JL;DR

Daily Podcasts Video Research

for Saturday, June 20, 2026

Welcome, visitor! Here's a digest of what's been published in Jewish media over the last day. JL;DR members have access to summaries of everything plus our full archive. Donate & start reading »

Communities ›

0 Communities Antisemitism

I am leaving Britain and moving to Israel.

Ben M. Freeman in Future of Jewish

Ben M. Freeman, founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement, shares his decision to leave Britain for Israel due to rising antisemitism and a quest for a genuine connection to his cultural and homeland roots.

0 Communities Leadership

Juneteenth reminds Jewish communities that belonging requires more than a declaration

Yolanda Savage-Narva in JTA

Juneteenth serves as a poignant reminder to Jewish communities of the essential work required to achieve true belonging beyond mere declarations of inclusion.

0 Communities Antisemitism

Former antisemitic activist Lucas Gage explains to Jewish podcast why he left the movement

Grace Gilson in Forward

Former antisemitic activist Lucas Gage, who once propagated hate and conspiracy theories against Jews, publicly renounces his past views in a conversation with Jewish podcasters.

0 Communities History

This year’s biggest World Cup upset came from its most Jew-ish team

Louis Keene in Forward

Cape Verde's unexpected draw against Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup spotlighted its unusual Sephardic Jewish heritage.

Culture ›

0 Culture Holocaust

The Song of the Lost Violin

The Cholent in The Cholent

The discovery of a potentially significant violin by Habitat for Humanity in Washington highlights the complex web of history and identity.

0 Culture Politics

Years after a boycott fight, Ben & Jerry’s Israel debuts a flavor celebrating Israeli resilience

Deborah Danan in JTA

Ben & Jerry's Israel has launched a new ice cream flavor named 'Milk and Honey' to celebrate Israeli resilience post the October 7 Hamas attack.

0 Culture Music

My father was my hero and, when he was dying, I wrote this song for him

Peter Himmelman in Forward

Peter Himmelman reflects on his father's life and legacy, illustrating the profound influence his father had on him through strength, kindness, and humor.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

The Evolution of 21st Century Antisemitism

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article discusses the dual nature of Jewish existence in contemporary America, asserting that while Jews enjoy unprecedented freedom and prosperity, antisemitism has re-emerged forcefully, particularly within academic circles.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Mamdani calls AIPAC ‘monsters’ in rally ahead of NY primaries

Kelly Hartog in JTA

In a politically charged rally in Brooklyn, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused AIPAC of spending millions in dark money to support pro-Israel candidates, tying their influence to American foreign policy.

0 Politics Communities

Are U.S. Jews Politically Homeless?

Jewdicious

American Jews today face a profound political dilemma, feeling "politically homeless" as traditional allegiances to the Democratic Party become fraught with tensions over issues like Israel and antisemitism.

0 Politics Leadership

Who is Gadi Eisenkot, the Israeli politician who could dethrone Netanyahu?

Simone Saidmehr in Forward

Gadi Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff, is rising as a formidable political challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel's upcoming elections approach.

0 Politics Israel

In a NY race with no pro-Israel candidate, AIPAC becomes a flashpoint anyway

Joseph Strauss in JTA

In the New York congressional race for the 7th District, which is characterized by the absence of a pro-Israel candidate, the influence of AIPAC still looms large.

0 Politics Communities

Jewish groups push back against Trump’s Iran deal — but more quietly so far than in 2015

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Numerous Jewish organizations are expressing concerns over President Trump's new memorandum with Iran, although their opposition is less vocal compared to the widespread protest against Obama's 2015 Iran deal.

0 Politics Holocaust

Trump envoy’s push to eliminate standalone Holocaust office divides Jewish leaders

Grace Gilson in JTA

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun of the Trump administration is leading an effort to merge the State Department's Office of the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues into his office, which focuses on fighting antisemitism.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Trump nominee defends college cartoon of Jewish student with devil horns at Senate hearing

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

Charlton Allen, nominated by Donald Trump for a federal workplace rights position, has faced scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing for a controversial cartoon published during his college years.

0 Politics Israel

JD Vance: Israeli Cabinet shouldn’t be criticizing ‘only powerful ally’ left in the world

Tovah Lazaroff in Forward

U.S. Vice President JD Vance cautioned Israeli officials against criticizing President Donald Trump amidst tensions surrounding the Iran deal and the ongoing war that began in February.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Holocaust

Museums should return art created under coercion — whether in slavery or Auschwitz

Rafael Medoff in JTA

The ongoing fight to reclaim artworks created under coercion highlights eerie parallels between the struggles of the descendants of an enslaved Black artist, David Drake, and a Jewish Holocaust survivor, Dina Babbitt.

History ›

0 History Jewish Law

The most important Jewish victory happened after we lost.

Adam Hummel in Future of Jewish

Adam Hummel reflects on the enduring spirit of the Jewish people through the lens of historical conflict with the Roman Empire, as described in Barry Strauss's book "Jews vs. Rome."

Education ›

0 Education Communities

What happens when students lead Jewish learning: An experiment in Jewish male engagement

eJewishPhilanthropy

The "Men to Mensches" (M2M) program at Penn State Hillel addresses the challenge of engaging Jewish men in campus activities.

0 Education Philosophy

The God you don’t believe in (and the Zionism you don’t believe in either)

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Rachael Klein Miller reflects on her experiences addressing doubts about God and Zionism among young people.

0 Education Culture

Beating, Not Joining, Ethnic Studies

Sapir

The debate over California's ethnic studies curriculum highlights a tension between education and ideology, particularly in its treatment of Jewish communities.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

I escaped Hezbollah — and found the truth about Israel.

Rawan Osman in Future of Jewish

Rawan Osman recounts his transformation from growing up in a Hezbollah stronghold in Lebanon, where he was taught to perceive Israel as the enemy, to discovering the truth about the Jewish state and what it represents.

Editors' Note

Welcome to JL;DR!
by Matt Sienkiewicz

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