for Thursday, April 17, 2025

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Leadership ›

0 Leadership Culture

Noa Argamani, ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt among over a dozen Jews on 2025 TIME 100 list

Grace Gilson in Forward

Noa Argamani, a former Israeli hostage and activist for hostage release, and Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, have been named among Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2025.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

US claims Mohsen Mahdawi’s activism could ‘potentially undermine’ prospect of peace in Gaza

Grace Gilson in Forward

The arrest and potential deportation of Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian activist, has sparked significant controversy.

0 Politics Education

What Jewish university presidents say: Trump is exploiting campus antisemitism, not fighting it

Nora Berman in Forward

Several Jewish university presidents, including those from Harvard, Princeton, and MIT, are resisting the Trump administration's policies on campus antisemitism, which they argue are an exploitation rather than a solution.

0 Politics Communities

As Israelis in New York, we're horrified by ICE's detention of one of our Palestinian partners in peace

Josh Drill in Forward

Israeli citizens living in the U.S. are publicly opposing the detention of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian peace activist, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

0 Politics Communities

The New Antisemitism Czar is a Lubavitcher

Emes Ve-Emunah

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, a Lubavitch Hasid, has been appointed as the U.S. government's new Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, a role that has been elevated to ambassador status.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Arson suspect attacked Shapiro over pro-Israel stances, search warrant says

Louis Keene in Forward

The recent arson attack on the Pennsylvania Governor's residence is reportedly tied to alleged antisemitic and anti-Israel motives, as the suspect Cody Balmer expressed anger over Governor Josh Shapiro's pro-Israel stance.

0 Politics Culture

Welcome to This Week in Canada, from The Free Press

Rupa Subramanya in The Free Press

Rupa Subramanya, an Indian-born Canadian journalist, reflects on her experiences in Canada, highlighting her transition from India to Canada as a journey toward being able to question authority freely.

0 Politics Leadership

Sen. John Cornyn fighting to fend off insurgent primary challenge from Texas AG

Emily Jacobs in Jewish Insider

Texas is set for a high-profile GOP primary battle as Attorney General Ken Paxton challenges incumbent Senator John Cornyn, spotlighting evolving conservative Republican dynamics in the state.

Jewish Law ›

0 Jewish Law Politics

Reform Judaism has betrayed the Jewish People.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

In this passionate critique, Joshua Hoffman argues that Reform Judaism has strayed from its core principles, prioritizing progressive politics over Jewish solidarity and safety.

Culture ›

0 Culture Television/Film

How the Hebrew Bible helped me write He-Man (and a Salvation Army special)

Michael Halperin in Forward

Michael Halperin recounts how his Jewish upbringing and knowledge of the Hebrew Bible influenced his career in writing scripts for popular media, including the animated TV series He-Man and various religious-themed projects.

0 Culture Holidays

Hank Azaria Singing a Passover Song as Bruce Springsteen Is Iconic

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Hank Azaria, known for his iconic Simpsons voices and acting roles, combines his Jewish heritage with his passion for Bruce Springsteen by singing the Passover song "Dayenu" in the style of The Boss.

0 Culture Philosophy

The Conversation

Moment in Moment

Readers of Moment magazine responded to a range of topics recently covered by the publication, delving into the influence of Viktor Frankl, the therapeutic potential of medical clowning, and interpretations of the Akedah.

0 Culture Language

Jewish Word | Chaver: Friend or Lover?

Megan Naftali in Moment

Hebrew's use of "chaver," which ambiguously refers to both platonic friends and romantic partners, highlights cultural nuances in how Israelis define relationships.

0 Culture Politics

Actor Ben Platt says his Jewish identity is 'not defined' by Israel, showing a gap between him and his influential family

Grace Gilson in Forward

Actor Ben Platt, speaking at an event in New York City, expressed that his Jewish identity is culturally and emotionally significant but not defined by Israel, reflecting a difference in perspective from his influential Jewish family.

