JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Thursday, June 11, 2026

Communities ›

0 Communities Jewish Law

Successfully Unsuccessful: The Paradox of Modern Orthodoxy

Jonah Rocheeld in Lehrhaus

Jonah Rocheeld explores the paradox of Modern Orthodoxy, which attempts to reconcile traditional Judaism with modern rationality and accessibility.

0 Communities Culture

Cara Trager, beloved Queens Jewish communal leader and lifetime journalist, dies at 71

Grace Gilson in JTA

Cara Trager, a lifelong journalist and ardent supporter of Israel, passed away at 71 after a tragic car accident.

0 Communities Jewish Law

I'm converting to Orthodox Judaism. My friends thought I lost my mind.

Kaitlin Kehler in Future of Jewish

Kaitlin Kehler shares her experience of converting to Orthodox Judaism and the reactions she received from friends.

0 Communities Culture

To Age Not Alone

Sapir

Exploring the positive lens through which Jewish tradition views aging, this article contrasts Judaism's respect and value for elders with American society's tendency to marginalize older adults.

0 Communities Education

Cybersecurity is community security

eJewishPhilanthropy

Amid increasing cyber threats exacerbated by advancements in artificial intelligence, Jewish organizations are urged to prioritize their digital security alongside physical protection.

Politics ›

0 Politics Communities

FBI charges 8 tied to U of Michigan pro-Palestinian movement with threatening officials, Jewish federation

JTA

Eight individuals connected with the University of Michigan's pro-Palestinian movement have been charged by the FBI for engaging in a conspiracy to threaten and potentially harm university officials and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

0 Politics Israel

The anti-Israel dark money group behind Justice Democrats’ midterm splurge

Will Bredderman in Jewish Insider

Justice Democrats, known for bringing the progressive "Squad" to Congress, is heavily backed by the IMEU Policy Project, a group critical of Israeli policies, supporting far-left candidates across the U.S. Recent financial filings reveal that the IMEU Policy Project, which emerged shortly after the October 7 attacks, has funded Justice Democrats with $400,000.

0 Politics Israel

In Congress, a measure to tighten U.S.-Israel military ties sparks backlash on both sides of the aisle

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

A proposed measure in the U.S. Congress seeks to expand military cooperation with Israel, eliciting criticism from both Democrats and conservatives who worry about increased military entanglement and decreased oversight.

0 Politics History

'Remember the Liberty' has become code for 'Israel Is Evil'

Rob Eshman in Forward

Rep. Thomas Massie has reignited controversy by calling for a new investigation into the 1967 U.S.S. Liberty incident, where Israeli forces mistakenly attacked a U.S. intelligence ship during the Six-Day War.

0 Politics Jewish Law

The Basic 'Torah Study' Law

Emes Ve-Emunah

The recent passage of the Basic Law: Torah Study in the Knesset, which officially recognizes Torah study as a foundational value of the State of Israel, has sparked significant debate.

0 Politics Art

This Israeli filmmaker harshly criticizes his country. Pro-Palestinian activists boycotted him anyway.

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Nadav Lapid, an acclaimed Israeli filmmaker known for his critical stance on Israeli society, faced a boycott from pro-Palestinian activists despite his opposition to the Israeli government.

0 Politics Israel

The real anti-Zionists are at the highest levels of the Israeli government

Rob Eshman in Forward

Rob Eshman argues that the current Israeli government's policies in the West Bank and Gaza are undermining Zionism, contributing to a shift in support among young American Jews towards a binational state.

0 Politics Communities

Beth Davidson, Jewish candidate in NY-17, courts voters uneasy with Democratic divides over Israel

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Beth Davidson, a Jewish candidate for Congress in New York's 17th district, is navigating the complex landscape of Democratic divides over Israel while maintaining her commitment to liberal policies.

0 Politics Communities

Micah Lasher ramps up outreach to Jewish voters ahead of NY-12 primary

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Micah Lasher, ahead of the Democratic primary for New York's 12th congressional district, is intensifying his campaign to win Jewish voters' support.

0 Politics Israel

A new proposal to radically destabilize Israel

Dan Perry in Forward

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition is considering a controversial law, "Basic Law: Torah Study," which equates full-time Torah study to military service in terms of national contribution.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Censorship Won’t Help the Jews

Sapir

Jewish Americans have traditionally been defenders of free speech, a stance exemplified by the case of a Jewish attorney, David Goldberger, defending neo-Nazis' right to march in Skokie, Illinois.

0 Politics Israel

Saving Conservatism from Nationalism

Sapir

The article examines the internal ideological battle within the American conservative movement, highlighting the rise of national conservatism (natcon) as a force challenging traditional conservatism and neoconservatism.

0 Politics Antisemitism

The Center Can Hold

Sapir

The article explores the decline of the political center in the United States, exacerbated by extreme polarization and its implications for American Jews.

0 Politics History

The Illusion of Realism

Sapir

The article argues against the dichotomy between ideals and realism in American foreign policy, highlighting how this division, popularized by thinkers like Hans Morgenthau and Henry Kissinger, is misleading and dangerous.

0 Politics Israel

A Lesson in Resilience for America

Sapir

In an April 2026 reflection, the author contrasts the disparate reactions of Americans and Israelis to a ceasefire in a conflict with Iran, highlighting differences in resilience and willingness to endure hardship.

0 Politics Communities

Milei praises ‘Judeo-Christian values’ at Chabad event as Argentina courts European Jews

Juan Melamed in Forward

Argentine President Javier Milei emphasized Judeo-Christian values at a notable Chabad-Lubavitch event, marking the yahrzeit of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

0 Politics Israel

France bans Smotrich as 6 countries impose new sanctions over Israeli settler violence

Shira Li Bartov in Forward

France, alongside five other countries, has imposed sanctions on Israeli groups in response to increasing settler violence in the West Bank.

