JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Saturday, May 9, 2026

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

In heavily Jewish Manhattan district, Dem congressional candidates divided over Israel, antisemitic protests

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

As the Democratic primary for Manhattan's open House seat approaches, key divisions have surfaced among candidates regarding Israel and antisemitism, reflecting the issues' significance in the area's heavily Jewish population.

0 Politics Communities

For the first time in my life, I’m afraid for us Jews.

Gary Rosenblatt in Future of Jewish

In an eloquent yet sobering essay, veteran Jewish journalist Gary Rosenblatt addresses the increasing vulnerability and fear experienced by American Jews today, exacerbated by rising antisemitism and divisive opinions on Israel.

0 Politics Education

I discovered anti-Zionism at the University of Michigan. I'm glad it lives on there

Gayle Kirshenbaum in Forward

Gayle Kirshenbaum reflects on the evolution of anti-Zionist sentiment at her alma mater, the University of Michigan.

0 Politics Culture

DOGE’s cuts to Jewish humanities grants were unconstitutional, judge rules

Andrew Lapin in JTA

A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) 2025 cancellation of many federal humanities grants, including several focused on Jewish projects, was unconstitutional.

0 Politics Antisemitism

In Georgia’s 10th District, a GOP establishment favorite takes on a controversial outsider

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

In Georgia's 10th District Republican primary, establishment candidate Houston Gaines is up against controversial outsider Ryan Millsap.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Music

Michael Jackson biopic revives legend of Jewish music mogul who battled MTV’s ‘color barrier’

Stephen Silver in JTA

The newly released Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," highlights the role of Jewish music executive Walter Yetnikoff in breaking MTV's racial barriers.

0 Television/Film Culture

Jill Kargman on Making ‘Influenced,’ a Joyful Jewish Movie

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Jill Kargman's new film "Influenced" is a joyful and star-studded exploration of Jewish life on New York's Upper East Side, featuring Kargman as her humorous social media persona, Dzanielle.

0 Television/Film Culture

‘The Devil Wears Prada’ Is Actually So Jewish

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Lior Zaltzman explores the understated Jewish elements in "The Devil Wears Prada," revealing how both the book and film carry Jewish connections that many fans may not have realized.

0 Television/Film Politics

Is this Apple TV thriller hasbara — or societal critique?

PJ Grisar in Forward

Apple TV's new thriller "Unconditional" explores controversial themes, drawing attention for its portrayal of Israeli characters and the politically complex narrative.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

An alarming new battleground in campus fights over Israel

Alanna E. Cooper in Forward

Alanna E. Cooper examines the tensions surrounding university graduations, particularly highlighted by historian Derek Peterson's controversial speech at the University of Michigan.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

As anti-LGBTQ laws spread, these Jewish nonprofits are funding moves to safer states

Grace Gilson in JTA

With the increase of anti-LGBTQ legislation across the United States following President Trump's second term, Jewish nonprofits Keshet and the Hebrew Free Loan Society have launched Move to Thrive.

0 Communities Politics

Who Is Seattle's Jewish Community?

The Cholent in The Cholent

The Greater Seattle Jewish community has grown to nearly 75,000, reflecting the West Coast's trends with unique characteristics of lower engagement and religious observance than national averages.

0 Communities History

Carol Ann Schwartz in Hadassah

Carol Ann Schwartz explores the enduring theme of return in Jewish history, emphasizing the symbolic and actual journeys back to the homeland of Israel.

0 Communities History

A Jewish farmer broke ground on a synagogue in an Illinois cornfield. His neighbors showed up to help.

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Nik Jakobs, a 41-year-old Jewish farmer in Sterling, Illinois, is transforming his two-acre cornfield into a synagogue for the Temple Sholom congregation, which has been a fixture of local Jewish life for over a century.

0 Communities Jewish Law

How Jewish moms choose to celebrate Mother’s Day matters

eJewishPhilanthropy

The piece highlights the evolving significance of Mother's Day for Jewish mothers in the context of recent events, particularly the painful aftermath of October 7, 2023.

0 Communities Ethics

LA Orthodox school's former guidance counselor will avoid jail time in sex abuse case

Louis Keene in Forward

Julie Tichon, a former guidance counselor at YULA Boys High School in Los Angeles, will avoid jail after pleading no contest to charges of sexual abuse involving a minor student.

0 Communities Politics

Israel's most dangerous war is with itself

Dan Perry in Forward

Israel today grapples with internal tensions as the rapidly growing Haredi community clashes with secular society over economics, education, and military service.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

My artist grandmother nearly made aliyah. I don't know what she'd think of Israel today

Olivia Haynie in Forward

Reflecting on her family's history with Israel, Olivia Haynie delves into her grandmother Kayla Silberberg's artistic legacy.

Literature ›

0 Literature Politics

Four Words Random House Would Rather Not Say

Abraham Socher in Jewish Review of Books

Abraham Socher critiques Random House's omission of specific terms like "Israel," "Gaza," "Hamas," and "Jew" from the book description of Rachel Goldberg-Polin's memoir, "When We See You Again."

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Holidays

Haftarat Parshat Behar-Bechukotai: Being worthy of the gift

eJewishPhilanthropy

As Yom Yerushalayim approaches, Rabbi Kenneth Brander reflects on the significance of the haftarah for Parshat Behar-Bechukotai, which beautifully juxtaposes the celebration of Jerusalem's return to Jewish sovereignty with the Prophet Yirmiyahu's warning that such gifts are contingent on moral behavior.

0 Jewish Law Israel

Shutting Down Anti-Zionism At JTS

Jewdicious

Rabbi Menachem Creditor defends the Jewish Theological Seminary's (JTS) decision to honor Israeli President Isaac Herzog as a commencement speaker amid limited student protest.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

The Real Reason Antisemitism Survives

Melissa Brodsky in Future of Jewish

Melissa Brodsky examines the perennial nature of antisemitism, arguing that its survival stems from a societal tendency to avoid introspection and accountability by using Jews as scapegoats during periods of crisis.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Leadership

The labyrinths we navigate

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rachel Gildiner, executive director of SRE Network, explores how Jewish organizations can foster safer, more equitable environments by making systemic inequities visible and addressing them.

Torah ›

0 Torah Jewish Law

Shoftim 11: Vows, Leadership, and Sacrifice

Ori Bach in Lehrhaus

Ori Bach offers a nuanced analysis of the eleventh chapter of Sefer Shoftim, where Yiftah's vow and its aftermath overshadow the military victory over Ammon.

Science ›

0 Science Politics

The Mask of Certainty

Beny Spira in Tablet

Beny Spira's article "The Mask of Certainty" challenges the perceived efficacy of mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Israel ›

0 Israel Leadership

5 Lessons I Learned as the IDF International Spokesperson

LTC Nadav Shoshani in Future of Jewish

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani reflects on his tenure as the IDF's International Spokesperson, detailing five key lessons learned during this challenging period.