Sapir
Three Golems I Have Known
6 Mar
The concept of the golem in Jewish tradition offers a potent metaphor for exploring boundaries between humanity, intelligence, and technology. Historically, ...
6 Mar
Sapir
Jewish Education Should Have ‘Shoulds’
4 Mar
Jewish education in North America is evolving through both traditional and innovative approaches. While the educational system has historically sought to mai...
4 Mar
Sapir
Dreams for Living Jews
25 Feb
The article reflects on a conference attended by the Wampanoag Nation representatives seeking inspiration from the successful Hebrew language revival. Despit...
25 Feb
Sapir
Our Soviet Jewry Moment: Bring Them Home — Now
25 Feb
The rally described in the article, held at the National Mall, marks a pivotal moment likened to the Soviet Jewry movement of the past, mobilizing support fo...
25 Feb
Sapir
Tech 2040: Are Jews Ready?
25 Feb
As we visualize a future where technology permeates every aspect of daily life by 2040, the Jewish community must prepare for both the opportunities and chal...
25 Feb
Sapir
‘A Swinging Bunch of People’ No Longer
25 Feb
Sammy Davis Jr., a prominent entertainer and one of America's most famous converts to Judaism, exemplified a time when Jewish culture was seen as 'cool' in p...
25 Feb
Sapir
Jewish Masterpiece: The Foundation Trilogy
25 Feb
Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy, though not overtly Jewish, can be viewed as a "Jewish masterpiece" due to its themes resonating with Jewish intellectual...
25 Feb
Sapir
Israeli Brain Gain
25 Feb
Israel is witnessing a growing brain drain, with highly educated professionals and academics leaving the country for opportunities abroad, threatening the co...
25 Feb
Sapir
An Israeli Constitution
25 Feb
Israel, unique among democracies, still lacks a formal constitution, despite its founding in 1948. Initially sustained by the Declaration of Independence, th...
25 Feb
Sapir
The Silicon Dome
25 Feb
Israel is poised for what could be its third "founding moment," akin to its statehood in 1948 and economic stabilization in 1985, as it faces geopolitical an...
25 Feb
Sapir
Queers for Zion
25 Feb
"Queers for Zion" presents a provocative exploration of the relationship between the LGBTQ community and pro-Palestinian movements, particularly in the conte...
25 Feb
Sapir
An Education System Worthy of the Jewish State
25 Feb
Israel's education system, once a cornerstone of its national strength, faces a significant crisis. Despite substantial investment—nearly 5% of its GDP—Israe...
25 Feb
Sapir
Defeating Antizionism
25 Feb
The article examines the contemporary issue of antizionism, tracing its origins to past pseudoscience and examining its current manifestation in academia. Hi...
25 Feb
Sapir
Israel Studies Can Redeem Academia
25 Feb
The keynote address for the launch of Stanford University's Israel studies program critiques certain prevalent academic and media narratives about Israel, ar...
25 Feb
Sapir
Boyz II Mensches
25 Feb
This detailed exploration of modern masculinity, anchored in Jewish teachings and traditions, critiques the pervasive crisis of male disengagement in America...
25 Feb
Sapir
A Judaism of Doing
25 Feb
In an era defined by digital convenience, Judaism faces the risk of losing its active, embodied traditions. With Jewish texts and rituals increasingly perfor...
25 Feb
Sapir
Attracting Top Talent
25 Feb
Jewish communal organizations have a unique opportunity to attract top-tier talent by creating an appealing and competitive work environment. With rising une...
25 Feb
Sapir
The Future is Sephardic
25 Feb
As American Jews reflect on what some call their "Golden Age," there's a growing divergence between Ashkenazi and Sephardic visions of the future. Historical...
25 Feb
Sapir
How to Teach the Jewish Story
25 Feb
Dara Horn reflects on her journey toward addressing antisemitism through education, after the publication of her book "People Love Dead Jews." She argues tha...
25 Feb
Sapir
What Makes a Moonshot?
25 Feb
In an insightful conversation, Chanan Weissman of the Sapir Institute engages with author Joshua Foer and philanthropic advisor William Foster about the conc...
25 Feb
Sapir
Editor's Note
25 Feb
"Editor's Note" in Sapir reflects on the evolving nature of Jewish aspiration following the crises faced since October 7. Originally centered on fostering re...
25 Feb
Sapir
China and the Future of the U.S.-Israel Alliance
20 Nov 2025
As the geopolitical shift towards great-power competition with China intensifies, the traditional U.S.-Israel alliance—which was historically rooted in defen...
20 Nov 2025
Sapir
Universal Jewish Literacy
14 Nov 2025
In a bold proposition, the article advocates for a moonshot-style endeavor to promote universal Jewish literacy among North American Jews within two decades,...
14 Nov 2025
Sapir
A Maimonides for the Age of AI
14 Nov 2025
The article explores the transformative impact of technological advancements, particularly AI, genetic engineering, and neuroscience, on human existence and ...
