for Friday, March 28, 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 »

Sports ›

0 Sports Culture

The Trail Blazers let Deni Avdija cook, and minted a franchise player in the process

Louis Keene in Forward

Israeli-born NBA player Deni Avdija has exceeded expectations since joining the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming a key figure in the team's resurgence despite missing the playoffs.

Leadership ›

0 Leadership Communities

A diagnosis for the Jewish future: Andrés Spokoiny’s address to JFN 2025

eJewishPhilanthropy

In a thought-provoking address at the 2025 Jewish Funders Network conference, Andrs Spokoiny examines the metaphorical "illnesses" plaguing the Jewish community and wider society.

0 Leadership History

Stef Wertheimer, one of Israel’s richest men, dies at 98

Grace Gilson in Forward

Stef Wertheimer, a pioneering figure in Israel's industrial and political landscape, passed away at the age of 98.

Politics ›

0 Politics Education

What Mahmoud Khalil says about Gaza and Israel in ‘The Encampments’ documentary

Louis Keene in Forward

The documentary 'Encampments' features Mahmoud Khalil, a notable pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate, who was detained by ICE for his involvement in campus protests advocating for divestment from Israel.

0 Politics Communities

In UK and Australia, lawmakers are trying to curb protests outside of synagogues

Grace Gilson in JTA

Lawmakers in the UK and Australia are advancing measures to limit protests outside synagogues, aiming to balance the right to protest with the right to worship without fear.

0 Politics Antisemitism

French far-right leader decries antisemitism and Islamism at contentious Israeli government conference

Ben Sales in JTA

Jordan Bardella, leader of France's far-right National Rally party, addressed an Israeli government conference on combating antisemitism, garnering mixed reactions due to his party's controversial history.

0 Politics Antisemitism

A Jewish Republican and Muslim Democrat are suddenly in a tight race for a special seat in Congress

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

A special House election in Florida pits Republican State Senator Randy Fine, a Jewish political figure, against Josh Weil, a Muslim Democrat.

0 Politics Philosophy

Our Duty to Support the Hostage Deal with Hamas

Yitzak Benbaji in Sources

Professor Yitzhak Benbaji employs Michael Walzer's "dirty hands" doctrine to scrutinize the moral complexities faced by Israel's leadership in negotiating a controversial hostage deal with Hamas.

0 Politics Education

Campus antisemitism takes center stage at Senate hearing

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

The Senate hearing on antisemitism on college campuses highlights increasing concerns among Jewish leaders about the rise of antisemitism and related political actions under the Trump administration.

0 Politics Communities

The ‘new’ Jewish problem, and how to solve it

eJewishPhilanthropy

The aftermath of October 7 has jolted Jewish communities worldwide, challenging the perception of a harmonious Jewish "golden age."

0 Politics Israel

Netanyahu’s government is about to pass a key piece of its resurrected judicial overhaul

Ben Sales in Forward

Israel's government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is poised to pass a controversial judicial overhaul that would increase political power over judicial appointments, igniting fresh protests nationwide.

0 Politics Israel

All about ‘Qatargate,’ the scandal roiling Israeli politics

Lahav Harkov in Jewish Insider

Qatargate is a burgeoning scandal in Israeli politics, highlighting alleged Qatari influence within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Reform leader condemns Khalil’s arrest, says campus crackdown risks greater antisemitism

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

Rabbi David Saperstein, a prominent leader in the Reform movement, condemned the arrest and potential deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian protest leader at Columbia University, warning that such actions undermine civil liberties vital to American democracy and can fuel antisemitism.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Blame Roy Cohn for the vicious backlash to Jeffrey Goldberg's group chat scoop

Rob Eshman in Forward

Jeffrey Goldberg's investigative reporting of a national security breach involving a Signal chat, where he was inadvertently included, has led to a backlash that starkly reflects the influence of Roy Cohn's infamous tactics: attack, deny, and claim victory.

0 Politics Israel

5 Israeli Moves That Critics Were Wrong About

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

The article discusses five significant Israeli military and political strategies that have faced criticism but are now viewed as necessary measures in the face of regional threats.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Israeli government increases politicians’ role in selecting judges, passing key piece of judicial overhaul

Ben Sales in JTA

Amidst an ongoing conflict in Gaza and domestic protests, the Israeli government has advanced a controversial judicial overhaul, increasing the role of politicians in selecting judges.