0 Politics Communities

Paris Is Burning

Itxu Díaz in Tablet

Itxu Díaz's article examines the social unrest in France, using the backdrop of violent celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain's football victories to highlight deeper issues within French society.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Colombian President Gustavo Petro sparks outcry over tweet reading ‘Heil Hitler’

Grace Gilson in Forward

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has come under fierce criticism from both Israeli and Latin American leaders for tweeting "Heil Hitler," aiming to critique an op-ed supporting a right-wing candidate.

0 Politics Israel

The New Reality That American Jews Must Be Ready For

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's article addresses the shifting dynamics surrounding American support for Israel, emphasizing the need for American Jews to adapt to an increasingly unstable political alliance between the United States and Israel.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Spain reports 86% rise in antisemitic incidents, as interior minister takes aim at ‘xenophobia’

Shira Li Bartov in Forward

Antisemitic incidents in Spain have surged by 86% in 2025, with 69 hate crimes, highlighting a worrying trend of increasing xenophobia amidst record hate incidents.

0 Antisemitism Politics

The Promise of Something Better

Sapir

The article examines the significant changes in American Jewish identity from the postwar era to the present, marked by a dramatic rise in antisemitism and a shifting political landscape.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

The Man Who Invented the Modern Israeli Canon

Oded Carmeli in Tablet

Gabriel Moked, a pivotal figure in Israeli literature, is remembered not just for his editorial prowess and philosophical contributions but for his integrity in choosing art over partisanship.

0 Literature Culture

Jewish Masterpiece: American Pastoral

Sapir

Philip Roth's novel "American Pastoral" examines the complexities of Jewish identity through its protagonist, Seymour 'Swede' Levov, a well-assimilated American Jew.

Culture ›

0 Culture Israel

Please help us continue serving you.

Future of Jewish in Future of Jewish

Future of Jewish, led by Joshua Hoffman, is a publication committed to providing deep, nuanced insights into Judaism, Israel, and the broader Jewish world, free from paywalls and ads.

0 Culture History

Israel names a street after renowned Yiddish poet Abraham Sutzkever

Rukhl Schaechter in Forward

Netanya, Israel, has honored the influential Yiddish poet and Vilna partisan, Abraham Sutzkever, by naming a street after him, marking it as "Rechov Avrom Sutzkever."

0 Culture Sports

For many Jewish New Yorkers, the Knicks’ NBA Finals run offers a respite from division

Joseph Strauss in JTA

The New York Knicks' NBA Finals run has brought a sense of unity to a diverse and sometimes divided New York City, including its Jewish community.

0 Culture Education

Sapir

This collection of letters engages with key themes from the Winter 2026 issue of Sapir Journal.

0 Culture Politics

Islam in America

Sapir

The article explores the complexities of Muslim integration and identity in America following the societal shifts post-9/11, using the story of Zohran Mamdani, an emerging political figure in New York City, as a focal point.

Sports ›

0 Sports History

At the dawn of the World Cup, the story of the Jews who helped bring soccer to America

Dan Friedman in Forward

The influence of Jewish individuals on the development of soccer in the United States is a surprisingly rich yet under-recognized narrative.

0 Sports Gender/Identity

The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson’s Relationship With His Jewish Wife, Dr. Alison Marks, Is Just So Beautiful

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Jalen Brunson, the celebrated point guard of the New York Knicks, shares a beautiful love story with his Jewish wife, Dr. Alison Marks Brunson.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Holocaust

‘Odessa’ wants to use your empathy against you

Olivia Haynie in Forward

"Odessa" is a provocative short film by Harald Swinkels that cleverly employs what he calls an "empathy trap" to challenge viewers' assumptions.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Raisin Challah with Cinnamon-Honey Butter

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig reflects on the transient nature of modern food trends, juxtaposing them with the enduring qualities of recipes rooted in tradition, such as her Raisin Challah with Cinnamon-Honey Butter.

Torah ›

0 Torah Philosophy

5 Things Shlach Teaches Us About Imposter Syndrome

18Forty Staff in 18forty

The concept of imposter syndrome is explored through the biblical episode of the 12 spies in Parshat Shlach, where fear and self-perception result in severe consequences for the Israelites.

Education ›

0 Education Ethics

The Misuse of Expertise

Sapir

The article explores the evolving role of scholarly expertise in Jewish studies, contextualized within the broader academic shift from traditional Enlightenment ideals of objectivity to a more postmodern embrace of subjectivity and activism.

0 Education History

A Return to Teaching History

Sapir

The decline in teaching history within American education, exacerbated by policies like the No Child Left Behind Act, has led to dwindling knowledge among students and a reduction in history majors and teaching positions.

0 Education Jewish Law

Those Who Can, Teach

Sapir

As the Jewish education system, alongside broader American schools, face a profound crisis with teacher shortages and an over-reliance on digital technology, the article calls for a revival of traditional teaching values.

0 Education Communities

The state of Jewish education: Insights from leaders across the field

eJewishPhilanthropy

Leaders in Jewish education provide insights on the current state of the field, exploring advancements and challenges across various sectors since the pandemic.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Culture

The Religious Humbling of America

Sapir

Religious decline in America is framed as a public crisis impacting society's moral fabric.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

What the Pentagon Can Learn from the IDF

Sapir

The article discusses the evolving nature of warfare and the need for the United States to learn from Israel's adaptive defense strategies.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Ethics

The Jewish Case for Public Service

Sapir

Exploring the intersection between Jewish faith and public service, the article highlights a personal journey of serving high-stakes national security roles while maintaining religious observance.