for Wednesday, May 7, 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 »

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Politics

Is ‘Andor’ about Jews, Palestinians — or both and/or neither?

PJ Grisar in Forward

The article examines the cultural and political inspirations behind the second season of the Star Wars series "Andor," particularly highlighting its parallels with historical and current events concerning Jews and Palestinians.

Politics ›

0 Politics Leadership

Judge dismisses lawsuit against Zionist Organization of America leader Mort Klein

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Mort Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), has had a lawsuit against him dismissed by Judge Arthur Engoron of the New York Supreme Court.

0 Politics Israel

US reaches truce with Houthis hours after Israel bombs their airport in Yemen

Ben Sales in Forward

The United States has reached a truce with the Houthi group in Yemen, mediated by Oman, shortly after Israel retaliated against the Houthis for a missile strike on Ben-Gurion Airport by bombing a Houthi-controlled airport in Sanaa.

0 Politics Israel

Explainer: What the Israeli occupation of Gaza would mean for Israelis and Palestinians

Louis Keene in Forward

Under the shifting political dynamics, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to indefinitely occupy the Gaza Strip, a move reversing his earlier stance and drawing considerable domestic and international scrutiny.

0 Politics History

Is the crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism the new Red Scare?

Hannah Feuer in Forward

Pro-Palestinian activism in the U.S. is facing intensified scrutiny and legal actions reminiscent of the Red Scare and McCarthy-era anti-communist crackdowns, according to this report on recent events at Columbia University.

0 Politics Literature

Trump's cuts are a war on Jewish literature, thought and history itself

Aviya Kushner in Forward

President Trump's budget proposal includes the elimination of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), affecting Jewish literary and cultural initiatives significantly.

0 Politics Israel

An Empty Threat or a Foolish One.

Emes Ve-Emunah

MK Yaakov Asher's ultimatum concerning the Israeli consul to pass a new draft law for yeshiva students highlights the stark divide between Charedi communities and broader Israeli society during ongoing tensions in Gaza.

0 Politics Art

These New York Jewish arts organizations have been defunded by the Trump administration

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Several New York Jewish arts organizations, including the Jewish Plays Project and Yugntruf, have lost federal funding due to the Trump administration's reduction of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

0 Politics Communities

UK Voter Anger Boosts Farage

Sharona in Mishpacha

Nigel Farage's Reform Party has made unprecedented gains in the UK local elections, capitalizing on widespread voter dissatisfaction with the established Conservative and Labour parties.

0 Politics Israel

Who Does Bibi Trust?

Sharona in Mishpacha

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has prioritized a decisive military victory over Hamas as crucial for advancing peace efforts in the Middle East, a viewpoint seemingly supported by the Trump administration.

0 Politics Israel

Under Fire

Sharona in Mishpacha

After 19 months of intense conflict, Israel's security cabinet has approved a significant escalation in military operations in Gaza, marked by a shift to high-intensity ground operations with the objective of eliminating Hamas and liberating Israeli hostages.

0 Politics Israel

A Wake-Up Call for Israel Supporters

Sharona in Mishpacha

Support for Israel has notably declined among Democrats and is now showing signs of erosion within the Republican Party, according to Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

0 Politics Israel

Israel’s genius is rewriting the Middle East.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Since October 2023, Israel has employed advanced innovations, particularly in artificial intelligence, to address threats from Palestinian and Iranian actors, transforming its military and strategic landscape.

0 Politics Communities

A Jewish nonprofit may have accidentally caused Michigan to drop charges against pro-Palestinian activists

Ben Sales in Forward

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel dropped charges against seven pro-Palestinian student protesters after a Jewish nonprofit's statement, intended to support her, was misinterpreted as influencing the court.

0 Politics Israel

Schakowsky retirement sets up Illinois Democratic primary battle over Mideast policy

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

The retirement of Rep. Jan Schakowsky from Illinois' heavily Jewish 9th Congressional District has set the stage for a competitive Democratic primary centered around Middle East policy, particularly views on Israel.

History ›

0 History Israel

In the Heart of Jenin

Isaac Horovitz in Ami

Isaac Horovitz surveys the dramatic transformation of the Jenin refugee camp, once a notorious center for terrorism in the northern Shomron region, into a quieter, almost deserted area now largely controlled by the IDF.

