for Saturday, February 28, 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 »

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Gender/Identity

This Israeli woman just made history.

Mitch Schneider in Future of Jewish

Lieutenant Commander Resh has made history by becoming the first female commander of an Israeli Saar 4.5-class missile boat, marking a significant milestone in gender equality and military leadership in Israel.

Politics ›

0 Politics Culture

In a viral social media showdown, a glimpse of the real Israel

Dan Perry in Forward

A recent viral video involving Mordechai David, a notorious provocateur, and former Israeli Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, highlights the deepening rift in Israeli society.

0 Politics Antisemitism

A conservative Jewish professor who rejected Hitler comparisons now invokes one — for Tucker Carlson

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Jeffrey Lax, a conservative Jewish law professor and descendant of Holocaust survivors, has notably shifted his stance regarding the new rise of antisemitic rhetoric.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Antisemitism emerges as a defining issue in 2026 California governor’s race

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

The 2026 California gubernatorial race is notably focused on combating antisemitism, a shift from typical issues like housing and wildfires.

0 Politics Communities

Far-right mobs have been targeting a pioneering Arab Israeli journalist for encouraging Arab Israelis to vote

Grace Gilson in JTA

Lucy Aharish, a pioneering Arab Israeli journalist, has faced harassment and threats from far-right Jewish mobs due to her advocacy for Arab Israeli voter participation in the upcoming elections.

0 Politics Israel

AIPAC is trying to derail my House campaign because I'm a Jew who defies Israel

Robert Peters in Forward

Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters discusses his congressional campaign in Illinois's 2nd District and claims that AIPAC is attempting to undermine his race due to his critical stance on U.S. military aid to Israel.

0 Politics Israel

I was called a ‘kapo’ for backing the Iran deal Donald Trump ripped up. Here we are again, with so much lost.

Steve Rabinowitz in JTA

Steve Rabinowitz reflects on his experience supporting the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2015, despite severe criticism from some in the American Jewish community who accused supporters of being disloyal.

0 Politics Communities

Nigeria’s Killing Fields. When a Loved One Gets Kidnapped. Plus . . .

The Free Press in The Free Press

The article examines the devastating impact of religious violence in Nigeria, a nation deeply divided between Muslims and Christians.

0 Politics Communities

Pro-Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani sues Betar USA, alleging far-right Zionist group violated her civil rights

Andrew Lapin in JTA

In a contentious legal battle, Nerdeen Kiswani, a pro-Palestinian activist, has sued Betar USA, a right-wing Zionist group, claiming that its actions violated her civil rights under the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871.

0 Politics History

The Politics of the 'Good Jew'

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Nachum Kaplan discusses the historical and modern phenomena of "Court Jews," who once mediated between Jewish communities and ruling powers in feudal Europe, taking on roles like financiers and diplomats.

0 Politics Israel

Illinois Democrat Robert Peters pivots from AIPAC outreach to anti-Israel crusade

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Illinois State Senator Robert Peters, running in a Democratic primary for a Chicago-area House seat, has shifted from previous private engagement with AIPAC to making anti-AIPAC messaging central to his campaign.

0 Politics Communities

The cowboy hat-wearing Jewish lawyer running for governor of New Mexico

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Sam Bregman, a Jewish lawyer and cowboy hat enthusiast, is running for governor of New Mexico.

0 Politics History

The war on Zionism is becoming a war on Jewish history.

Debbie Lechtman in Future of Jewish

The essay by Debbie Lechtman explores the growing trend of viewing all Jewish-related media and history through an anti-Zionist lens, clarifying this as a broader assault on Jewish history and identity.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

Trump’s pick for surgeon general gets her ‘daily dose of inspiring Kabbalah wisdom’

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Casey Means, President Trump's nominee for U.S. Surgeon General, brings a diverse approach to spirituality, integrating practices from kabbalah and other mystical traditions as she espouses a broader mind-body connection in health.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Language

Is goy a slur, an antisemitic dogwhistle or a word for non-Jews?

Mira Fox in Forward

The article delves into the various interpretations and uses of the term "goy," which simply means non-Jew in Hebrew.

0 Antisemitism Politics

As Iran’s Jews prepare for Purim, their government calls its story proof of a past genocide

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

In Iran, the Jewish community faces significant challenges as they prepare to celebrate Purim amidst an environment of intense antisemitic propaganda.

0 Antisemitism Communities

As a YouTuber targets Orthodox communities, the right wrestles with its antisemitism problem

Grace Gilson in JTA

YouTuber Tyler Oliveira has stirred controversy with videos targeting Orthodox Jewish communities, framing them as fraudulent drains on public resources.

Culture ›

0 Culture Politics

Purim gives us an imperative to resist authoritarianism. Here's how to start

Raquel Fernandez Makarov in Forward

Purim, traditionally seen as a story of Jewish survival and triumph over evil, holds deeper meanings that resonate today, particularly in the face of authoritarianism.

0 Culture Politics

This Jewish Grandfather’s License Plate Kerfuffle Is Pee In Your Pants Funny

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Seth Bykofsky, a humor-loving Jewish grandfather from Long Island, encountered a peculiar situation when the New York DMV tried to revoke his playful vanity license plate, 'PB4WEGO', deemed possibly offensive.

0 Culture History

It's time to talk about Purim's unsettling message about conversion

Austin Albanese in Forward

Purim, often associated with joy and celebration, contains a lesser-discussed, morally troubling verse about conversion out of fear, illustrating a historical aspect of Judaism that contradicts the usual narrative that Jewish tradition has always discouraged conversions.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

Becky Benaroya, 1923-2026

The Cholent in The Cholent

Becky Benaroya, a first-generation Sephardic Jew from Seattle, left an indelible mark through her philanthropy and community work until her passing at the age of 103 in 2026.

0 Communities Ethics

From intention to expectation: The next phase of Jewish disability inclusion

eJewishPhilanthropy

Over a decade ago, Jewish philanthropists initiated efforts to achieve full inclusion of people with disabilities within Jewish life, shifting the focus from charity to belonging.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Culture

What rabbinic wisdom taught me in the wake of the BAFTA scandal

Olivia Haynie in Forward

The BAFTA Awards faced a storm of controversy after John Davidson, featured in a film about living with Tourette Syndrome, involuntarily shouted a racial slur during the ceremony.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Ethics

On Purim, Jewish tradition tells us to give to anyone who asks — no questions required

Rabbi Joshua Ladon in JTA

Purim, often seen as a festival of excess and revelry, carries a profound ethical mandate to give tzedakah (charity) unconditionally, as highlighted by Rabbi Joshua Ladon.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

What Jewish representation in textbooks can learn from Black history education

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish representation in public school textbooks is often limited to narratives of persecution, which inadequately capture the full spectrum of Jewish history and culture.

Israel ›

0 Israel Jewish Law

Israel’s New Theology of Power

Aviad Hacohen in Tablet

The article "Israel's New Theology of Power" by Aviad Hacohen explores the integration of religious Zionism into the structure and leadership of the IDF, marking a shift from its previous periphery status in Israeli military services.

JL;DR

for Saturday, February 28, 2026

Leadership ›

Politics ›

Jewish Law ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Holidays ›

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Israel ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 28's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Leadership ›

Politics ›

Jewish Law ›

Antisemitism ›

Culture ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

Holidays ›

Education ›

Israel ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

February 28's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, February 28, 2026