Communities ›

0 Communities Gender/Identity

Frankfurt’s Jewish community launches its own sexual abuse hotline amid crises and pressure

Toby Axelrod in Forward

Frankfurt's Jewish community has taken a significant step to address the issue of sexual abuse within its institutions by launching a third-party reporting and counseling hotline, a first among Germany's Jewish communities.

0 Communities Israel

A Letter from a Charedi

Emes Ve-Emunah

The letter, written by Moshe Cohen, a Charedi Jewish parent, illustrates the tension between military service in the IDF and maintaining religious observance for ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel.

0 Communities Politics

Winning battles, losing minds: The real fight for Israel on campus

eJewishPhilanthropy

David Brog, executive director of the Maccabee Task Force, discusses the shifting dynamics on college campuses regarding Israel advocacy.

0 Communities History

Central Park’s Wollman Rink, which the Trump Organization hopes to run again, was named for this Jewish family

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Central Park's Wollman Rink, named after a philanthropic Jewish family, is the focus of a new bidding war for operational rights.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Education

The Rebirth of Antisemitism, Dressed in 'Progressive' Garb

Bob Goldberg in Future of Jewish

Bob Goldberg critiques the intellectual climate in Western academia, particularly how liberal principles like free speech are misused to shield antisemitic ideologies.

0 Antisemitism Politics

I’m scared about antisemitism, but my friends just want to talk about the war

Mira Fox in Forward

Mira Fox explores the challenges faced by Jewish students in American public schools who feel that their concerns about antisemitism are marginalized in favor of discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Politics

The Supreme Court is taking on 3 cases that could help reshape American Jewish life

Michael A. Helfand in Forward

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear three significant cases with potential implications for American Jewish life, focusing on religious liberties and the separation of church and state.

0 Jewish Law Culture

Why is Tabernacle Construction the Foundation of Shabbat?

Ezra Sivan in Lehrhaus

Ezra Sivan argues that the connection between the construction of the Tabernacle and Shabbat observance, as derived by rabbis from Torah, serves as a profound message against authoritarianism.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

Permission and Obligation: A Jewish Paradigm for Care

Sara Labaton in Sources

In exploring the complexities of caregiving, particularly in medical settings, Sara Labaton draws on classical Jewish texts to propose a paradigm that combines permission and obligation in healing and care.

0 Jewish Law Ethics

Unshackling Our Interpretive Practices: Rereading Rabbinic Slavery

Marjorie Lehman and Mira Beth Wasserman in Sources

Lehman and Wasserman critically examine the portrayal of slavery in Jewish sacred texts, revealing a stark moral contradiction between the Jewish community's contemporary repudiation of slavery and its historical legitimization in Torah and rabbinic literature.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Culture

Here’s why hospitals ask you your religion — and why Jews shouldn’t be afraid to answer

Joseph Strauss in JTA

Reflecting on an emergency room visit for acute abdominal pain, the author reveals his discomfort when asked his religion by hospital staff, highlighting both historical and contemporary fears of antisemitism.

0 Ethics Philosophy

Jewish Ethics in Theory & Practice

Sources

This exploration of Jewish ethics is anchored in the thoughts of Abraham Joshua Heschel, particularly his ideas about the biblical prophets and divine pathos.

0 Ethics Israel

Morality in Times of Fear

Donniel Hartman in Sources

Donniel Hartman explores the moral challenges Israelis face in light of the trauma and fear following the October 7 events, which have altered moral discourse in the country.

0 Ethics History

Hearing the Cries of Others and Doing Good: A Reinterpretation

Elisheva Baumgarten in Sources

Author Elisheva Baumgarten uses a medieval midrash from Ruth Zutah to draw parallels between the risk of immediate versus future benefits and current geopolitical decisions regarding hostages in Israel.

0 Ethics Jewish Law

Musar as a Challenge to the Justification of Mass Killing

Geoffrey Claussen in Sources

Geoffrey D. Claussen explores how musar traditions—Jewish traditions focused on virtuous character traits like justice and compassion—offer guidance in ethical discussions about war.

