Jewish scene
אוסטרליה סידני טקס זיכרון בונדיי ביץ' שבוע ל פיגוע
Australia turned on its Jewish community after Oct. 7, Israeli consultant says
Rashi Elmaliah described rising antisemitism in Australia, government silence, and a growing fear among Jews to speak out—warning that years of inaction have emboldened hate and violence across society
Alexandra Lukash | 09:47 | 12.21.25
גלגול נשמות
Reincarnation in Judaism: how Kabbalah turned a fringe belief into a mainstream idea
Absent from the Bible, Mishnah and Talmud, reincarnation was developed by Kabbalah as a way to explain injustice, drew fierce opposition from leading rabbis, resurfaced in modern controversy and led the Ari and his disciples to map and diagnose souls
Shmuel Munitz | 03:32 | 12.21.25
Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell Robinson
'Zionism is one of the greatest movements that ever happened in the world'
After October 7, Jewish National Fund-USA saw a surge in donor trust; CEO Russell Robinson calls Zionism a proud force for good and says rebuilding Israel’s north and south, alongside teen education and shared values, is key to Jewish resilience and the future
Sivan Raviv | 21:16 | 12.20.25
Holocaust survivors and former Gaza hostages meet, reflect on trauma and Jewish identity
Held ahead of Hanukkah, the encounters highlight shared memories of survival, moments of faith and 'small miracles' and the role of remembrance and resilience in shaping Jewish continuity after Oct. 7
Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 16:50 | 12.19.25
הדלקת חנוכייה. הרב רוזן מימין לחנוכייה
'Hanukkah menorah journey' in communist Romania and its hidden Zionist mission
In 1987, I joined Romania’s chief rabbi on a winter journey through dozens of remote Jewish communities; behind the modest Hanukkah candle lightings was a quiet effort of spiritual renewal and Zionist awakening that helped bring about the aliyah of some 20,000 Jews, and possibly more, from Romania to Israel
Dr. Yoel Rappel | 05:52 | 12.19.25
Delegation of Holocaust survivors visits Auschwitz, 2017
Holocaust survivors to be honored in global virtual event on fifth night of Hanukkah
Hosted by Noah Emmerich, the Dec. 18 International Holocaust Survivors Night will feature tributes from global leaders, celebrities and survivors, honoring resilience and remembrance 80 years after WWII
ynet Global | 19:36 | 12.17.25
אביו של בנימין מדליק נרות חנוכה בכותל המערבי
Continuing tradition: family of fallen soldier light Hanukkah candles at Western Wall
Benjamin Elmakayes’ family lights Hanukkah candles each year at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, a tradition kept even after he was killed in Gaza last year; his mother says they had a 'pact' to light the candle together every year, wherever he was
Shilo Freid | 18:33 | 12.17.25
התקיפה ברחוב בברוקלין
Jewish man stabbed in chest in NY in broad daylight after attacker shouts Jewish slurs | Watch
Attacker said it would 'be all right if the Holocaust happened today' before stabbing Jewish man, who fought with the assailant and  prevented the blade from penetrating deeply; comes day after attack on Chabad hasidim on NYC subway
Itamar Eichner, Shilo Freid | 10:40 | 12.17.25
המרצה רוז נקד
University of Sydney fired lecturer for calling Jewish students 'dirty Zionists'
Incident took place on Sukkot, but Rose Nakad was fired a day after the attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that left 15 dead; Nakad also said Zionists are 'most disgusting thing' and 'lowest form of rubbish; University: 'Hate speech, antisemitism and harassment have no place'
Itamar Eichner | 10:15 | 12.17.25
Hanukkah at Rabin Square, Tel Aviv
Hanukkah without a menorah: what Ethiopian Jews teach us about history, faith and Zionism
