for Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Welcome, visitor! Here's a digest of what's been published in Jewish media over the last day. JL;DR members have access to summaries of everything plus our full archive. Donate & start reading »

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

It’s hard to see how breaking the ceasefire helps Israel. It’s easy to see how it helps Netanyahu

Alex Lederman in Forward

In the piece, Alex Lederman critiques Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to abandon a ceasefire with Hamas, alleging it may be motivated more by political self-interest than national security.

0 Politics Communities

Before Nita Lowey died, Donald Trump eviscerated the $250M Middle East peace fund named for her

Deborah Danan in Forward

Nita Lowey, a longtime Jewish lawmaker, left a significant legacy with the passage of the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA), which allocated $250 million for Israeli-Palestinian civil society initiatives.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Ready. Fire. Aim: Why The Mahmoud Khalil Case May Backfire

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Hamas activist at Columbia University, has sparked significant controversy, highlighting tensions between combating campus antisemitism and protecting free speech.

0 Politics Israel

No hostage deal? Then war is the only option.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

In a vehement commentary, Joshua Hoffman argues that Israel must pursue total victory over Hamas following failed hostage negotiations.

0 Politics Israel

Self-Churban, Episode LXXI

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin critiques the current stance of Charedi and political leaders in Israel who support the exemption of Charedi Jews from military service.

0 Politics Israel

Why did the ceasefire break down? Blame Netanyahu's survival politics and Trump's volatility

Dan Perry in Forward

The recent collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza is attributed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political maneuvering and the volatility of former President Donald Trump.

0 Politics Israel

Israel Falls into a Familiar Trap

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr critiques Israel's recent diplomatic overtures towards Lebanon, arguing that Israel is falling into a recurring trap of making premature and one-sided concessions.

0 Politics Ethics

The Art of the (Resource) Deal

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Under the guise of the "Trump Doctrine 2.0," US foreign policy has shifted towards a model where diplomacy is deeply intertwined with economic transactions, particularly focusing on securing natural resources crucial for technological and energy independence.

0 Politics Culture

The Israeli Hostages Who Forged Connections With Their Captors

Ori Nir in Moment

The harrowing yet remarkable experiences of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas on October 7 reveal unexpected instances of human connection amid conflict.

0 Politics Israel

The Religious Nazis of Islam Must Be Destroyed

Emes Ve-Emunah

In this article, the author draws a controversial parallel between Winston Churchill's wartime resolve against Nazi Germany and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance against Islamic Jihadists like Hamas.

0 Politics Education

University of Amsterdam ends student exchange with Hebrew U, saying it’s complicit with Israeli military

Shira Li Bartov in JTA

The University of Amsterdam has halted its student exchange program with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, citing the latter's alleged complicity with Israeli military activities and failure to distance itself from human rights violations in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

0 Politics Antisemitism

These NY Jews on the left and right agree: They’re fed up with Chuck Schumer

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Senator Chuck Schumer's book launch events, intended to promote his work "Antisemitism in America: A Warning," have been canceled following criticism from Jewish communities across the political spectrum.

0 Politics Israel

How a comedian's rant and a senator’s riff about Israel reveal the Democratic party divide

Louis Keene in Forward

Comedian Bill Burr and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer inadvertently illustrate the divide within the Democratic Party regarding Israel through their comments on Hamas's use of human shields.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Letters – Spring 2025

JA Mag in Jewish Action

The letters section of JA Mag's Spring 2025 issue captures the tension within the Jewish community regarding military service and outreach post-October 7.

0 Politics Antisemitism

What does Chuck Schumer’s new book actually say about antisemitism on the left?

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Senator Chuck Schumer's new book, "Antisemitism in America: A Warning," attempts to address the complex landscape of antisemitism on the left, particularly in relation to Israel.

0 Politics Education

Citing Jewish group’s targeting, Cornell grad student files suit against deportations of pro-Palestinian activists

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Momodou Taal, a Cornell University grad student, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's efforts to deport pro-Palestinian activists, asserting that it infringes on freedom of speech.

0 Politics Antisemitism

B’Ivrit | How Israeli Media Views Trump’s America

Nathan Guttman in Moment

Israeli media coverage of Trump's actions often lacks the critical perspective prevalent in U.S. reporting, particularly regarding controversies like the federal grants cut to Columbia University and Trump's inflammatory remarks about Jewish politicians.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Politics

Why indie cinemas are embracing 'No Other Land' — even as U.S. distributors are staying away

Olivia Haynie in Forward

"No Other Land," an Oscar-winning documentary about Israeli and Palestinian activists working to save the West Bank village of Masafer Yatta from demolition, faces controversy in the U.S., particularly in Miami Beach where the city commission is considering ending funding for a cinema screening the film.

