for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Literature ›

0 Literature Culture

Sinai before Switzerland: Three Dialogues in the Mountains

Benjamin Balint in Jewish Review of Books

Benjamin Balint explores how three German Jewish writers—Franz Kafka, Martin Buber, and Paul Celan—each engage with mountains as a metaphor for dialogue and the challenges of speech within Jewish literary tradition.

0 Literature Culture

New Jewish Novels and Novellas to Read This Spring

Sandee Brawarsky in Hadassah

A selection of new Jewish novels and novellas offers a range of intriguing narratives, from Nora Gold’s “Doubles,” featuring the story of a perceptive young girl in a troubled institution, to David Hirshberg’s “Crossing the Bronx," which explores themes of Jewish identity through a tale set in 1950s New York.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Rep. Dan Goldman urges ‘no’ vote on proposed Brooklyn Israel boycott, warning of antisemitism

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Rep. Dan Goldman of New York is addressing a proposed boycott of Israeli products at Brooklyn's Park Slope Food Coop, calling for members to vote against the resolution, which he deems antisemitic.

0 Politics Culture

The Great British Blame Off

Benjamin Morse in Tablet

Benjamin Morse offers a personal narrative reflecting on his attendance at a Unite the Kingdom (UTK) rally, highlighting the nuance and diversity among British nationals concerned about free speech and national identity amidst changing demographics and socio-economic struggles.

0 Politics Communities

Backers of school ‘buffer zone’ bill that Mamdani vetoed announce a new version that excludes college campuses

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Following Mayor Zohran Mamdani's veto of a bill to limit protests near educational facilities, a new compromise version excluding college campuses has been proposed in New York City.

0 Politics Israel

What Tuesday’s primaries tell us about Democrats, Republicans and the Israel issue

Ami Eden in JTA

Recent primary results in Philadelphia and northern Kentucky showcase diverging trends regarding Israel among U.S. political parties.

0 Politics Israel

Netanyahu is facing electoral catastrophe — and could place Israel in existential peril

Dan Perry in Forward

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a severe electoral crisis and potential governance challenges as public dissatisfaction grows over unresolved conflicts, notably with Iran.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Thomas Massie, Democrats, and AIPAC

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the defeat of Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican known for his alleged antisemitic views, notably his criticism of American support for Israel and insinuations about AIPAC's influence.

0 Politics Israel

Itamar Ben-Gvir draws criticism from Netanyahu for video taunting detained flotilla activists

Grace Gilson in JTA

Controversial Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has received widespread criticism, including from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following his release of videos taunting activists of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israel.

0 Politics Israel

Israeli far-right minister orders Arab village evicted after saying ICC is seeking his arrest

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's far-right finance minister, claims the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking his arrest, calling the court antisemitic and declaring a plan to evict Khan al-Ahmar, a Palestinian Bedouin village in the West Bank.

0 Politics Israel

Barney Frank’s final warning on Israel: ‘America’s effort should be to support the opposition to Netanyahu’

Ron Kampeas in JTA

Barney Frank, a prominent progressive figure and former U.S. congressman, used his final days to voice strong opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Barney Frank, the irascible Jewish progressive congressman who wrote landmark finance bill, dies 86

Ron Kampeas in JTA

Barney Frank, the influential and outspoken Jewish progressive congressman, has died at the age of 86.

0 Politics Israel

Iran’s greatest weapon is already starting to break.

Nachum Kaplan in Future of Jewish

Iran's geopolitical influence through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for global oil trade, is being challenged by alternative infrastructure projects.

0 Politics Israel

With AOC backing and anti-Israel message, Chris Rabb vies for open House seat in Philadelphia

Joseph Strauss in Forward

Chris Rabb, a progressive state lawmaker from Philadelphia, is running in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's Third Congressional District, bringing a staunchly critical stance towards Israel to his campaign.

0 Politics Israel

Anti-Israel Republican Thomas Massie ousted from Congress as Trump endorsee wins primary

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Rep. Thomas Massie, known for his anti-Israel voting record, lost his primary in Kentucky to Ed Gallrein, a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump and supported by pro-Israel PACs.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Jewish groups rally behind bipartisan Senate antisemitism bill with $1B security allocation

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Jewish organizations across the United States are advocating for the swift passage of the bipartisan Jewish American Security Act in the Senate, aimed at combating antisemitism.

0 Politics Israel

With AOC backing and anti-Israel message, Chris Rabb wins primary in Philadelphia

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Chris Rabb, a progressive state lawmaker known for his staunch criticism of Israel, has won the Democratic primary in Philadelphia’s heavily Democratic Third Congressional District.

Torah ›

0 Torah Jewish Law

What If Jethro Was the First to Imagine Sinai?

Ezra Sivan in Lehrhaus

Exploring the intriguing proposition by Lekah Tov, Ezra Sivan delves into the possibility that Jethro might have been the first to conceptualize the monumental event of Sinai, challenging conventional beliefs about its divine origin.

