JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

A two-hour State of the Union with zero vision for Gaza or Iran

Rob Eshman in Forward

In his State of the Union address, President Trump offered little clarity on U.S. policy towards the Middle East, particularly concerning Gaza and Iran.

0 Politics Education

Israeli Brain Gain

Sapir

Israel is witnessing a growing brain drain, with highly educated professionals and academics leaving the country for opportunities abroad, threatening the country's economic and innovative edge.

0 Politics Israel

The Silicon Dome

Sapir

Israel is poised for what could be its third "founding moment," akin to its statehood in 1948 and economic stabilization in 1985, as it faces geopolitical and domestic challenges.

0 Politics Gender/Identity

Queers for Zion

Sapir

"Queers for Zion" presents a provocative exploration of the relationship between the LGBTQ community and pro-Palestinian movements, particularly in the context of Israel's political landscape.

0 Politics Israel

Democrat John Cappello brings military experience in Israel to race against Mike Lawler

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

John Cappello, a Democratic candidate and Air Force veteran, leverages his extensive military experience in Israel as he enters the race against Rep. Mike Lawler in New York's 17th Congressional District.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Laura Loomer and other Jewish conservatives sound alarm over Tucker Carlson’s White House access

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Jewish conservatives like Laura Loomer and Mark Levin are voicing alarm over Tucker Carlson's cozy access to the Trump White House in light of his recent antisemitic comments and criticisms of Israel.

0 Politics Israel

The (Obvious) Reasons Israel and America Should Eliminate Iran's Regime

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that the United States and Israel have compelling reasons to pursue regime change in Iran.

0 Politics Sports

Yaron Lischinsky’s brother, Jewish hockey stars Jack and Quinn Hughes among guests at Trump’s State of the Union

Grace Gilson in JTA

At President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address, Hanan Lischinsky, brother of an Israeli embassy staffer killed in a violent act of antisemitism, was invited as a guest to honor his advocacy against extremism.

0 Politics Israel

Gavin Newsom says he never has and ‘never will’ take money from AIPAC

Joseph Strauss in JTA

California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly committed to never accepting support from the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, positioning himself in line with shifting Democratic attitudes critical of Israeli policies.

0 Politics Israel

What Tucker Carlson won't tell you about U.S. military aid to Israel

Dany Bahar in Forward

Dany Bahar critiques Tucker Carlson's argument against U.S. military aid to Israel, highlighting it as a classic political accounting trick known as a false dilemma.

0 Politics Israel

We are talking past one another on Zionism

Jay Michaelson in Forward

The complexity of Zionism today is highlighted by Jay Michaelson, who examines the discrepancy between American Jews' support for Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and their reluctance to identify as Zionists.

0 Politics Ethics

The only people entitled to ‘Ukraine fatigue’ are the Ukrainians

eJewishPhilanthropy

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted despite fading global attention, requires steadfast support and engagement, argues David Weisberg.

0 Politics Israel

Sleeping With the Enemy

Park MacDougald in Tablet

This analysis explores the intersections between the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Middle East conflicts, highlighting how these wars have been interpreted and manipulated within U.S. political culture.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Is Tucker Carlson being bribed?

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Tucker Carlson, a prominent American media personality, has sparked controversy by engaging closely with Qatari leadership, raising suspicions of undue influence.

Culture ›

0 Culture Language

Dreams for Living Jews

Sapir

The article reflects on a conference attended by the Wampanoag Nation representatives seeking inspiration from the successful Hebrew language revival.

0 Culture Education

Tech 2040: Are Jews Ready?

Sapir

As we visualize a future where technology permeates every aspect of daily life by 2040, the Jewish community must prepare for both the opportunities and challenges that this rapid technological evolution presents.

0 Culture Education

A Judaism of Doing

Sapir

In an era defined by digital convenience, Judaism faces the risk of losing its active, embodied traditions.

0 Culture Leadership

What Makes a Moonshot?

Sapir

In an insightful conversation, Chanan Weissman of the Sapir Institute engages with author Joshua Foer and philanthropic advisor William Foster about the concept of 'moonshots' in Jewish philanthropy.

0 Culture Television/Film

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Frum comedians have stepped up as significant players in the comedy world, carving out their own niche by drawing humor from the orthodox Jewish lifestyle.

Communities ›

0 Communities History

Our Soviet Jewry Moment: Bring Them Home — Now

Sapir

The rally described in the article, held at the National Mall, marks a pivotal moment likened to the Soviet Jewry movement of the past, mobilizing support for the immediate and safe release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.

0 Communities History

The Future is Sephardic

Sapir

As American Jews reflect on what some call their "Golden Age," there's a growing divergence between Ashkenazi and Sephardic visions of the future.