0 Television/Film Politics

What’s the Real Story Behind Gal Gadot’s ‘Snow White’ Controversy?

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Gal Gadot's involvement in Disney's live-action Snow White has been a whirlwind of media attention due to multiple controversies unrelated to the film’s content.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Philosophy

Making Good Marriages Great Again

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Dov and Chevy believed their marriage was stable until underlying tensions surfaced, prompting them to seek counseling.

0 Jewish Law Culture

Kaddish Gave Me Words After the Bibas Family’s Deaths

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty

Sruli Fruchter reflects on the profound impact of the Bibas family tragedy on his own life, and finds solace in the Jewish tradition of reciting Kaddish.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

The Making of a Mezuzah

Rachel Schwartzberg in Jewish Action

Rachel Schwartzberg highlights the founding of MyZuzah by Manette Mayberg, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every Jewish home has a kosher mezuzah, in response to a spiritual revelation following a personal accident.

0 Jewish Law Communities

Parenting on Different Pages

Merri Ukraincik in Jewish Action

Religious misalignment between parents—where one becomes more or less observant than the other—is a significant factor in Orthodox Jewish attrition, according to a study by the OU's Center for Communal Research.

0 Jewish Law Food

Kosher Conundrums: More answers to year-round and Pesach kashrus questions you never thought to ask

JA Mag in Jewish Action

"Kosher Conundrums" provides answers to common yet intricate questions regarding the kosher status of various foods and products, particularly those relevant during Passover.

0 Jewish Law Culture

Torah in a Connected World: A Halakhic Perspective on Communication Technology and Social Media

Reviewed by Rabbi Steven Gotlib in Jewish Action

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring's book, reviewed by Rabbi Steven Gotlib, provides a comprehensive halakhic perspective on navigating social media and communication technology as a frum Jew.

0 Jewish Law History

Rakafot Aharon: Timeless Halakhah and Contemporary History (4 vols.)

Reviewed by Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman in Jewish Action

Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff's four-volume series, "Rakafot Aharon," draws from his extensive lectures and writings on both Torah scholarship and Jewish history, offering a rich and engaging collection for audiences ranging from seasoned students to newcomers.

0 Jewish Law Torah

Reviews in Brief – Spring 2025

Rabbi Gil Student in Jewish Action

Rabbi Menachem Genack's expanded edition of "Birkat Yitzchak" and Dr. Moshe Sokolow's "Pursuing Peshat" provide two significant contributions to Jewish scholarly literature.

Education ›

0 Education Leadership

Software Savvy: Part 23

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Cindy Scarr recounts her experience assisting her former employer, SmartSchool, in improving employee adoption of a new internal system.

0 Education Communities

At last, a Jewish therapeutic school: A parent’s perspective

eJewishPhilanthropy

Shoshana Moskowitz shares her deeply personal narrative about the struggles faced by her son Moshe, who battles with anxiety and ADHD.

0 Education Communities

Taking Back our Schools—and Childhood

Barbara Bensoussan in Jewish Action

Jewish day schools across the U.S., including YULA and BMA, are increasingly banning or restricting smartphone use on campuses to combat growing mental health concerns among students.

0 Education Culture

When School and Family Don’t Match

S. Schreiber in Jewish Action

School and family misalignment is a significant factor influencing students' religious identity within the Orthodox Jewish community, as highlighted by a study from Yeshiva University.

0 Education Jewish Law

Kosher ADHD: Surviving and Thriving in the Torah-Observant World

Reviewed by Olivia Friedman in Jewish Action

"Kosher ADHD: Surviving and Thriving in the Torah-Observant World" by Drs.

0 Education Leadership

How Will We Face Our Father?

Rabbi Moshe Hauer in Jewish Action

Rabbi Moshe Hauer discusses the profound impact a thoughtful educator can have on students, illustrated through a letter from a young man who was influenced by Rabbi Yisrael Lashak's teachings.

History ›

0 History Communities

The Galicia–Vienna–Tel Aviv Express

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Exploring the storied history of the Ruzhin-Sadigura dynasty, this piece chronicles their regal journey from Eastern Europe to Vienna, and finally to Tel Aviv.

0 History Jewish Law

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

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

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 History Politics

Why Nazis spent World War II in a luxury West Virginia resort

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

During World War II, the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, paradoxically served as a luxurious detainment for Nazi diplomats.

