for Saturday, May 16, 2026

Communities ›

German court allows pro-Palestinian encampment in Hamburg park where Jews were deported by the Nazis

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

A German court has allowed a pro-Palestinian encampment organized by Bridges of Resistance in Hamburg's Moorweide park, which holds historical significance as the site where over 1,000 local Jews were deported by the Nazis.

0 Communities History

Pacific Palisades Jews, displaced by fire, reopen their synagogue as part of returning home

Grace Gilson in JTA

Congregants of Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades are returning to their synagogue 16 months after devastating fires displaced them.

0 Communities Culture

The Jewish secret to affordable eyewear that isn't so secret anymore

Jon Kalish in Forward

Minzers Optical, a Jewish-owned eyewear business in Brooklyn, has expanded beyond its initial ultra-Orthodox Jewish clientele to serve a diverse array of customers drawn by its reputation for low prices and speedy, in-person service.

0 Communities Politics

The profound internal contradiction that could spell doom for Hillel

Joel Swanson in Forward

Hillel International, the primary Jewish student organization at many colleges across the U.S., faces a core contradiction that could threaten its sustainability.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Transforming grief into collective healing

eJewishPhilanthropy

Boaz Shalgi discusses the concept of rolling trauma in Jewish communities, highlighting how ongoing crises such as war, antisemitism, and political polarization contribute to prolonged grief that traditional models cannot fully address.

0 Communities Leadership

The power of emerging Jewish communities

eJewishPhilanthropy

Emerging Jewish communities in places like Columbia, S.C. and Little Rock, Arkansas are becoming innovative hubs due to their smaller size and limited resources.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

This Week in Jews

The Cholent in The Cholent

The Cholent offers a critical roundup of key issues affecting the Jewish community, highlighting recent events such as a demonstration against the New York Times over perceived biased coverage, ongoing antisemitic harassment in Seattle schools, and the inflammatory remarks of an imam.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Rising antisemitism reveals a lot about America.

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Rising antisemitism in America is a symptom of a larger societal decay, reflecting the nation’s shift from universal values to identity-based divisions, argues journalist Nachum Kaplan.

0 Antisemitism Politics

A medieval anti-Jewish conspiracy just became prestige journalism.

Adam Hummel in Future of Jewish

Adam Hummel's essay draws parallels between the historical creation of blood libel and an explosive modern accusation against Israel presented by The New York Times.

Politics ›

0 Politics Ethics

Israel can survive criticism. But can we survive silencing our moral responsibility in the face of moral inconsistency?

Rabbi Josh Weinberg in JTA

Rabbi Josh Weinberg discusses the false dichotomy of having to choose between supporting Israel and maintaining moral clarity.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Talarico won’t campaign with Democratic House candidate who wants to open ‘a prison for American Zionists’

Andrew Lapin in JTA

In the midst of a Democratic runoff in Texas, Maureen Galindo, a controversial housing activist and conspiracy theorist, is gaining attention for her antisemitic rhetoric centered around billionaire Zionists.

0 Politics Communities

Jewish Rep. Steve Cohen will not run for reelection after Tennessee GOP redraws his district

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Rep. Steve Cohen, the only Jewish Democratic representative from Tennessee, announced he will not seek reelection after the state's Republican-led redistricting split his Memphis-area district, which is predominantly African-American, into three parts.

0 Politics Jewish Law

This Jewish lawyer is running against a rabbi to represent the Upper West Side in Albany

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Eli Northrup, a Jewish lawyer and public defender, is running for New York State Assembly in Manhattan's Upper West Side, competing against Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay, the associate dean at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

0 Politics Culture

Amid Eurovision tensions, Israelis find allies in Austria’s youth Green party and a cafe

Grace Gilson in JTA

During the Eurovision contest in Vienna, Israeli participants faced protests and boycotts from several countries.

0 Politics Communities

Cornell trustees back Jewish president after confrontation with pro-Palestinian protesters

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Cornell University's Jewish president, Michael Kotlikoff, was cleared by an internal investigation after an altercation with pro-Palestinian protesters on campus.

0 Politics Communities

Amid Jerusalem's Flag March, police remove activists aiding Palestinians

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

During Jerusalem Day celebrations, left-wing activists attempting to shield Palestinian residents in the Old City were forcibly removed by Israeli police.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Netanyahu threatens to sue NY Times over Kristof column as Jews protest outside newspaper’s building

Grace Gilson in JTA

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened legal action against the New York Times and columnist Nicholas Kristof over a column alleging sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees by Israeli guards, claiming it perpetuates a "blood libel."

0 Politics History

The Palestinian Lies We Were Forced to Respect

Naya Lekht in Future of Jewish

Naya Lekht critically examines the impact of the Nakba narrative in framing anti-Zionist sentiment, arguing it functions as a libel against Jews.