0 History Israel

The Long Gray Line Ends in Israel

Sharona in Mishpacha

The final resting place of David "Mickey" Marcus stands out in the West Point cemetery as the only Jewish officer who died under another nation's flag.

0 History Culture

The secret Jewish history of Alcatraz

Benjamin Ivry in Forward

Alcatraz Island, primarily known as a notorious prison, also holds a complex place in Jewish history and culture.

0 History Communities

In My Parents Home

Sharona in Mishpacha

Rebbetzin Maita Nelkenbaum shares intimate memories of her parents, focusing on her father, Rav Avrohom Kalmanowitz, known for his remarkable efforts to rescue European Jews during and after the Holocaust, and her mother, Mina Hadas Lenchevsky, who supported him with immense dedication.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

Remembering Rabbi Sholom Lipskar z”l

Mordechai Wilhelm in Ami

Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar, a revered Chabad emissary, dedicated his life to transforming Miami into a flourishing hub of Jewish life and spirituality from its roots as a spiritual desert.

0 Leadership Ethics

How do you stay updated on changing consumer needs?

Sharona in Mishpacha

Staying updated on consumer needs is key to thriving in business, as discussed by several experts across different fields.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

Ari Siegel // History by Mail

Nesanel Gantz in Ami

Ari Siegel's journey is a compelling blend of entrepreneurial spirit and a deeper connection to his Jewish roots.

0 Culture Philosophy

Under Cover Notes

Sharona in Mishpacha

Sharona's humorous article explores the whimsical side of indecision, using a fictional letter from a former congregant suffering sleepless nights over a choice between luxury wristwatches as a case study.

0 Culture Jewish Law

A Thinking Mother’s Memoir

Judy Bolton-Fasman in Hadassah

In "Mothers and Other Fictional Characters," Nicole Graev Lipson presents a collection of 12 insightful essays that delve deeply into the themes of motherhood, Jewish learning, and personal growth.

0 Culture Education

6 Jewish influencers who aren’t giving up on TikTok

Mira Klein-Maggio in JTA

Six Jewish influencers on TikTok are leveraging the platform to educate younger audiences on Jewish history, culture, and identity, while also addressing antisemitism and religious misconceptions.

0 Culture Politics

Anti-Israel singer Kehlani’s Central Park concert canceled

Lisa Keys in JTA

The Central Park Summerstage concert of R&B singer Kehlani, who has been vocal in her criticism of Israel, was canceled due to security concerns following pressure from city officials, including Mayor Eric Adams.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Anti-Semitism Factory // One country hasn’t changed

Avi Shafran in Ami

Avi Shafran explores the persistent and pervasive presence of antisemitism in Pakistan, portraying it as a central exporter of this form of hatred globally.

0 Antisemitism Communities

I was violently attacked, again. Is it time for me to leave the UK?

Future of Jewish

David Collier, a British investigative journalist, discusses his repeated victimization by antisemitic attacks, notably a recent chemical assault on his car.

0 Antisemitism Education

Can a visit to Auschwitz really change an antisemite?

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

In a provocative gesture to address antisemitism, Dave Portnoy initially offered a trip to Auschwitz to customers involved in an antisemitic incident.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Dave Portnoy rescinds Auschwitz invitation for student involved in ‘F— the Jews’ incident at his bar

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Dave Portnoy, the Jewish founder of Barstool Sports, reacted with outrage to an antisemitic incident at his Philadelphia bar, where Temple University students ordered a sign reading 'F the Jews.'

Music ›

0 Music Culture

Larry Harlow, salsa musician known as ‘The Marvelous Jew,’ honored on the Upper West Side

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Larry Harlow, famously known as "El Judio Maravilloso" (The Marvelous Jew), was honored with a street co-naming in his longtime Upper West Side neighborhood.

0 Music Culture

We Can’t Wait for Barbra Streisand’s New Album of Duets

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Barbra Streisand's upcoming album, "The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two," promises to be an exciting collection of duets with a mix of music legends, including Jewish icon Bob Dylan.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Jewish Law

Top Secret

Sharona in Mishpacha

The article delves into the ethical and halachic considerations around sharing private information, especially in sensitive circumstances.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Jewish Law

The Right Kind of Fear

Sharona in Mishpacha

In a world rife with unpredictability and fear, the Jewish concept of bitachon, or trust in Hashem, offers a nuanced approach to navigating uncertainty.

