A man discovers a suitcase containing his family's hidden Jewish past, revealing a once-wealthy German family's assets stolen by the Nazis, and embarks on a decade-long journey to trace and reclaim their lost heritage and property.
Jesse Eisenberg has applied for Polish citizenship to strengthen his connection to his family's roots and work more in Poland. He discussed his family's history in Poland and his desire to improve Jewish-Polish relations. Eisenberg recently filmed "A Real Pain" in Poland and plans to return for future projects, despite challenges with local film incentives.
Argentinian President Javier Milei, known for his strong support of Israel, revealed during a visit to a synagogue in Florida that his grandfather was Jewish and that he received his values from Judaism. The Jewish community recognized him as an "international ambassador of light" due to his unwavering support for Israel. Milei was also presented with a yellow ribbon symbolizing remaining hostages by an Israeli-Argentinian citizen who was freed from Hamas captivity, and he posted a picture of the gift on Instagram. Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt, who has headed Chabad in Argentina, praised Milei for his faith and spiritual values.
Fox News contributor Leo Terrell shouted down colleague Jessica Tarlov for invoking her Jewish heritage during a discussion about Israel and President Joe Biden, accusing her of playing the race card. The heated exchange occurred during a segment on The Story, where Terrell criticized Biden's Israel policies, claiming he had abandoned Israel and Jewish American students. Tarlov attempted to provide her perspective as the only Jewish-American on the panel, leading to a tense and animated confrontation between the two pundits.
Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry star in the new film "Treasure," portraying a father and daughter on a journey to Poland to explore their Jewish heritage. The movie, based on Lily Brett’s book "Too Many Men," delves into the aftermath of trauma experienced by Holocaust survivors and their descendants. Both actors connected with their Jewish roots during the filming process, and the director aimed to shed light on the generational impact of unspoken trauma. The film's release coincides with a rise in antisemitism and far-right support, prompting discussions about the broader implications of the story beyond the Jewish community.
The recent Israel-Hamas war and rising antisemitism have caused some American Jews to change the way they celebrate Hanukkah. Many are hesitant to display menorahs in their windows due to safety concerns, while others are determined to stand up for their heritage and not hide. The fear of drawing unwanted attention and becoming a target has led some to keep their religious symbols inside their homes. However, there are still those who believe in the importance of publicizing the miracle of Hanukkah and proudly display their menorahs. Despite the challenges, individuals like Jean Joachim remain defiant and committed to celebrating their religious holidays.
Rep. George Santos, an embattled New York Republican, is claiming that his grandparents fled the Holocaust and that he has Jewish ancestry. Santos stated that he is gathering proof to confirm his Jewish heritage and has hired genealogists to verify it. He expressed frustration at people doubting his heritage and mentioned the challenges of obtaining documentation due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Santos has previously admitted to lying about his education and work history. He is currently facing federal charges and has survived two resolutions to expel him from Congress.
Rep. George Santos, a New York Republican, claims he can prove his Jewish ancestry and that his grandparents were Holocaust survivors. Santos has hired genealogists to verify his heritage, but faces challenges due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need to obtain documentation from Brazil. Santos has faced controversy after admitting to lying about his education and work history, and is currently facing federal charges. Despite surviving two resolutions to expel him from Congress, he remains a liability to the GOP.
Rep. George Santos, a New York Republican, claims to have Jewish ancestry and is gathering proof to confirm his grandparents' status as Holocaust survivors. Santos has hired genealogists to verify his Jewish heritage, but faces challenges due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, where his grandfather is from. Santos expressed frustration at people doubting his heritage and previously referred to himself as "Jew-ish" due to his maternal family's Jewish background. He has survived two resolutions to expel him from Congress and is facing federal charges of fraud and identity theft.
Rep. George Santos, who faces a 23-count federal indictment, sat down with CNN to explain his fabrications and falsities. Santos attributed his false claims to a combination of insecurity and stupidity, but provided excuses for most accusations. He claimed his treasurer was responsible for his finances, attempted to prove his Jewish heritage, and insisted he provided a $500,000 loan to his campaign despite evidence to the contrary. Santos faced a failed vote to expel him from the House, and while he acknowledged his mistakes, he expressed frustration with the continuous focus on his past.
Helen Mirren has responded to the backlash over her decision to play former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the upcoming biopic "Golda." The actress, who is not Jewish, defended her casting by pointing out that she has played other Jewish roles in the past and believes she may have Jewish ancestry. Mirren also discussed the use of prosthetics in film and the delicate balance of portraying characters from different backgrounds. She expressed concern over the growing trend of limiting artistic freedom and the ability to explore diverse stories.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emotionally reflected on his Jewish heritage during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, describing it as a guiding force in his role as the nation's chief law enforcement officer. Garland, whose family members were victims of religious persecution in Europe, emphasized the importance of treating everyone equally under the law. Republican members of the committee criticized Garland over federal investigations, but he vehemently denied any discrimination based on religion. Garland previously expressed his commitment to reducing divisiveness during his confirmation hearing.
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met with his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, in Italy to discuss potential cooperation and the preservation of Jewish heritage sites in Libya. The meeting marks the first-ever official meeting between the two countries' top diplomats. Cohen emphasized the importance of establishing ties with Libya and preserving the heritage of Libyan Jewry. Libya has been in a state of political chaos since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with rival administrations and militias vying for power. The meeting has sparked criticism from some Libyan politicians who accuse the Prime Minister of promoting normalization with Israel for personal gain.
Christopher Nolan's biopic "Oppenheimer" explores the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, and delves into his complex relationship with his Jewish heritage. Born to German Jewish parents, Oppenheimer distanced himself from Jewish traditions and identified more with secular humanism and rationalism. The film portrays his encounters with other Jewish characters, including Albert Einstein and Isidor Rabi, and highlights his involvement in the Manhattan Project, where he worked alongside a significant number of Jewish scientists and technicians. The movie also explores the personal feud between Oppenheimer and Lewis Strauss, who clashed over the development of the hydrogen bomb and had differing approaches to their Jewish identities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made unfounded comments about Ukrainian President Zelensky's Jewish heritage, claiming that some Jews consider him a disgrace to their faith. Zelensky, who lost family in the Holocaust, has repeatedly dismissed as false Russian accusations that he has supported neo-Nazis in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials and Jewish leaders have condemned Putin's comments as antisemitic and a KGB-style provocation.