Sapir
Publisher’s Note
14 May 2025
Sapir tackles the ambitious notion of a "Jewish moonshot" in its latest issue, inspired by President Kennedy’s bold vision for space exploration. Aimed at en...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Dear Paul, I’m a Zionist
14 May 2025
In a letter addressing Paul O'Brien, the executive director of Amnesty International USA, the author defends Zionism in light of O'Brien's recent comments ag...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher's Note
14 May 2025
Jacob Neusner famously argued that civilization depends on the transmission of memory and learning across generations. This sentiment resonates with current ...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher’s Note
14 May 2025
Teshuva, or repentance, is a central component of Jewish life and thought, highlighted by the significant time dedicated to it leading up to Yom Kippur. This...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher’s Note
14 May 2025
The article explores the significant yet complex influence of Jews on American culture, particularly through the lens of their contributions to music, film, ...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher's Note
14 May 2025
Reflecting on the persistent challenge of antisemitism, this piece draws parallels between the historical success of the March of Dimes in combating polio an...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher's Note
14 May 2025
The publisher reflects on the impact of recent events in Israel and the necessity of resilience within the Jewish community while facing ongoing technologica...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Goodbye, Columbia
14 May 2025
Amidst waning public confidence in American higher education, the article proposes a strategic approach for enhancing the Jewish experience and improving uni...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher's Note
14 May 2025
In the wake of the unsettling events of October 7, the publisher reflects on the newfound clarity regarding international and domestic stances on Israel. The...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher's Note
14 May 2025
In this reflective piece, the publisher revisits historian Jonathan D. Sarna's argument that Jewish continuity historically emerges from periods of crisis an...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher's Note
14 May 2025
The article reflects on the American Jewish community's hesitance to openly discuss faith, often due to historical sensitivities and the desire for inclusivi...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Jewish Masterpiece: A Guide for the Bedevilled
14 May 2025
Ben Hecht, a prominent Jewish American writer and Hollywood screenwriter, authored "A Guide for the Bedevilled" in 1943, capturing the tumult of the era with...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Politics
14 May 2025
American Jewry's historic allegiance to the Democratic Party, based on a shared commitment to progressive causes, is facing a challenge as internal tensions ...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Lawfare
14 May 2025
The article explores the evolving impact of legal action in combating antisemitism on American college campuses. Historically, American Jews faced limited su...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Alumni
14 May 2025
In October 2023, amid rising antisemitism on university campuses, Jewish students at Brown University faced harassment from peers and faculty, as highlighted...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Actually, Feelings Don’t Care About Your Facts
14 May 2025
Israel activism often struggles by relying too much on facts and not enough on emotional connection, as shown in recent research exploring attitudes toward J...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Museums and their Discontents
14 May 2025
Since October 2023, American museums have witnessed demonstrations similar to those on university campuses, with protesters calling for boycotts against Isra...
14 May 2025
Sapir
The Encampment Mindset
14 May 2025
The article analyzes the psychological drivers behind student activism using examples like the Columbia University protests. It delves into how young people ...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Allies
14 May 2025
The international conference on antisemitism held in Jerusalem raised controversy due to the inclusion of several far-right European politicians, which led t...
14 May 2025
Sapir
‘This Regime Is Naked’
14 May 2025
In a detailed interview for Sapir's Activism issue, Bret Stephens speaks with Iranian-American activist Mehdi Yahyanejad about his efforts to promote free ex...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Why Has Palestinian Activism Been So Successful?
14 May 2025
The article examines how Palestinian activism has successfully mirrored historical social movements, such as the U.S. civil rights movement, to gain traction...
14 May 2025
Sapir
A University’s Responsibility
14 May 2025
The piece explores the evolving role of activism within university campuses, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between free expression and ...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Refusenik Lessons for Today
14 May 2025
The term "refusenik" refers to Soviet Jews whose emigration requests were denied, highlighting a tenacious fight against Soviet oppression. Spanning from the...
14 May 2025
Sapir
If Not Now, When?
14 May 2025
In 1978, as Israel engaged in contentious peace negotiations with Egypt, 40 high school seniors urged Prime Minister Menachem Begin to expedite talks and wit...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Can the Media Keep Kosher?
14 May 2025
Amidst growing concerns about political bias in the media, the article examines the historical evolution of journalism's relationship with objectivity and ac...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Publisher's Note
14 May 2025
Reflecting on the enduring resonance of Charles Dickens' famous line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," this publisher's note contrasts ...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Jews and Activism
14 May 2025
Jewish involvement in political activism has been significant throughout history, demonstrating a notable pattern of Jewish leadership in various revolutiona...