0 Ethics Philosophy

Hope and Grief in an Age of Climate Change

Julai Watts Belser in Sources

Julia Watts Belser, a rabbi and activist, reflects on climate grief and the feelings of hope and despair in the face of global climate change.

0 Ethics Communities

Is Doing Good Always Good? The Ethics of Contemporary Jewish Philanthropy

Andrés Spokoiny in Sources

Andrés Spokoiny critically examines the ethics of contemporary Jewish philanthropy, particularly in the shift from federated giving to independent philanthropic endeavors.

History ›

0 History Jewish Law

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

PJ Grisar in Forward

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.

Culture ›

0 Culture Communities

Sefardi Folk Culture Grows in Cambridge

InternsFall21 in Lilith

Cambridge, Massachusetts has become a burgeoning hub for Sefardi Jewish culture thanks to the grassroots efforts of Naomi Spector and Yinnon Sanders.

0 Culture Gender/Identity

How two Jewish names — Kohen and Mira — are dividing red and blue states

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

0 Culture Communities

Israelis flock to Keith Siegel’s Pancake House for the former hostage’s signature hotcakes

Deborah Danan in JTA

In an act of communal solidarity and celebration, Keith Siegel's Pancake House pop-up has opened in Tel Aviv's Sarona Market, drawing crowds eager to support the former hostage and his family.

0 Culture Philosophy

The Shekhinah as a Tool for Political Critique: The Mystico-Political Thought of Rabbi Menachem Froman

Tchiya Froman in Lehrhaus

Rabbi Menachem Froman was a complex and influential figure within Israeli society, using the mystical framework of the Zohar to bridge divides between religious and secular, left and right, Arabs and Jews.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

This French Jewish Actress Stars in New Show from ‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Creators

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

French Jewish actress Charlotte Gainsbourg stars in "Étoile," a new series by "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

How the Yiddish writer Chaim Grade’s last novel was rescued from the archives, and wrestled into print

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA

The long-awaited publication of Chaim Grade's last novel, "Sons and Daughters," marks a significant moment in Yiddish literature.

Education ›

0 Education Politics

The Place of Jewish Studies in an Era of Protests

Flora Cassen in Sources

As protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza spread across university campuses in 2024, sparking a contentious debate on antisemitism, the field of Jewish Studies remained conspicuously silent.

0 Education Politics

Civics Education for American Jews: Conversation with Mark Gottlieb and Rivka Press Schwartz

Aaron Dorfman in Sources

This article features a conversation moderated by Aaron Dorfman with Mark Gottlieb and Rivka Press Schwartz about the importance and challenges of civics education for American Jews.

0 Education Holocaust

Creating Communities of Inquiry, Allyship, and Ethical Holocaust Education

Jill Abney, Janice W. Fernheimer, Lauren Hill, and Karen Petrone in Sources

In Kentucky, where schools face legislative mandates for Holocaust education, educators grapple with the complexities of teaching such sensitive content ethically and effectively.

0 Education Communities

Jewish alums can help fix universities that flunked their post-10/7 test

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the wake of the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, American universities have faced criticism for their handling of rising antisemitism, with many Jewish alumni being called upon to initiate reforms.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Ethics

The End of Tikkun Olam

Daniel Cotzin Burg in Sources

Daniel Cotzin Burg, Senior Rabbi of Beth Am Synagogue in Baltimore, critiques the contemporary Jewish focus on 'tikkun olam'—often understood as a call for social justice—as a misalignment with its historical roots and proposes a new framework of 'takhlit olam' or 'completion of the world.'

Gender/Identity ›

0 Gender/Identity Education

After announcing LGBTQ club, Yeshiva U president says Pride values ‘antithetical’ to the school

Ben Sales in JTA

Yeshiva University's recent announcement to recognize a new LGBTQ group called Hareni has sparked controversy and debate within the Modern Orthodox community.

JL;DR

for Friday, March 28, 2025

Sports ›

Leadership ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Antisemitism ›

Jewish Law ›

Ethics ›

History ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

Education ›

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Gender/Identity ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 28's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Sports ›

Leadership ›

Politics ›

Communities ›

Antisemitism ›

Jewish Law ›

Ethics ›

History ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Literature ›

Education ›

Philosophy ›

Gender/Identity ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

March 28's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Friday, March 28, 2025