CATEGORY
Books
‘Tales of the Holy Mysticat’ Provides a Fresh Take on Jewish Mysticism
Adler employs both wit and wisdom in using the Mysticat to explore the inner meaning of Jewish wisdom.
‘Golem Girl’ Vividly Illustrates a Life Spent Overcoming Disabilities
Lehrer’s memoir deserves to be saluted as an all-too-rare example of a book that shows us what a remarkable human being can be glimpsed if we only peel away the clinical label of “disabled.”
Sisters, Secrets and Shivah in the Novel ‘Evening’
Nessa Rapoport tells her tales with utter clarity and dignity, and yet her prose also is charged with energy, emotion and sly humor.
Watching the Wall Between Church and State Crumble
A review of the book “The Religion Clauses: The Case for Separating Church and State.”
Novel’s Russian Jews Find Rough Going in Israel
The setting of “Jerusalem as a Second Language,” a new novel by Rochelle Distelheim (Aubade Publishing), harks back to a remarkable moment in history.
Timothy Snyder Ties Freedom to Health in ‘Our Malady’
“Health and history” is how Timothy Snyder describes the focal point of his latest book, “Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty From a Hospital Diary”...
Isabel Wilkerson’s New Book ‘Caste’ Clings to the Past
Wilkerson sees her focus on caste as an X-ray, illuminating the invisible, unchanging dimensions of American life.
The Struggle for a Jewish History of the Holocaust
They were most willing to confront the dark side of Jewish behavior. Dworzecki’s admonishment: “Remain Silent or tell the whole truth.”
Excerpt: When Natan Sharansky Met Nelson Mandela
ON FEBRUARY 11, 1990, FOUR YEARS TO THE DAY
after my release, the South African government freed Nelson Mandela. He had served twenty-seven years in...
A Conversation With Natan Sharansky and Gil Troy
Natan Sharansky and Gil Troy, co-authors of “Never Alone,” spoke with Jewish Journal book editor Jonathan Kirsch via Zoom from Jerusalem.
New Memoir Reveals Natan Sharansky’s Life as a Jewish Activist
From Russia came the first pioneers of the Jewish state in modern Israel, including Chaim Weizmann, David Ben-Gurion, Ze’ev Jabotinsky and Golda Meir, all...
NYT Bestselling Author and Holocaust Survivor Edith Eger on Her Self-Help Book ‘The Gift’
A Holocaust survivor with an extraordinary story, her self-help book is titled “The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life.”
Something for Everyone in ‘Night Archer’ Stories
We first came to know Michael Oren as a historian and the author of best-selling history books such as “Power, Faith, and Fantasy” and...
‘Judgment at Nuremberg’ Makes the Case for Soviet Influence in the Trials
Hirsch argues that the Soviet role has been neglected or even misstated in previous accounts, both in academic scholarship and popular culture.
‘Modern Kosher’ Offers a Taste of Jewish Cuisine’s Evolution
The book is so inventive and inviting that it has a shelf life that will extend far beyond our present circumstances.
‘Nazi Menace’ Serves as Timely History Lesson
Hett usefully observes that by studying history, perhaps we are not condemned to repeat it.
Adam Eli Uses Jewish Roots, Ideology to Stand Up for Queer Community in Debut Book
In “The New Queer Conscience,” published in June, the 29-year-old shares that queer people anywhere are responsible for queer people everywhere.
A Jew’s Brazilian Journey Revived in New Translation of ‘On a Clear April Morning’
Marcos Iolovitch’s “On a Clear April Morning” is an especially exotic version of the Jewish immigrant experience.
Nazis Have Upper Hand in Page-Turning ‘What-If’ WWII Novel ‘Rocket’s Red Glare’
“Rocket’s Red Glare: A WWII Era Alternative History Novel” is a deeply informed and wildly inventive re-imagining of America during the Second World War.
Judy Gold Stands Up for Comedy in Her Book ‘Yes, I Can Say That’
The veteran stand-up, actress and Emmy-winning writer-producer weighs in on serious topics including free speech, censorship and cyberbullying, while paying tribute to her Jewish comedy heroes.
‘New Jewish Canon’ Provides Much Food for Thought
Some of the very best Jewish learning does not happen in seminar rooms, synagogues or online, but at home, on the couch.
‘The Violin Players:’ A Jewish Girl’s High School Introduction to Anti-Semitism
The following article is a sponsored feature.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to travel the country to speak to audiences of all ages....
One Israeli Soldier’s Psyche Comes to Light in ‘The Drive’
A principled critic of the IDF comes in the form of one its soldiers in a new book.
‘Her Sister’s Tattoo’ Is an Insightful and Compassionate Tale of Sisterhood and Activism
“Her Sister’s Tattoo” is a fictional story that enables readers to understand the tragic case of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
‘Women of Valor’ Reminds Us Orthodox Women Are More Than Caged Birds Media Depicts
“Women of Valor: Orthodox Jewish Troll Fighters, Crime Writers, and Rock Stars in Contemporary Literature and Culture,” unpacks the portrayals of Orthodox women.
‘Parenting in a Pandemic’ Booklet Offers Insights on How to Help Teens During COVID-19
The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) has released a free 36-page booklet with teachings from mental health professionals who work with adolescents.
‘Surviving Autocracy’ Attacks Trump’s Failings, Warns of His Power
The first book by Masha Gessen that I reviewed in the Journal was “Where the Jews Aren’t,” an account of Stalin’s cynical attempt to...
Chasidism Taught Through a Modern Lens in Two-Volumes
Judaism will be much enhanced by such adaption as has been this reader.
Recommended Children’s Books About Little-Known Jewish Heroes
From a Jewish women's rights activist in Japan to a Greecian princess who saved her family from the Nazis, these heroes are worth reading about.
165 Major Jewish Voices Reflect on COVID-19 in New Anthology
"When We Turned Within: Reflections on COVID-19," will have all proceeds go to UJA-Federation New York's COVID-19 relief fund.
New Articles
News
U.S. and Bahrain Agree to MOU Saying Anti-Zionism is Anti-Semitism
On October 23, the United States and Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that included a statement about anti-Zionism being anti-Semitism.
The MOU stated...
Israel
Israeli Arabs Remain Divided Over Normalization Deals with Gulf States
JNS — The Joint Arab List was alone in voting against the normalization deal with the United Arab Emirates in the Knesset, upsetting many...
Los Angeles
Report: Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Rose 18% in LA County
According to the report, the number of anti-Semitic hate crimes in the county in 2019 was 93; in 2018, that number was 79. The report noted that the 93 instances is the largest number of anti-Semitic hate crimes that the county has recorded since 2009.
News
In a Striking Move, State Department Plans to Label 3 Large Human Rights Groups as Anti-Semitic
WASHINGTON (JTA) — In an unusual move, the State Department is planning to formally identify three large international human rights organizations as anti-Semitic, citing...
Israel
Amid Middle East Peace Deals, Israel and the US Reassert Commitment to Israel’s ‘Qualitative Military Edge’
(JTA) — The United States’ commitment to Israel’s “qualitative military edge” — or having the strongest armed forces in the Middle East — is...
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
