Oakland, California, United States

How Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin find grace in their shattered world

Chanan Tigay in JTA · 31 Oct

Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin have become prominent embodiments of resilience and hope in the aftermath of their son Hersh's tragic kidnapping and murder by Hamas militants.

0 Jewish Law Communities

Can an interfaith couple be buried together in a Jewish cemetery?

Beth Harpaz in Forward · 29 Sep

The issue of burial for interfaith couples in Jewish cemeteries varies widely depending on the religious affiliation and policies of the cemetery.

0 Politics Communities

Pro-Palestinian arsonist sentenced to 19 years in prison for bombing police car in Berkeley

Andrew Lapin in JTA · 26 Sep

Casey Goonan, a pro-Palestinian activist, was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for firebombing a police vehicle and attempting other incendiary attacks during protests in Berkeley, California, in 2024.

0 Politics Education

As Jimmy Kimmel is pulled off air, ‘this is so much worse than McCarthyism’

Nora Berman in Forward · 18 Sep

In light of the recent backlash against Jimmy Kimmel's comments following Charlie Kirk's assassination, a new wave of censorship and academic repression reminiscent of the McCarthy era has emerged.

0 Politics Israel

I'm a Zionist Democrat. Mamdani has me asking if I must choose between my ideals and identity

Ethan Kushner in Forward · 11 Jul

Ethan Kushner critiques the rise of Zohran Mamdani in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary as a sign of growing tension between Zionist Democrats and the party's progressive wing.

0 Politics Education

Why a major teachers union voted to break ties with the ADL

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward · 10 Jul

The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers union in the U.S., passed a resolution to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), highlighting growing tensions between progressive groups and the Jewish civil rights organization, particularly concerning Israel-related disputes.

0 Politics Culture

Report: Unilever cuts funding for Ben & Jerry’s foundation as it audits giving to progressive and pro-Palestinian causes

Grace Gilson in JTA · 1 Jul

Unilever has decided to cut funding to the Ben & Jerry's Foundation following an audit into the foundation's donations to progressive and pro-Palestinian causes.

0 Communities Israel

For this Persian Jewish casino magnate in Nevada, Israel is part of the deal

Max Grinstein in Forward · 27 Jun

John Farahi, a Persian Jewish casino magnate in Nevada, intertwines his business success with promoting Israel and Jewish culture.

0 Israel Politics

Between Red Alerts and All-Clears, Breathe

Jennifer Lang in Hadassah · 18 Jun

Jennifer Lang shares an intimate reflection on life in Tel Aviv amidst the tension of missile attacks.

0 Antisemitism Politics

The Terrorists Are Here

The Commentary Magazine Podcast · 22 May

This episode discusses the rise of political violence in the U.S., particularly against Jews and Israelis, highlighted by the recent murder at the Capital Jewish Museum.

0 Politics Israel

The Gaza Template

Peter Beinart in The Beinart Notebook · 28 Apr

Peter Beinart discusses his upcoming book tour for "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza" and urges readers to also support Palestinian authors and humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

0 Politics Israel

Oops

Peter Beinart in The Beinart Notebook · 21 Apr

Peter Beinart, in his communication about his book 'Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza,' highlights the disparity in attention between Jewish and Palestinian narratives in literature.

0 Communities Politics

The Dardik Family: A Child Moves Away From Zionism [Divergence 3/5]

18forty · 8 Apr

The Dardik family's story explores themes of ideological and familial divergence as Aharon Akiva Dardik, growing up in a Zionist family, becomes an activist for a ceasefire in Gaza while maintaining familial bonds.

0 Politics Israel

Israel Says It’s Only Fighting Hamas

Peter Beinart in The Beinart Notebook · 7 Apr

Peter Beinart criticizes the framing of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a solely anti-Hamas war, arguing it's more accurately a war against Gaza as a whole.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Yeshiva University recognizes LGBTQ+ student group in landmark settlement

Louis Keene in Forward · 21 Mar

Yeshiva University has reached a significant settlement by officially recognizing an LGBTQ+ student group, marking a major victory for queer Jews within the Orthodox community.

0 History Jewish Law

Targeted by Trump for oblivion, the Voice of America once nurtured the dreams of Jews worldwide

Benjamin Ivry in Forward · 18 Mar

The Voice of America (VOA), a broadcasting service that once symbolized resistance against tyranny and was beloved by Jews worldwide, has been recently defunded under the current U.S. administration, echoing past threats to its existence.

0 Music Culture

Idina Menzel Sings from the Treetops in New Extremely Jewish Musical ‘Redwood’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 12 Feb

Idina Menzel returns to Broadway after nearly a decade in the new musical "Redwood," a deeply Jewish and timely production.

0 Politics Communities

New San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie aims to turn around a city in decline

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider · 24 Jan

Daniel Lurie, recently elected as San Francisco's mayor, is aiming to revitalize the city's spirit by focusing on unity and addressing local issues such as homelessness, the opioid crisis, and the high cost of living.

0 Politics Education

Biden team resolves its final Title VI antisemitism and anti-Arab cases

Andrew Lapin in Forward · 17 Jan

The Biden administration concluded several outstanding Title VI cases addressing allegations of antisemitic and anti-Palestinian discrimination in educational institutions.

0 Politics Culture

The Wrath of Rothman

The Commentary Magazine Podcast · 15 Jan

Noah Rothman discusses his Commentary Magazine cover piece "A Clockwork Blue" about the evolution of political violence on the left and the perils of excusing violent actions in political discourse.

0 Holocaust History

This devastating story of a hidden child during WWII will change how you think about France and the Holocaust

Aviya Kushner in Forward · 2 Jan

Alfred J. Lakritz's memoir "Adieu: A Memoir of Holocaust Survival" delivers a gripping account of his life as a hidden child in Nazi-occupied France, exploring the complexities of survival, collaboration, and heroism.

0 Antisemitism Education

ADL plans to ramp up legal pressure on K-12 schools over antisemitism

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward · 23 Dec 2024

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is escalating its legal and advocacy efforts to address antisemitism and anti-Zionism in K-12 schools across the United States.

0 Politics Communities

Daniel Lurie, Jewish political neophyte, wins San Francisco mayoral race

Andrew Lapin in Forward · 8 Nov 2024

Daniel Lurie, a Jewish heir to the Levi Strauss fortune with no previous political experience, has been elected as the new mayor of San Francisco, defeating incumbent London Breed.

0 Politics Communities

Daniel Lurie, Jewish political neophyte and heir to Levi Strauss fortune, wins San Francisco mayoral race

Andrew Lapin in JTA · 8 Nov 2024

Daniel Lurie, an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune and a significant figure within the Bay Area Jewish community, has won the San Francisco mayoral race, defeating incumbent London Breed.

0 Sports Culture

Sandy Koufax wouldn’t play on Yom Kippur. Neither would another ace Jewish pitcher.

Frederic J. Frommer in Forward · 29 Sep 2022

While Sandy Koufax has been celebrated for refusing to pitch on Yom Kippur during the 1965 World Series, former Cubs pitcher Ken Holtzman also upheld Jewish traditions by not playing on the High Holiday in 1966.

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