Jews in America

A century before Trump targeted Somalis, Jews faced politics of blame 

In 1908, New York City Police Commissioner Theodore A. Bingham claimed Jews accounted for half of New York’s crimes.

The crowded "Hebrew district" of New York's Lower East Side, c. 1907.
A Jewish family decorates their windows for Hanukkah in Houston in December 2008.

When my children decorate for Hanukkah, I don’t just see pride, I see pluralism in action - opinion

MIRIAM ADELSON looks on as US President Donald Trump speaks at a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, December 16, 2025.

Trump expresses friendship, love, support, for Jews at White House Hanukkah celebration

Crowds watch the Israel Day on Fifth parade on June 2, 2024 in New York City

As Mamdani’s victory reverberates beyond NYC, Jews must choose solidarity over shock - opinion


Jon Stewart to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

The honor, given by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and awarded annually since 1998, has not been given to anyone for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Jon Stewart speaks backstage a "Stand Up for Heroes" benefit show in New York City, Nov. 4, 2019.

Over 90% of American Jews concerned about antisemitism - survey

94% of American Jews say there's at least some antisemitism in the US, while 75% of American Jews believe that there is more antisemitism today in the US than five years ago.

 A WHITE SUPREMACIST protester holds an antisemitic sign outside the Kenosha County Courthouse during jury deliberations in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last month.

The top 10 Jewish sports moments of 2021

From a very Jewish World Series to inspiring performances in the Olympics and Paralympics, Jewish athletes and teams accomplished impressive feats across sports and around the world.

 2021 was an exciting year in the Jewish sports world.

Ed Shames of ‘Band of Brothers’ dead at 99

In 1945, Shames secured bottles of cognac designated for Hitler’s use during his tour of duty for the US army. He opened his first bottle in 1961 for his son's bar mitzvah.

 Ed Shames, the last surviving officer and oldest surviving member of Easy Company, attends the American Veterans Center’s "2019 American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes" Veterans Day Special at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC Oct. 26, 2019

Gabrielle Giffords just celebrated her bat mitzvah at age 51

Former US House Representative Gabrielle Giffords from Tuscon's eighth district celebrated her bat mitzvah last Saturday at the age of 51.

 Gabrielle Giffords speaks during a demonstration with victims of gun violence in front of the Supreme Court, Nov. 3, 2021.

Florida man has large menorah stolen, Rabbi gifts him even bigger one

After Rabbi Eli Eckstein of Hollywood, Florida had his six-foot-tall menorah stolen, Chabad of Dania Beach delivered their own Hanukkah miracle, gifting Eckstein a new, taller menorah.

A giant menorah is lit up to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates December 10, 2020.

Antisemitic flyers scattered in Beverly Hills yards

Police said the flyers, which contained "propaganda-style hate speech related to the COVID pandemic and the Jewish people," were distributed to homes in Beverly Hills, California.

 Beverly Hills, California.

Alex Edelman’s new comedy show raises questions about 'Jewish identity'

Edelman, a comedian who has appeared on late-night TV and recently opened for the musician Beck, is also an amateur tracker of online antisemites in his spare time.

 Alex Edelman, a Modern Orthodox comedian who was the head writer last year for "Saturday Night Seder," is now performing a show centered on the time he attended a white nationalist meeting.

How Thanksgiving helped Jews carve out a piece of the American story

Thanksgiving this year arrives on the Thursday before Hanukkah.

Thanksgiving reminds us of the enduring power of Judaism to enrich the human condition.

Greg Joseph, the NFL’s only Jewish kicker, talks football and Judaism

Joseph, who attended Jewish schools in Florida after immigrating from South Africa, said he deals with the pressure of being a kicker by working on having “confidence and faith in my abilities.”

 Greg Joseph celebrates with his Minnesota Vikings teammates after kicking a game-winning field goal against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Nov. 21, 2021.