for Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Culture ›

0 Culture Education

Rabbi Jen Gubitz reflects on the importance of asking expansive questions that foster deeper understanding and connection, rather than assumptions and discomfort.

0 Culture Communities

War with Iran casts a shadow as Persian Jews mark Nowruz in New York City

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Persian Jews in New York City marked Nowruz, an ancient Persian spring equinox festival, with a poignant celebration at the Museum of Jewish Heritage amid the backdrop of rising tensions between Israel, the United States, and Iran.

0 Culture Literature

What We’re Reading This Pesach

Rivka Bennun Kay in 18forty

Facing a unique Pesach amid global uncertainty and persisting antisemitism, Rivka Bennun Kay highlights the grounding power of books in her reading recommendations.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Culture

What 100 Jewish stories taught me about the meaning of Passover

eJewishPhilanthropy

The Passover story, as explored through 100 interviews conducted by Stephen D. Smith for the "Our Jewish Story" project, unveils its enduring significance as a rich narrative deeply embedded in Jewish identity and tradition.

0 Holidays Culture

All the Best Passover Pranks

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Lior Zaltzman explores the humorous intersection of Passover and April Fools' Day, offering a playful spin on traditional seder customs.

0 Holidays Philosophy

No crumb too small: What Pesach preparation can teach us about giving

eJewishPhilanthropy

As Pesach approaches, Rabbi Simcha Scholar highlights the profound lessons in the meticulous preparation required for the holiday, underscoring its parallel in philanthropic efforts.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

A second poll of US Jews finds the same result: Most oppose the war in Iran

Philissa Cramer in Forward

A recent poll by GBAO Strategies, commissioned by J Street, has revealed that a majority of American Jews are opposed to the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, although these same respondents denounce the Iranian regime.

0 Politics Israel

IDF suspends unit that detained CNN crew in the West Bank, as Herzog condemns settler violence

Grace Gilson in Forward

In a turbulent period marked by increased settler violence in the West Bank, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has reiterated his condemnation following a letter from over 1,000 Diaspora Jews urging intervention.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Israel passes death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks against Israelis

Grace Gilson in JTA

In a significant move, the Israeli Knesset has passed a controversial law mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis.

0 Politics Israel

An abominable new Israeli law is a death warrant for democracy

Dan Perry in Forward

The Israeli Knesset's recent approval of a law mandating the death penalty for terrorists has sparked significant controversy, with critics highlighting its discriminatory targeting of Palestinians in the West Bank.

0 Politics Israel

Canadian progressive party picks Jewish anti-Zionist politician as its leader

Shira Bartov in Forward

Avi Lewis, a Jewish anti-Zionist, has been elected leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, which is attempting a resurgence after significant electoral losses.

0 Politics Communities

Canadian progressive party picks Jewish anti-Zionist politician as its leader

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

Avi Lewis, a Jewish anti-Zionist, has been elected leader of Canada's New Democrats, a party attempting to regain its footing after significant losses in the 2025 federal election.

0 Politics Ethics

Why America Never Learns

Peter Beinart in The Beinart Notebook

Peter Beinart reflects on America's continued entanglement in foreign conflicts, spotlighting the influence of pro-war think tanks on U.S. policy, particularly in the Middle East.

0 Politics Communities

Netanyahu orders Church of the Holy Sepulchre open after Palm Sunday closure flares tensions

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to allow Catholic clergy entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, after a closure on Palm Sunday due to wartime restrictions, sought to mitigate rising tensions.

0 Politics Communities

Most American Jews disapprove of US military action against Iran, new poll shows

Philissa Cramer in JTA

A recent poll by the Mellman Group reveals that 55% of American Jews disapprove of the U.S. military operation against Iran, highlighting a significant partisan divide similar to general American sentiment.

0 Politics Culture

Israel’s Palm Sunday Screwup. Plus. . .

The Free Press in The Free Press

Israeli authorities inadvertently sparked an international incident by blocking Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a prominent Catholic leader, from celebrating a Palm Sunday Mass at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

0 Politics History

Don't be surprised if there's a surprise.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's article explores the strategic use of deception in warfare, particularly highlighting Israel's historical and contemporary applications of these tactics.

0 Politics Holidays

Mamdani to attend Passover Seder as he navigates ties with Jewish groups amid rising antisemitism

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to attend a Passover Seder at the City Winery as part of his efforts to engage with the Jewish community amid rising antisemitism.

