for Tuesday, March 3, 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

Inside Israel's Unprecedented Assassination of the Ayatollah

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article recounts the meticulous intelligence operation by Israel and the U.S. that led to the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

0 Politics Israel

Iran, Israel and Hitler’s gun are all on the ballot in key primaries in Texas and NC on Tuesday

Andrew Lapin in JTA

The primary elections in North Carolina and Texas are spotlighting tensions around Israel and Middle East policies.

0 Politics Israel

In three days, Israel and the US reshaped the Middle East

Dan Perry in Forward

In a detailed analysis, Dan Perry describes the unprecedented military maneuvers by Israel and the United States that have significantly weakened Iran's leadership and military capabilities in just three days of conflict.

0 Politics Science

The Jewish space lasers are real — well, kind of

Mira Fox in Forward

In recent developments, Israel has deployed a laser defense system called Iron Beam, sparking both humor and conspiracy theories about the so-called Jewish space lasers.

0 Politics Communities

Mamdani sparks controversy with his Iran war statement offering solidarity to Iranians but not Israelis

New York Jewish Week Staff in JTA

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recent comments on the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran have triggered significant backlash for expressing solidarity with Iranian New Yorkers without recognizing Israeli concerns.

0 Politics History

Khamenei long obstructed peace for Israel. But his influence was waning before his assassination.

Ron Kampeas in JTA

The article details the significant impact that Ayatollah Khomeini and his successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had on obstructing Israeli peace efforts since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

0 Politics Israel

Jewish Democrats split over Trump’s Iran military strikes as Congress weighs war powers

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Jewish Democrats face significant internal division regarding President Trump's authorization of a joint U.S.-Israel military strike against Iran without congressional approval.

0 Politics Israel

Israel is helping save the West from China.

Zineb Riboua in Future of Jewish

In a detailed essay, Zineb Riboua outlines Israel's pivotal role in disrupting the strategic ties between China and Iran, highlighting how this serves as a broader Western interest against Chinese ascendancy in the Middle East.

0 Politics Israel

Israel Underground: A Familiar Drill — With Fresh Hope

Jewdicious

With the backdrop of intensified military engagements between the U.S., Israel, and Iran following a significant strike on the Iranian government, the article provides an intimate look into life within Israel during this period of heightened tension.

0 Politics Israel

What the Media Won't Tell You About the War Against Iran's Regime

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

The recent Israeli offensive against Iran's ruling regime, marked by one of the largest air assaults in Israeli military history, represents a significant geopolitical shift in the Middle East.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Politics

Purim gets creative in Israel, with festivities driven underground

Rachel Fink in Forward

With tensions high due to military action between Israel, the United States, and Iran, this year's Purim celebrations in Israel were markedly subdued.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

Jewish educators must go beyond slogans and statements — even when it comes to war with Iran

David Bryfman in JTA

David Bryfman emphasizes the critical role of Jewish educators in facilitating meaningful discussions about the moral, legal, and ethical implications of preemptive military strikes, like those by Israel against Iran.

0 Education Leadership

Bringing together funders with an affinity for education

eJewishPhilanthropy

The Jewish Funders Network has launched a Jewish Day School Affinity Group to address challenges facing Jewish day schools, which are crucial for sustaining Jewish identity and leadership amidst rising antisemitism and political pressures.

Communities ›

0 Communities History

For Iranian American Jews, Trump’s talk of regime change stirs hopes of return

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

The recent demise of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a result of a U.S.-Israel operation, has sparked hope among Iranian American Jews who fled the regime post-1979 Islamic Revolution.

0 Communities Holocaust

Hadassah Treats Israel’s Post–October 7 Mental Health Crisis

Barbara Sofer in Hadassah

In the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and the ongoing conflict, Hadassah Medical Organization is addressing a severe mental health crisis in Israel.