0 History Politics

You should absolutely fear the Jews.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman's piece emphasizes the historical resilience and strategic prowess of the Jewish people, culminating in contemporary Jewish influence on global platforms, including intelligence, military, diplomacy, and finance.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

Palestine, New Jersey

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Paterson, New Jersey, is home to the second-largest Muslim population in the U.S., featuring a prominent Palestinian community.

0 Communities Leadership

How small grants create big impact

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish social impact organizations are currently dealing with increased demands for their services while facing challenges in securing funding.

0 Communities Culture

Why Study Attrition?

Dr. Moshe Krakowski in Jewish Action

Dr. Moshe Krakowski examines the phenomena of attrition within American Orthodox Jewish communities, focusing on why individuals raised in Orthodox environments choose to leave.

0 Communities Jewish Law

The Role of the Rabbi

JA Mag in Jewish Action

The OU study on attrition within the observant Jewish community unexpectedly highlighted the significant role of rabbis and religious leaders in shaping individuals' religious experiences.

0 Communities Jewish Law

“It’s not all or nothing”

JA Mag in Jewish Action

The article discusses a study by the OU's Center for Communal Research (CCR) revealing that many individuals who leave Orthodox Judaism maintain connections to the community and its values.

0 Communities Ethics

It’s Okay to Eat by Yourself

Efraim Jaffe in Jewish Action

Efraim Jaffe shares a heartfelt account of his journey through grief after the passing of his wife, Esther.

0 Communities Holidays

Frozen Parking Lot

Rabbi Ilan D. Feldman in Jewish Action

Rabbi Ilan D. Feldman offers a reflective journey through the layers of his synagogue's parking lot as a metaphor for the evolving nature of Jewish observance over the years.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Culture

As Purim Fades Away

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

In the evocative atmosphere of post-Purim Yerushalayim, Cindy Scarr captures the lingering essence of a Purim Meshulash—a three-day Purim celebration—amidst the warm night and the fading festivities.

0 Holidays Jewish Law

What’s the Truth about . . . a Dairy Meal on Shavuot?

Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotofsky in Jewish Action

The custom of eating dairy on Shavuot is often misunderstood as an ancient tradition when, in reality, the practice in its current form is relatively recent, with full dairy meals only emerging in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Culture ›

0 Culture Communities

Family First Inbox: Issue 936

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The "Family First Inbox" column in Issue 936 of Mishpacha Magazine features a diverse set of reader reactions to recent topics covered.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Ethics

“What Would You Tell Your Younger Self About Starting Out in Business?”

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Business experts share essential advice for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of passion, persistence, and adaptability.

Art ›

0 Art Holocaust

This Artist Drew Inspiration from Jewish Gravestones

Guest Contributor in Lilith

Lili Ország was a Hungarian artist of Jewish origin whose work was deeply influenced by her heritage and the traumas of World War II.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

Released Hostages on the End of the Ceasefire: ‘What About Those Left Behind?’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

The article addresses the resumption of IDF bombing in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which had previously led to the release of some hostages, including both survivors and those who perished in captivity.

0 Israel Politics

Ceasefire ends as Israeli bombs strike Gaza

Ben Sales in JTA

Tensions between Israel and Hamas have reignited as Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Gaza, ending a two-month ceasefire.

Literature ›

0 Literature Jewish Law

New from OU Press – Spring 2025

JA Mag in Jewish Action

OU Press and Koren Publishers present "Megillat Ruth Mesorat HaRav," a detailed commentary rooted in Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's teachings.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Education

Remembering the Future:Reflections on the Six Remembrancesfor a People That Needs to Learn to Step Back From History

Benjamin Miller in Lehrhaus

Benjamin Miller's article delves into the spiritual significance of the six remembrances found in many Jewish prayer books.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

Columbia University hates the Jews.

Hana Raviyt Schank in Future of Jewish

Hana Raviyt Schank's essay discusses the rise of antisemitism at Columbia University following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023, highlighting incidents of harassment and the university's inadequate response.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Jewish Law ›

Education ›

History ›

Communities ›

Holidays ›

Culture ›

Leadership ›

Art ›

Israel ›

Literature ›

Philosophy ›

Antisemitism ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 19's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Jewish Law ›

Education ›

History ›

Communities ›

Holidays ›

Culture ›

Leadership ›

Art ›

Israel ›

Literature ›

Philosophy ›

Antisemitism ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 19's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, March 19, 2025