14 May 2025
Sapir
Jews and the Dilemmas of Social Justice
3 Apr 2025
The concept of social justice is fundamentally rooted in Jewish tradition, emphasizing communal welfare and human dignity. However, modern social justice mov...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
The Necessity of Jewish Power
3 Apr 2025
The article explores the complex relationship between Jews and power, highlighting the Jewish communal ambivalence toward power's possession and use. Histori...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Is There a Future for American Jews?
3 Apr 2025
The future of American Jews is at a crossroads, marked by both demographic growth and challenges to cultural continuity. New Pew data shows an increase in Je...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Israel Wins the War of Ideas
3 Apr 2025
The article explores Israel's challenge in shaping its international perception, noting that traditional defensive arguments are often counterproductive. It ...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Editor’s Note
3 Apr 2025
Sapir marks its second year with a focus on Zionism and continues to engage in bold dialogues within the Jewish community. The publication prides itself on e...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Zionism Remains a Freedom Struggle
3 Apr 2025
The article explores the unique position of Israel as a postcolonial state that has thrived amidst challenges since its founding. Drawing comparisons with ot...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
The Merit of Meritocracy
3 Apr 2025
The article explores the concept of meritocracy, emphasizing the historical association of Jewish figures with intellectual and professional merit, evidenced...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Jews and Cancel Culture
3 Apr 2025
The essays in the Sapir journal issue argue that Jews should be particularly concerned about the impact of cancel culture on liberal democracy and Jewish val...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
From My Dinner with Andre to That Dinner with Kanye
3 Apr 2025
The article reflects on the cultural shift in America from the intellectually rich and discourse-driven environment exemplified by the film "My Dinner with A...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Editor’s Note
3 Apr 2025
Sapir's ninth issue commemorates Israel's 75th birthday by reflecting on its past achievements while anticipating future challenges. Against the backdrop of ...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Israel Is a World Power
3 Apr 2025
As Israel marks its 75th anniversary, it has emerged as a significant global power, moving beyond its historical symbolic clout to wield real geopolitical in...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Three Falsehoods About Antisemitism—and One Truth
3 Apr 2025
Antisemitism is often misunderstood as a mere unfathomable bigotry, but it is deeply rooted in a complex tangle of religious, political, and ideological forc...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
‘We Are Alone’: Reflections on the Jewish-American Response to October 7
3 Apr 2025
The reflection delves into the profound disillusionment felt by Jewish American progressives in response to the tragic events of October 7, 2023. The writer ...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran
3 Apr 2025
Bret Stephens and Reuel Marc Gerecht discuss Iran's involvement in supporting Hamas and its implications for Israel's security operations following a signifi...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
The Road to a Second Kristallnacht
3 Apr 2025
Reflecting on the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the author warns of rising antisemitism and anti-Zionism, likening the current climate to the moral degr...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Lincoln’s Lost Lecture: Can Democracy Survive Technology?
3 Apr 2025
Abraham Lincoln's lesser-known Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions underscores both his philosophical and technological contemplations, revealing concerns ...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
America (at Her Best)
3 Apr 2025
The article discusses the historically philosemitic foundations of the United States, highlighting notable Jewish contributions to American society and polit...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Pro-Israel Progressives
3 Apr 2025
In a compelling interview with Bret Stephens, Representative Ritchie Torres of New York's 15th district articulates his unique position as a pro-Israel progr...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Why Is a Jewish Atheist Different from All Other Atheists?
3 Apr 2025
"Why Is a Jewish Atheist Different from All Other Atheists?" explores the unique position of Jewish atheists who actively identify with their Jewish heritage...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
The Power of Ethical Philanthropy
3 Apr 2025
Elisa and Rob Bildner discuss their approach to ethical and collaborative philanthropy within the Jewish community, emphasizing the balanced use of influence...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Philanthropy Is Not Enough
3 Apr 2025
The article distinguishes between philanthropy and tzedakah, advocating for a Jewish communal focus on tzedakah over philanthropy. It argues that philanthrop...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
Invest in Philanthropy
3 Apr 2025
The piece advocates for a transformative approach to Jewish philanthropy, proposing the concept of universal Jewish giving. It suggests that every Jewish ind...
3 Apr 2025
Sapir
How Funders Shape Jewish Culture
3 Apr 2025
Philanthropy plays a crucial role in shaping Jewish arts and culture, as funders like Mem Bernstein and Shayna Rose Triebwasser demonstrate through their res...
3 Apr 2025