for Friday, May 9, 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 Science

Trump’s new pick for surgeon general blames the Nazis for pesticides on our food

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Casey Means, President Trump's nominee for Surgeon General, has controversially linked modern pesticide use to Nazi Germany, stating that chemicals developed during Hitler's regime have tainted American agriculture.

0 Politics Music

Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa decry ‘censorship’ after UK shows are scrapped under Israel boycott pressure

Grace Gilson in JTA

Jonny Greenwood, the Radiohead guitarist, and Israeli musician Dudu Tassa canceled their UK shows due to safety concerns after a campaign by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).

0 Politics Antisemitism

Jewish feud over Trump escalates with open letter in The New York Times

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

An open letter by over three dozen former Jewish leaders was published in The New York Times, criticizing current Jewish organizational leaders for insufficiently countering President Trump's administration, particularly in its approach to antisemitism and democratic norms.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Trump pulls nomination of Ed Martin, the DC prosecutor under fire for ties to Nazi sympathizer

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

President Donald Trump withdrew the nomination of Ed Martin for U.S. Attorney for D.C. after revelations about Martin's troubling associations and comments.

0 Politics Israel

It’s Not About Kahane. Here’s Why Jews Support Ben-Gvir

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty

Sruli Fruchter critiques the tendency among American Jews to equate the current political upheaval in Israel with the legacy of Rabbi Meir Kahane.

0 Politics Culture

Brad Lander woos Jewish voters in NYC mayoral race with Talmud and Hebrew

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Brad Lander, a Jewish candidate in New York City's mayoral race, is appealing to Jewish voters through Talmudic and Yiddish references, positioning himself as an alternative to Andrew Cuomo, who is plagued by past scandals.

0 Politics Education

NYPD arrests more than 70 pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia library

Ben Sales in JTA

Tensions flared at Columbia University as over 70 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested by the NYPD during a demonstration in the university's main library.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Elise Stefanik threatens Haverford College president at latest hearing on campus antisemitism

Grace Gilson in JTA

Rep. Elise Stefanik continued her pressure on university leaders regarding campus antisemitism in the latest House Committee hearing.

0 Politics Israel

Israeli presence in Syria ‘a direct lesson of Oct. 7’

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

Lahav Harkov examines Israel's strategic presence in Syria as a reaction to security threats highlighted by the events of October 7, 2023.

0 Politics Culture

American-born pope offers hope of improved Catholic-Jewish relations, religious experts say

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

The election of Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV has brought cautious optimism for improved Catholic-Jewish relations.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss launches House campaign

Marc Rod in Jewish Insider

Michigan State Senator Jeremy Moss has announced his Congressional campaign for Michigan's 11th District, focusing on combating antisemitism and supporting the Jewish and pro-Israel communities.

0 Politics Communities

Dozens of arrests reported as NYPD removes pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied Columbia library

Louis Keene in Forward

In May 2025, Columbia University witnessed a significant protest by a pro-Palestinian student group, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, who occupied Butler Library.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Culture

Why Antisemitism Is Spreading Faster Than Truth

David Swindle 🟦 in Future of Jewish

Antisemitism continues to rise globally with a particular increase among younger populations, as evidenced by recent surveys and studies, including the ADL's Global 100 survey.

0 Antisemitism History

NASA finally stopped honoring a Nazi scientist. Why did it take so long?

Lev Golinkin in Forward

NASA has finally taken steps to acknowledge the problematic legacy of Kurt H. Debus, its former Kennedy Space Center director who had affiliations with the Nazi regime.

0 Antisemitism Music

Ye debuts ‘Heil Hitler’ music video that includes a sample of a Hitler speech

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has intensified his antisemitic rhetoric with the release of a new music video for the song "Heil Hitler."

0 Antisemitism Politics

Self-described ‘Jew hater’ charged with hate crimes after allegedly attacking Jews at 3 NYC anti-Israel protests

Grace Gilson in JTA

A 20-year-old NYC man, Tarek Bazrouk, faces hate crime charges for violently attacking Jewish pro-Israel protesters at three separate pro-Palestinian demonstrations over a nine-month period.

0 Antisemitism Politics

What do we really mean by ‘campus antisemitism’? Harvard explains

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Campus antisemitism is often framed as a complex issue involving both political disagreements over Israel and more subtle forms of social alienation among Jewish students, as highlighted by a recent report from Harvard's antisemitism task force.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Trump administration condemns destructive pro-Palestinian protest at University of Washington

Grace Gilson in JTA

A pro-Palestinian protest by a group affiliated with praising Hamas' attack on Israel caused over $1 million in damages at the University of Washington's new engineering building.