While rabbinic tradition emphasized the miracle of oil, Ethiopian Jews preserved the Maccabean story as history, not folklore; their legacy highlights the need to balance faith and action as Israel faces deepening divides
Rabbi Dr. Sharon Zeude Shalom | 06:35 | 12.17.25
Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani visits Lubavitcher Rebbe’s grave after Bondi Beach terror attack
New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, known for pro-Palestinian statements, visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s grave in Queens, wearing a kippah and praying in memory of victims of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah terror attack
Itamar Eichner | 11:31 | 12.16.25
התקיפה ברכבת התחתית בני יורק
Chabad-Lubavitch Hasid attacked on NYC subway in antisemitic incident | watch
In a video posted on social media, an African American passenger is seen shouting antisemitic insults at a Chabad Hasid before grabbing him by the neck; 'I realized this could end in death'
Itamar Eichner, Shilo Freid | 10:34 | 12.16.25
יהודה ליפמן עם החנוכייה
British Jewish sailor builds menorah from Nazi submarine fragment
83 years ago, a Jewish sailor in the British Royal Navy crafted a menorah from the battery of a sunken Nazi submarine; now on museum display, it stands as a symbol of hope in the darkest conditions
Gilad Cohen | 08:53 | 12.16.25
עו"ד יששכר דב אינדיג ובניו הלוחמים
Father of two Haredi brigade IDF soldiers: 'only rabbinic consensus can advance draft bill'
Former Slobodka yeshiva student joins Hasmonean Brigade after his brother; their father says forced enlistment will fail and any law must be shaped with senior rabbis
Shilo Freid | 08:20 | 12.16.25
People gather to watch the lighting of the world's largest menorah on 5th Avenue by Central Park for the second night of Hanukkah
US Jewish groups call for more security at public events after Bondi Beach attack
Major US Jewish organizations urged tighter security at public events, including preregistration and controlled access, as rabbis said they would continue public Hanukkah celebrations to demonstrate resilience and Jewish pride despite the heightened risk 
AP | 05:28 | 12.16.25
כבר תיקפתם? מרים ומשה קסלר ביום חגם עם האוטובוס
A chance meeting on Jerusalem's bus No. 67 ends with a wedding ride home
Miriam and Moshe Wexler met on a bus in Jerusalem; On their wedding day, the bride surprised the groom with an emotional closing of the circle: a ride home on the same line where they first met, this time as a married couple.
Sivan Hilaie | 02:00 | 12.16.25
הדלקת נר שני של חנוכה בחנוכיית הקרח בסיביר
At ‘only’ minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit, Hanukkah candle lit in Siberian ice menorah
After extreme cold paralyzed Siberian city life, the Jewish community of Tomsk finally raised a giant ice menorah when temperatures climbed to minus 20 Celsius, turning Hanukkah’s message of light into a lived experience
Itamar Eichner | 18:48 | 12.15.25
סידני חוף בונדיי יום אחרי הטבח
After Australia attack, US envoy warns Holocaust education is not enough
Expanding restitution, confronting denial and protecting Jewish communities are urgent next steps as antisemitism rises, experts say
Maayan Hoffman/The Media Line | 15:10 | 12.15.25
A menorah crafted from the remains of an Iranian missile stands at the heart of ALEH’s renovated campus in Bnei Brak, Dec. 15, 2025
Iran missile that leveled special ed campus recast as Hanukkah menorah in reopening ceremony
On June 15, an Iranian missile hit ALEH’s Bnei Brak center for children with disabilities; six months later, its shrapnel was turned into a menorah, lit in a moving ceremony; 'We took the darkness and created a miracle from it,' says artist Guy Cohen
ynet Global | 13:58 | 12.15.25
שער ברנדנבורג ברלין גרמניה הדלקת נר ראשון של חנוכה
Hanukkah events worldwide held under heavy security after Bondi Beach terror attack