Communities ›

0 Communities Israel

Their sons survived the battlefield but not their wounds. Now these Israeli mothers mourn together.

Deborah Danan in Forward

Mothers Tali Drori and Hazel Brief, who previously met in the ICU where their sons were hospitalized, found solace at a retreat for bereaved mothers organized by OneFamily.

0 Communities Culture

A Personal Diary of War in Israel

Hana Raviyt Schank in Future of Jewish

Hana Raviyt Schank, a Brooklyn-born Jew residing in Israel, provides a deeply personal reflection on living amidst an Iranian missile attack.

0 Communities Politics

Israeli-American soldier Moshe Katz, killed in Lebanon rocket strike, laid to rest on Mt. Herzl

Grace Gilson in JTA

Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, a 22-year-old Israeli-American soldier from New Haven, Connecticut, was laid to rest on Mt. Herzl after being killed in a Hezbollah rocket strike in southern Lebanon.

Literature ›

0 Literature Jewish Law

Isaac Babel’s Easter—or Is It Passover?

Val Vinokur in Tablet

Isaac Babel's use of the word "Paskha," which can denote both Passover and Easter, in his Odessan stories often leads to translation challenges.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

How the Damascus Affair Created Modern Jewish Solidarity

Rachelle Fraenkel in 18forty

In 1840, the disappearance of an Italian friar in Damascus led to one of the most infamous blood libels, igniting widespread terror among Jewish communities and sparking unprecedented international Jewish solidarity.

0 Antisemitism Politics

NYPD change in hate crime reporting angers critics worried about antisemitism

New York Jewish Week Staff in JTA

A recent change in the NYPD's hate crime reporting method has incited controversy, as critics argue it downplays antisemitism.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Hulu’s ‘The Faithful’ Reimagines the Biblical Matriarchs

Curt Schleier in Hadassah

"The Faithful," a three-episode miniseries available on Hulu, seeks to reimagine and humanize the stories of the biblical matriarchs—Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel—by delving into their emotional depth and personal challenges beyond the traditional biblical narratives.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

'Why Would YOU Support Israel?' A Recovered Antisemite Explains

Jewdicious

Rawan Osman, a Syrian-born activist in the process of converting to Judaism, shares her transformation from an anti-Israel stance to a pro-Israeli one.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

While sculpting Jesus, this Jewish artist wrestled with his demons

Olivia Haynie in Forward

Jimmy Grashow, a Jewish artist whose work captivated audiences with its intricate, detailed cardboard sculptures, became the focus of the documentary "Jimmy & the Demons."

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Politics

‘If the siren sounds, we’ll end the call’: The dilemmas of a fundraiser in wartime

eJewishPhilanthropy

Amidst the ongoing war with Iran, Michal Ben-Dov from the Taub Center discusses the challenges of maintaining fundraising efforts during times of crisis.

0 Leadership Communities

Let’s ensure governance keeps pace with this moment

eJewishPhilanthropy

Barry Finestone, president and CEO of the Jim Joseph Foundation, discusses the urgent need for Jewish organizations to reevaluate and adapt their governance models in response to rapid changes in the world, especially amid ongoing crises like the war in the Middle East.

History ›

0 History Holidays

Remembrances Of Slavery How Two Cultures Commemorate A Vital Part Of Their History

Steve Lipman in Lehrhaus

In a reflection on the commemoration of slavery, Steve Lipman explores how Jewish Passover rituals and African American slavery museums both serve to remember and educate about past suffering.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Politics

Feminism’s Jewish Problem

Nicole Lampert in Tablet

Nicole Lampert discusses Phyllis Chesler's observations on the fracture within modern feminism over Zionism and antisemitism.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics History

Volkswagen sent Jews to die. Now Israel may save its factory.

Mitch Schneider in Future of Jewish

Amidst Iron Dome parts negotiations, Volkswagen's painful history with forced Jewish labor during the Holocaust contrasts sharply with its potential role in Israeli defense.

JL;DR

for Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Culture ›

Holidays ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Israel ›

Art ›

Leadership ›

History ›

Gender/Identity ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 31's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Culture ›

Holidays ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Antisemitism ›

Television/Film ›

Israel ›

Art ›

Leadership ›

History ›

Gender/Identity ›

Ethics ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 31's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Tuesday, March 31, 2026