for Wednesday, April 2, 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 »

Communities ›

0 Communities Torah

Oasis in the Desert

Ami Magazine in Ami

Rav Yisrael Abergel, head of Hameir Laarets, continues his father's legacy of Torah scholarship and outreach in Netivot, situated near the Gazan border.

Politics ›

0 Politics Science

New Dangers Posed by Outer Space

Ami Magazine in Ami

Ami Magazine's article delves into the implications of former President Donald Trump's introduction of a U.S. Space Force, initially mocked by the media as unnecessary but re-evaluated in light of emerging threats from Russian satellite activities.

0 Politics Leadership

Trump’s Economic Policies and Market Volatility

Ami Magazine in Ami

Phillip Michals, Executive Chairman/CEO of A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, discusses the economic impact of Trump's policies, particularly focusing on market volatility and the role of tariffs.

0 Politics Culture

Silenced Voices // When trimming fat, one needs a steak knife, not a chainsaw

Ami Magazine in Ami

The article discusses President Trump's executive order to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which manages independent news services like Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe.

0 Politics Culture

Cory Booker proclaims, ‘Hineni’ — I am here — 19 hours into anti-Trump Senate speech

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Senator Cory Booker delivered a 19-hour speech on the Senate floor, invoking the Hebrew word "Hineni" to signal his active presence and opposition to the Trump administration.

0 Politics Communities

‘Stop super speeders’ bill gains new momentum after Brooklyn car crash kills Jewish mom and two children

Jackie Hajdenberg in JTA

Following the tragic fatal car crash in Brooklyn that claimed the lives of Natasha Saada and her two young daughters, a New York State bill targeting 'super speeders' has gained renewed urgency.

0 Politics Israel

What Does it Mean to Be Pro-Israel in 2025?

Jennifer Bardi in Moment

The article explores the complex and evolving concept of being pro-Israel in the wake of the October 7 incidents involving Israel and Hamas.

0 Politics Education

Trump’s Seismic Change

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

President Trump's unprecedented closure of the Department of Education, via executive order, marks a significant political, educational, and bureaucratic shift in policy.

0 Politics Education

Extra Credit

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) is a proposed federal bill aimed at providing tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, thereby enabling taxpayer-funded scholarships for educational expenses like private school tuition.

0 Politics Israel

Bibi Rights the Ship

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has successfully reinforced his political position, averting the opposition's last chance to overthrow his government.

0 Politics History

Will Putin Give Peace a Chance?

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article examines the ongoing diplomatic efforts in Riyadh to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, focusing on the complexities and obstacles involved in reaching a ceasefire.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Secretive GOP firm distorts Democratic candidate’s views on Israel in NJ governor race

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

An unnamed conservative group, the Florence Avenue Initiative, is targeting Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the New Jersey governor's race, criticizing her positions on Israel even though they align with most House Democrats.

0 Politics History

From the Editor | Dinner with the 1947 Partition Plan

Nadine Epstein in Moment

Nadine Epstein reflects on a dinner gathering where historical documents, including the 1947 UN Partition Plan, were presented, prompting her to consider the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the enduring question of what it means to be pro-Israel today.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Trump administration to review nearly $9 billion in Harvard funding over campus antisemitism

Grace Gilson in JTA

The Trump administration has announced a review of $9 billion in federal funding to Harvard University due to concerns over antisemitism on campus.

0 Politics Education

Cornell pro-Palestinian student leader opts to leave US, as Columbia ‘self-deportee’ makes her case to return

Ben Sales in JTA

This piece highlights two parallel cases of international students involved in pro-Palestinian activism at U.S. universities facing deportation issues.

0 Politics Israel

The War on Benjamin Netanyahu

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, finds himself embroiled in renewed controversy as allegations surface regarding unlawful financial ties between senior Israeli officials and Qatar, termed the Qatargate scandal.

0 Politics Communities

Could Randy Fine lose? In deep-red Florida, the Jewish Trump favorite faces an unexpectedly close race

Andrew Lapin in JTA

Randy Fine, a Jewish Republican state senator in Florida, faces an unexpectedly close race against Democrat Josh Weil, a Muslim candidate, for a congressional seat in a traditionally conservative district.

Torah ›

0 Torah History

Hearing the Shepherd from Tekoa

Ethan Schwartz in Lehrhaus

Ethan Schwartz reviews Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom's book, "Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric," which is part of the Maggid Studies in Tanakh series and explores the prophet Amos.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

A Chicagoan wanted to protest Elon Musk — and put a swastika sticker on a Jewish man’s Tesla

Grace Gilson in Forward

In Chicago, Jewish resident Peter Katz discovered swastika stickers on his Tesla, left by a protester aiming at Elon Musk, not knowing Katz's family background.

0 Antisemitism Jewish Law

NY attorney general orders car wash to stop ripping off Jews with antisemitic ‘Passover special’

Grace Gilson in Forward

A car wash in Spring Valley, New York, targeted Orthodox Jews with inflated charges for a Passover car cleaning service, sparking an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

0 Antisemitism Holocaust

The West keeps lying about antisemitism.