0 Antisemitism Israel

Speaking Out In His Own Name

Gary Rosenblatt in Between The Lines

Ken Jacobson's remarkable career at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), where he has served since 1971, underscores his profound influence and dedication to combating antisemitism and supporting Israel.

0 Antisemitism Politics

How a Holocaust denier turned antisemitism into a cryptocoin

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

A Holocaust denier, Stew Peters, has created an antisemitic cryptocurrency called $JPROOF, marketed as a means to "protect" against Jewish financial control.

0 Antisemitism Education

Temple suspends second student involved in ‘F--- the Jews’ sign

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Temple University has suspended a second student involved in displaying a sign with the phrase "F--- the Jews" at a Philadelphia bar owned by Dave Portnoy.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Student who posted sign reading ‘F— the Jews’ doubles down on antisemitic influencer Stew Peters’ podcast

Grace Gilson in JTA

Mo Khan, a student initially apologetic for sharing a video of a sign reading "F the Jews," has since embraced antisemitic rhetoric by appearing on a podcast with Stew Peters, known for his extremist views against Jews.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

10 Beautiful Jewish Songs About Motherhood

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Celebrating the profound bond between mother and child, '10 Beautiful Jewish Songs About Motherhood' explores a diverse array of musical tributes to maternal love across Jewish cultures.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Culture

First American pope, Leo XIV, studied under a leader in Jewish-Catholic relations

Ben Sales in Forward

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, has roots in Jewish-Catholic relations, having studied under Rev. John T. Pawlikowski, a pioneer in the field, at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

0 Leadership Communities

10 tips for nonprofit survival during a crisis

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jewish nonprofits are navigating a challenging period marked by reduced government support, cultural conflicts, and heightened public demand, exacerbated by traumas such as the October 7 events.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Culture

Can a man convert to Judaism without being circumcised?

Beth Harpaz in Forward

While circumcision is traditionally required for male converts to Judaism, exceptions exist.

0 Jewish Law Communities

An 'Egregious' Statement?

Emes Ve-Emunah

The article evaluates a recent statement by Hareni, a gay club at Yeshiva University (YU), questioning their objection to affirming traditional halachic standards regarding sexual morality in their communications.

0 Jewish Law Politics

Holy Criminals?

Natan Slifkin in Rationalist Judaism

Natan Slifkin's article explores the contentious debate over the Israeli government's military conscription laws, which require all eligible citizens, including yeshiva students, to serve in the IDF.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Jewish Law

On a clever new show, a female rabbi makes Judaism modern

Mira Fox in Forward

Reformed, a new French comedy on HBO Max, follows La Schmoll, a female rabbi inspired by Delphine Horvilleur, as she navigates the complexities of Judaism and modern secular life in France.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

Remembering ‘Dry Bones’ cartoonist Yaakov Kirschen, who sketched Israeli feats and foibles for 50 years

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

Yaakov Kirschen, the creator of the long-running cartoon strip Dry Bones, left a lasting impact on the portrayal of Israeli and Jewish life through his art.

Communities ›

0 Communities Culture

Fixing guideposts from Judaism’s 3 ‘forevers’

eJewishPhilanthropy

Robert Lichtman draws parallels between the Iroquois Seventh Generation Principle and Jewish values that are considered eternal.

History ›

0 History Politics

80 years after Germany surrendered, we're still learning the real lessons of World War II

Peter Fritzsche in Forward

Eighty years after the end of World War II, the lessons of the conflict continue to resonate, illustrating both the horrific depths of human violence and the complexities of moral ambiguity.

Israel ›

0 Israel History

The Unbreakable Link Between Zionism and Judaism

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that Zionism is deeply intertwined with Judaism, asserting that it represents the historical, religious, and emotional connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.

Education ›

0 Education Communities

Sponsored: Seattle’s Day School Revolution Gets National Recognition

The Cholent in The Cholent

Seattle's Jewish day school community has gained national attention as the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC) hosts its Innovators Retreat there for the first time.

JL;DR

for Friday, May 9, 2025

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Music ›

Leadership ›

Jewish Law ›

Television/Film ›

Art ›

Communities ›

History ›

Israel ›

Education ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 9's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Friday, May 9, 2025

Politics ›

Antisemitism ›

Music ›

Leadership ›

Jewish Law ›

Television/Film ›

Art ›

Communities ›

History ›

Israel ›

Education ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 9's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, May 9, 2025