Neal Hoffman, a Cincinnati resident and former Hasbro employee, created the 'Mensch on a Bench,' a Hanukkah-themed toy inspired by the Elf on a Shelf, to celebrate Jewish traditions with humor and education. The toy, which teaches children about being a mensch and retells the story of the Maccabees, has become a popular cultural phenomenon, supported by a successful Kickstarter campaign and a pitch on Shark Tank, leading to a range of related characters and toys that aim to promote Jewish joy and identity.
The President extends warm Hanukkah greetings, highlighting the historical miracle of the oil, the significance of the menorah as a symbol of victory and liberty, and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to religious freedom and resilience of the Jewish community. He wishes peace, joy, and warmth to all celebrating the Festival of Lights.
A woman recounts her relationship with a Greek Orthodox man, highlighting how their differing religious beliefs, especially regarding marriage and conversion, led to their breakup despite a strong connection, emphasizing the importance of discussing core values early in relationships.
The second season of 'Nobody Wants This' explores themes of love, tradition, and identity, focusing on the characters' struggles with Jewish faith and cultural practices, ultimately questioning what it means to feel or be Jewish, while highlighting the show's superficial treatment of religious conversion and cultural significance.
French President Emmanuel Macron criticizes Netanyahu's aggressive policies in Gaza, warning that they endanger Jews worldwide and highlighting the dangers of Israel's current approach, which has sparked international concern and criticism.
President Biden has a history of claiming to be an "honorary" member of various ethnic groups, including Greek, Jewish, Puerto Rican, and Black communities. He has made statements tying himself to these communities, such as inheriting the nickname "Biden-opoulos" from the Greek community in Delaware and claiming to have been raised by the Puerto Rican community. Biden's attempts to connect with different ethnicities have been met with both support and criticism.
Director Jonathan Glazer's Oscar speech, equating the Holocaust to the Israel-Hamas conflict, has sparked outrage among Jewish celebrities and the community. Glazer's comments were criticized for distorting history and drawing a false moral equivalence, leading to a letter signed by 500 Jewish creatives. The speech has also been disowned by the film's producer, Danny Cohen. The controversy has reignited discussions about the Israel-Hamas conflict and the use of the Holocaust in political discourse.
Over 450 Jewish entertainment figures have signed an open letter denouncing director Jonathan Glazer for his speech at the Oscars, where he was accused of drawing a moral equivalency between the Nazi regime and the Israeli nation. The signees, including Debra Messing, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Amy Pascal, criticized Glazer's comments on the Israel-Hamas war and the misuse of Jewish identity and Holocaust history. Glazer's speech has sparked controversy and received both support and criticism from high-profile Hollywood personalities.
After visiting Auschwitz, Elon Musk described himself as "Jewish by association" and expressed surprise at the prevalence of antisemitism, citing his predominantly Jewish social circle. Musk's comments came during a conversation with Ben Shapiro at a conference on antisemitism organized by the European Jewish Association. The visit was arranged to address a surge in antisemitism following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Musk's remarks come after he faced criticism for endorsing an antisemitic claim on his social media platform, X, and allowing bigoted content to be posted.
Mayim Bialik, known for her role in "The Big Bang Theory," announced on Instagram that she will no longer be hosting the game show Jeopardy! She did not provide specific reasons for the decision. Bialik, who is Jewish, has been a vocal supporter of Israel and the Jewish people. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the Jeopardy! family and thanked fans, staff, contestants, and crew.
The author, a Jewish individual, reflects on their deep connection to "A Charlie Brown Christmas," despite its overtly Christian themes. They appreciate the sincerity and earnestness of the special, as well as its exploration of ambivalence and alienation, which resonate with their own experiences as a Jewish person. The author finds comfort in the Peanuts characters, particularly Linus, who embodies a brainy, philosemitic friend. Ultimately, they appreciate the artistry of the special and its ability to address big questions of meaning and identity, even if they don't share the same faith.
Columbia University has suspended its chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, two student clubs that have shown solidarity in calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The suspension comes after the groups allegedly violated university policies related to holding campus events, including an unauthorized event that involved threatening rhetoric and intimidation. The suspension will remain in place until the clubs can demonstrate a commitment to compliance with university policies. The decision has been condemned by the Council on American-Islamic Relations as an attack on constitutionally protected free speech.
A Brooklyn man, identified as Noah Schaffer, was suspended from his job at a user-experience company by his Jewish father after he was caught on video tearing down posters of Israeli children held by Hamas. Noah's father, Eric Schaffer, placed him on unpaid leave for four months and stated that his actions were reprehensible. The couple, Noah and his wife Kelly, have deleted their social media and LinkedIn accounts. Another individual, Marc Louvet, who was also seen ripping down posters, has been placed on leave by his employer, investment firm VanEck. Several instances of New Yorkers tearing down similar posters have been reported.
Claudia Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City and candidate for the left-wing Morena party, is currently the frontrunner in the polls for Mexico's 2024 presidential election. If elected, she would become Mexico's first woman president and potentially the country's first Jewish president. Sheinbaum, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist and political liberal, has focused on fighting corruption, supporting vulnerable populations, and developing renewable energy. Her Jewish identity has become a simmering issue in the race, with some controversy and criticism surrounding her time as mayor. While the average Mexican may not care about her religion, the majority of Mexico's Jews, who lean conservative politically, are likely to vote for her opponent, Xóchitl Gálvez.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, is viewed as a "disgrace" to his faith by other members of the religion. Putin accused Zelensky of covering for neo-Nazis and putting them on a pedestal. Former Israeli minister and Jewish Agency chief Natan Sharansky responded to Putin, saying Ukrainians should be proud of having elected a Jewish president. Putin's remarks appeared to go even further than ones made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier this year in which he conceded that Zelensky is Jewish but claimed that even Hitler had "Jewish blood."