0 Culture Politics

Backing fellow Jewish entertainer Hannah Einbinder, Ben Platt says his Jewish identity is ‘not defined’ by Israel

Grace Gilson in JTA

Ben Platt, renowned Jewish actor, has recently expressed that his Jewish identity is defined more by cultural and interpersonal connections than by the state of Israel, aligning himself with fellow actor Hannah Einbinder.

0 Culture Holidays

This ‘Wrecking Ball’ Passover Parody Is a Banger

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen of Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles delivers a standout Passover parody with "Matzah Balls," a playful take on Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball."

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

‘Shtisel’ star Sasson Gabay is happy to be back playing a complex haredi Orthodox Jew in ‘Kugel’

Gabe Friedman in JTA

Sasson Gabay, renowned for his role as Nuhem Shtisel in the acclaimed series "Shtisel," returns to portray the character in the prequel series "Kugel."

0 Television/Film Culture

Phil Rosenthal Finally Learns to Love Matzah

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Phil Rosenthal, known for creating 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and hosting 'Somebody Feed Phil,' recently overcame his aversion to matzah, a traditional Passover bread.

Holidays ›

0 Holidays Communities

My ‘mixed multitude’ Passover seder was a ringing, singing celebration of diversity

Rabbi Sarah Reines in JTA

Rabbi Sarah Reines shares a vivid account of her diverse Passover seder, highlighting the concept of "erev rav" or mixed multitude from Exodus, symbolizing the rich diversity within Judaism.

Communities ›

0 Communities Israel

How one Washington-area day school saw a surge of recruits in Israel’s military since Oct. 7

Rimonne Zakheim in JTA

The Berman Hebrew Academy in Aspen Hill, Maryland, has witnessed a significant number of its graduates enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) following the October 7, 2023, outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.

0 Communities Sports

Jewish family killed in New York plane crash

Grace Gilson in Forward

A tragic plane crash in New York's Hudson Valley claimed the lives of a Jewish family and their loved ones en route to a Passover celebration.

0 Communities Culture

What I learned about American Jews while collecting Judaica for LA fire victims

Rachel Steinhardt in JTA

Rachel Steinhardt shares her experience organizing a Judaica collection drive for Jewish families affected by the L.A. wildfires.

0 Communities Politics

After 130 years, I’m leaving America for Israel.

Steven Brett Shaklan in Future of Jewish

Steven Brett Shaklan shares his personal decision to move from the United States to Israel, a change precipitated by a sense of increasing antisemitism and societal challenges in America.

Art ›

0 Art Culture

Visual Moment | The Secret Life of an Art Deco Diva

Diane M. Bolz in Moment

Tamara de Lempicka was a pioneering Art Deco artist known for her glossy portraits and sensual nudes that epitomized the style of the 1920s.

History ›

0 History Holidays

The World's Oldest Haggadah

Leah Koenig in Jewish Table

Leah Koenig shares an intriguing story from her family's recent Passover seder about the discovery of the world's oldest Haggadah, a manuscript dating back to the 8th century found in Afghanistan, which includes an ancient piyyut celebrating wine.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism Politics

Anti-Zionist Jews keep repeating the mistakes of Nazi Germany.

Dr. Rae in Future of Jewish

Dr. Rae draws a controversial parallel between today's anti-Zionist Jews and the minority of German Jews in the 1930s who opposed Zionism and underestimated the Nazi threat.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Leading voices against antisemitism at Harvard decry Trump’s overreach, but urge reforms

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Jewish faculty, students, and alumni at Harvard University have raised concerns over former President Trump's aggressive measures against the institution, following his administration's decision to withdraw $2.2 billion in federal funding.

JL;DR

for Thursday, April 17, 2025

Leadership ›

Politics ›

Jewish Law ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Holidays ›

Communities ›

Art ›

History ›

Antisemitism ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 17's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

navigate_before navigate_next for Thursday, April 17, 2025

Leadership ›

Politics ›

Jewish Law ›

Culture ›

Television/Film ›

Holidays ›

Communities ›

Art ›

History ›

Antisemitism ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 17's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, April 17, 2025