh Chodesh service.

0 Politics History

Like Trump, Hitler also wanted to build monuments to himself — so did Franco, Gaddafi and Alexander the Great

Terrence Petty in Forward

The article explores how historical figures and leaders have sought to immortalize themselves through monumental architecture, drawing parallels between Adolf Hitler's grand plans for Berlin and Donald Trump's own ambitions for self-glorification in Washington, D.C. Both leaders envisioned massive structures symbolizing their power and legacy, reminiscent of other authoritarian figures like Francisco Franco, Moammar Gaddafi, and Alexander the Great.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Jeremy Carl is latest Trump nominee facing Senate pushback over history of antisemitic remarks

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Jeremy Carl, a nominee for a high-ranking State Department position, faces significant opposition over his controversial remarks about Jews, the Holocaust, and Israel.

0 Politics History

Why Gaza's Destruction Needed to Happen

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Vanessa Berg's essay argues that the destruction in Gaza can be seen as a necessary step towards breaking its cycle of violence perpetuated by Hamas governance.

0 Politics Antisemitism

British woman who removed an Israeli hostage poster from a memorial site is convicted of theft

Grace Gilson in Forward

In Brighton, England, Fiona Monro, a woman linked to anti-Zionist activism, was convicted of theft for removing a poster of an Israeli hostage, Tzachi Idan, from a memorial site.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Hymietown Revisited

Menachem Butler in Tablet

Rev. Jesse Jackson's role in American civil rights and politics is well-documented, but his contentious relationship with the Jewish community during his presidential bids of the 1980s is often less discussed.

0 Politics Antisemitism

More Jewish officials are rebuking Rep. Randy Fine over tweet comparing Muslims to dogs

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Rep. Randy Fine of Florida, a Jewish congressman known for his pro-Israel stance, faced widespread criticism and calls for censure following an Islamophobic tweet comparing Muslims unfavorably to dogs.

Music ›

0 Music History

Rediscovering the ‘Dybbuk’ composer Henokh Kon

Eve Sicular in Forward

Eve Sicular explores the rediscovery of Henokh Kon, a prolific Yiddish composer celebrated for his scores in classic films like "The Dybbuk."

0 Music Culture

A New Biopic About Jewish Legend Cass Elliot Is Coming

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

A biopic is set to celebrate the life and legacy of Cass Elliot, the iconic Jewish singer known from The Mamas and the Papas.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

The Great Jewish Manuscript Sell-Off

David Sclar in Tablet

David Sclar discusses the problematic decision by cultural institutions, like the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), to sell rare Hebrew manuscripts and historical documents due to financial pressures.

0 Culture Ethics

Who Gets the Last Laugh?

JA Staff in Jewish Action

Jewish comedians Eli Lebowicz and the Goldgrab brothers, creators of The Frum Side comics, discuss the nuances of humor in Orthodox Jewish contexts.

0 Culture Gender/Identity

With co-parenting on the rise in Israel, an advocate aims to export the model to American Jews

Deborah Danan in JTA

Co-parenting, a trend gaining traction in Israel, involves two individuals raising children together platonically without being romantic partners.

0 Culture Jewish Law

Mourning on Purim

Efraim Jaffe in Jewish Action

Efraim Jaffe reflects on a deeply personal and poignant moment as he recounts the passing of his wife on Purim, blending mourning and the holiday's inherent joyousness in a unique tapestry of emotion.

0 Culture Politics

PEN America’s Jewish Exception

Ari Ingel in Tablet

PEN America, an organization traditionally committed to defending free expression, has come under criticism for retracting a statement condemning the cancellation of comedian Guy Hochman's events due to ideological biases against Israel.

Communities ›

0 Communities Israel

You don’t get to define me

eJewishPhilanthropy

A campaign in Canada is attempting to stop the accreditation of Jewish summer camps, claiming these camps propagate support for Israel as a "genocidal, settler-colonial state."

0 Communities Ethics

How Jewish Communities Can Help Couples Going Through Divorce

Nina Adler in 18forty

Divorce, a significant and growing reality within Jewish communities, remains an under-addressed challenge compared to issues like illness or infertility.

0 Communities History

A defunct synagogue, reminder of a once-proud community, collapses in Pennsylvania’s coal region

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

The collapse of the abandoned Beth Israel Synagogue in Pennsylvania's coal region marks a poignant moment for the Jewish community, reflecting a broader narrative of change and loss within American Jewish history.

