for Wednesday, April 23, 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 »

Education ›

0 Education Torah

Remembering Rav Meir Mazuz zt”l

Ami Magazine in Ami

Rav Meir Nissim Mazuz, a revered Torah scholar and educator, is remembered for his profound impact on Torah study and his unique Iyun Tunisai approach, emphasizing rigorous analysis and independent learning.

0 Education Antisemitism

California school board members accused of antisemitism during contentious meeting

Grace Gilson in Forward

At a Pajaro Valley Unified School District meeting, two board members made comments perceived as antisemitic, sparking calls for an apology from the Anti-Defamation League.

0 Education Antisemitism

From crisis to credential: Why we must professionalize antisemitism expertise now

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the wake of increased antisemitic incidents following the October 7 Hamas attack, Ayal Feinberg highlights the urgent need to professionalize antisemitism expertise.

0 Education Leadership

This research-philanthropy partnership aims to help Jewish communal leaders be more savvy consumers of data

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the wake of major challenges such as the aftermath of October 7 events, the Collaborative for Applied Studies in Jewish Educations (CASJE) Research Digest is being relaunched to better equip Jewish communal leaders with the skills to navigate a large influx of data and research.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Jewish Law

Divorcing Amicably

Rabbi Yitzchok Frankfurter in Ami

Isaac Gruenebaum, a New York State court-certified mediator and expert in conflict resolution, discusses his approach to mediating divorces.

Communities ›

0 Communities Leadership

Ralph (Raphael) Zucker // Inspired by Somerset Development

Nesanel Gantz in Ami

Ralph Zucker, CEO of Inspired by Somerset Development, is reshaping suburban real estate with his unique metroburb concept.

0 Communities Torah

Entering the Gate of Mashiach

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

The article explores a significant trend in contemporary Judaism, where individuals merge diverse Jewish traditions in their spiritual lives, reflecting a broader path to unity.

0 Communities Jewish Law

Half the Battle

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Rav Meir Mazuz, a prominent Tunisian Jewish leader and renowned Torah scholar, dedicated his life to preserving the sanctity of the Jewish nation.

0 Communities Ethics

Family First Inbox: Issue 938

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

This collection of letters from Family First Issue 938 explores diverse issues impacting the Orthodox Jewish community, including the complexities of mental health care, the financial strain faced by therapists, and the importance of life insurance.

0 Communities Culture

How do you deal with invitations from someone who drives you nuts?

Beth Harpaz in Forward

In the Bintel Brief advice column, Beth Harpaz addresses a dilemma involving a couple who constantly face uncomfortable dining scenarios due to one member’s persistent complaints about restaurant meals.

0 Communities Culture

This NYC pickle crawl is a very big dill

Joseph Strauss in JTA

On a rainy Saturday, Linus Gordon, a Jewish software engineer turned pickle influencer, organized the first-ever NYC Pickle Crawl.

History ›

0 History Politics

Pyramid Scheme // Egypt’s in arrears to its former Jewish citizens

Avi Shafran in Ami

Jews in Egypt endured systematic persecution from the mid-20th century, leading to the expulsion of most of the 40,000-strong community.

0 History Communities

This Jewish New Yorker survived the Holocaust and the Hungarian Revolution, and is still helping others today

Jackie Hajdenberg in Forward

Susan Kalev, an 80-year-old Holocaust survivor and social worker in Washington Heights, New York, reflects on her life journey from Budapest to America.

0 History Holocaust

Eichmann in My Living Room

Anne-Marie Deutsch in Moment

Anne-Marie Deutsch reflects on her childhood experience of watching the televised trial of Adolf Eichmann in 1961, which inadvertently introduced her to the horrors of the Holocaust, a topic that her survivor parents seldom addressed directly with her.

0 History Holocaust

Hidden in a famous WWII photo, two heroic Jewish stories

Olivia Haynie in Forward

The iconic WWII photo capturing the meeting of American and Russian troops at the Elbe River hides two poignant Jewish stories of survival and resilience.

