JL;DR

The article explores the tension Jews face in modernity between particularism, focusing on Jewish-specific responsibilities, and universalism, where Jewish v...

In the debut of Sapir's new feature "Shivim Panim," Rabba Yaffa Epstein and Rabbi David Wolpe discuss the ethical implications of paying students to study To...

Jewish tradition embraces controversy as a core component of its intellectual and spiritual life, valuing disagreement and diversity of opinion as tools for ...

Shivim Panim, part of the Sapir Journal, explores how Jewish wisdom applies to ethical dilemmas in communal life by featuring debates between Jewish thinkers...

In response to the violence and suffering witnessed in the conflict involving Hamas and Israel, the article reflects on Torah teachings about human cruelty a...

The author discusses their journey from atheism to faith, grappling with both belief and doubt. Initially inspired by atheists like Bertrand Russell, the aut...

Bret Stephens introduces the concept of the "October 8th Jew," describing a newfound awareness among some Jewish progressives that their political allies may...

The article explores the evolving role of scholarly expertise in Jewish studies, contextualized within the broader academic shift from traditional Enlightenm...

This collection of letters engages with key themes from the Winter 2026 issue of Sapir Journal. Jonathan Zemmol critiques Mijal Bitton's essay on the Sephard...

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

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

The article explores the complexities of Muslim integration and identity in America following the societal shifts post-9/11, using the story of Zohran Mamdan...

Religious decline in America is framed as a public crisis impacting society's moral fabric. The article suggests that organized religion is crucial for insti...

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

Jewish Americans have traditionally been defenders of free speech, a stance exemplified by the case of a Jewish attorney, David Goldberger, defending neo-Naz...

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

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

The decline in teaching history within American education, exacerbated by policies like the No Child Left Behind Act, has led to dwindling knowledge among st...

The article argues against the dichotomy between ideals and realism in American foreign policy, highlighting how this division, popularized by thinkers like ...

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

As the Jewish education system, alongside broader American schools, face a profound crisis with teacher shortages and an over-reliance on digital technology,...

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

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...

Reflecting on America's bicentennial, the publisher of Sapir underscores the ongoing challenges that the nation faces, especially as it approaches its 250th ...

The concept of the golem in Jewish tradition offers a potent metaphor for exploring boundaries between humanity, intelligence, and technology. Historically, ...

Jewish education in North America is evolving through both traditional and innovative approaches. While the educational system has historically sought to mai...

The article reflects on a conference attended by the Wampanoag Nation representatives seeking inspiration from the successful Hebrew language revival. Despit...

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...

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...

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...

Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy, though not overtly Jewish, can be viewed as a "Jewish masterpiece" due to its themes resonating with Jewish intellectual...

Israel is witnessing a growing brain drain, with highly educated professionals and academics leaving the country for opportunities abroad, threatening the co...

Israel, unique among democracies, still lacks a formal constitution, despite its founding in 1948. Initially sustained by the Declaration of Independence, th...

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...

"Queers for Zion" presents a provocative exploration of the relationship between the LGBTQ community and pro-Palestinian movements, particularly in the conte...

Israel's education system, once a cornerstone of its national strength, faces a significant crisis. Despite substantial investment—nearly 5% of its GDP—Israe...

The article examines the contemporary issue of antizionism, tracing its origins to past pseudoscience and examining its current manifestation in academia. Hi...

The keynote address for the launch of Stanford University's Israel studies program critiques certain prevalent academic and media narratives about Israel, ar...

This detailed exploration of modern masculinity, anchored in Jewish teachings and traditions, critiques the pervasive crisis of male disengagement in America...

In an era defined by digital convenience, Judaism faces the risk of losing its active, embodied traditions. With Jewish texts and rituals increasingly perfor...

Jewish communal organizations have a unique opportunity to attract top-tier talent by creating an appealing and competitive work environment. With rising une...

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...

Dara Horn reflects on her journey toward addressing antisemitism through education, after the publication of her book "People Love Dead Jews." She argues tha...

In an insightful conversation, Chanan Weissman of the Sapir Institute engages with author Joshua Foer and philanthropic advisor William Foster about the conc...

"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...

As the geopolitical shift towards great-power competition with China intensifies, the traditional U.S.-Israel alliance—which was historically rooted in defen...

In a bold proposition, the article advocates for a moonshot-style endeavor to promote universal Jewish literacy among North American Jews within two decades,...

The article explores the transformative impact of technological advancements, particularly AI, genetic engineering, and neuroscience, on human existence and ...

In this contemplative critique, the author argues that American Jewish leadership has neglected the rich content of Jewish civilization, culminating in a gen...

The article examines the complexities of applying Jewish teachings, specifically tikkun olam, to social justice efforts, noting that Judaism encompasses a br...