Chicago, Illinois, United States

0 Politics Ethics

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

The concept of social justice is fundamentally rooted in Jewish tradition, emphasizing communal welfare and human dignity.

0 Culture Politics

Jews and Cancel Culture

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

The essays in the Sapir journal issue argue that Jews should be particularly concerned about the impact of cancel culture on liberal democracy and Jewish values.

0 Communities Politics

The Media are Broken. Here’s What Could Be Next

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

In an essay exploring the challenges facing the media landscape, the author examines the decline of trust and credibility in the current media environment, specifically criticizing its hostility towards Israel and the Jewish community.

0 Philosophy Torah

My Liberal Faith

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

At the core of the author's experience is the transformative influence of a university seminar on the Book of Genesis, which fostered an enduring engagement with Jewish teachings and deeper philosophical inquiry.

0 Education Politics

Editor’s Note

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

The critique examines the decline of liberal values within American universities, identified by their shift from fostering open-mindedness and intellectual inquiry to promoting ideological conformity.

0 Education Philosophy

(Wilhelm von) Humboldt’s Gift

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

Wilhelm von Humboldt, a Prussian philosopher of education, envisioned the modern university as a bastion of free thought and critical reasoning, insulated from market influences and political pressures.

0 Education Politics

Encouraging Debate, Not Settling It

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier of Vanderbilt University elaborates on his vision of nurturing a campus atmosphere steeped in free speech and reasonable debate, amid a growing loss of confidence in higher education.

0 Education Antisemitism

Turning Critical Theory on Its Head

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

Amidst contemporary campus protests, this analysis challenges humanities and social science faculties for neglecting to apply critical theory effectively, particularly concerning Jewish oppression and Zionism.

0 Antisemitism Communities

You Can Graduate Any Time You Like, but You Can Never Leave

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

The article explores how Jewish college students are dealing with rising antisemitism on campuses, especially after October 7, and challenges the idea of avoiding certain universities.

0 Education Philosophy

The Sympathetic Method

Sapir · 3 Apr 2025

The article explores the transformative "sympathetic method" as reflected in the story of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who, after emerging from years of hiding, learns to softens his judgment towards humans by embracing curiosity and empathy.

0 Antisemitism Politics

A Chicagoan wanted to protest Elon Musk — and put a swastika sticker on a Jewish man’s Tesla

Grace Gilson in Forward · 2 Apr 2025

In Chicago, Jewish resident Peter Katz discovered swastika stickers on his Tesla, left by a protester aiming at Elon Musk, not knowing Katz's family background.

0 Antisemitism Education

In Trump's war against campus antisemitism, hate the tactics but don't ignore the problem

Barak Sella in Forward · 1 Apr 2025

The article addresses the controversial issue of antisemitism on college campuses, spotlighting President Trump's methods of addressing the problem and the broader societal implications.

0 Politics Israel

'In Israel, we now have crumbs of democracy, not real democracy'

Haaretz Weekly · 1 Apr 2025

Dr. Meital Pinto discusses the implications of recent Israeli legislative changes that could weaken judicial independence by politicizing the Judicial Appointments Committee and potentially undermine the integrity of future elections.

0 Communities Gender/Identity

The Samter Family: American Parents With Israeli Sons Fighting in Gaza [Divergence 2/6]

18forty · 1 Apr 2025

The Samter family, who made aliyah from the Five Towns, shared their experiences of transitioning from American Jewish life to Israeli culture, with two of their sons serving in the IDF.

0 History Jewish Law

Why Jews were like everyone else — only more so — during slavery and the Civil War

PJ Grisar in Forward · 27 Mar 2025

Richard Kreitner's book, "Fear No Pharoah: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery," examines the complex role of Jews during the era of slavery in the United States, challenging myths of Jewish over-involvement or sole opposition.

0 History Education

The “Not a Citadel, a Sanhedrin” Edition

Promised Podcast · 26 Mar 2025

Marking the centennial of the Hebrew University's founding in Jerusalem, the episode dives into the significance of its establishment amidst a politically charged environment and global hopes for a Jewish academic haven.

0 Culture History

How to Be a Jew… Who Contemplates the Pig

Unorthodox · 26 Mar 2025

Jewish Studies professor Jordan Rosenblum explores the symbolic significance of the pig in Jewish culture, addressing both its historical and contemporary impacts on Jewish identity.

0 Culture History

How to Be a Jew… Who Contemplates the Pig

Unorthodox · 26 Mar 2025

Jordan Rosenblum explores the profound symbolism of the pig in Jewish culture, highlighting how it's been used to affirm and challenge Jewish identity throughout history.

0 Politics Ethics

From the far left to the haredi right, these Jews are questioning the ethics of voting for the World Zionist Congress

Asaf Elia-Shalev in JTA · 24 Mar 2025

The upcoming World Zionist Congress elections are stirring complex ethical and ideological debates among diverse Jewish groups, from progressive critics to Haredi Orthodox factions.

0 Education Communities

What Jewish Education Should Look Like

Emes Ve-Emunah · 24 Mar 2025

The opening of the new Arie Crown Hebrew Day School campus in Chicago marks a milestone in Jewish education, reflecting a commitment to excellence in both Jewish and secular studies.

0 Communities Education

These Chicago teens joined a Jewish community response to the mental health crisis

Charlotte McAninch in JTA · 24 Mar 2025

In response to the rising mental health crisis among teens, exacerbated by factors such as social media, academic pressure, and antisemitism, Jewish teens in Chicago have formed a Teen Mental Health Committee at the JCC Chicago.

0 Ethics Politics

Jewish Climate Trust — why now?

eJewishPhilanthropy · 24 Mar 2025

The Jewish Climate Trust has been launched as a think-and-do tank to enhance the Jewish community and Israel's response to the climate crisis.

0 Communities Culture

Five cities now have regular meet-ups in Yiddish

Rukhl Schaechter in Forward · 23 Mar 2025

Farbreng, an initiative by Yugntruf, is fostering in-person Yiddish-speaking gatherings across various cities including Boston, Chicago, Michigan, Montreal, and Toronto.

0 Communities Language

Five cities now have regular meet-ups in Yiddish

Rukhl Schaechter in Forward · 23 Mar 2025

Yugntruf has launched an initiative called Farbreng to create in-person gatherings for Yiddish speakers in cities like Boston, Chicago, Michigan, Montreal, and Toronto.

0 Politics Education

Beware an administration that bellows 'English Only' and 'America First' while decimating education

Aviya Kushner in Forward · 22 Mar 2025

Aviya Kushner reflects on the potential cultural and social impacts of an executive order by President Trump to shut down the U.S. Department of Education and prioritize English as the official national language.

JL;DR

Places › United States › Illinois ›

Chicago