Literature ›

0 Literature History

Nifrad MiKayin: A Story of Ancient Israel

Shira Eliaser in Lehrhaus

Shira Eliaser explores the ancient biblical narrative of Yael from the Book of Judges, offering a creative retelling that delves into the character's origins and motivations.

Politics ›

0 Politics Israel

The Only Real Option for Israel in Gaza

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

In the article, Joshua Hoffman argues that Israel has no viable alternative but to maintain control over Gaza, rejecting recent ceasefire proposals as inadequate and dangerous.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Will the next pope be good for the Jews?

Mira Fox in Forward

In the wake of Pope Francis's passing, speculation about his successor's influence on Jewish-Catholic relations is rife.

0 Politics Israel

Never Forget

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Reflecting on the October 7 events in Israel, Cindy Scarr critiques the outdated slogan "Never Again" and advocates for "Never Forget" as a more pragmatic ethos.

0 Politics Israel

Trump Says “Don’t”

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

A recent leak revealed a rift between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former U.S. President Trump over plans for a potential Israeli military strike on Iranian nuclear sites.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Trump would eliminate antisemitism envoy in proposed State Department overhaul

Arno Rosenfeld in Forward

The Trump administration's proposed overhaul of the State Department could see the elimination of the special envoy for monitoring and combating antisemitism, a key role focused on international antisemitic threats.

0 Politics Communities

An Israeli think tank used AI to analyze 4,400 American synagogue sermons. Here’s what it found.

Ben Sales in JTA

Researchers at the Jewish People Policy Institute used AI technology to study 4,400 sermons from American synagogues, revealing significant insights into the themes dominating rabbinic discourses.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Harvard's Jewish president, in new lawsuit, says Trump crackdown has 'nothing to do' with fighting antisemitism

Louis Keene in Forward

Harvard University President Alan Garber, who is himself Jewish, announced a lawsuit to block punitive measures from the Trump administration that claim to combat antisemitism but are argued to be unrelated.

0 Politics Communities

Jewish Federations CEO privately opposed a Jewish open letter criticizing Trump’s campus arrests

Andrew Lapin in JTA

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) CEO, Eric Fingerhut, opposed a joint statement by major Jewish groups criticizing the Trump administration's approach to antisemitism and its deportation of foreign student activists.

Science ›

0 Science Communities

Can weight-loss drugs help in cancer treatment? This Jewish organization is on the case

Larry Luxner in JTA

Jewish breast and ovarian cancer organization Sharsheret is addressing the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists, like semaglutides (Ozempic and Wegovy), in cancer treatment.

Culture ›

0 Culture Food

Taster’s Choice

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Members of Congregation Zichron Eliezer in Cincinnati recently participated in a unique event at New Riff distillery in Kentucky, where they sampled and selected bourbon for the distillery's first kosher-certified line.

0 Culture Ethics

Making Peace

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

Abby Delouya emphasizes understanding and communicating to address a spouse's emotional or cognitive limitations without causing conflict.

0 Culture Language

Philanthropist Eli Hirschfeld donates domains Yiddish.com and Yiddish.org to the Forward

פֿאָרווערטס־רעדאַקציע in Forward

Philanthropist Eli Hirschfeld has generously donated the domains Yiddish.com and Yiddish.org to the Forward, an organization dedicated to promoting Yiddish culture and language.

0 Culture Politics

Ben Shapiro, Emily Damari among torch lighters for Israel’s Independence Day ceremony

Grace Gilson in Forward

Israel's upcoming Independence Day ceremony has chosen notable figures, including American conservative pundit Ben Shapiro, former hostage Emily Damari, and NBA player Deni Avdija, to light torches.

0 Culture Politics

Larry David’s ‘My Dinner with Adolf’ essay skewers Bill Maher’s meeting with Trump

Andrew Silow-Carroll in Forward

Larry David's satirical New York Times essay, "My Dinner with Adolf," critiques Bill Maher's recent amiable dinner with Donald Trump by imagining a similar encounter with Adolf Hitler.