Cities including Berlin, London, New York and Paris step up security around Hanukkah celebrations following the deadly antisemitic attack in Sydney, as world leaders join public candle-lightings in solidarity with Jewish communities
Itamar Eichner, Shilo Freid, Reuters | 22:01 | 12.14.25
הדלקת נרות חנוכה בכותל
Live from Jerusalem: First Hanukkah candle lit at Western Wall as Sydney terror attack casts shadow
Israel and Jewish communities worldwide light the first Hanukkah candle as former hostage Segev Kalfon joins ceremony at the Western Wall, with celebrations overshadowed by the deadly shooting at a Chabad event in Bondi Beach
Shilo Freid | 16:54 | 12.14.25
הדלקת נרות חנוכה
Here's what you need to know about lighting Hanukkah candles
Is there a halachic obligation to light candles in a Hanukkiyah? What should soldiers in the field do ? Are women also obligated by the mitzvah? And what about when one is visiting abroad and fears antisemitism
Yitzhak Tesler | 15:59 | 12.14.25
מחלקים חבילות לחנוכה
Ukraine’s Jews mark Hanukkah under fire as aid efforts expand nationwide
Jewish communities across Ukraine are confronting power outages, rising prices and security threats while mobilizing emergency aid and religious life; Zelensky will be presented with a coin from the Hasmonean period symbolizing Ukrainian struggle
Itamar Eichner | 14:37 | 12.14.25
אוספים את שרידי ספרי הקודש
'Sparks memories of Kristallnacht': holy books burned in synagogue arson buried in Ukraine
They spent hours gathering the burnt remnants of the books and, after a special prayer, walked in a funeral procession to bury the books in the famous old cemetery in Sadigura; motive behind arson believed to be antisemitic; 'He wasn’t interested in stealing, he only wanted to hurt us'
Itamar Eichner | 14:30 | 12.14.25
חנוכה
A complete guide to Hanukkah 2025
When to light candles? What blessings are recited ? Why do we eat sufganiyot? What is the origin of the dreidel game? Here is your guide to the most frequently asked questions about Hanukkah. 
Rabbi Yehuda Brandes | 13:36 | 12.14.25
פינוי הפצועים בירי ההמוני בבונדיי ביץ' באוסטרליה
Diaspora Minister Chikli blames Australian government for Bondi Beach terror attack
Jewish leaders have warned for years about the increasing number of antisemitic incidents in the country, with organizations condemning the government’s failure to address the issue
Itamar Eichner, Shilo Freid | 12:45 | 12.14.25
קית' גרלנד. ביקש לראות רב
Neo-Nazi Goyim Defense League sued over antisemitic stunt at Nashville Jewish center
Jewish community in Nashville is suing Travis Keith Garland trespassed at a local JCC, mocked Holocaust victims and livestreamed threats; he has pleaded guilty to intimidation, trespassing and assault
Itamar Eichner | 09:39 | 12.14.25
ספרי תורה בבית הכנסת בבלפסט
Jewish history that shall not be erased: a visit to Belfast
In the distant corner of Britain remains a small Jewish community, facing significant challenges. Due to the history of the conflict in Northern Ireland, there is particular sensitivity in Belfast regarding the situation in Israel, often not in our favor
Ayelet Mamo Shai | 04:01 | 12.14.25
מצעד החיים בפולין
'There are things in France that frighten me deeply; the situation is very alarming'
Guillaume Ribot, a non-Jewish French filmmaker, frequented Auschwitz in an attempt to understand the unthinkable - only to discover that his grandmother had hidden Jewish children during the Holocaust; he now presents his new documentary, 'All I Had Was Nothingness,' which reveals the creative process behind Claude Lanzmann’s Shoah
Amir Kaminer, Berlin | 01:29 | 12.14.25
'Joseph's Brothers Sell Him into Captivity' - a 1855 painting by Konstantin Flavitsky
Parashat Vayeshev: How Joseph’s story mirrors Jewish history and the roots of antisemitism