0 Philosophy Politics

Wrestling with Martin Buber - The Zionist philosopher couldn’t escape a colonial mindset, but his binationalist vision offers a way forward in Israel/Palestine.

Raef Zreik in Jewish Currents

Martin Buber's vision of a Zionism integrated with Palestinian national interests presents an intellectual conundrum for Palestinian thinkers.

0 Philosophy History

Destiny divided: How Rav Soloveitchik’s vision shaped — and splintered — American Jewry

eJewishPhilanthropy

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, a pivotal 20th-century Jewish thinker, sought to reconcile traditional Judaism with modern challenges through his concepts of Covenant of Fate and Covenant of Destiny.

0 Philosophy History

Hitler was right to fear the Jews.

Raphael Shore in Future of Jewish

Raphael Shore's edited excerpt from his book, "Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Jew: Learning to Love the Lessons of Jew-Hatred," explores the historic and philosophical reasons behind antisemitism, particularly focusing on the Nazis and Hitler's fear of Jewish influence.

Communities ›

0 Communities History

Keep Climbing

Sharona in Mishpacha

Rabbi Naftali Rabinowitz serves as the Jewish chaplain at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, a role deeply connected to his personal history as a former patient there due to his childhood spina bifida condition.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Starstruck

Sharona in Mishpacha

In a beautifully narrated story shared by Rabbi Mordechai Pitem, he recounts a transformative meeting between a young non-religious Sephardic man and the legendary baal teshuvah Rabbi Uri Zohar.

0 Communities Culture

Why galas still matter, now more than ever

eJewishPhilanthropy

In an era dominated by digital campaigns, galas remain an irreplaceable method of cultivating genuine connections and solidarity in the philanthropic space, particularly within Jewish communities.

0 Communities Culture

Carpool Conundrum

Sharona in Mishpacha

Navigating carpool arrangements within a tight-knit Jewish community can involve more than just logistics; it also touches upon relationships and responsibility.

Literature ›

0 Literature Gender/Identity

Books on Motherhood in All Its Permutations

Judy Bolton-Fasman in Hadassah

Exploring the complex and multifaceted journey of motherhood, Judy Bolton-Fasman reviews three distinct books by Jewish women authors that delve into the emotional landscape and societal narratives of being a mother.

0 Literature Language

New Translation: “Monolog in Pleynem Yidish”

Andy Roshal in New Voices

Andy Roshal explores the complexities of translating Aaron Zeitlin's monologue, "Monolog in Pleynem Yidish," which is written in a blend of Yiddish and English.

Art ›

0 Art History

The Mom Who Co-Designed Israel’s Supreme Court Building

Curt Schleier in Hadassah

Ada Karmi-Melamede, a celebrated Israeli architect, co-designed the iconic Supreme Court building in Jerusalem, reflecting her philosophy that buildings must connect deeply with their surroundings.

Food ›

0 Food Culture

Freekeh Frittata

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig's latest recipe for The Jewish Table subscribers features a Freekeh Frittata, highlighting the unique qualities of freekeh, an ancient grain roasted for a smoky flavor.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust Communities

Back Where She Wouldn’t Go

Sharona in Mishpacha

The article recounts the emotional journey of Doris Guttentag, a Holocaust survivor, through the eyes of her family members.

0 Holocaust Communities

Born In a Concentration Camp

Jewdicious

Eva Clarke is a remarkable survivor who was born in Mauthausen concentration camp just a week before its liberation by the United States Army, making her one of the few babies to survive such dire conditions.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Gender/Identity

Hope Unchained — The Conversation Continues

Sharona in Mishpacha

The article delves into the harrowing experiences faced by agunos, Jewish women unable to obtain a religious divorce (get), through two powerful narratives.

Science ›

0 Science Politics

Scientists as Mere Mortals

Sharona in Mishpacha

In this article, Sharona reflects on the contentious debate over the origins of COVID-19, emphasizing the revelations that numerous scientists who publicly dismissed the lab-leak theory privately supported it.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Television/Film ›

Politics ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Music ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Art ›

Food ›

Holocaust ›

Jewish Law ›

Science ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 7's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Television/Film ›

Politics ›

History ›

Leadership ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Music ›

Ethics ›

Philosophy ›

Communities ›

Literature ›

Art ›

Food ›

Holocaust ›

Jewish Law ›

Science ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

May 7's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, May 7, 2025