0 Communities Politics

Yet again, Israel's public shelters become sites of camaraderie amid steep danger

Philissa Cramer in Forward

As air raid sirens sound across Israel due to incoming ballistic missiles from Iran, public bomb shelters have transformed into unexpected hubs of resilience and community.

0 Communities Politics

Yet again, Israel’s public shelters become sites of camaraderie amid steep danger

Deborah Danan in JTA

Amidst the backdrop of a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran, Israeli bomb shelters have become unique sites of community and resilience.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Holidays

Purim’s Dark Side

Guest Blogger in Lilith

Purim, often celebrated as a joyful holiday of hidden miracles and reversals, also has a darker side as represented in the story of Esther.

History ›

0 History Holidays

Death of Iranian leader just before Purim revives Book of Esther parallels

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

The surprise death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an Israeli airstrike on Shabbat before Purim has drawn numerous parallels to the Book of Esther where the downfall of Haman, a Persian tyrant, is commemorated.

0 History Torah

Mordechai, Esther, and her Father’s House

Stuart Halpern in Jewish Review of Books

The discussion dives into Mordechai's strategic use of rhetoric in the Book of Esther, specifically highlighting his enigmatic statement about Esther's "father's house" facing destruction if she remains silent.

Culture ›

0 Culture Holidays

At this Dallas synagogue, Purim comes with fog machines, zip lines and Broadway flair

Grace Gilson in Forward

Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas transforms its annual Purim spiel into a spectacular theatrical event, utilizing innovative stagecraft reminiscent of Broadway productions.

0 Culture History

Purim Torah

Roni Cohen in Jewish Review of Books

Purim has long been celebrated with humor and parody, seen notably in the tradition of creating Purim Torah—a genre of satirical biblical and talmudic interpretations.

0 Culture Language

Yiddish startup hosts book clubs and listening parties in London

Rosamond van Wingerden in Forward

Jargon, a London-based Yiddish culture organization founded by historians Aleph Ross and M. Syd Rosen, seeks to explore the dynamic and evolving landscape of Jewish diaspora culture through innovative events like book clubs and listening parties.

0 Culture History

Yiddish Ghosts of Purim Past

Mira Balberg in Jewish Review of Books

Celebrating Purim after the Holocaust poses a profound challenge to some in the Jewish community, as articulated by philosopher Aviezer Ravitzky.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

How an Amish Mennonite school in Arkansas went viral with a song by an Orthodox Jew

Kelsey Osgood in Forward

An a cappella choir of Amish Mennonite students from Calvary Bible School in Calico Rock, Arkansas, unexpectedly went viral with their rendition of "Tatty, My King," a song by Orthodox Jewish composer Dovid Edell.

Torah ›

0 Torah History

A Jew in the King’s Court: Dual Loyalty in the Book of Esther

Tova Ganzel in 18forty

Tova Ganzel explores the theme of dual loyalty in the Book of Esther, which is set outside the Land of Israel in the Persian Empire.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Education

Red teams, black hats and the 10th man

eJewishPhilanthropy

Examining decision-making processes in Jewish educational and communal institutions, the article highlights structured approaches like red teams, the 10th man, and black hat thinking.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

Irish Jews report 143 antisemitic incidents in 6 months through a new reporting system

Philissa Cramer in Forward

The new report by the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland (JRCI) reveals a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents, with 143 cases recorded in just six months since the reporting system's launch.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Irish Jews report 143 antisemitic incidents in 6 months through a new reporting system

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

In the first thorough documentation of antisemitic incidents in Ireland, 143 instances were reported by the Jewish community over six months using a new system.

JL;DR

for Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Politics ›

Holidays ›

Education ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

History ›

Culture ›

Music ›

Torah ›

Leadership ›

Antisemitism ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 3's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Holidays ›

Education ›

Communities ›

Ethics ›

History ›

Culture ›

Music ›

Torah ›

Leadership ›

Antisemitism ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 3's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Tuesday, March 3, 2026