Istanbul, Turkey

From 1975 | A Classical Rebirth

David Stern in Moment · 24 Jun 2025

In this reflective piece of fiction, originally published in 1975, David Stern explores the internal conflict of Leo Kastnerr, a Columbia University professor of Greek, as he navigates his love for classical Greece and his Jewish identity.

0 History Jewish Law

Hakham Tsevi Ashkenazi and the Battlegrounds of the Early Modern Rabbinate

Reviewed by Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein in Jewish Action · 24 Jun 2025

Rabbi Yosie Levine's book on Rabbi Tzvi Ashkenazi, a significant figure in early modern Jewish history, explores the rabbi's intellectual journey and the challenges he faced during his tenure as chief rabbi of Amsterdam.

0 Food Communities

How a Young, Gay, Zionist, Iraqi-Türkish Jewish Seattle Chef Seeks Change Through 'Food Diplomacy'

The Cholent in The Cholent · 23 Jun 2025

Emily Charlie-Mosh Elias, a young, gay, Zionist, Iraqi-Turkish Jewish chef, is using his culinary skills to foster understanding and community in Seattle through what he terms 'food diplomacy.'

0 Politics Israel

Let my people leave — by land or by sea

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider · 18 Jun 2025

Amid heightened tensions and military action between Israel and Iran, thousands of foreigners, including Americans, found themselves stranded in Israel due to the closure of Israeli airspace.

0 Communities History

Exploring Sephardic Chief Rabbis of America (1 of 2) - Ethan Marcus

The Habura · 12 Jun 2025

Ethan Marcus explores the influential yet underrecognized contributions of Sephardic rabbis, Rabbi Dr. Nissim J. Ovadia and Rabbi Dr. Isaac Alcalay, to American Judaism.

0 Politics Music

Another Irish band airs pro-Palestinian message at festival: ‘Israel is committing genocide’

Grace Gilson in JTA · 11 Jun 2025

The Irish band Fontaines D.C. used their platform at the Primavera Sound music festival in Barcelona to project a pro-Palestinian message, claiming Israel is committing genocide.

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

The road to Jewish hell is paved with 'Tikkun Olam.'

Sam Hilt in Future of Jewish · 4 Jun 2025

This guest essay by Sam Hilt critically examines the modern adoption of the term "Tikkun Olam" in Jewish discourse as a simplification of Judaism's philosophical depth.

0 Antisemitism Politics

‘Free Palestine’ Terrorism. Plus. . .

The Free Press in The Free Press · 2 Jun 2025

The article discusses a spate of violent antisemitic incidents in the U.S., beginning with a Molotov cocktail attack on Jewish marchers in Boulder, Colorado, protesting the prolonged detention of hostages by Hamas.

0 Torah Literature

The Return of Ruth

Stuart Halpern in Jewish Review of Books · 30 May 2025

Stuart Halpern explores the complex concept of 'return' in the Book of Ruth, focusing on the word "shuv," which typically implies a return to a previous place or state.

0 Antisemitism Politics

The War Against the Jews

Sapir · 19 May 2025

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 against them, extending beyond Israel to encompass the global Diaspora.

0 Communities Politics

Streetwise in Syria

Sharona in Mishpacha · 13 May 2025

Sharona embarks on a journey to Syria, joining a delegation of Jews of Syrian descent to visit the grave of Rav Chaim Vital despite recent grave vandalism.

0 Politics Communities

Gaza Protest Movement Has a Message for Hamas

Waseem Abu Mahadi and Jacob Wirtschafter in Moment · 29 Apr 2025

In a significant turn of events, a protest movement has emerged in Gaza, challenging the long-standing rule of Hamas.

0 Politics Israel

The Biggest Lie About Israel That Too Many People Believe

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish · 12 Mar 2025

Joshua Hoffman challenges the widespread slogan that suggests peace on Israel's so-called "stolen land" is impossible, arguing that it is based on a flawed understanding of history and sovereignty.

0 History Holocaust

"Struma" Ship Disaster a Reminder: Pray Daily for the Hostages and Survivors

Jewdicious · 24 Feb 2025

Eighty-three years after the Struma disaster, which saw over 790 Jewish refugees lose their lives in a tragic maritime event, the story of David Stoliar, the disaster's sole survivor, continues to resonate.

0 History Politics

Tefillos for the Turkish Sultan

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha · 11 Feb 2025

Under Ottoman rule, the Jewish community experienced a complex, yet relatively prosperous existence compared to other diaspora communities, enjoying legal and religious autonomy despite being dhimmis subject to specific taxes and restrictions.

0 History Politics

Tefillos for the Turkish Sultan

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha · 11 Feb 2025

Under Ottoman rule, the Jewish community experienced a complex, yet relatively prosperous existence compared to other diaspora communities, enjoying legal and religious autonomy despite being dhimmis subject to specific taxes and restrictions.

0 Politics Culture

Not Even A Jewfro Can Save You, Mark Zuckerberg

Basha Lox in New Voices · 3 Feb 2025

Basha Lox's article critiques Mark Zuckerberg’s recent actions and image changes, linking them to his controversial relationship with Donald Trump and problematic public behavior.

0 Language Culture

Why Ladino is having a big moment — both in New York and the rest of the world

Aviya Kushner in Forward · 31 Jan 2025

Ladino, a historically pivotal language for Sephardic Jews, is gaining renewed interest worldwide, from New York's Ladino Day celebration to mentions in contemporary pop culture, including Netflix series and bestselling novels.

0 Antisemitism Communities

'I live in a Muslim country. Speaking out against antisemitism has left me isolated'

Beth Harpaz in Forward · 16 Jan 2025

In a heartfelt letter to the Bintel Brief advice column in the Forward, a secular Muslim living in Turkey shares their feelings of social isolation due to their outspoken stance against antisemitism and advocacy for friendly Turkish-Israeli relations.

0 Communities Leadership

Isak Haleva, Turkey’s chief rabbi and face of Jewish minority, dies at 84

David I. Klein in Forward · 15 Jan 2025

Chief Rabbi Isak Haleva, representing Turkey's Jewish community since 2002, passed away at age 84.

0 History Politics

The Rome not Taken: Pompey, Pigs, and the Implosion of Hasmonean Eschatology

Aton Holzer in Lehrhaus · 12 Jan 2025

Aton Holzer's article explores the Hasmonean admiration for the Roman Republic as depicted in I Maccabees, where Judas Maccabee sought an alliance with Rome.

0 History Literature

Jewish Life Stories: One of the last ‘Ritchie Boys’ dies at 101

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA · 27 Dec 2024

Victor Brombert, a prominent literature scholar and a member of the Ritchie Boys, a secret American intelligence unit during WWII, passed away at 101.

0 Literature Culture

Moment’s 2024 Books Gift Guide

Amy E. Schwartz in Moment · 26 Dec 2024

Selecting the perfect book as a gift can open up new conversations and connections, and Amy E. Schwartz's "Moments 2024 Books Gift Guide" provides a curated selection of literary offerings for 2024, including historical fiction, memoirs, and historical analysis.

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 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.

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