for Thursday, April 10, 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 »

Philosophy ›

0 Philosophy Holidays

A Passover Interlude: The Difference between Freedom and Liberation: Reflections on Aaron Shmuel Tamares’ essay “Herut/Liberty” (1906)

Shaul Magid in Jewschool

Shaul Magid reflects on Aaron Shmuel Tamares' 1906 essay, where Tamares contrasts European notions of freedom with Jewish liberation through the Passover lens.

0 Philosophy Holidays

The Light at the End of the Night: Rav Hutner on the Pesach Seder and the Problem of Evil

Shmuel Lubin in Lehrhaus

Shmuel Lubin delves into Rabbi Yitzhak Hutner's interpretation of the Pesach Seder, focusing on how it addresses the problem of evil and human suffering.

0 Philosophy Communities

The beautiful chaos of microgiving

eJewishPhilanthropy

Jamie Geller, the chief communications officer for Aish, shares her experiences with microgiving, a fundraising approach that democratizes philanthropy by encouraging small donations that are often matched, amplifying their impact.

Politics ›

0 Politics Antisemitism

Colombia appoints allegedly fake anti-Zionist rabbi as director of religious affairs

Grace Gilson in Forward

Colombia's Jewish community is disconcerted by the appointment of Richard Gamboa Ben-Eleazar as the director of religious affairs in Colombia's Ministry of the Interior.

0 Politics Communities

GOP Rep. Randy Fine, the newest Jewish congressman, calls Rashida Tlaib a ‘terrorist’

Andrew Lapin in Forward

Randy Fine, a newly sworn-in Jewish congressman from Florida, has gained attention for his inflammatory remarks toward Muslim lawmakers, particularly targeting Palestinian-American Rep. Rashida Tlaib by labeling her a terrorist on a podcast.

0 Politics Israel

Freed hostage Liri Albag responds to backlash over Netanyahu criticism: ‘I fear what we have become’

Philissa Cramer in Forward

Liri Albag, an Israeli soldier recently freed from Hamas captivity, has faced significant online abuse from Benjamin Netanyahu supporters after criticizing the prime minister for her ordeal.

0 Politics Ethics

'Pro-Palestine' is not a cause. It's a cult.

Lucy Tabrizi in Future of Jewish

Lucy Tabrizi recounts an encounter with a pro-Palestine activist, describing the intense vitriol and unreasoned arguments as evidence of a cult-like movement driven more by outrage than coherent activism.

0 Politics Israel

Why Liberal American Jews Should Boycott the World Zionist Congress

guestpost in Jewschool

Akiva Lichtenberg argues that liberal American Jews should abstain from voting in the World Zionist Congress (WZC) elections, as the institution has become irrelevant and counterproductive to their values.

0 Politics Culture

I operate a small Judaica business. Trump’s tariffs are going to squelch Jewish innovation.

David Zvi Kalman in JTA

David Zvi Kalman discusses the impact of tariffs implemented by the Trump administration on his Judaica business, which relies heavily on Chinese and Israeli manufacturing.

0 Politics Jewish Law

Against Zionist Realism - Is “Not In Our Name” Jewish organizing around Palestine inflating our culpability as Jews—and downplaying our complicity as <em>Americans</em>?

Jon Danforth-Appell in Jewish Currents

Jon Danforth-Appell examines the complexities within Jewish activism concerning Palestinian solidarity, particularly focusing on the dynamics surrounding Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and IfNotNow (INN).

0 Politics Antisemitism

Cornell and Northwestern to see nearly $2B frozen amid Trump’s antisemitism crackdown

Philissa Cramer in JTA

Cornell and Northwestern Universities, both led by Jewish presidents, are facing substantial funding cuts from the Trump administration as part of a broader crackdown on campuses allegedly mishandling antisemitism.

0 Politics Antisemitism

Martin Gurri: When Americans Gave Up Their Freedoms. Plus. . .

Will Rahn in The Free Press

In a reflection on the changing American political landscape, Martin Gurri argues that public disillusionment with institutions was significantly magnified by the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

0 Politics Communities

Zohran Mamdani deepens his anti-Israel antagonism in NYC mayoral race

Matthew Kassel in Jewish Insider

Zohran Mamdani, a far-left Democratic Socialist and candidate in the New York City mayoral race, continues to deepen concerns among Jewish communities with his strong anti-Israel stance.

0 Politics Israel

Can Israel's love for Trump survive his coming negotiations with Iran?

Dan Perry in Forward

As President Donald Trump signals a renewal of nuclear negotiations with Iran, concerns arise in Israel over whether his approach will genuinely safeguard Israeli interests amidst Tehran's nuclear advancements.

