for Friday, February 20, 2026

Leadership ›

Making space for Jewish thought leadership

Amid growing complexity in Jewish communities, there is increasing interest in Jewish thought leadership as a means of navigating moral and communal challenges.

0 Leadership Antisemitism

In JFNA’s first ‘State of the Jewish Union’ address, security and antisemitism loom large

Grace Gilson in Forward

Eric Fingerhut, CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, delivered the organization's inaugural State of the Jewish Union address.

0 Leadership Antisemitism

Beyond fight or flight: Building spiritual stamina in the face of antisemitism

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the wake of increased antisemitism following the events of October 2023, Jewish leaders are navigating unprecedented challenges, grappling with internal and communal responses to external threats.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

Jan Schakowsky retracts endorsement in a congressional race over candidate’s AIPAC funding

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Representative Jan Schakowsky has retracted her endorsement of Donna Miller, a congressional candidate in Illinois, due to Miller's financial ties to donors associated with AIPAC and other out-of-state interests.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Man Setting Fire to the GOP

Lee Smith in Tablet

Tucker Carlson's activities in Israel, including claims of mistreatment by Israeli airport authorities, are framed as part of a broader strategy to undermine U.S.-Israel relations and influence U.S. foreign policy.

0 Politics Culture

The Prince’s Wound

Nancy Hartevelt Kobrin in Tablet

Nancy Hartevelt Kobrin explores the complex psychological and sociocultural dynamics facing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).

0 Politics Education

Trump and Biden officials clash over campus antisemitism actions as federal investigation kicks off

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

The recent federal investigation into campus antisemitism has sparked fierce debate between Trump and Biden administration officials over the enforcement of civil rights laws.

0 Politics Israel

Trump’s Board of Peace met. But can it follow through?

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

President Donald Trump's latest initiative to restore peace in the Middle East, termed the "Board of Peace," aims to resolve the conflict in Gaza via a security-first framework.

0 Politics Israel

What We Learned About Striking Iran

General Yoav Gallant in Future of Jewish

General Yoav Gallant, former Israeli Minister of Defense, argues the strategic necessity of military action against Iran due to its nuclear ambitions, missile development, and regional proxy forces which threaten regional stability.

0 Politics Israel

Two-State Solution? No Way. PA Proves To Be Its Own Worst Enemy

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Gary Rosenblatt critiques the Palestinian Authority's recent draft constitution, revealing its lack of commitment to peace and coexistence with Israel.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Israel’s highest court rebukes government for blocking egalitarian prayer at Western Wall

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Israel's High Court of Justice has unanimously reprimanded government and municipal authorities for failing to advance long-delayed plans to enhance the Western Wall's egalitarian prayer section.

0 Politics Israel

Tucker Carlson draws scorn for claiming he was ‘detained’ at Israeli airport after Mike Huckabee interview

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Tucker Carlson faced criticism from the Jewish community and others after claiming he was detained at an Israeli airport, despite accounts from Israel's airport authority and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee that the questioning was routine.

0 Politics Ethics

Les Wexner testifies that he was ‘conned’ by Jeffrey Epstein and did not know of his crimes

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA

Les Wexner, a prominent Jewish philanthropist and former business magnate, testified in a closed-door congressional deposition regarding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.

0 Politics Communities

How Jesse Jackson changed his mind about Jews — and what Abe Foxman made of it

Talya Zax in Forward

Rev. Jesse Jackson's evolving relationship with the Jewish community is highlighted in a conversation with former ADL chief Abraham Foxman.

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.

Education ›

0 Education Communities

Is It Time for American Jews to Consider Homeschooling?

Bethany S. Mandel in Tablet

Bethany S. Mandel advocates for homeschooling as a viable educational path for American Jewish families, especially in light of the rising costs of private Jewish day schools and the perceived inadequacies of public education.

0 Education Communities

We need to invest in Jewish ECE like Jewish life depends on It

eJewishPhilanthropy

Investing in Jewish Early Childhood Education (ECE) is crucial to maintaining active Jewish communities.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Communities

Israel’s High Court sides with egalitarian prayer advocates in long-running Western Wall dispute

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

In a landmark ruling, Israel's Supreme Court has mandated the government and Jerusalem Municipality to proceed with enhancements to the egalitarian prayer area at the Western Wall.

0 Jewish Law Gender/Identity

The IDF and Women in Combat

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article critiques the integration of women into combat roles within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and broader issues within militaries such as the U.S. Army.

0 Jewish Law History

How Generosity Built the Synagogue

Elli Fischer in 18forty

Exploring the evolution of Jewish worship from the Mishkan to contemporary synagogues, the article examines how acts of kindness have been a core function of synagogues from the start.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

When ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Was Hit by a Shabbat Scandal

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Reality Check: America's Next Top Model, a new Netflix documentary series, sheds light on the controversial aspects of the reality TV show, including a significant Shabbat-related controversy involving Modern Orthodox contestant Esther Petrack in Season 15.

History ›

0 History Politics

The Jesse Jackson I knew didn't just repent toward Jews — he became a hero for us

Marc Schneier in Forward

In this heartfelt tribute, Rabbi Marc Schneier reflects on his personal relationship with the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, highlighting the latter's significant role in healing and strengthening the alliance between Black and Jewish communities.

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.

Art ›

0 Art Holocaust

Confronting art and love as the Nazis close in

Nahma Sandrow in Forward

New York’s vibrant theater scene is enriched by diverse influences, including a Russian-Jewish sensibility epitomized by Roman Freud's play "Beneath the Ice of the Vistula."

0 Art History

Rembrandt has been hailed for his love of the Jewish people — was it all a myth?

Noah Hirsch-Rechter in Forward

Rembrandt's relationship with Jews, often touted as an example of philosemitism, is reexamined in a new exhibition at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.

0 Art Gender/Identity

Barbara Zucker’s Art Revisits the Wet Nurse

Guest Contributor in Lilith

Barbara Zucker's latest art exhibition and accompanying book, "The Second Oldest Profession: The Wet Nurse, Revered and Reviled," delve into the historical and cultural complexities of wet nursing.

Music ›

0 Music Politics

New U2 album includes Israeli poem and a song about slain Palestinian activist

Grace Gilson in Forward

U2's latest EP, "Days of Ash," marks the band's return with a politically charged collection of tracks.

0 Music Politics

U2’s new album includes Yehuda Amichai poem and a song about the slain Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen

Grace Gilson in JTA

U2's latest album, "Days of Ash," features poignant reflections on contemporary socio-political issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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 Science

When Rocks Rock

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

The Rand Mineral Exhibit at the Biblical Museum of Natural History highlights stunning, rare minerals donated by Jonathan and Anne Rand, offering a unique opportunity to see these exceptional natural wonders in person.

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.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Pride alone won’t save the Jews.

Bob Goldberg in Future of Jewish

Bob Goldberg critically reflects on journalist Bret Stephens' recent address concerning the Jewish community's response to antisemitism.

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."

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.

JL;DR

for Friday, February 20, 2026

Leadership ›

Politics ›

Education ›

Jewish Law ›

Television/Film ›

History ›

Art ›

Music ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Friday, February 20, 2026

Leadership ›

Politics ›

Education ›

Jewish Law ›

Television/Film ›

History ›

Art ›

Music ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 20's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, February 20, 2026