JL;DR

Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2018 article post-retirement, addressed the theological relationship between Christianity and Judaism, reaffirming the Catholic Chu...

In a 2025 reflection on Jewish identity, the concept of 'chosenness' presents both challenges and opportunities for American Jews. While historically content...

The concept of Israel as the 'chosen state' is examined through biblical references, historical evolution, and modern political and cultural dynamics. The ar...

Conversion to Judaism introduces complex identities and narratives, both for the converts and the Jewish community. Converts take on Hebrew names as symbolic...

Jewish theology has wrestled with the concept of chosenness for over two millennia, as exemplified by interpretations that shift the focus from God choosing ...

The essay reflects on the dual nature of the concept of chosenness in Jewish philosophy, particularly within the context of the author's personal experience ...

Archaeological discoveries in the Sinai Peninsula suggest that the belief in YHWH might have predated the Israelites and was adopted from nomadic tribes such...

The article explores the moral and psychological dynamics central to the 2011 prisoner swap between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, where I...

The obituaries of three influential Jewish thinkers, Philip Sunshine, Peter Lax, and Richard Garwin, highlight a broader cultural phenomenon of Jewish intell...

Leon Pinsker, a 19th-century Zionist thinker, diagnosed antisemitism as a chronic condition stemming from fear of the stateless Jew. This article argues that...

The article explores the complex and often contradictory concept of Jewish chosenness within traditional texts, highlighting tensions between unconditional d...

The article explores the concept of divine chosenness, an idea integral to both Jewish and regional ancient Near Eastern cultures. Contrary to the anti-Semit...

The Publisher's Note reflects on the ongoing debate regarding Jewish chosenness, exploring whether it represents a privileged status or a divine calling. The...

In the wake of the October 7 terror attack in Israel, a resurgence of global antisemitism has prompted a rallying cry for Jews to acknowledge a broader war a...

The article explores how postmodernism (PoMo) fell from prominence and was replaced by a new "Woko" ideology, characterized by its rigid, absolute truths pri...

Michael Solomonov, an Israeli chef known for popularizing Israeli cuisine in the United States, discusses the role of food in Jewish culture and identity. Th...

During the tense era of the early 1980s in the Soviet Union, anti-Zionist sentiments were at their peak, with Jewish identity heavily scrutinized and express...

In the context of increasing public mistrust in scientific integrity and institutions, the author reflects on dilemmas faced when scientific findings interse...

Emphasizing Judaism's rich tradition of valuing debate, this article from the sapir journal introduces its mission to provoke thoughtful discussion and encou...

Power in Jewish communal life is increasingly viewed with skepticism, with funders, federations, and leaders often subject to criticism. This discussion, fea...

The National Jewish Population Survey of 1990, reporting a 52% intermarriage rate, catalyzed a "Jewish continuity" movement that initially emphasized educati...

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...

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...

Jacob Neusner famously argued that civilization depends on the transmission of memory and learning across generations. This sentiment resonates with current ...

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...

The article explores the significant yet complex influence of Jews on American culture, particularly through the lens of their contributions to music, film, ...

Reflecting on the persistent challenge of antisemitism, this piece draws parallels between the historical success of the March of Dimes in combating polio an...

The publisher reflects on the impact of recent events in Israel and the necessity of resilience within the Jewish community while facing ongoing technologica...

Amidst waning public confidence in American higher education, the article proposes a strategic approach for enhancing the Jewish experience and improving uni...

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...

In this reflective piece, the publisher revisits historian Jonathan D. Sarna's argument that Jewish continuity historically emerges from periods of crisis an...

The article reflects on the American Jewish community's hesitance to openly discuss faith, often due to historical sensitivities and the desire for inclusivi...

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...

American Jewry's historic allegiance to the Democratic Party, based on a shared commitment to progressive causes, is facing a challenge as internal tensions ...

The article explores the evolving impact of legal action in combating antisemitism on American college campuses. Historically, American Jews faced limited su...

In October 2023, amid rising antisemitism on university campuses, Jewish students at Brown University faced harassment from peers and faculty, as highlighted...

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...

Since October 2023, American museums have witnessed demonstrations similar to those on university campuses, with protesters calling for boycotts against Isra...

The article analyzes the psychological drivers behind student activism using examples like the Columbia University protests. It delves into how young people ...

The international conference on antisemitism held in Jerusalem raised controversy due to the inclusion of several far-right European politicians, which led t...

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...

The article examines how Palestinian activism has successfully mirrored historical social movements, such as the U.S. civil rights movement, to gain traction...

The piece explores the evolving role of activism within university campuses, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between free expression and ...

The term "refusenik" refers to Soviet Jews whose emigration requests were denied, highlighting a tenacious fight against Soviet oppression. Spanning from the...

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...

Amidst growing concerns about political bias in the media, the article examines the historical evolution of journalism's relationship with objectivity and ac...

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 ...

Jewish involvement in political activism has been significant throughout history, demonstrating a notable pattern of Jewish leadership in various revolutiona...

The concept of social justice is fundamentally rooted in Jewish tradition, emphasizing communal welfare and human dignity. However, modern social justice mov...

The article explores the complex relationship between Jews and power, highlighting the Jewish communal ambivalence toward power's possession and use. Histori...