Television/Film ›

0 Television/Film Culture

This New Sitcom from the Makers of ‘Will & Grace’ Is Super Jewish and Utterly Delightful

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

"Mid-Century Modern," a new sitcom by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, the Jewish creators behind "Will & Grace," brings a warmly Jewish and queer perspective to TV comedy.

0 Television/Film Culture

Why Nick Jonas should not sing ‘Shiksa Goddess,’ the outdated song from ‘The Last Five Years’

Samuel Eli Shepherd in Forward

In the Broadway production of Jason Robert Brown's musical "The Last Five Years," Nick Jonas's performance of the song "Shiksa Goddess" has sparked controversy due to its outdated stereotypes and offensive language.

Communities ›

0 Communities Politics

My Jewish moms group ousted me because I work for J Street. Is this what communal life has come to?

Emily Kaiman in Forward

Emily Kaiman shares her unsettling experience of being expelled from the Jewish Moms of Atlanta Facebook group due to her affiliation with J Street, an organization that supports peace and diplomacy between Israelis and Palestinians.

0 Communities Culture

It’s official: Southeast Florida’s Jewish population is growing — and getting younger

Grace Gilson in Forward

A recent study by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation reveals significant demographic shifts within Miami-Dade County's Jewish community, marking a 7% growth to 130,100 individuals over the past decade.

Education ›

0 Education Antisemitism

California DOE finds school’s ethnic studies curriculum discriminated against Jewish students

Grace Gilson in JTA

The California Department of Education (DOE) determined that an ethnic studies curriculum at Branham High School in San Jose discriminated against Jewish students by presenting biased content on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, describing Israel as a settler colonial state without offering a counter view.

0 Education Jewish Law

Interpretation is a creative skill we need in the age of generative AI

eJewishPhilanthropy

In the era of generative AI, fostering the Jewish tradition of creative interpretation is essential in education.

Culture ›

0 Culture Communities

This Butterfly Species Is Now Named After Ariel Bibas

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller

In a touching tribute to Ariel Bibas, a young boy remembered for his love of butterflies and Batman, a species of orange butterfly commonly seen in Jerusalem has been renamed in his honor.

0 Culture Communities

Harlem-based Ethiopian-Israeli chef Beejhy Barhany dishes on her new cookbook

Rachel Ringler in JTA

Beejhy Barhany, an Ethiopian-Israeli chef and owner of Tsion Cafe in Harlem, has released her first cookbook, "Gursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens, from Ethiopia, Israel, Harlem, and Beyond."

0 Culture Politics

Jewish cultural institutions reeling as Trump defunds arts and humanities

Asaf Elia-Shalev in Forward

Jewish cultural institutions face a daunting challenge as President Trump's administration dismantles key federal arts funding bodies, significantly impacting the availability of grants that many depend on.

0 Culture History

A publisher is reissuing a 1931 novel to bolster Jewish representation in Hollywood

Grace Gilson in Forward

Sam Wasson, a noted Jewish film historian, is reissuing the 1931 satire 'Rabbi Burns' to address and counter criticisms of antisemitism related to the Academy Museum's recent Hollywood exhibit.

Ethics ›

0 Ethics Politics

Stephen Miller's cavalier cruelty misses the whole point of Passover

Jay Michaelson in Forward

Jay Michaelson contrasts the compassionate essence of Passover with the hardline immigration stance of Stephen Miller, highlighting the ethical teachings from the Jewish Exodus story.

Antisemitism ›

0 Antisemitism History

Jewish success isn't despite antisemitism. It's because of it.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish

Joshua Hoffman argues that Jewish success has historically been nurtured through adversity and antisemitism.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Muslim prayer room at NYU vandalized with name of Jewish fraternity

Grace Gilson in Forward

A Muslim prayer room at New York University was vandalized with graffiti bearing the name of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, sparking widespread condemnation and concern among the university's Muslim community.

0 Antisemitism Politics

Lipstadt says Trump admin ‘weaponized’ antisemitism in higher ed policy

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider

Deborah Lipstadt, former U.S. special envoy to combat antisemitism, critiques the Trump administration's approach to tackling antisemitism on college campuses.

Israel ›

0 Israel Culture

My First Bomb Shelter Experience in Israel

Ted Goldstein in Future of Jewish

During a Shabbat celebration in Jerusalem, Ted Goldstein experienced an interruption of peace as sirens warned of an incoming missile threat.

JL;DR

for Thursday, April 10, 2025

Philosophy ›

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Communities ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Ethics ›

Antisemitism ›

Israel ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 10's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

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Philosophy ›

Politics ›

Television/Film ›

Communities ›

Education ›

Culture ›

Ethics ›

Antisemitism ›

Israel ›

Editors' Note

Top Topics in Jewish Media

April 10's Short Reads

Recent podcast episodes

for Thursday, April 10, 2025