JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

Rabbi Lamm, Aliens, and Imitating God in the Age of AI

Max Hollander in Lehrhaus

Exploring the intersection of Jewish theology, extraterrestrial life, and artificial intelligence, Max Hollander examines Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm's 1965 essay on the theological implications of alien life.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Alleging conflicts, California judge boots Jewish DA from trying Stanford pro-Palestinian protesters

Niva Ashkenazi in Forward

A California judge has disqualified Jewish District Attorney Jeff Rosen from retrying a case against five pro-Palestinian protesters accused of vandalizing Stanford University's president's office, after Rosen cited anti-Semitism in a campaign message.

0 Politics Israel

Race to replace Pelosi offers early test of whether progressive Jews welcomed on the left

Gabe Stutman in Jewish Insider

In the race to replace Nancy Pelosi, California State Senator Scott Wiener faces a challenging political landscape as a progressive Jew who is critical of Israel yet pressured by the far left for not denouncing Israeli actions strongly enough.

0 Politics Israel

The American Left is becoming Iran’s defense attorney.

Bob Goldberg in Future of Jewish

In a charged critique, Bob Goldberg examines the stance of certain U.S. Democratic Party members, particularly those pressing for U.S. public acknowledgment of Israel's nuclear capabilities, amidst Iran's undisclosed nuclear activities and military provocations.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Hochul makes play for Orthodox voters with tuition relief and synagogue buffer zones

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is proactively seeking support from Orthodox Jewish voters in her reelection campaign by advocating for tuition relief for yeshivas and proposing stronger legislation to combat antisemitism.

0 Politics Music

Eurovision opens in Vienna amid scrutiny over Israel’s participation and voting campaigns

Grace Gilson in JTA

Israeli contestant Noam Bettan is representing Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, amid controversy and scrutiny over Israel's participation.

0 Politics Israel

When Lies of Omission Are Reported as Truth

Emes Ve-Emunah

Jonathan Rosenblum's commentary addresses the inconsistencies in media coverage regarding Israel's military actions in Lebanon, highlighting how reports often omit the provocations by Hezbollah that led to Israeli responses.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Progressives Must Not Give Tucker Carlson a Pass

Ken Silverman in The Beinart Notebook

The piece focuses on the need for progressive voices to critically scrutinize figures like Tucker Carlson, despite the alignment some of his views may have with progressive policies on Israel and Iran.

0 Politics Israel

Netanyahu on ‘60 Minutes’: Fight with Hezbollah should be seen as separate from Iran war

Philissa Cramer in JTA

In a CBS 60 Minutes interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that the military engagement with Hezbollah in Lebanon should be considered separate from the larger conflict with Iran.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

The Man Who Haunted My Bookstore

J.C. Halper in Tablet

J.C. Halper narrates a gripping tale about a mysterious, menacing figure from his past who unexpectedly reappears in his Jerusalem bookstore.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Clashes over Israel again define Eurovision — this time under the shadow of the Holocaust

Anna Goldenberg in Forward

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna has become embroiled in controversy due to Israel's participation, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding political protest and antisemitism.

0 Culture Torah

What Ruth Taught Me About Jewish Courage

Alicia Jo Rabins in Hadassah

Alicia Jo Rabins reflects on the story of Ruth as an emblem of Jewish courage and spiritual maturity.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Education

UJA-Federation of New York taps Leffell School’s Michael Kay to serve as next CEO

Nira Dayanim in Jewish Insider

Michael Kay, currently head of the Leffell School in New York, has been appointed as the next CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York, succeeding Eric Goldstein.

0 Leadership Antisemitism

Abe Foxman built the Jewish establishment. He died troubled by what it had become

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Abe Foxman, the influential leader of the Anti-Defamation League for five decades, passed away deeply concerned about the current state of the Jewish establishment he helped build.

0 Leadership Antisemitism

Abe Foxman: One of the last great architects of postwar American Jewish public life

eJewishPhilanthropy

Abe Foxman, a key figure in postwar American Jewish public life, left a profound impact on the community through his relentless fight against antisemitism and his defense of Israel.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

Larry David and Barack Obama Get Kvetchy in the Trailer for New Show

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Larry David is teaming up with former President Barack Obama for a new HBO Max sketch show, "Life, Larry and The Pursuit of Unhappiness," debuting on June 26.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

Middlebury College Hillel votes to rebrand, distancing from parent group on Israel

Louis Keene in Forward

Middlebury College's Hillel has rebranded itself as the Jewish Association of Middlebury (JAM) following a student board decision to distance from Hillel International due to its perceived strong pro-Israel stance.

0 Communities Ethics

The Hidden Disability

Michal Horowitz in 18forty

Michal Horowitz shares her personal journey of living with severe-to-profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, unveiling her silent struggle with a hidden disability.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Holidays

Shavuos on Shabbos—and the Question of Melting Cheese

Rabbi Ezra Sarna in Jewish Action

Rabbi Ezra Sarna explores the halachic nuances surrounding the melting of cheese on Shabbos, particularly pertinent when Shavuos falls on this holy day.

Literature ›

0 Literature Communities

Invisible Tribe: Stories of Strength and Encouragement for Children Coping With the Loss of a Parent

Reviewed by Steve Lipman in Jewish Action

Sara Miriam Gross's book, "Invisible Tribe: Stories of Strength and Encouragement for Children Coping With the Loss of a Parent," provides a collection of narratives aimed at comforting young Orthodox children grieving the loss of a parent.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Labour politician is booed as thousands rally against antisemitism in London

Philissa Cramer in JTA

A significant rally in London called for stronger measures against antisemitism, drawing thousands of British Jews and politicians outside the prime minister's residence.

0 Antisemitism Philosophy

How Ordinary Thinking Produces Extraordinary Antisemitism

Vanessa Berg in Future of Jewish

Vanessa Berg explores how innate cognitive biases and emotional responses contribute to the formation of antisemitic beliefs.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Stop explaining antisemitism. Start defeating it.

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Nachum Kaplan argues that traditional approaches to combating antisemitism through education and dialogue have proven ineffective and obsolete.

0 Antisemitism Culture

It is time to take it to the streets

eJewishPhilanthropy

In this article, Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin calls for a mass rally against antisemitism in America, drawing inspiration from past movements such as the 1987 Soviet Jewry rally and the 1943 "We Will Never Die" pageant.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Education

I Was a Schoolboy Nazi

David Muller in Lehrhaus

David Muller recounts his childhood experience as an immigrant from Israel to the U.S., detailing the cultural and linguistic challenges he faced, particularly in overcoming a language barrier in school.

Education ›

0 Education Holocaust

Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf leads players, high school students on Holocaust Museum trip

Matthew Shea in Jewish Insider

Mark Wilf, owner of the Minnesota Vikings and son of Holocaust survivors, led Vikings players and local high school students on a trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.