Tag Archives: American Judaism

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

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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Unhinged On The Jewish Anti-Zionist Left

In this tendentious post, I want to trace along the edge of the broader undoing of political norms and institutional guardrails in the Age of Information a more local version manifest in the dynamic of Jewish life. Beset by deep … Continue reading

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(Pausing the BA) Jewish Studies Program (Syracuse University)

At a moment when the country and its culture are fundamentally confused about race, religion, Jews, and the Middle East, Syracuse University is pausing the enrollment of new majors in the Jewish Studies Program along with majors in the Department of African … Continue reading

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New York City & New York Jews (Mamdani)

Zohran Mamdani and New York Jews are in a bind with each other. This is the core of the knot: [1] NYC is home to a major, even singular Jewish community, and Israel is a fulcrum of Jewish identity. There … Continue reading

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(Liberal Community) 2025 Jewish National Book Awards (Comfort)

What is the value of a Jewish book and Jewish books? The 2025 Nation­al Jew­ish Book Awards are a liberal balm in the midst of a miserable year+ of hostage crisis and war and two+ miserable years of Kahanist government … Continue reading

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(All Red Lines Crossed) Israel and Hamas Forever War in Gaza (2024)

2024 –the year following October 7, 2023– was a long year of bewildering violence against civilians defined by systemic destruction of human life on both sides of the border between Israel and Gaza. Nothing coheres its disorientation of political consciousness. … Continue reading

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Neo-Bundist Diasporist Manifesto for Tomorrow (Di Luftmenschen)

This incredible neo-post-Bundist statement here by Di Luftmenschen, richly illustrated, in its own right a Jewish art object, reads in part like science fiction of Octavia Butler. The authors are cognizant of Israel (not…a European novelty, but the seed of … Continue reading

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(Workshop) Israel and Jewish Studies After October 7 (Syracuse University)

3nd Annual Arlene and R. Raymond Rothman Workshop in Jewish Studies Jewish Studies Program Syracuse University Israel and Jewish Studies After October 7 December 1-2, 2024 Sunday, December 1, Tolley 304 5:00-6:00 Introductions: how was your year? 6:00-7:00 The Politics … Continue reading

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(Auto-Emancipation) A Social Jewish Left (After October 7)

Three questions for Jews on the Left in the fierce face of rising anti-democracy movements and religious ethno-nationalism in Israel and the United States and resurgent anti-Semitism before and after October 7 and the re-election of Donald Trump: What defines … Continue reading

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(Campus Protests) Jewish Students (October 7)

So much was written about Jewish student experience of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism during the anti-Israel protests after October 7 during the 2023-2024 academic year. Much of what was said paid little mind to students themselves. What do Jewish students say … Continue reading

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