JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Monday, March 9, 2026

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Torah

A Friend, a Scholar, a Life Remembered

Joel M. Schreiber in Jewish Action

Joel M. Schreiber reflects on the life and accomplishments of his close friend, Rabbi Julius Berman, after his passing.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

Under Fire They Came Home: How War Is Drawing Ukraine’s Jews Back to Jewish Life

Carol Ungar in Jewish Action

The devastating war in Ukraine has surprisingly led many Ukrainian Jews to reconnect with their Jewish roots.

0 Communities History

A Legacy Rekindled in Kharkiv: An OU Kiruv Initiative That Impacted Generations

Carol Ungar in Jewish Action

During the 1990s and early 2000s, a significant OU-funded kiruv initiative in Kharkiv, Ukraine, reshaped the Jewish futures of many, offering young Jews an introduction to authentic Jewish life.

0 Communities Culture

The Bread of Affliction That Also Brings Hope

Carol Ungar in Jewish Action

In Bucharest, Romania, a matzah bakery has become an essential source of hope and sustenance for refugees from Odesa who fled Ukraine during the Russian bombardments.

Science ›

0 Science Jewish Law

Is AI the Printing Press of the Twenty-First Century?

JA Staff in Jewish Action

The panel discussion moderated by Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin during the 18Forty and American Security Foundation summit explores the challenges and opportunities Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents to the Jewish community, drawing parallels to the historic impact of the printing press.

Education ›

0 Education Torah

How to Use AI (And How Not to Use It)

Dr. Moshe Koppel in Jewish Action

Dr. Moshe Koppel discusses the potential and pitfalls of using AI, particularly large language models, in Jewish learning and beyond.

0 Education Science

Can AI Make Better Teachers?

JA Staff in Jewish Action

The integration of AI in Jewish educational settings is generating enthusiasm and debate among educators at IVDU, a school serving students with learning, social, and developmental challenges.

0 Education Torah

Spotify for Shiurim? The OU’s AI-Powered App Provides Customized Torah Learning 

Sandy Eller in Jewish Action

The Orthodox Union (OU) has launched Ohrbit, an innovative AI-powered app that enhances Torah learning by tailoring content to user preferences.

0 Education Leadership

The Power of “Yet”: Why No Child Is a Finished Product

Richard Altabe in Jewish Action

Richard Altabe reflects on his nearly forty-year career in education, sharing personal anecdotes and insights from his leadership positions in Jewish schools.

0 Education Culture

10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Books

Arty Cweiber in 18forty

Arty Cweiber discusses strategies for getting more out of your reading experiences, emphasizing enjoyment, understanding, and retention.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Leadership

When Rabbis Meet AI

Rachel Schwartzberg in Jewish Action

In an era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, rabbis are increasingly integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their ministrations, primarily for administrative assistance and exploring how algorithms can support Torah study and preparation of religious materials.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

AI in Medicine: Halachic Reflections on Emerging Challenges

Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner in Jewish Action

Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner explores the intersection of AI in healthcare and halachic implications, highlighting both the potential and ethical challenges.

0 Jewish Law Science

The Mashgiach’s Algorithm: Is the Future of Kosher Supervision Smarter with AI? 

Rabbi Gavriel Price in Jewish Action

AI is increasingly playing a vital role in kosher supervision by assisting OU mashgichim with complex tasks such as ingredient analysis, critical control points in production, and optimizing logistics.

0 Jewish Law Food

When “Obviously Kosher” Isn’t

JA Staff in Jewish Action

As craft beer and modern food production evolve, the need for stricter kosher certification has become evident.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

What’s the Truth about . . . Delaying a Brit Milah for Medical Reasons?

Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotofsky in Jewish Action

Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotofsky explores the intricacies of delaying a brit milah, or circumcision, due to medical reasons.

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Kisvei HaRambam: The Writings of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon—The Rambam, Translated, Annotated and Elucidated

Reviewed by Rabbi Moshe Maimon in Jewish Action

The two volumes of "Kisvei HaRambam" by ArtScroll, reviewed by Rabbi Moshe Maimon, offer a deep exploration of Rambam's writings, focusing on his introduction to Perek Cheilek, Jewish ethics, and character refinement.