0 Culture Communities

The Forward Announces Gifts of Domains Yiddish.com and Yiddish.org by Elie Hirschfeld and his wife, Sarah Hirschfeld, MD

The Forward in Forward

The Forward, a major player in Jewish journalism since its Yiddish-language inception in 1897, has expanded its online presence with the acquisition of the domains Yiddish.com and Yiddish.org, donated by philanthropists Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

A Blood Libel in New York

Cindy Scarr in Mishpacha

In 1928, a disturbing instance of the age-old blood libel accusation unfolded in Massena, New York, a town with a small Jewish community amidst a larger immigrant population.

0 Antisemitism Leadership

The Francis I knew: a warrior against antisemitism, a sometimes impolitic critic of Israel

Rabbi Noam E. Marans in JTA

Rabbi Noam E. Marans reflects on his interactions with Pope Francis, highlighting his legacy of fostering positive Catholic-Jewish relations, grounded in the principles of Nostra Aetate.

0 Antisemitism Education

ADL says antisemitic incidents rose over 80% on college campuses last year

Grace Gilson in JTA

Antisemitic incidents across the United States reached a new peak in 2024, as reported by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), with a notable 84% surge in such occurrences on college campuses.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Harvard president: As a Jew, ‘I know very well’ that concerns about antisemitism are valid

Louis Keene in Forward

Harvard University President Alan Garber, who is Jewish, announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block actions it claims are punitive and unjustified regarding antisemitism.

Holocaust ›

0 Holocaust History

Our preeminent historian of the Jews is finally ready to confront Auschwitz

Dan Friedman in Forward

Simon Schama, a distinguished Jewish historian, explores the horrors of the Holocaust in the PBS documentary 'Simon Schama: The Holocaust, 80 Years On.'

0 Holocaust Education

As the last generation of Holocaust survivors ages, advocates call for their testimonies to be heard

Grace Gilson in JTA

As the number of living Holocaust survivors dwindles, a new analysis by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany highlights the urgency of recording their testimonies before it's too late.

0 Holocaust Music

Notes of Defiance: Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Diana Blumenfeld, and the Question of Cultural Genocide

Alia Saphier in Lehrhaus

Alia Saphier's article explores the concept of cultural genocide during the Holocaust, focusing on the impact on Jewish music through the lives of Anita Lasker-Wallfisch and Diana Blumenfeld.

0 Holocaust Politics

Holocaust lessons are a lie we tell ourselves.

Future of Jewish

The article by Josh Yunis examines the appropriation of Holocaust memory in contemporary political activism, particularly its use in the debate over Israel and Palestine.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

A New ‘Clueless’ Show Starring Alicia Silverstone Is Coming

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

Alicia Silverstone is set to reprise her iconic role as Cher Horowitz in a new Peacock series based on the 1995 classic film "Clueless," now confirmed by Amy Heckerling as having a Jewish character.

0 Television/Film Culture

Sasson Gabay Makes a Charming Return to His ‘Shtisel’ Character in ‘Kugel’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

"Kugel," a prequel to the praised Israeli series "Shtisel," brings back Sasson Gabay in his iconic role as Nuchem Shtisel.

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Politics

Western liberals killed God — and they call it progress.

Lucy Tabrizi in Future of Jewish

Lucy Tabrizi explores the perceived decline of Western liberalism, attributing it to a disconnection from its Judeo-Christian roots and the spiritual void left by the abandonment of these foundations.

Sports ›

0 Sports Israel

Israeli mom ‘made it easy’ for new NHL player to make history

Louis Keene in Forward

Zeev Buium made history as the first NHL player born to Israeli parents when he debuted with the Minnesota Wild against the Vegas Golden Knights.

JL;DR

for Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Education ›

Ethics ›

Communities ›

History ›

Literature ›

Politics ›

Science ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Holocaust ›

Television/Film ›

Philosophy ›

Sports ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 23's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Education ›

Ethics ›

Communities ›

History ›

Literature ›

Politics ›

Science ›

Culture ›

Antisemitism ›

Holocaust ›

Television/Film ›

Philosophy ›

Sports ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 23's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Wednesday, April 23, 2025