JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Friday, May 22, 2026

Holidays ›

0 Holidays History

The Day the Jews Agreed to Become Jews

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's article delves into the significance of Shavuot, highlighting its pivotal role in Jewish history as the transformative moment when the Israelites accepted the covenant at Sinai, transitioning from a group of freed slaves to a covenantal civilization.

0 Holidays Culture

'Friends Find Each Other'

The Cholent in The Cholent

As Shavuot, one of Judaism’s key pilgrimage holidays, commences, its unique traditions and themes are celebrated: the giving of Torah, agricultural connections, and the story of Ruth, highlighting strong female narratives and unity.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

The Black Jewish experience, and Black-Jewish relations, take center stage on Fifth Avenue

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

Temple Emanu-El of Manhattan is embarking on a five-year initiative titled "Shared Histories, Shared Futures," focusing on Black-Jewish relations, particularly emphasizing the roles and experiences of Black Jews.

0 Communities Jewish Law

From Sinai to group therapy: Why follow-up matters for soldiers and Diaspora Jews alike

eJewishPhilanthropy

The article explores the essential role of follow-up in both trauma care for Israeli soldiers and integration within Diaspora Jewish communities.

0 Communities Philosophy

The brilliance of brokenness

eJewishPhilanthropy

Robert Lichtman's essay reflects on the elusive notion of Jewish unity, arguing that true cohesion among diverse Jewish communities cannot be achieved simply by yearning for similarity.

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.

Politics ›

0 Politics Communities

Hundreds of Jewish leaders call on Israeli ambassador to apologize for attack on J Street

Grace Gilson in JTA

Over 500 Jewish leaders, including rabbis and communal heads, have signed a letter demanding an apology from Israel's U.S. ambassador, Yechiel Leiter, for labeling J Street as a "cancer" within the Jewish community.

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.

Culture ›

0 Culture Holidays

Despite what (Ashkenazi) tradition says, not everyone eats dairy on Shavuot

Jesse VanDusen in Forward

Shavuot is traditionally associated with dairy foods, especially among Ashkenazi Jews.

0 Culture Communities

The Fast-Changing Future for Jews in the West

Mijal Bitton in Future of Jewish

Mijal Bitton, a scholar at the Maimonides Fund, explores the differing perspectives between Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews in the West regarding their experiences and aspirations.

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.

Education ›

0 Education Culture

Why an answer to our anxiety might be in Jewish texts

eJewishPhilanthropy

During times of sustained uncertainty, exacerbated by events like the Oct. 7 attacks and the rise in antisemitism, Jewish learning offers a vital resilience practice.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Communities

‘It’s the Jews’: San Diego mosque shooters decried ‘the universal enemy’ in hate-filled manifesto

Louis Keene in Forward

A tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego resulted in the deaths of three individuals, carried out by two teenage gunmen who later committed suicide.

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.

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.

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.