Why it’s hard for American Jews to talk about democracy — and why we absolutely must
JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY—A call to discussion from the heads of the Shalom Hartman Institute and A More Perfect Union. At a time when American democracy faces real threats, many mainstream Jewish leaders are struggling to find public footing. Some leaders have spoken out, and some institutions and denominations have joined together on statements condemning violence, cruelty, […]
Israeli artist is TSU’s semester-long artist in residence
JEWISH HERALD-VOICE—At a moment of rising antisemitism, BAMAH exchange program builds bridges through Israeli art and human connection Beginning next fall, Texas Southern University will welcome an Israeli artist in residence – not for a single performance or lecture, but for a full semester of teaching, creating and building relationships on campus. The exchange is […]
From Israel to Morocco to an HBCU in New Orleans, these Jewish artists are searching for home
JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY—Neta Elkayam and Amit Hai Cohen teach the most popular elective at Xavier University. At least for now. The class does not begin with a lecture. Instead, Neta Elkayam stands at the front of the room and sings. Usually in the Moroccan Arabic of her ancestors, rather than her native Hebrew. The students […]
Jewish book subscription program pushes back against publishing industry antisemitism
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL—Marking the centennial of one of the Jewish Book Council’s foundational programs, ‘Nu Reads’ delivers books bimonthly with aim to boost writers and send a message to publishers. Last year, a list circulated online targeting “Zionist” authors for a boycott. Dozens of blacklisted writers, nearly all Jews, had been condemned for infractions […]
Innovative program at CUNY colleges retools Hillels as social service hubs for students
JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY—Financial problems and stress almost forced Benjamin S. to drop out of college last year. “Some days I just wouldn’t eat because I didn’t have any cash on me,” said Benjamin, a student at Baruch College in New York who asked that his full name not be used to protect his privacy. But […]
Jewish donors and the case for CUNY
EJEWISHPHILANTHROPY—August 28, 2024—High-profile Jewish donors made headlines during the last academic year when they halted financial support for Ivy League universities, but there was surprisingly little public debate over where else those funds might go. Marc Charendoff proposed the minyan idea in eJewishPhilanthropy, and Brett Stephens offered his own challenge in The New York Times: “If you are […]
Caring For Our Kids’ Mental Health, Jewishly [podcast]
SHALOM HARTMAN INSTITUTE—December 21, 2022—What is the responsibility of Jewish leaders to address mental health in the Jewish community? Yehuda Kurtzer talks with Yael Kornfeld, campus social worker at Hunter College Hillel and a Jewish professional on the frontline of the mental health crisis, about the Jewish imperative to support people who are struggling to be safe and […]