This week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev, tells the story of Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers—an allegory for Jewish persecution throughout history; From jealousy and exile to dreams and survival, Joseph’s journey mirrors the resilience of the Jewish people
Hillel Fuld | 07:08 | 12.12.25
מחאות פרו-פלסטיניות בלוס אנג'לס קליפורניה ארצות הברית ארה"ב
California colleges settle antisemitism complaints linked to campus pro-Palestinian protests
UC Berkeley apologized to Israeli scholar Yael Nativ and will pay her $60,000, while Pomona College agreed to add a Title VI coordinator and a new advisory body on Jewish life after federal complaints alleging a hostile environment
Associated Press | 21:31 | 12.11.25
זוהראן ממדאני בכנס של חסידות סאטמר
Mamdani embraced by anti-Zionist Satmar leaders at major New York events
Mamdani joined celebrations of the anti-Zionist Satmar Hasidic movement in Williamsburg and Crown Heights, where he received an enthusiastic welcome from leaders of both rival factions’
Shilo Freid | 14:04 | 12.11.25
רותם בראשי במהלך לימודיה בקייפטאון
‘When Hamas reps entered my classroom during Apartheid Week, I knew I had to make aliyah’
Rotem Barashi, a Jewish medical student at the University of Cape Town, says an extreme anti-Israel climate on campus, including a visit by Hamas representatives, led her to leave South Africa and continue her studies at Reichman University
Itamar Eichner | 09:02 | 12.11.25
Parashat Vayeshev - the stars, the moon, the all important camels and IMEC
Israel must see the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as Joseph once saw regional trade: a strategic shift demanding swift action, partnerships and use of geography as an economic asset
Michael Eisenberg | 08:36 | 12.11.25
הסידור העתיק
600-year-old Rothschild prayer book looted by Nazis to be auctioned for millions
A rare illuminated Hebrew machzor from 1415, seized by the Nazis from the Rothschild family and recently restituted by Austria, will headline a Sotheby’s sale in 2026; the 600-page manuscript is expected to fetch $5 million to $7 million
Itamar Eichner | 21:32 | 12.10.25
Tovah Feldshuh
Filling Golda’s shoes, Tovah Feldshuh slams antisemites: ‘We’re on to you!’
Actress, singer and playwright Tovah Feldshuh shares her perspective on antisemitism, celebrity activism and the fight for peace and Western values  
Felice Friedson/The Media Line | 19:29 | 12.10.25
תפילה בבית כנסת
City, court and synagogues clash over religious character in Tel Aviv
After synagogues reject municipal contract requiring services 'without distinction of age, gender or faith,' judge urges city officials to amend language and avoid evictions; religious leaders warn clause threatens Orthodox practices
Netael Bandel, Shilo Freid | 14:37 | 12.10.25
האתר שנחפר במרכז ברלין
Remains of Jewish homes destroyed in World War II uncovered in heart of Berlin
Archaeological excavations in central Berlin reveal the remains of the homes of Jews who were dispossessed during the Nazi era - magnificent buildings and businesses that disappeared in bombings and reconstruction that left no trace of the community that lived there for centuries, and that was never compensated for the loss
Itamar Eichner | 05:27 | 12.10.25
Unveiling of the Mayanot World Center sign
New $20 million Jewish education world center opens in Jerusalem
The Mayanot World Center, a state-of-the-art campus overlooking Jerusalem’s Sacher Park, will host international students for immersive Jewish study, leadership training and Israel engagement programs; a new center for lone soldiers also opens onsite
ynet Global | 23:14 | 12.09.25
טקס סיום קורס מ"כים ראשון בחטיבת החשמונאים
Fighting terror and studying Torah: IDF launches elite Haredi commando unit
One year after founding the Hasmonean Brigade, military sets up Haredi reconnaissance unit led by elite veterans; recruits will train in advanced combat while maintaining a religious lifestyle with Torah study, prayers and strict cultural norms