0 Communities Politics

Sapir

"Editor's Note" in Sapir reflects on the evolving nature of Jewish aspiration following the crises faced since October 7.

0 Communities Ethics

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rabbi Cindy Scarr recounts the story of siblings Sorah and Larry grappling with their late father's private diary, which explicitly instructed that family members should not read it.

0 Communities Culture

Our Backs Will Touch: Similarities between Hasidim and German Jewish Hirschians

Yisrael Kashkin in Lehrhaus

Yisrael Kashkin explores the perceived cultural and religious dichotomy between Hasidim and German Jewish Hirschians, demonstrating how these two seemingly opposite Jewish communities share more similarities than typically acknowledged.

0 Communities Leadership

What we built in Ukraine, and why it still matters

eJewishPhilanthropy

In response to Russia's expanded invasion of Ukraine, a grassroots humanitarian network called UA Support Teams (UAST) emerged, operating across 20 countries with nearly 400 volunteers to evacuate vulnerable populations and provide vital aid, including to Holocaust survivors.

0 Communities Politics

After 4 years of war, Ukraine’s Jews adapt to a life of sirens, shortages and uncertainty

Theia Chatelle in JTA

Ukrainian Jews are adapting to a harsh reality as the war drags into its fourth year, reshaping everyday life and community structures.

History ›

0 History Culture

‘A Swinging Bunch of People’ No Longer

Sapir

Sammy Davis Jr., a prominent entertainer and one of America's most famous converts to Judaism, exemplified a time when Jewish culture was seen as 'cool' in postwar America.

0 History Communities

Indiana Jews race to reclaim a synagogue that shaped the Reform movement

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

In Lafayette, Indiana, a campaign to reclaim the historic 1867 synagogue of Ahavas Achim is underway, reflecting a significant chapter in the Reform movement's history.

0 History Holocaust

Documentary about Jews killed by their Polish neighbors after the Holocaust could be banned in Poland

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

"Among Neighbors," a documentary by Yoav Potash, explores the tragic story of five Jews murdered by their Polish neighbors in Gniewoszów, Poland, six months after World War II ended.

0 History Israel

Israel is what happens when you run out of places to go.

Ido Singer in Future of Jewish

Ido Singer's essay delves into the persistent displacement and resilience of Jewish communities throughout history, addressing the oft-posed question, "Why don't Jews just leave?"

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

Jewish Masterpiece: The Foundation Trilogy

Sapir

Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy, though not overtly Jewish, can be viewed as a "Jewish masterpiece" due to its themes resonating with Jewish intellectual traditions and historical narratives.

0 Literature Culture

Millennial anxieties are the ‘new normal’ in these Yiddish stories

Mikhail Krutikov in Forward

Amidst a resurgence of interest in Yiddish literature, Israeli author Shiri Shapira offers a collection of short stories titled "Di Tsukunft" (The Future), exploring the anxieties of millennials through a Yiddish lens.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Politics

An Israeli Constitution

Sapir

Israel, unique among democracies, still lacks a formal constitution, despite its founding in 1948.

0 Jewish Law Politics

A Unifying Proposal

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the contentious issue surrounding the egalitarian prayer section at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, highlighting historical and current tensions between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jewish movements.

0 Jewish Law Communities

An Arizona cemetery now requires mourners to leave before burial. A rabbi plans to sue.

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

A new safety policy at Paradise Memorial Gardens in Scottsdale, Arizona, is causing controversy by requiring families to leave before a casket is lowered into the ground, which conflicts with Jewish burial traditions.

0 Jewish Law Communities

Why I support the Ezrat Yisrael egalitarian prayer space, separate from the Kotel

eJewishPhilanthropy

Orthodox Rabbi Kenneth Brander advocates for maintaining the Ezrat Yisrael egalitarian prayer space near the Western Wall, opposing proposed Knesset legislation to place it under the Chief Rabbinate's control.

0 Jewish Law Politics

7 years in prison for praying at the Western Wall? Netanyahu’s coalition is threatening a war on Jewish unity.

JTA

The proposed legislation in Israel's Knesset seeks to impose Haredi Orthodox religious practices at the Western Wall, threatening severe penalties for those conducting non-Haredi prayer services.

Education ›

0 Education Israel

An Education System Worthy of the Jewish State

Sapir

Israel's education system, once a cornerstone of its national strength, faces a significant crisis.

0 Education Antisemitism

How to Teach the Jewish Story

Sapir

Dara Horn reflects on her journey toward addressing antisemitism through education, after the publication of her book "People Love Dead Jews."

