Jewish Journal

Several Jewish groups condemned the April 27 Human Rights Watch (HRW) report accusing Israel of apartheid.

Tisha B'Av

Columnists

What Happens to Unanswered Prayers?

Tabby Refael -

I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a wasted prayer.

Commentary

A Little Ray of Hope

Stephen Smith -

What I witnessed during the next couple of hours was a beautiful expression of community spirit.

News

Former CIA Head Criticized for Tweeting That Jews Should Be “Empathetic Champions” of Palestinians

Aaron Bandler -

John Brennan, the former CIA director during the Obama administration, is being criticized for tweeting on April 28 that Jews should be “empathetic champions” of Palestinian rights.

Israel

Israel Could Be a ‘Superpower of Goodness,’ Says Presidential Hopeful Yosef Abramowitz

Felice Friedson, The Media Line -

“I have but one ideological ax to grind, which is the climate,” Abramowitz says

Pandemic Times
COVID19

Something Crazy Is Happening in Israel: Ideological Opposites May Unite

David Suissa - April 27, 20210

Editor's Note

The anti-Bibi block is so fervent it’s willing to overlook deeply entrenched ideological differences.

Small Christian University in Oregon Grapples with Accusations of Antisemitism

Ben Sales, JTA - April 28, 20210

News

When the new president of his small Oregon university made a remark about Jewish noses, Daniel Pollack-Pelzner was unnerved.

Jewish Schools in London Shaken by Sexual Abuse Allegations

Jacob Judah, JTA - April 28, 20210

Two of London’s most prestigious Jewish schools are in turmoil after they were implicated on a website for Brits to share their stories of sexual abuse.

News

Harvard Event Highlights Power of Stories to Combat Hate

Ari Berman - April 28, 20210

"We can’t wait for disaster to happen… when we have the tools at our disposal.”

Commentary

The Renewal and Remembrance of Spring

Samara Hutman - April 28, 20210

Because of Addison’s act of remembrance, Ella’s family members were given holy space.

Israel

Birthright Israel to Resume Trips in May

Ryan Torok - April 27, 20210

Eligibility is limited to individuals from the United States between the ages of 18 and 32 who are vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from the coronavirus.

News

Despite COVID Restrictions, Antisemitism Barely Decreased in US in 2020, ADL Says

Ben Sales, JTA - April 27, 20210

The number of antisemitic assaults fell sharply, however, and for the first time in three years, no one was killed in an antisemitic attack.

Columnists

Editor's Note

David Suissa - April 9, 20210

The Jewish Journal Post-Pandemic: On Coming Out Ahead

When we return to print, we want to do it better.

Columnists

Marcus J Freed - April 26, 20210

Satirical Semite: The Missing Goat

Apart from the camp being taken over by deadly animals, the grounds would soon be ready for action next summer.

Columnists

Dan Schnur - April 19, 20210

The Natanz Attack Gets the U.S. Closer to a Better Iran...

There are even more obstacles in the path of a new agreement, which makes most Israelis very happy.

Commentary

Shmuel Rosner - April 26, 20210

Explaining the Math of Israel’s Complicated Coalitions

The somewhat complicated and confusing political situation in Israel and the ways in which the current logjam can be resolved.

Columnists

Tabby Refael - April 22, 20210

Beverly Hills, What a Thrill

I still feel protective of the city that took in my family and me, along with tens of thousands of fellow Iranian Jews, some of us survivors of the Iran-Iraq War.

Commentary

Matthew Schultz - April 21, 20210

Unscrolled, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: Finding the God

When we come to the line “Do not lie with a male the lyings of woman; it is an abhorrence,” will I be up to the job?

Hollywood Stories
HOLLYWOOD

Entertainment

12-time Oscar Nominee and Non-profit are Bringing Adversaries and Art Together for Peace

Entertainment

Oscars 2021: Jewish Nominees (Nearly) Strike Out

California

Ruderman Foundation Grants $1M to Academy Right Before The Oscars to Promote Accessibility and Equity

Entertainment

Spielberg Launches Drive to Film Jewish Stories

Israel

British Actor Jokes Israel “Ignores the Arab Population” With COVID-19 Vaccines

Israel

East Jerusalem Clashes Are Worst Violence in Years

Mohammad Al-Kassim, The Media Line -

Ongoing protests directly outside Old City of Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate since the start of Ramadan have left over 100 injured, and dozens arrested

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Commentary

Helping you make sense of a changing world

Commentary

My Memories of Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein

Cantor Jay I Frailich, D.M. - April 27, 20210

He so loved learning — and it showed in his brilliant scholarship.

Commentary

Human Rights Watch Exploits Its Mission for Hate

Gerald M. Steinberg - April 27, 20210

The Jewish state became a primary target for the post-colonialists, including Roth.

Commentary

Climate Action Has Never Made Me Feel More Jewish

Grace Wallis - April 26, 20210

I need both Jewish and environmental values to sustain my work.

Commentary

Recognizing Armenian Genocide Was Long Overdue, But It’s Not Enough

Stephen Smith - April 25, 20210

America has been on the wrong side of history for over a century.

