Author Archives: zjb

About zjb

Zachary Braiterman is Professor of Religion in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. His specialization is modern Jewish thought and philosophical aesthetics. http://religion.syr.edu

(Hamas) Iran (Trump/Israel)

Posted on March 2, 2026 by zjb

Our current international map is composed of tectonic layers of bad: Trump and Putin and Xi and fascism at home and abroad including Europe, the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), Netanyahu and the Religious Right, Hamas and Hezbollah. The future … Continue reading →

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(2026) The State of the Union (Abject Terror)

Posted on February 27, 2026 by zjb

The State of the Union is the face of the abject terror captured by the cameras as they pan the House Chamber only one year into what is already the bad eternity of Trump’s second term. The expression could not … Continue reading →

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In the Image (Sample Page Proof)

Posted on February 24, 2026 by zjb
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(Digest) Zionism (Towards Definition)

Posted on February 18, 2026 by zjb

Zionism in crisis at a moment of rupture: Zionism is a variegated political ideology underpinning Jewish collective life in Israel across lines of intense political difference. Rightwing and religious rightwing Zionism dominate politically Israel today, blurring the contours of Zionism … Continue reading →

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Iranians (Qajar)

Posted on February 10, 2026 by zjb

Female Tumblers, Oil Painting (1800-1830) Victoria and Albert Museum, London  Ladies around a Samovar (c. 1860–75), Isma‘il Jalayir. Victoria and Albert Museum, London Portrait of Fath ‘Ali Shah, Oil Painting, (1797-1834), Victoria and Albert Museum, London  

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(the jewish left) Iran + Israel (democracy)

Posted on February 6, 2026 by zjb

Now there is a reflex on the left that writes off the struggle for democracy in Iran because of “anti-imperialism” or because Israel and the Jewish right in Israel back the fall of the IRI or because of Trump. For … Continue reading →

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BA In Modern Jewish Studies Gets the Axe at Syracuse

Posted on January 30, 2026 by zjb

Dear All:  Writing with sad but not unexpected news. I met the other day with [two administrators in the College of Arts and Sciences –henceforth “The College”] who informed me that the SU is eliminating the major in  Modern Jewish … Continue reading →

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Iran @Twitter

Posted on January 19, 2026 by zjb

Follow at Twitter for reliable information and perspectives about the struggle for democracy and human rights in Iran: Arash Azizi آرش عزیزی @arash_tehran Siavash Ardalan @BBCArdalan BBC Persian/World Senior Reporter Yashar Ali @yasha Holly Dagres @hdagres @WashInstitute Senior Fellow Meir … Continue reading →

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(Mamdani) The Friend-Friend Distinction (Diaspora Haredi Political Theory)

Posted on January 9, 2026 by zjb

An “askan” in Haredi communities is the political fixer who coordinates the communal interest before local or state power. Indig is the askan who represents the interests of the Ahronim segment of the Satmar community. Based on enmity, the organized … Continue reading →

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(AI TRANSLATION) Toldot Ya’akov Yosef (Reader’s Digest)

Posted on January 2, 2026 by zjb

I generated an UNFINISHED AI-translation of the Toldot Ya’akov Yosef, which I am sharing here. It is heavily annotated. The paragraph organization that I sought to impose on the copy from Sefaria is very rough and represents my own attempt … Continue reading →

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