0 Education Communities

A new curriculum brings adults with intellectual disabilities into the heart of Jewish learning

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

A new curriculum from Melton, called "What's Mine is Yours," is innovatively designed to offer advanced Jewish learning experiences to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Defeating Antizionism

Sapir

The article examines the contemporary issue of antizionism, tracing its origins to past pseudoscience and examining its current manifestation in academia.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Trump administration files lawsuit against UCLA, saying it failed to protect Jewish and Israeli employees

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

The Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against UCLA, alleging the university allowed an antisemitic workplace on campus following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Australia’s Jews Confront a New Reality

Maayan Hoffman in Hadassah

Australian Jews are facing a profound shift in their sense of safety and community following the severe escalation of antisemitic violence and rhetoric in the wake of global events, notably the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Truck ramming at Australian synagogue prompts hate crime charges as antisemitism commission opens

Grace Gilson in JTA

A recent hate crime in Brisbane, Australia, where 32-year-old Matthew De Campo allegedly rammed his truck into the historic Brisbane Synagogue, has intensified calls for increased security measures for Jewish communities.

0 Antisemitism History

German anti-Zionist group's plan to protest at Buchenwald memorial over kaffiyeh ban sparks outrage

Grace Gilson in Forward

A German anti-Zionist group's intent to protest at the Buchenwald memorial against a ban on pro-Palestinian symbols, like the kaffiyeh, has sparked widespread outrage.

0 Antisemitism Education

We're losing the fight against antisemitism. Here's how to turn the tide

Emily Tamkin in Forward

Emily Tamkin argues that the current strategies to combat antisemitism need significant rethinking, focusing on media literacy, revising Holocaust education, and building coalitions with other marginalized groups.

Israel ›

0 Israel Education

Israel Studies Can Redeem Academia

Sapir

The keynote address for the launch of Stanford University's Israel studies program critiques certain prevalent academic and media narratives about Israel, arguing that many of these critiques are "not even wrong" due to their fundamental departures from logic, fact, and context.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Culture

Boyz II Mensches

Sapir

This detailed exploration of modern masculinity, anchored in Jewish teachings and traditions, critiques the pervasive crisis of male disengagement in American and Jewish communities.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Attracting Top Talent

Sapir

Jewish communal organizations have a unique opportunity to attract top-tier talent by creating an appealing and competitive work environment.

Sports ›

0 Sports Politics

Israeli bobsled captain on Olympics exit: ‘Holy endeavor’ slammed into rigid rule

Louis Keene in Forward

AJ Edelman, captain of Israel's bobsled team, defended the team's ejection from the Winter Olympics due to a controversial athlete swap, suggesting the move was a commonplace workaround in bobsled competitions, though it violated Olympic rules.

0 Sports Culture

This Skater Made Israeli Olympic History to the Sountdtrack of ‘Stranger Things’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Mariia Seniuk made history as the first Israeli woman to compete in the female singles competition at the Winter Olympics, representing Israel with a unique routine set to the Stranger Things soundtrack.

Food ›

0 Food Holidays

All the Hamantaschen Hacks You Need

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

With Purim approaching on March 2, Jewish bakers often face the challenge of creating perfectly shaped hamantaschen cookies without them exploding.

0 Food Culture

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Adeena Sussman’s ‘Zariz’

Adeena Sussman in Hadassah

Adeena Sussman's latest cookbook, "Zariz," is a testament to her culinary journey, deeply intertwined with personal and geopolitical challenges.

Torah ›

0 Torah Culture

Parshas Tetzaveh: 5786

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr explores the paradox of ritual purity and aesthetic impurity in Jewish tradition through an analysis of Parshas Tetzaveh and a personal anecdote.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Culture

“My Husband Drinks and Vapes Regularly. Is It Inevitable That My Children Will?”

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Addressing concerns about a spouse's unhealthy habits, particularly drinking and vaping, the article explores the potential impact on children and the marital relationship in a Jewish context.

0 Ethics Philosophy

Roko’s Basilisk

Itxu Díaz in Tablet

Rationalism, a Silicon Valley-born ideology focused on extreme logical reasoning, has given rise to controversial groups amidst AI's rapid advancements.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Communities

A Day of Difficulty

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr reflects on the challenges of observing Purim as someone who did not grow up celebrating the holiday, specifically the pressures of hosting, making mishloach manos, and planning costumes.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Holocaust

The real Holocaust history behind ‘Papillon,’ the Oscar-nominated short about a star Jewish swimmer

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Papillon, an Oscar-nominated animated short by French filmmaker Florence Miailhe, tells the poignant story of Alfred Nakache, a Jewish swimmer who faced Nazi persecution during World War II.