JL;DR

Aryeh Bernstein explores how the Israelites' turn to idolatry, illustrated by the golden calf incident, reveals fundamental issues about human identity and c...

Joelle Novey's poem "The Whole Entire World: A Poem" reflects on the familiar Jewish teaching from Rabbi Nachman of Breslov—that "the whole world is a very n...

Aryeh Bernstein explores the political and theological implications of monarchy through the lens of Megillat Esther and the Torah portion Yitro. He argues th...

Mollie Leibowitz critiques the traditional Jewish educational narrative that emphasizes historical victimhood while neglecting instances of Jewish-led violen...

The new English translation of "Your Comrade, Avreml Broide," originally penned by Ben Gold, offers an engaging look into early 20th-century American Jewish ...

Naomi Braine, a sociology professor and activist, explores the dynamics of Jewish identity in relation to Zionism and anti-Zionism, particularly within the J...

Following news of a ceasefire in Gaza, Laynie Soloman explores the Jewish tradition of blessings as a response to significant life events. Soloman suggests u...

Joelle Novey shares a deeply personal reflection on her disillusionment with Jewish communal responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the ...

Elana Sztokman's book "In My Jewish State" offers an introspective critique of long-standing narratives concerning Israel and Jewish identity, drawing from h...

Eliana and Isaac Brooks Fishman argue that Zionism has intertwined with Judaism to the point where Jewish symbols and holidays are now implicated in the oppr...

Ilana Sumka proposes that true peace between Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through equality, offering every person living in Israeli-control...

Eliana Fishman critiques the way some Jews discuss the October 7th attack on Israel. Firstly, she emphasizes the need to distinguish between military and civ...

Shane Burley explores the complex interplay between Jewish identity, belonging, and tradition, contrasting it with conventional religious definitions. He arg...

In this poignant reflection, Shaul Magid addresses the deep sorrow and numbness that accompany the loss of six young individuals, victims of a senseless act ...

Dovid Din, an enigmatic figure in postwar American kabbalism, died mysteriously in 1987 after teaching Lurianic Kabbalah and Hasidism to a small group of dis...

Sam Brody reflects on the juxtaposition of mourning the ancient destruction of Jerusalem during the fast of 17 Tammuz with contemporary events, particularly ...

In "Why Rain Comes from Above: Explorations in Religious Imagination" by Devora Steinmetz, the author intertwines Biblical and Rabbinic texts to nurture read...

The Knesset recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state, with only a few votes opposed, mainly f...

The author recounts attending a screening of "Guns & Moses" at the Jewish Film Festival, where the film is marketed as a response to antisemitism, but in rea...

The text explores the contrast between the absence of Moshe in the Passover Haggadah and his central role on Shavuot in mediating the giving of the Torah. It...

The text discusses the significance of Mount Sinai as the location where God gave the Torah to the Israelites, emphasizing its choice as a public and ownerle...

Students affiliated with Columbias Hillel responded to a protest movement on their campus, addressing slogans bordering on antisemitism and calling for respe...

The author commends Jewish students observing Shabbat and performing mitzvot at the United for Palestine encampment at the University of Chicago, clarifying ...

The Marquette University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine set up a memorial for the victims of the Gaza conflict on campus, which was later desec...

Raphael Magarik discusses the concept of Shabbat HaGadol as a form of general strike, inspired by Rabbi Joseph di Trani's interpretation. This idea suggests ...

Rabbi Lara Haft Yom Tov reflects on the traditional Passover declaration "Let all who are hungry come and eat," emphasizing its call to feed the hungry. The ...

This article reflects on the concept of liberation in the Jewish community this year, particularly transitioning from Purim's themes of threats and instabili...

The text discusses the prevailing slogan in Israel during the military campaign, "Yachad nenatzeach," emphasizing unity and the need to win the war. It highl...

The article discusses the debate within the American Jewish community regarding the criticism of the Israeli government's actions in war, focusing on Senator...

In this insightful piece by Sara Klugman, Purim is explored in the context of current conflicts, particularly the situation in Gaza. Klugman highlights the d...

The article explores the midrashic interpretation of King Ahasuerus wearing the Jewish priestly garments during his banquet in the Book of Esther. This act i...

The essay "Discarding Haman's Garb: Refusing the Roles of Empire" discusses Purim through a critical lens, highlighting how Haman, representing the threat to...

In the article, Zev Mishell discusses the ongoing conflict in Gaza and criticizes liberal Zionist leaders for justifying the violence and destruction there. ...

Rabbi Robin Podolsky criticizes President Biden for not taking decisive action to stop the suffering in Gaza, arguing that he has the power to do so by press...

The article discusses the challenges facing the American Jewish community in the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza. It highlights the response of various Jew...

The article challenges Franklin Foer's assertion in The Atlantic that the Golden Age of American Jews is ending due to a supposed rise in antisemitism and cr...

Dr. Elana Sztokman highlights Rabbi Eliyahu Mali's call for the annihilation of all people in Gaza, including babies, and the lack of action to address or co...

In a discussion about the ending of the book of Esther, the focus is on the distinction between self-defense and massacre in the text. While Esther 9:16 desc...

Tova Hopemark, the director of the award-winning film "ALRIGHT ROBOT," discusses her inspiration for the comedy about depression featuring a lonely Jewish mi...

Gen Xia Ye Slosberg's poem "You See Me" explores the dehumanizing stereotypes faced by Asians, Latinx, and Black individuals in a white supremacist society a...

Aaron Samuel Tamares, a lesser-known Jewish thinker, explored themes of pacifism and violence in his essay "Herut" (Liberation), focusing on the biblical sto...

The text discusses the author's participation in two actions at the Oakland Federal Building calling for an Israel-Gaza ceasefire, reflecting on Jewish ident...

This article criticizes the notion of a "moral war" in the context of Israel's military actions in Gaza. The author argues that Israel's previous actions, su...

In this thought-provoking piece, the author reflects on the disparity between the language of Jewish prayer and the attitudes of the Jewish people. The suppl...

In observance of Asarah b'Tevet, a minor fast day, Jews commemorate the beginning of the Babylonian siege on Jerusalem and the subsequent destruction of the ...

The article "All Our Relations" was posted on Jewschool.

In this essay, Rabbi Aron Wander explores the historical and moral implications of the Hanukkah story. He discusses the perspective of Rabbi Avraham Chein, w...

In this essay by Maya Rosen, it is explored what it means to be in exile from a Jewish perspective. The midrash in Breishit Rabbah connects different moments...

The article discusses the idea that the story of Hanukkah and the Maccabees is often seen as a fight against assimilation, but a closer reading of the book o...

This article explores the meaning of certain passages in the Torah that command Jews not to follow the ways of non-Jews in the land of Canaan. The author con...