Shilo Freid | 22:17 | 12.09.25
צלב הקרס אנושי במגרש הפוטבול
Outrage as San Jose high school students form 'human swastika,' post Hitler quote
Branham High students spark backlash after posing as a swastika and sharing antisemitic post on Instagram; police probe potential hate crime as Jewish groups demand accountability and schools face rising antisemitism across California
Itamar Eichner | 20:45 | 12.09.25
אחת הדירות שמהן נגנבה המזוזה
Toronto police probe mezuzah thefts at Jewish seniors’ home as possible hate crime
About 20 mezuzahs stolen from doorposts in North York seniors’ residence, drawing condemnation from city leaders; volunteers replace mezuzahs for residents and distribute Hanukkah kits; no suspects arrested
Itamar Eichner | 20:11 | 12.09.25
Avi Yemini
Prominent Australian commentator warns Jews may leave amid rising antisemitism
Avi Yemini, who has faced threats since Oct. 7 and invested heavily in home security, says Australia’s political climate, rising hostility and a surge in violent antisemitic incidents have left many Jews feeling unsafe and increasingly isolated
Maayan Hoffman/The Media Line | 13:55 | 12.09.25
הכנס באולם בעיריית פריז
European leaders warn of soaring antisemitism at Paris gathering: 'History must not repeat'
Mayors and officials from across Europe reported record antisemitic incidents, warned that Jewish communities feel increasingly unsafe since Oct. 7 and outlined new initiatives, from education programs to security coordination, to counter the surge
Tamar Sebok, Paris | 11:24 | 12.09.25
בנימין נתניהו
US congressman presses Netanyahu to drop travel limits on dual-citizen yeshiva students
Mike Lawler warned new sanctions on yeshiva students who avoid military service could bar American–Israeli dual nationals from leaving the country, urging PM to lift travel limits as Haredi leaders escalate opposition to draft enforcement
Shilo Freid | 10:17 | 12.09.25
טקס ציון עליית יהודי תימן לישראל
In first, national day held for Yemeni Jews immigration
The official day commemorates Yemeni heritage and those who perished on the way to Israel; Knesset lawmaker Yonatan Mishraki: 'The history of Yemenite Jewry is not folklore. It is a story of heroism that should be taught in every school'
Itamar Eichner | 04:17 | 12.09.25
מרים מטובה בביקור בקיבוץ בארי
Model forced from Uber after driver finds out she's Jewish: 'suddenly braked, told me to get out'
Miriam Mattova says Toronto Uber driver stopped at a busy intersection after hearing her talk on FaceTime about Israel and told her to get out because she was Jewish
Alexandra Lukash | 17:08 | 12.08.25
מגן דוד
Algerian nanny accused of poisoning Jewish family goes on trial in Paris
An illegal 42-year-old Algerian nanny in Paris is accused of adding bleach-based toilet cleaner to a Jewish family's meals, cosmetics and wine in January 2024, with investigators citing antisemitic remarks
Tamar Sebok, Paris | 16:07 | 12.08.25
ד"ר הומיון שמח
Iran's sole Jewish lawmaker warns community to stay off Israeli social media
Dr. Homayoun Sameh says security agencies summoned him over Jewish users’ likes and comments on Israeli content, urging Iran’s Jews to delete past interactions and leave Persian-language Israeli channels to avoid potential legal trouble
Itamar Eichner | 11:22 | 12.08.25
Gul Pohatu
‘Hebrew Hammer’ walks proudly as a Jew in Australia, where others are afraid
Former MMA fighter Gul Pohatu, born to a Māori father and Russian Jewish mother, says open Jewish life in Australia has grown dangerous since Oct. 7, as assaults and threats surge and many Jews feel increasingly isolated
Maayan Hoffman/The Media Line | 10:19 | 12.08.25
אוטובוסים בצפת
Rabbis decry Haredi women who work as bus drivers: 'degrading work' that violates Torah modesty
