American Jewry

At this Dallas synagogue, Purim comes with fog machines, zip lines and Broadway flair

Rabbi Adam Roffman has transformed the traditional Purim spiel at Dallas’s Shearith Israel into a high-octane theatrical event, blending his Broadway background with spiritual community building.

Clergy of Congregation Shearith Israel in Texas perform the annual Purim spiel on March 1, 2026.
People protest against the nuclear deal reached with Iran before U.S. Vice President Joe Biden meets with Jewish community leaders at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center to discuss the deal on Sept. 3, 2015 in Davie, Florida.

Why trusting physics, not politics, once kept Iran in check - opinion

Rev. Jesse Jackson attends Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 20, 2024.

Jesse Jackson helped legitimize the antisemitism poisoning America today - opinion

 A person holds a placard during a demonstration against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Brussels, Belgium December 10, 2023.

Is antisemitism inevitable? A disturbing old-new view of Jew-hatred - opinion


Editor's Notes: After Charlie Kirk’s warning, Israel bets on Gen Z influencers - comment

After Charlie Kirk’s warning on Israel’s “information war,” new deals with US firms show millions spent on influencers and AI to sway young audiences.

Charlie Kirk holds an Israeli flag outside the Cave of the Patriarchs in the West Bank

FBI cuts ties with Jewish Anti-Defamation League, director Kash Patel announces

Patel's announcement followed criticism of the ADL by right-wing voices, including billionaire Elon Musk, over its inclusion of Kirk's Turning Point USA in a "Glossary of Extremism and Hate."

FBI Director Kash Patel attends the signing of an executive order by US President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, September 25, 2025.

Mamdani clashes with ADL on who represents Jewish New Yorkers

Jonathan Greenblatt criticized Zohran Mamdani for telling Jews who represents them, after Mamdani said there were better voices for Jewish New Yorkers than the ADL.

 NYC democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani against backdrop of pro-Palestinian protesters. (illustration)

Rosh Hashanah 2025: Pittsburgh's Jewish students see 'increase in Jewish joy' ahead of new year

As they worked, they snacked on popcorn and tortilla chips - and caramel apples, which served as a representation of the hope for a sweet and prosperous year ahead.

Exterior sign for University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, November 1, 2020

No. 40: Sam Grundwerg: World Chairman of Keren Hayesod-UIA

For the past seven years, Grundwerg has been leading this iconic Zionist fundraising arm and national institution.

Sam Grundwerg

No. 43: Elliot Brandt, Bernard Kaminetsky: The leaders of AIPAC

AIPAC has fought to ensure that Israel has not become the cause of any one political party at a time of increasing radicalism and polarization in American politics.

(L-R): Elliot Brandt, Bernard Kaminetsky

For Jewish communal professionals, internal rifts pose the greatest barrier to hope, survey finds

According to Clare Goldwater, the chief strategy officer of M², it was clear that discussions about Israel had become a “very polarizing factor” in Jewish community spaces.

A RALLY in support of Palestinians takes place at Columbia University, in New York City in 2024.

With ban removed, NYC rabbis are weighing endorsements in a heated mayoral race

New York City rabbis are split on endorsing candidates, with some citing concerns over Israel and antisemitism while others remain neutral.

A mayoral candidate forum hosted by B’nai Jeshurun, Congregation Beth Elohim, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, and New York Jewish Agenda on June 8.

At YIVO, an unfinished Yiddish dictionary gets the last word - as opera

"The Great Dictionary of the Yiddish Language," an original chamber opera, premieres at YIVO, dramatizing the post-Holocaust effort to preserve Yiddish through language.

Ben Kaplan, left, and Alex Weiser, seen in Weiser's office at YIVO, are the co-creators of "The Great Dictionary of the Yiddish Language," a new chamber opera about the monumental effort after the Holocaust to preserve the language and culture of Eastern European Jewry.

A record $10M federal grant to Tikvah has some Jews celebrating and others crying foul

The NEH has awarded $10.4 million to Tikvah’s Jewish Civilization Project, aiming to combat antisemitism by highlighting Jewish contributions to Western and American culture.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Tikvah Fund Executive Director Eric Cohen and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaking at the Jewish Leadership Conference at Chelsea Piers in New York City on Sunday, June 12, 2022.