Commentary

Free Speech and the American Way

Larry Greenfield - April 23, 20210

Second in a Six-Part Series

PodcastsDavid Suissa - April 27, 20210

Curious Times Episode 23: A Trial for Halimi and a Beautiful Story

Three stories on my mind: Halimi, an Israeli miracle, and a community story. Enjoy the conversation. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Stitcher Follow David Suissa...

PodcastsErin Ben-Moche and Esther D. Kustanowitz - April 16, 20210

Shtisel, Shiva and Donny Oy Vey!

What do shivas and b'nai mitzvah have in common? Bagels, of course, and this week, it's the new films "Shiva Baby" and "Donny's Bar...

PodcastsSalvador Litvak - October 27, 20200

Rabbi Reuven Wolf: Who Is The Jewish Messiah and When Is He Coming?

Rabbi Reuven Wolf of Maayon Yisroel Chassidic Center, takes us deep into Jewish mysticism as Sal and his rabbi explore some tough questions: Why...

PodcastsShmuel Rosner - April 28, 20210

Ryan P. Burge: The Nones

Shmuel Rosner and Ryan P. Burge discuss his latest book, "The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going". Dr....

PodcastsJewish Journal - November 10, 20200

The Conservative meets the Democrat: Larry Greenfield and Hailey Soifer

Larry Greenfield is a Fellow at The Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship & Political Philosophy and a frequent columnist with The Jewish...

Rosner's DomainShmuel Rosner - April 22, 20210

Rosner’s Torah Talk: Acharei Mot Kedoshim with Lisa Rothstein Goldberg

Lisa Rothstein Goldberg studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) in New York. Lisa has wanted to be a rabbi since her sophomore year of...

Book Review: The Story of Esther Meets the Story of America

Jonathan Kirsch - February 15, 2021

Book Review: ‘Sergeant Salinger’

Jonathan Kirsch - January 19, 2021

Book Review: ‘Sapiens: A Graphic History’

Jonathan Kirsch - January 1, 2021

JJ Bloggers

AND THE WINNER IS…Lisa Niver for NAEJ Book Critic

Lisa Ellen Niver -

“I Have Had Enough”: Zabulon Simintov, the Last-Known Jew in Afghanistan Returns to Israel

Michael Peres -

A Moment in Time: When Righteousness Flourishes

Rabbi Zach Shapiro -

Blood, and Nudity and Moloch (Oh, My) — A poem for Torah Portion Acharei Mot-Kedoshim

Rick Lupert -

Herby, nutty, crispy, earthy, tangy Za’atar is the quintessential seasoning of the Israeli kitchen.

Finance

4 Retirement Risks That Could Undermine Your Careful Planning

Jim Braun -

A number of risks to your retirement strategy can still lurk, even if you appear to have safely arrived at your post-work destination.

Books

David Laskin Breaks New Ground in ‘What Sammy Knew’

Eve Rotman -

The striking similarities between “What Sammy Knew” and today’s social movements are unmistakable.

Film

Israeli and Palestinian Films Face Off for Oscar

Tom Tugend -

In the short films category, both the Israeli and Palestinian entries have placed among the five finalists, no small feat in a field of 174 competitors.

L.A. Stories

Thanks for the Memories and Melodies, Jay

Harvey Farr - April 22, 2021

Celebrating Israel — at a Drive-In

Ryan Torok - April 20, 2021

YULA Girls Student Sarah Shaye Places Sixth in International Bible Competition

Harvey Farr - April 15, 2021

Hollywood

“Shiva Baby” Brims with Feverish Millennial Jewish Angst

Sam Rosenberg - March 29, 2021

George Segal, Vanguard of 1960s Wave of Young Jewish Actors, Dies at 87

Ron Kampeas, JTA - March 25, 2021

William Shatner Turns 90, Preserves His Legacy With AI App StoryFile

Erin Ben-Moche - March 22, 2021

Food Stories
FOOD

Food

Special Spicy Tuna Spaghetti

Food

Mouthwatering Moroccan Matbucha

Food

The Strength of Symbolism: Lamb Shanks with Apricots and Prunes

Food

The Power of Soup : Iraqi Chicken Shorba

Food

Luck of the Irish: Iraqi Sweet & Sour Salona

Table For Five

Judaism

Table for Five: Emor

Salvador Litvak - April 28, 20210

Compassionate eating is not just a virtue, it’s a commandment.

Judaism

Table for Five: Acharei-Kedoshim

Salvador Litvak - April 21, 20210

All Good Things Need Boundaries

Judaism

Table for Five: Tazria-Metzora

Salvador Litvak - April 14, 20210

What can we learn from an ancient disease that was actually a physical manifestation of a spiritual malady?

A Bisl Torah

A Bisl Torah — Selectively Silent

Rabbi Nicole Guzik - April 22, 20210

Whether a brief pause, listening ear or stunned period of absolute stillness, silence is often the wisest choice.

A Bisl Torah

A Bisl Torah — Happy Birthday to Israel

Rabbi Nicole Guzik - April 15, 20210

Shakshuka is the perfect metaphor for Eretz Yisrael. A bold country, filled with a glorious tapestry of opinions, religions, cultures, voices, and traditions.

A Bisl Torah