14 Nov 2025
Sapir
Continuity Requires Content
12 Nov 2025
In this contemplative critique, the author argues that American Jewish leadership has neglected the rich content of Jewish civilization, culminating in a gen...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Judaism and the Politics of Tikkun Olam
12 Nov 2025
The article examines the complexities of applying Jewish teachings, specifically tikkun olam, to social justice efforts, noting that Judaism encompasses a br...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Letters
12 Nov 2025
The letters featured in the Sapir Journal address a recent issue on the topic of Jewish chosenness, reflecting diverse perspectives within the Jewish thought...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Jewish Masterpiece: Laws of Gifts to the Poor
12 Nov 2025
Maimonides' tragic personal experiences, including the death of his brother, deepened his understanding of poverty and shaped his views on charity, as reflec...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Showing Up as Jews for the Benefit of All
12 Nov 2025
Lynn and Stacy Schusterman discuss the evolution of their philanthropic endeavors, emphasizing the integration of both Jewish and secular causes as fundament...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Broadening the Base of Jewish Giving
12 Nov 2025
Jewish philanthropy has shifted significantly over the past several decades, moving from a model of broad, socially pressured giving to one that emphasizes l...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Building Israel’s Trillion Dollar Economy
12 Nov 2025
Israel's economy has shown remarkable resilience and growth despite ongoing multifaceted conflicts and significant challenges. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange ha...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
The Need for a Jewish Sovereign Wealth Fund
12 Nov 2025
Facing a shift in the American Jewish experience, the concept of establishing a Jewish Sovereign Wealth Fund is being proposed amid the backdrop of declining...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Idol Currency
12 Nov 2025
Monetary currency, deeply embedded in Jewish law, serves as more than just a medium of exchange but as an expression of sovereignty and legitimacy crucial to...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
The Jewish Case Against Materialism
12 Nov 2025
Using the biblical story of the golden calf as a starting point, this piece explores the tensions between materialism and spirituality within contemporary Je...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
More Than Money
12 Nov 2025
Jewish communal life has historically been sustained not only by financial contributions but also through direct service and volunteerism, embodying the Jewi...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Money Can’t Buy You Love
12 Nov 2025
The Jewish Funders Network conducted a survey assessing philanthropic efforts targeted at combating antisemitism, revealing both the fragmented nature and si...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Public Funding for Private Education
12 Nov 2025
The article explores the historical and contemporary challenges of Jewish day school affordability in America, framing it as a critical issue for Jewish cont...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
The Bank on Orchard Street
12 Nov 2025
Sender Jarmulowsky, a Jewish immigrant banker on New York's Lower East Side, transformed American finance for immigrants in the early 20th century through in...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Mission Over Money
12 Nov 2025
Driven by a personal scholarship that pivoted him towards Jewish communal service, the author reflects on his long experience in the Federation system, empha...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Poverty and Jewish Community
12 Nov 2025
The experiences of Tanya and Jennifer in Philadelphia highlight the critical role of Jewish community bonds in mitigating economic hardship. While Tanya, emb...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
The (Calculable) Costs of Israel’s Wars
12 Nov 2025
The article examines the immense financial burden Israel has faced due to ongoing military conflicts over the past few years, breaking down expenditures on d...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
What Milton Friedman Got Wrong
12 Nov 2025
The article critically examines Milton Friedman's views on capitalism and its relationship with Judaism, highlighting Friedman's misunderstanding of Jewish a...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
Publisher's Note
12 Nov 2025
Reflecting on a Talmudic passage from Eruvin 65b, the publisher explores the complexities surrounding money in Jewish tradition, emphasizing its role as both...
12 Nov 2025
Sapir
A Vanguard of Rabbinic Unicorns
20 Aug 2025
Rabbis today face significant challenges in taking bold stances due to institutional constraints and a cautious incentive structure within Jewish communal li...
20 Aug 2025
Sapir
Judaism Without Borders, Diaspora Without Tears
20 Aug 2025
Allegra Goodman reflects on the evolution of Jewish-American literature beyond the prominent figures of Saul Bellow and Philip Roth. Despite the assertion by...
20 Aug 2025
Sapir
Trial and Triage in Washington
15 Aug 2025
In 2009, the Israeli ambassador to the United States faced unique challenges while navigating the diplomatic landscape during President Obama's administratio...
15 Aug 2025
Sapir
Advice to a Jewish Freshman
12 Aug 2025
In this thought-provoking piece addressed to Jewish freshmen entering university, the author offers advice for navigating antisemitism and misconceptions abo...
12 Aug 2025
Sapir
Prophetic Fervor and the Jewish Writer
12 Aug 2025
Saul Bellow's reflection on the role of Jewish writers evokes the ancient tradition of Jewish prophecy as a means of grappling with societal decline and mora...
12 Aug 2025
Sapir
Jewish Masterpiece: The Chosen
11 Aug 2025
Chaim Potok's "The Chosen" is a seminal Jewish novel that explores the complexities of friendship across religious divides, set in 1940s Williamsburg. The st...
11 Aug 2025
Sapir
The Rebirth of Chosenness
11 Aug 2025
The article explores England's remarkable historical shift from one of the most antisemitic nations to a leading philosemitic society by the 17th century. In...
11 Aug 2025