0 Communities Holidays

Purim for Everyone

Rachelly Eisenberger in Jewish Action

Rebecca Mayer, Yachad's managing director of regions, outlines how Purim can be made more accessible for children with disabilities, emphasizing that the holiday should accommodate everyone, regardless of their sensory capacities.

0 Communities Leadership

Investing in Jewish life at work

eJewishPhilanthropy

Recognizing the growing trend of Jewish professionals striving to integrate vibrant Jewish life into their workplaces, Clal has developed the Jewish@Work Resource Portal.

0 Communities Antisemitism

Andorra's tiny Jewish community reels after local carnival features mock execution of Israeli effigy

Grace Gilson in Forward

A Catalan festival in Andorra featured an effigy with an Israeli flag during a mock execution, drawing condemnation from Andorra's Jewish community and international Jewish organizations.

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

An audiobook narrator told Zionists to kill themselves. A popular romance novelist hired him anyway.

Hannah Feuer in Forward

The article discusses the controversy surrounding a popular romance novelist, Abby Jimenez, who rehired Zachary Webber to narrate her audiobook despite his previous antisemitic remarks on social media.

0 Literature Holocaust

Eli Sharabi’s ‘Hostage’ memoir named Jewish book of the year

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Eli Sharabi's memoir, "Hostage," detailing his harrowing abduction by Hamas and subsequent release, has won Book of the Year at the National Jewish Book Awards, showcasing narratives of resilience and survival from the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

History ›

0 History Jewish Law

Quietly sold by Jewish library, letter by famed 18th-century rabbi surfaces at auction, fetching $400,000

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, widely known as Ramchal, was an influential 18th-century Jewish thinker whose handwritten letters have become highly coveted artifacts.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

At the BBYO International Convention, Jewish teens demand a seat at the table

Grace Gilson in JTA

At the BBYO International Convention in Philadelphia, Jewish teens from around the world came together to craft a resolution aimed at shaping Jewish advocacy and asserting their influence on Jewish communal life.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Holidays

Gifts and Open Hands: Why and How we should Give Tzedakah on Purim

Rabbi Ezra Sarna in Jewish Action

Rabbi Ezra Sarna discusses the practices of giving tzedakah on Purim, focusing on the concept of "kol haposhet yad nosnim lo"—giving to anyone who asks—and its communal application.

Torah ›

0 Torah Holidays

The Hidden Miracle of Purim

Rabbi Dr. Simon Eckstein in Jewish Action

The Scroll of Esther's controversial inclusion in the Biblical Canon is explored through the lens of miraculous deliverance in the Purim story, which, unlike other biblical tales, lacks direct mention of God and can be explained rationally.

0 Torah Jewish Law

The Gold, the Wood, and the Heart: 5 Lessons on Beauty in Worship

18Forty Staff in 18forty

The Parsha guide from 18Forty explores the intricate details surrounding the Mishkan in Parshat Terumah, examining why these specifications are relevant to modern spiritual practice.

Education ›

0 Education Prayer

Jewish education needs tefillah

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Joshua Cahan advocates for a revitalized approach to tefillah (prayer) in Jewish day schools and camps, suggesting it should be an integral part of both educational strategy and student well-being.

0 Education History

The Essence of Education

Jon Kelsen in Lehrhaus

Glenn Dynner's book, "The Light of Learning: Hasidism in Poland on the Eve of the Holocaust," as reviewed by Jon Kelsen, explores the pivotal role of Hasidic yeshivot in Poland before the Holocaust as bastions of cultural and religious resilience.

Prayer ›

0 Prayer Jewish Law

Prescriptive Power

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Exploring the challenges of connecting through davening, this article offers insights from Ruchi Koval, Elisheva Kaminetsky, and Shevi Samet on how to make prayer more meaningful.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Ethics

The End of Jewish Apology Culture

Mitch Schneider in Future of Jewish

Mitch Schneider's essay highlights the emergence of a new confident Jewish generation that no longer apologizes for its identity or beliefs.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

‘Tehran’ Producer Dana Eden Was an Israeli TV Pioneer

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Dana Eden, a trailblazing Israeli producer who influenced Israeli and international television, passed away at 52 while working in Athens on the fourth season of the acclaimed show Tehran.

JL;DR

for Thursday, February 19, 2026

Politics ›

Music ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Jewish Law ›

Torah ›

Education ›

Prayer ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 19's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Music ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Jewish Law ›

Torah ›

Education ›

Prayer ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 19's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, February 19, 2026