Liah Greenfeld in Future of Jewish

Liah Greenfeld critiques the Western narrative surrounding antisemitism and the Holocaust, particularly through the lens of moral relativism, and argues that such perspectives distort the gravity and specific historical context of these events.

0 Antisemitism Education

In Trump's war against campus antisemitism, hate the tactics but don't ignore the problem

Barak Sella in Forward

The article addresses the controversial issue of antisemitism on college campuses, spotlighting President Trump's methods of addressing the problem and the broader societal implications.

0 Antisemitism Education

Rabbi who left Harvard calls Trump threat ‘reasonable’ — but warns of looming consequences

Benyamin Cohen in Forward

Rabbi David Wolpe, formerly a visiting scholar at Harvard University, has expressed nuanced views regarding the Trump administration's review of the federal funding of Harvard due to concerns about its handling of antisemitism on campus.

0 Antisemitism Politics

'Need a final solution': Podcast host calls for mass deportation of US Jews

Jacob Kornbluh in Forward

Far-right media personality Stew Peters, known for disseminating antisemitic conspiracy theories and Holocaust denial, has recently called for the mass deportation of Jews from the U.S. on his podcast.

Music ›

0 Music Culture

All her life, she sang other people’s songs. Now Sheila Dardashti is releasing her own music for the first time.

Lisa Keys in JTA

Sheila Dardashti, a 78-year-old musician from Queens, is releasing her first album, "Build Me a Home," which features songs she personally wrote inspired by her family.

Israel ›

0 Israel Politics

How Do Young American Jews Define Being Pro-Israel?

Jennifer Bardi in Moment

In the article, young American Jews articulate what it means to be pro-Israel, particularly in light of increasing tensions and antisemitic rhetoric on college campuses post-October 7, a key date reflecting recent escalations in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Culture ›

0 Culture History

An East Side Story

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article explores the vibrant Jewish immigrant life on Manhattan's Lower East Side in 1916, highlighting the unique 'knish war' between two rival vendors on Rivington Street.

0 Culture Communities

At a Fast Clip

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Efraim Feder has carved out a niche in the Jewish community as a dynamic influencer and content creator with a talent for showcasing new and hidden local businesses through engaging video content.

0 Culture Politics

Bombarded by war news, some Jewish teens turn their social media anxiety into activism

Shir Levenson in JTA

Jewish teens, overwhelmed by the barrage of war-related content on social media, have turned their social media anxiety into activism.

0 Culture Language

Yiddish fans in Berlin launch a Yiddish open mic series

Luise Fakler in Forward

In Berlin, a novel initiative called "Nu? Yiddish in All Art Forms" has emerged as the city's first Yiddish open mic night.

0 Culture Antisemitism

Popcorn and Jihadist Paragliders

Adam Hummel in Future of Jewish

In his guest essay, Adam Hummel reflects on the profound discomfort he experienced while attending a screening of "October 8," a documentary by Wendy Sachs that focuses on the impact and ongoing challenges faced by Jewish communities after the October 7th attacks in Israel.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Torah

Parshas Vayikra

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

In her reflection on Parshas Vayikra, Cindy Scarr explores the concept of a personal calling, drawing parallels between Moshe's divine mission and the unique roles each individual is meant to fulfill.

0 Philosophy Ethics

On philanthropic responsibility, hope and ‘vice signaling’

eJewishPhilanthropy

Maxyne Finkelstein discusses the growing trend of pessimistic messaging, or "vice signaling," which undermines confidence and fosters negativity.

Education ›

0 Education Torah

The Moment

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rabbi Moshe Dov Heber of Yeshiva Ktana of Waterbury has embraced Rabbi Dovid Newman's Torascha BFinu program, which has significantly enhanced the Torah learning experience for middle-school boys through the encouragement of constant chazarah.

0 Education Israel

Israel education: What’s next?

eJewishPhilanthropy

With young Jewish students increasingly engaging with digital platforms, educators are innovating in Israel education through platforms like Unpacked for Educators (UED).

Food ›

0 Food Communities

From LA’s Bo.Re.Kas to NYC’s Buba, Israeli bourekas enter the American fast-food mainstream

Rachel Ringler in JTA

Israeli bourekas, the savory stuffed pastries reminiscent of empanadas, are making waves in the American fast-food scene.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Ethics

A Halakhic Guide to Dealing with Mental Illness

Meir Ekstein in Lehrhaus

Rabbi Yoni Rosenzweig and Dr. Samuel Harris's book, "Nafshi BiSheelati: The Halakhot of Mental Health," translated into English, provides an unprecedented Halakhic framework for addressing mental health issues.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Communities ›

Politics ›

Torah ›

Antisemitism ›

Music ›

Israel ›

Culture ›

Philosophy ›

Education ›

Food ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 2's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Communities ›

Politics ›

Torah ›

Antisemitism ›

Music ›

Israel ›

Culture ›

Philosophy ›

Education ›

Food ›

Jewish Law ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 2's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, April 2, 2025