In a scathing letter titled 'For the Salvation of Safed,' dozens of rabbis, including senior religious court judges and yeshiva heads, speak out against Haredi women who drive buses in the city, claiming that this is a 'serious breach of modesty'
Sivan Hilaie, Shilo Freid | 18:09 | 12.07.25
מרים מטובה בביקור בקיבוץ בארי
Toronto model alleges Uber driver ordered her out for being Jewish
Miriam Mattova says she was told 'we don’t drive Jews' before being left at a busy intersection after midnight; Uber apologizes and refunds fare but declines to say whether the driver was suspended, prompting renewed concerns over antisemitic incidents
ynet | 11:04 | 12.07.25
תמונה קבוצתית באיצטדיון של משתתפי הכנס
Mayors from across US, Canada stand against antisemitism at New Orleans summit
'You can’t fight hatred on only one side — it’s all or nothing,' says New Orleans mayor; local leaders speak of growing anti-Israel pressures and pledged to 'stand by the Jewish community during difficult time'
Itamar Eichner, New Orleans | 09:20 | 12.07.25
ג'סיקה טיש וממדאני בחודש שעבר
NYC’s Jewish police chief apologizes after her brother calls Mamdani ‘enemy’ of the Jewish people
Benjamin Tisch, the younger brother of New York’s Jewish police chief, publicly attacked incoming mayor Mamdani, calling him an 'enemy' of the Jewish people; his sister quickly apologized; Mamdani said he aims to serve all New Yorkers, including Jewish residents
ynet | 11:03 | 12.06.25
Vayishlach: the geo‑political and economic Impact of Esau
Vayishlach reframes Jacob’s meeting with Esau as a strategic bid to enter the regional arena shaped by Esau’s rise in Se’ir, highlighting diplomacy, alliances and economic power as tools of influence long before their peaceful reunion
Michael Eisenberg | 08:27 | 12.05.25
סלפי של צעירות באושוויץ, ארכיון
Taking selfies in Auschwitz: 'identity, belonging, and how young people view their place in history'
Taking selfies in the Nazi death camp has become increasingly common, and today such images can be found not only on young people's social media accounts, but even on dating sites; This is simply the younger generation's way of reviving the memory of the Holocaust
Itzchak Tessler | 23:47 | 12.04.25
The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau, 1624 by Rubens
Vayishlach: Jacob was the most imperfect of all the patriarchs, but also the most human
This week, we read the Torah portion of Vayishlach, which means 'He sent'; it begins with the reunification of Jacob and his brother, Esau after a 22-year period in which Jacob stayed away from his twin, who wanted to kill Jacob for stealing the blessing from their father, Isaac
Hillel Fuld | 21:44 | 12.04.25
הרב אהרון ליבוביץ' (אוחז במיקרופון) בחתונה
Jewish law, minus the bureaucracy: how Zoom weddings opened a halachic back door around the rabbinate
A new partnership between the Orthodox group Chuppot and a Utah civil officiant now lets couples marry halachically without the Chief Rabbinate and add a video civil ceremony to register in Israel, highlighting growing frustration with the Rabbinate’s monopoly
Itzchak Tessler | 13:05 | 12.04.25
Bnei Akiva Alias
Bnei Akiva rolls out 'Word Dash,' the new Alias for English matriculation prep
The card game inspired by 'Alias,' helps students prep for Israel’s English matriculation exam; it drills 500-plus key words in a fun, fast class format
ynet Global | 16:00 | 12.03.25
הפגנה מפגינים פרו פלסטינים בלפסט צפון אירלנד
Irish Jews say they have never faced such antisemitism and are in deep shock
Two Irish Jews tell ynet that hostility toward the community has surged, including a move to strip the name of Herzog Park in Dublin; they say the effort amounted to ‘collective punishment’ of Irish Jews for actions of Israel’s government
Sharon Kidon | 08:58 | 12.03.25
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