0 Politics Israel

After the Ayatollah

Jason Greenblatt in Tablet

Jason Greenblatt explores significant changes in the Iran nuclear negotiations landscape, highlighting the shift in military dynamics and the extensive leverage built by the Trump administration.

0 Politics Israel

DSA’s ascent tests Democratic Party’s ideological boundaries

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

As the race for Washington, D.C.'s mayor intensifies, the potential victory of Janeese Lewis George would signal a critical advancement for the local Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

0 Politics Communities

At Jewish Democrats summit, rising Senate candidate Graham Platner divides the room

Joseph Strauss in JTA

The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) summit in Washington saw a division among attendees over Graham Platner, a rising star in the Democratic Party and Senate candidate from Maine.

0 Politics Israel

‘Death to Arabs’ chanted at Jerusalem march after Ben-Gvir displays Israeli flag on Temple Mount

Theia Chatelle in JTA

Tensions flared in Jerusalem during the controversial annual Dance of the Flags march, which marks the anniversary of the city's reunification in 1967.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Culture

Jewish Actress Jackie Tohn Reveals Her BRCA1 Diagnosis on the Today Show

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Jackie Tohn, a celebrated Jewish actress, recently revealed her BRCA1 genetic mutation diagnosis on the Today Show, highlighting a significant health issue affecting Ashkenazi Jewish communities.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Antisemitism

My Friend Abe: The Epic Life of a Jewish American Hero

Jewdicious

Abraham Foxman, esteemed National Director Emeritus of the Anti-Defamation League, profoundly impacted the Jewish community through decades of fearless advocacy against antisemitism and moral leadership.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

When the 92nd Street Y was a hub for Black innovation in dance

PJ Grisar in Forward

This article highlights the 92nd Street Y's unexpected role as a hub for Black innovation in dance, particularly during the mid-20th century.

0 Culture Politics

Trump’s ‘Shabbat 250’ proclamation divides America’s Jews ahead of National Mall prayer rally

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

President Donald Trump's call for a national observance of Shabbat as part of the 250th anniversary celebration of the United States has sparked controversy within the American Jewish community.

0 Culture History

Jerusalem Day: The Swifts of the Western Wall

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

In his article, Natan Slifkin explores the extraordinary phenomenon of bird migration, focusing on swifts that nest at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

0 Culture Music

Pnina Rosenblum’s Blond Ambition

Dana Kessler in Tablet

Pnina Rosenblum, an iconic Israeli figure known for her flamboyant style and entrepreneurial spirit, has reinvented herself yet again as a wartime chanteuse amidst the Oct. 7 conflicts.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

The School Rebuilding Education for an AI World. Plus…

The Free Press in The Free Press

The Free Press covers a range of stories including Maya Sulkin’s report on Alpha School in San Francisco, which offers a unique educational model without teachers, focused on self-directed projects and monetary rewards.

0 Education Communities

What grew from the fire

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the aftermath of the January 2025 Palisades Fire, the Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center demonstrated resilience and leadership in rebuilding and expanding Jewish community life.

0 Education Israel

I run The Jewish Theological Seminary. Here's the real story about President Isaac Herzog speaking at our commencement

Shuly Rubin Schwartz in Forward

Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz of The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) clarifies misconceptions about Israeli President Isaac Herzog's role as their commencement speaker.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust History

‘The Wanderers’ tells the story of Poland’s Holocaust survivors who fled to the Soviet Union

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

Daniela Gerson's book, "The Wanderers," uncovers the largely overlooked narrative of Polish Jews who survived World War II by fleeing to the Soviet Union.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

He may be country music royalty, but his heart belongs to Leonard Cohen

Seth Rogovoy in Forward

Rodney Crowell, a Grammy-winning country music artist, has revealed his deep admiration for the Jewish-Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen through his new single "If I Could Speak to Leonard."

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

The Poems and Rivers of Jerusalem

Shai Secunda in Jewish Review of Books

Shai Secunda explores the enduring poetic fascination with Jerusalem through a review of Rachel Tzvia Back's anthology "This Longing City: Modern Hebrew Poems of Jerusalem."

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Communities

Judge bars Kars4Kids from advertising in California, saying it misled donors about Orthodox Jewish mission

Grace Gilson in JTA

A California judge has ruled against the car-donation charity Kars4Kids, mandating that it cease its radio ads in the state unless they disclose the funds' exclusive support for Orthodox Jewish programs primarily in New York, New Jersey, and Israel.

JL;DR

for Saturday, May 16, 2026

Communities ›

Antisemitism ›

Politics ›

Gender/Identity ›

Leadership ›

Culture ›

Education ›

Holocaust ›

Music ›

Literature ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 16's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Antisemitism ›

Politics ›

Gender/Identity ›

Leadership ›

Culture ›

Education ›

Holocaust ›

Music ›

Literature ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 16's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Saturday, May 16, 2026