Venice, Italy

0 Art Politics

Israel boycott battle intensifies at Venice Art Biennale, testing tradition of inclusion

Alex Ulam in Forward · 9 Jun

The 2026 Venice Art Biennale has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over the intersection of politics and art, fueled by intense protests and a boycott movement against Israel's participation.

0 History Antisemitism

For the Jews of Venice, an uneasy history of scapegoating and grudging tolerance

Nina Siegal in Forward · 28 May

The book "The First Ghetto: Venice and the Origins of Modern Antisemitism" by Alexander Lee explores the complex relationship between the Jews of Venice and the city itself, focusing primarily on the economic roles Jews played in society as moneylenders.

0 Politics Culture

Reading for Pleasure

The Editors in Tablet · 27 May

Giuliano da Empoli's latest work, "The Hour of the Predator," offers insights into the intertwined world of politics and technology as seen through his European perspective.

0 Art Politics

At the Venice Biennale, protests, self-mutilation and rage against Israel and Russia. Is anyone left to talk about the art?

A.J. Goldmann in Forward · 14 May

The 2026 Venice Biennale sees unprecedented controversy, with the Art Not Genocide Alliance protesting the participation of Israel and Russia amid a wider climate of geopolitical antagonism overshadowing the art itself.

0 Art Politics

Venice Biennale jury won’t consider countries whose leaders face ICC charges, putting Israel out of contention

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA · 27 Apr

The Venice Biennale has decided not to consider entries from countries whose leaders face charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), implicitly excluding Israel and Russia from award contention.

0 Culture History

Purim Torah

Roni Cohen in Jewish Review of Books · 2 Mar

Purim has long been celebrated with humor and parody, seen notably in the tradition of creating Purim Torah—a genre of satirical biblical and talmudic interpretations.

0 Art Politics

South Africa pulls out of Venice Biennale — because its selected artist wanted to focus on Gaza

Grace Gilson in Forward · 20 Feb

South Africa has withdrawn from the 2026 Venice Biennale following a dispute over the selected artist Gabrielle Goliath's planned installation, which focused on Gaza.

0 Torah History

The Tunneling Burglar and the False Prophet: Opening New Chapters of Biblical Interpretation

Yaakov Taubes in Lehrhaus · 12 Feb

Yaakov Taubes examines the Christian origins of chapter divisions in the Hebrew Bible, focusing on their impact on biblical interpretation and Jewish tradition.

0 Art Antisemitism

Resignations shake art gallery after it rejects Jewish pro-Palestinian activist's work over antisemitism claims

Grace Gilson in Forward · 23 Jan

The Art Gallery of Ontario recently faced a significant internal crisis over the decision not to acquire works by Jewish photographer and pro-Palestinian activist Nan Goldin.

0 History Art

How Mussolini's Jewish lover changed Fascist art and design

Cathryn J. Prince in Forward · 17 Nov 2025

Margherita Sarfatti, a Venetian Jew and Benito Mussolini's lover, significantly influenced the visual language of Italian Fascism through her advocacy for Futurist art.

0 Literature Culture

A bespectacled, Jewish hypochondriac with literary pretensions and a creepy fascination with his stepson's girlfriend — Guess who?

Jennifer Gilmore in Forward · 8 Oct 2025

Jennifer Gilmore provides an analysis of Woody Allen's debut novel, "What's with Baum?", against the backdrop of Allen's controversial personal history.

0 Culture Politics

They fled from Gaza to Egypt — will they ever find their way back home?

Olivia Haynie in Forward · 18 Sep 2025

The film "Who Is Still Alive," directed by Nicolas Wadimoff, explores the poignant stories of nine Palestinians who fled Gaza for Egypt and are now in South Africa, yearning for their homeland.

