Newark, New Jersey, United States

Emily Benedek in Tablet · 29 Jun

"The Ballad of Bill Brown" profiles William D. Brown Jr., a retired Navy SEAL who founded the NYC SEAL swim—an event celebrating resilience and unity while supporting veterans and first responders.

0 Literature Culture

Jewish Masterpiece: American Pastoral

Sapir · 10 Jun

Philip Roth's novel "American Pastoral" examines the complexities of Jewish identity through its protagonist, Seymour 'Swede' Levov, a well-assimilated American Jew.

0 Culture Ethics

In ‘Something We Said,’ Richard Pryor’s daughter finds words to discuss the unspeakable

Olivia Haynie in Forward · 5 Jun

Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor's new book, "Something We Said," explores the complex history and personal facets of the n-word in America through an intimate lens, focusing on her father, renowned comedian Richard Pryor, a pivotal figure in its pop-culture narrative.

0 Culture Israel

How my first trip to Israel led to a Yiddish show in Egypt

Riki Rose in Forward · 12 Mar

Riki Rose, an artist with a strong online presence in Israel, shares the transformative journey of her first trip to the Jewish state.

0 Sports Gender/Identity

Jack Hughes’ Jewish Mom, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, Is a Hockey Legend, Too

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 23 Feb

Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, the mother of NHL star Jack Hughes, is a celebrated figure in ice hockey, sharing in her family's Olympic triumph.

0 Holocaust Culture

Elie Wiesel as an American phenomenon and a family man

Naomi Seidman in Forward · 10 Feb

Oren Rudavsky's documentary, "Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire," explores both the personal and public dimensions of Elie Wiesel's life, revealing his struggles and profound impact on Holocaust memory.

0 Education Politics

School’s Out

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha · 20 Jan

The Lakewood school district in New Jersey has been taken over by the state, largely due to the district's financial struggles and purported mismanagement claims despite oversight already in place.

0 Culture History

How Eastern Europe's Jews celebrated a merry 'nitl' Christmas

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward · 14 Dec 2025

In a fresh exploration of Jewish cultural history, Andrew Silow-Carroll discusses how Yiddish-speaking Jews in Eastern Europe navigated traditions around Christmas Eve, or 'nitl-nacht'.

0 Culture Communities

A Rabbi and a Reverend Led Cory Booker and Alexis Lewis’ Interfaith Wedding

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 3 Dec 2025

Senator Cory Booker and Alexis Lewis celebrated their marriage with an interfaith ceremony, blending Jewish and Christian traditions.

0 Culture Politics

Cory Booker has long embraced Jewish tradition. Now he has married a Jewish woman.

Grace Gilson in Forward · 1 Dec 2025

Senator Cory Booker, known for his affinity with Jewish traditions, has married Alexis Lewis, a Jewish real estate professional, in an interfaith ceremony under a chuppah.

0 History Education

When Jews really did wage a ‘war on Christmas’

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA · 16 Nov 2025

In December 1906, Jewish parents in New York City protested against the mandatory participation of their children in school Christmas activities, marking a significant stand for religious freedom in public education.

0 Politics Leadership

Rabbis Angela Buchdahl and Elliot Cosgrove show the split in the pulpit over political endorsements

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward · 28 Oct 2025

The contentious New York City mayoral race has brought to light differing perspectives among Jewish rabbis regarding political endorsements.

0 Literature Culture

Philip Roth’s latest biographer wants Jews to read him again — without the guilt

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA · 26 Oct 2025

Historian Steven J. Zipperstein's new biography, 'Philip Roth: Stung by Life,' seeks to revisit Philip Roth's complex legacy and encourage a fresh look at his work free from guilt or scandal.

0 Television/Film Culture

Susan Stamberg, iconic Jewish ‘founding mother’ of NPR, dies at 87

Andrew Lapin in JTA · 17 Oct 2025

Susan Stamberg, an influential voice in American broadcasting, passed away at age 87, leaving behind a rich legacy at NPR, where she broke new ground as one of its founding personalities.

0 Literature Culture

Remains of the Desk

Jesse Tisch in Jewish Review of Books · 29 Sep 2025

Jesse Tisch's article reflects on the enduring impact of writers' archives, filled with personal letters, drafts, and memorabilia that offer insights into the literary process and writers' lives.

0 Literature Culture

Awe and Shmutz

David Mikics in Jewish Review of Books · 29 Sep 2025

Steven J. Zipperstein's biography "Philip Roth: Stung by Life" provides a fresh and insightful exploration of the celebrated and controversial Jewish-American author Philip Roth.

0 Prayer Philosophy

He’s with You

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha · 25 Sep 2025

This article explores the frequency and significance of the word "Atah" ("You") in the Shemoneh Esreh, highlighting how it appears 35 times, more often than any other word.

0 Holocaust Culture

‘Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire’ Lets the Holocaust Survivor Tell His Story in His Own Voice

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 15 Sep 2025

The documentary "Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire" offers an intimate portrayal of the famed Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate, Elie Wiesel.

0 Communities Culture

Living Together in Linden: Andy and Samantha Van Houter

Sandy Eller in Jewish Action · 15 Sep 2025

The article highlights the vibrant and uniquely harmonious Jewish community in Linden, New Jersey, where both Modern Orthodox and Chassidic groups have formed a close-knit and cooperative environment.

0 Television/Film Culture

‘Roastmaster’ Jeff Ross’ One Man Broadway Show Is So Jewish and So Needed

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 10 Sep 2025

Jeff Ross, renowned as the 'Roastmaster General,' performs a deeply personal and affirming one-man show on Broadway titled "Take a Banana for the Ride."

0 Culture Television/Film

‘Roastmaster’ Jeff Ross takes a sweet and very Jewish turn in his new one-man Broadway show

Steve North in JTA · 25 Aug 2025

Renowned for his sharp-tongued roasts, Jeff Ross displays a surprisingly sweet and culturally rich side in his new Broadway one-man show, "Jeff Ross: Take A Banana For The Ride."

0 Literature Culture

Prophetic Fervor and the Jewish Writer

Sapir · 12 Aug 2025

Saul Bellow's reflection on the role of Jewish writers evokes the ancient tradition of Jewish prophecy as a means of grappling with societal decline and moral failures.

0 Communities History

In just one family, four generations of Jewish doctors

Jon Kalish in Forward · 25 Jul 2025

The Weinberg family story spans several generations, starting with Misha Weinberg who fled Belarus pogroms and became a doctor serving poor communities in Newark.

0 Music Culture

Connie Francis’ Album of Jewish Classics Must Be Heard

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 23 Jul 2025

Connie Francis, the iconic Italian-American singer known for hits like "Where the Boys Are," recorded an album in 1960 titled "Connie Francis Sings Jewish Favorites."

0 Art History

Meet the Jewish architects who designed NYC’s iconic art deco buildings

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA · 21 Jul 2025

New York City's iconic art deco skyline owes much to the influence of Jewish architects who contributed to this distinctive style during its peak in the 1920s and 1930s.

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