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Contemporary Halakhic Problems, Vol. VIII

Reviewed by Rabbi Betzalel Sochaczewski in Jewish Action

"Contemporary Halakhic Problems, Vol. VIII" by Rabbi Dr. J. David Bleich continues his influential series surveying complex modern halachic issues.

0 Jewish Law Culture

Reviews in Brief – Spring 2026

Rabbi Gil Student in Jewish Action

Rabbi Gil Student's review of recent publications highlights three notable works from diverse segments of Jewish thought and practice.

Israel ›

0 Israel Communities

The Grit Economy: How Israelis Rebuild With Faith and Strength

Howard Blas in Jewish Action

Israeli families faced significant economic and emotional challenges during the recent conflict, with many, like Miriam and Natan, balancing family obligations with military service in the reserves (miluim).

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Communities

Beyond good intentions: Building change that lasts

eJewishPhilanthropy

Galit Cohen, founder and executive director of Ripples for Change, offers insights on fostering sustainable humanitarian work, grounded in her extensive field experience.

0 Ethics Jewish Law

Letters – Spring 2026

JA Staff in Jewish Action

This collection of letters addresses significant questions within the Jewish community.

0 Ethics Leadership

Chochmah Is Not Artificial: Why Employees Are Turning to AI—and What Leaders Are Missing

Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph in Jewish Action

As artificial intelligence increasingly becomes integrated into the fabric of daily life by 2025, it's not being utilized primarily for technical tasks but rather as a source of emotional support and guidance.

Food ›

0 Food Holidays

Vegging Out at the Seder

Naomi Ross in Jewish Action

With an emphasis on maintaining a healthy diet during Pesach, Naomi Ross advocates for using fresh ingredients and minimizing processed foods in holiday meals.

Literature ›

0 Literature Philosophy

New From OU Press – Spring 2026

JA Staff in Jewish Action

Aggadot HaRav, a new volume edited by Rabbi Yaakov Hoffman and translated by Rabbi Shaul Hutner, presents Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's lectures on Aggadah delivered in the Moriah Synagogue during the 1950s and 60s.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Education

Attached: Connecting to Our Creator—A Jewish Psychological Approach

Reviewed by Rabbi Micah Greenland in Jewish Action

Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky's book "Attached: Connecting to Our Creator – A Jewish Psychological Approach" harnesses psychological principles to explore and deepen the relationship between individuals and G-d.

Culture ›

0 Culture Communities

The Long Walk to Moving On

Efraim Jaffe in Jewish Action

Efraim Jaffe reflects on the emotional complexity and process of moving on after significant life changes, such as the death of his first wife Esther and selling their longstanding family home.

Politics ›

0 Politics Culture

The Iran debate says more about the West than about the war.

Joel Meyer in Future of Jewish

The article by Joel Meyer examines how the confrontation with Iran reveals more about internal Western political and ideological divisions than about the Iranian regime itself.

0 Politics Israel

Harsh War Realities

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin explores the complex perspectives surrounding the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, focusing on how different regions perceive the war's legitimacy and necessity.

0 Politics Music

‘Auschwitz’ is a hit Iranian protest anthem, part of a music genre rebelling against official antisemitism

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

Iranian singer Mehdi Yarrahi's protest anthem "Auschwitz" has taken a defiant stand against the Iranian regime's violent suppression of protests by invoking the metaphor of the Holocaust.

0 Politics Israel

Stop calling this Israel's war or America's war.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues against framing the conflict involving Israel, the U.S., and Iran as solely Israeli or American wars.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

Does God Play? What a Talmudic Story Teaches Us About Consciousness

Marina Zilbergerts in Lehrhaus

Marina Zilbergerts delves into a Talmudic narrative from Avodah Zarah 3b, which presents a unique theological perspective on divine consciousness.

0 Torah History

Megillat Esther as Second Temple Literature

Michael Kurin in Lehrhaus

Michael Kurin's exploration of Megillat Esther posits that this biblical text, traditionally seen as a diaspora narrative, is actually steeped in themes related to the Second Temple.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Philosophy

Haman and the Antisemitic Fantasy

Zach Truboff in Lehrhaus

Zach Truboff's article explores the recurring theme of antisemitism through the lens of the Purim story in the Megillat Esther, drawing parallels between Haman's ancient hatred and modern antisemitic narratives.