0 Music Art

Bob Dylan, my mother, and the unknown painter behind 'Blood on the Tracks'

Sam Sussman in Forward · 15 Sep 2025

In an exploration of Bob Dylan's creative journey during the production of his iconic album 'Blood on the Tracks,' Sam Sussman interweaves personal narrative and historical context.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Orthodox couple attacked in Venice as antisemitic incidents in Europe raise anxiety for Jews and Israelis

Grace Gilson in JTA · 11 Sep 2025

A recent antisemitic attack in Venice highlights growing concerns over the safety of Jews and Israelis in Europe.

0 Politics Television/Film

Gaza drama about Hind Rajab wins Grand Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival

Andrew Lapin in JTA · 8 Sep 2025

The Venice Film Festival awarded the Grand Jury Prize to "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a Palestinian docudrama depicting the tragic death of a young girl in Gaza, with Jewish filmmaker Jonathan Glazer among its executive producers.

0 Gender/Identity Jewish Law

Familiar Touch and the Feminist Politics of Aging

On the Nose · 21 Aug 2025

Filmmaker Sarah Friedland and feminist scholar Lynne Segal explore aging through a feminist lens, inspired by the Jewish Communist community's concepts of care.

0 Art Culture

Venice’s international arts festival gets unexpected taste of Yiddish

Jennifer A. Stern in Forward · 1 Jul 2025

The 2025 Venice Biennale features a unique cultural touch with the return of the Yiddishland Pavilion, an initiative by curator Maria Veits and artist Yevgeniy Fiks, highlighting Yiddish culture and identity through art.

0 Art History

The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt

Frances Brent in Moment · 13 Mar 2025

Exploring the iconic story of Esther, The Jewish Museum in New York features an exhibition titled "The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt," which runs until August 10.

0 Holocaust History

Restitution project genealogists track down rightful heirs of Nazi-looted books

Lianne Kolirin in Jewish Insider · 10 Feb 2025

The Looted Books Project, a collaboration between JewishGen and the Leo Baeck Institute, focuses on returning Nazi-looted books to their rightful heirs.

0 Television/Film Jewish Law

How the master builder behind ‘The Brutalist’ was inspired by her hometown synagogue

PJ Grisar in Forward · 5 Feb 2025

Judy Becker, the acclaimed production designer for "The Brutalist," draws on her Jewish background and personal history in her work on the film, which follows the journey of László Tóth, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor.

0 History Communities

Jewish Studies Unscrolled: Hostages and Nathan Hanover’s The Abyss of Despair, with Adam Teller

Unorthodox · 26 Dec 2024

Adam Teller discusses Nathan Hanover's "The Abyss of Despair" and the Jewish community's efforts to ransom captives during the Chmelnitski Revolt.

0 History Communities

Jewish Studies Unscrolled: Hostages and Nathan Hanover’s The Abyss of Despair, with Adam Teller

Unorthodox · 26 Dec 2024

Historian Adam Teller unravels Nathan Hanover's 17th-century text, The Abyss of Despair, detailing the Jewish experience during the Chmelnitski Revolt and the resilient ransom networks established across Europe and the Middle East.

0 History Jewish Law

MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL

Jewish Lives · 23 Dec 2024

Menasseh ben Israel was a prominent 17th-century rabbi who played a key role in fostering Jewish-Christian dialogue and helped pave the way for Jews' readmission to England.

0 Food Holidays

Kosher cocktail ideas to celebrate this Chanukah

Jewish Chronicle · 21 Dec 2024

Chanukah offers a unique opportunity to explore festive kosher cocktails and elevate traditional celebrations with some inventive libations.

0 Television/Film Culture

‘The Brutalist,’ the epic new movie getting Oscar buzz, is built from the stories of postwar Jewish architects

Andrew Lapin in JTA · 16 Dec 2024

"The Brutalist," an upcoming film gaining Oscar buzz, spotlights the stories of Jewish postwar architects like Louis Kahn and Marcel Breuer through a fictional character, László Tóth, played by Adrien Brody.

JL;DR

Places › Italy ›

Venice

Cities