Culture ›

0 Culture Literature

Jewish Insider’s picks for your summer reading list

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

To kick off summer, Jewish Insider presents a curated reading list reflecting on Jewish history, culture, and contemporary issues.

0 Culture Music

In celebration of David Attenborough's 100th birthday, a very Jewish song

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

During the celebration of David Attenborough's 100th birthday at the Royal Albert Hall, his recitation of the song "What a Wonderful World" highlighted the song's Jewish connections through its co-writer George David Weiss.

0 Culture Politics

Sally Rooney to issue novel in Hebrew with Israeli publisher who complies with BDS

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Irish novelist Sally Rooney has decided to release her latest novel, "Intermezzo," in Hebrew through an Israeli publisher, November Books, which aligns with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement's principles.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

AOC and other leading Democrats condemn Texas congressional candidate Maureen Galindo over antisemitic rhetoric

Grace Gilson in JTA

In Texas's 35th Congressional District, Democratic candidate Maureen Galindo has become a controversial figure due to her antisemitic rhetoric, which includes threats against American Zionists.

0 Antisemitism Politics

What does a swastika mean?

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Arno Rosenfeld's article delves into the complex symbolism of the swastika, exploring its association with Nazism, white supremacy, and antisemitism, as well as its controversial use in anti-Israel propaganda.

0 Antisemitism History

The Question Jews Were Never Supposed to Ask

Joanne Strasser in Future of Jewish

Joanne Strasser reflects on the recurring question faced by diaspora Jews: must they choose between openly supporting Israel and being accepted by their peers?

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

The Park Slope Food Coop is fighting over another BDS resolution — and this time it may finally pass

Mira Fox in Forward

The Park Slope Food Coop, a community-led grocery in Brooklyn, faces internal upheaval over a proposed resolution to engage in a boycott of Israeli products as part of the BDS movement.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Arkansas whites-only community sued by woman with Jewish ancestry

Hannah Feuer in Forward

A federal lawsuit has been filed against Return to the Land, a whites-only community in Arkansas, for alleged discriminatory housing practices.

0 Communities Leadership

Holding a Jewish community together, consistently and over time

eJewishPhilanthropy

Audra Berg, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County, highlights the dichotomy between the unsettling global environment and the surge in Jewish engagement following the October 7 attacks.

0 Communities Ethics

The care crisis reshaping Jewish life

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article explores the growing care crisis in Jewish communities across North America, fueled by demographic and economic challenges.

Education ›

0 Education Science

How teachers are harnessing AI to democratize Israeli education

Elana Sztokman in JTA

In Israel, the Amal Educational Network is pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education through its Pedagogical AI (PAI) initiative, aimed at transforming classrooms to better prepare for the AI era.

0 Education Israel

Building on Reimagining Israel Education: Moving forward with shared purpose and shared investment

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article outlines the Reimagining Israel Education initiative, which seeks to transform Israel education within the Jewish community by developing a comprehensive framework.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Rhubarb Cheesecake Pots

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig shares a delightful recipe for "Rhubarb Cheesecake Pots," celebrating the vibrant pink colors and healthful benefits of rhubarb in light, no-bake cheesecakes.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Politics

A Tale of Two Torahs

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin explores the contrasting views of Torah in contemporary Jewish society, sparked by Likud Minister Dudu Amsalem's statement equating the value of Torah study by charedim with military service.

Language ›

0 Language Holocaust

Interviews with Holocaust survivors reveal the richness of Yiddish

Jeffrey Shandler in Forward

The creation of the Corpus of Spoken Yiddish in Europe (CSYE) has made historical Yiddish dialects accessible by utilizing over 200 Holocaust survivor interviews from the USC Shoah Foundation's Visual History Archive.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Philosophy

Why Celebrate the Torah at The Wheat Harvest?

Tzvika Aviv in Lehrhaus

Tzvika Aviv explores the deep connection between Shavuot and the wheat harvest, arguing it serves as an ancient bioethical reminder addressing humanity's moral struggles with agriculture—a "sin" of wheat linked to the earliest human stories, including Cain and Abel.

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Antisemitism

Leaving the Women’s Movement

Kara Jesella in Tablet

Gloria Z. Greenfield, once a leader in the radical feminist movement, left the women's movement in 1983, citing the pervasive antisemitism she experienced as one of its leaders and publishers.

JL;DR

for Thursday, May 21, 2026

Literature ›

Politics ›

Torah ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Education ›

Food ›

Jewish Law ›

Language ›

Holidays ›

Gender/Identity ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Literature ›

Politics ›

Torah ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Communities ›

Education ›

Food ›

Jewish Law ›

Language ›

Holidays ›

Gender/Identity ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 21's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, May 21, 2026