for Saturday, February 21, 2026

Welcome, visitor! Here's a digest of what's been published in Jewish media over the last day. JL;DR members have access to summaries of everything plus our full archive. Donate & start reading »

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

In Israel, war feels inevitable.

Nadav Eyal in Future of Jewish

Nadav Eyal's essay explores the tense and complex atmosphere in Israel amid potential military action against Iran, which could reshape regional geopolitics.

0 Politics Israel

Robin Kelly, running for Senate in Illinois, says Israel committed ‘genocide’

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly, a contender in the upcoming U.S. Senate race, stated during a debate that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, reflecting a notable shift in Democratic views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Mamdani’s NYC community safety office, part of plan to fight antisemitism, remains in limbo

New York Jewish Week Staff in JTA

The proposed Department of Community Safety by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, aimed at countering antisemitism, did not appear in the initial city budget, raising concerns about funding and implementation.

0 Politics Ethics

Everyone can be a war profiteer in Gaza or Iran, thanks to online betting markets

Mira Fox in Forward

Online betting platforms like Polymarket allow individuals to wager on geopolitical events, encouraging war profiteering on conflicts involving Israel and the Middle East.

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 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.

Literature ›

0 Literature Holocaust

Long overlooked, Soviet Jewish stories written after the Holocaust emerge in new translation

Sasha Vasilyuk in JTA

A new collection of short stories has emerged, bringing attention to the overlooked Soviet Jewish literature written after World War II.

Culture ›

0 Culture Antisemitism

Dear internet: Having Jews in movies isn’t ‘Zionist propaganda’

PJ Grisar in Forward

PJ Grisar critiques the modern tendency to misinterpret Jewish references in films as Zionist propaganda, highlighting the issue with examples like the recent film "Marty Supreme."

0 Culture Television/Film

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Eric Dane Was an Amazing Jewish Dad

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Eric Dane, best known for his role as McSteamy on "Grey's Anatomy," passed away at the age of 53 due to ALS, leaving behind a legacy as a devoted Jewish father and advocate for ALS awareness.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Pro-Palestinian vandalism of London bakery with Jewish roots draws outcry from British Jewish groups

Grace Gilson in JTA

Gail's Bakery, a British chain with Jewish roots, faced vandalism and protests in London over accusations of supporting Israel through its investments.

0 Antisemitism Politics

The Kind of Antisemitism that Worries Me the Most

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article delves into the concerning rise of antisemitism, particularly focusing on the role of influential conservative commentators who use religious justifications to bolster their narratives.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

Isaiah Zagar, renowned Jewish mosaic artist who created Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, dies at 86

Grace Gilson in JTA

Isaiah Zagar, a prominent Jewish mosaic artist renowned for his transformative public art installations in Philadelphia and the creation of the iconic Philadelphia Magic Gardens, passed away at the age of 86.

History ›

0 History Antisemitism

The Soldier Who Refused to Hand Jews to the Nazis

Andrew Fox in Future of Jewish

The article chronicles the heroism of U.S. Army Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds during World War II, highlighting his moral courage when he refused to identify Jewish-American prisoners to the Nazis, possibly saving 200 to 300 lives.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Making space for Jewish thought leadership

eJewishPhilanthropy

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.

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.

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.

JL;DR

for Saturday, February 21, 2026

Politics ›

Literature ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Art ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Education ›

Jewish Law ›

Television/Film ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Literature ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Art ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Education ›

Jewish Law ›

Television/Film ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, February 21, 2026