B’nai B’rith International: Navi Pillay choice for Nobel Peace Prize is appalling

B’nai B’rith International is appalled and dismayed by the selection of Navi Pillay for the Nobel Peace Prize. This choice is not only unwarranted but offensive and damaging. It cheapens the world’s leading prize for peacemaking and further reinforces a sense of isolation by Jews facing a surge in global antisemitism. (Press Release)

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Press Release

Public executions, rhetorically sacrificing two U.S. cities signs of Trump administration’s depravity

This week, the Trump administration announced it was bringing back public executions by firing squad and plans to livestream it, joining only Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia in allowing executions in the public square. (Halie Soifer)

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Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Why every baseball player should look upon ‘Bereishit’ as a favorite Torah portion

The sacrifice bunt is sacred. In what other sport is a player cheered for giving up their own turn at bat, absorbing a statistical out, simply to advance their teammate ninety feet closer to home? That is covenant in action: recognizing that collective purpose eclipses personal ambition. Individual stardom produces box-score glory; shared sacrifice wins the pennant. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Joint statement of StandWithUs, Israeli American Council, and Agudath Israel

LOS ANGELES (Press Release)  — StandWithUs, the Israeli American Council, and Agudath Israel strongly reject City Councilmember Nithya Raman’s repeated false accusations against Israel in her campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles. Additionally, we are deeply concerned about her lack of moral clarity regarding the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign and Hasan Piker’s

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Travel and Food

Anti-Israel forces take over New York City schools

Natalya Murakhver of the Upper East Side took her two children from a public school in 2024 and said, “Things have progressed very quickly. The language changes, the caliber of the venom. I think we’re entering a new phase. Back then, I think they were at least trying to pretend it was just about Israel. And now it’s pretty clear to those for whom it wasn’t clear before that anti-Zionism is Jew hate and antisemitism as we know it.” (Bruce S. Ticker)

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Satire: Pets at the polls

The Golden Deceiver claims he is a Golden Retriever, but he behaves like a rabid pit bull. He instituted a deportation program for dog breeds which didn’t originate in Europe and the United States. Chihuahuas, Afghan Hounds, Pekingese, among other breeds, live in terror of being picked up by roving dog catchers. Although he claims they will be relocated to their homelands, there are rumors that they get sent to countries where the humans eat dogs. [Elona Baron/ Laurie Baron]

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animals, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Today’s Jewish birthday: R.L. Stine

R.L. Stine (October 8, 1943) is an American novelist. He is the writer of Goosebumps, a horror fiction novel series for children which has sold over 400 million copies globally in 35 languages, becoming the second-best-selling book series in history. The series spawned a media franchise including two television series, a video game series, a comic series, and two feature films. [Wikipedia]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Bereishit: The Psychology of Becoming

I sometimes wonder what might have happened if Cain had simply paused at the door. What if, rather than immediately following the impulse his jealousy created, he had been able to ask himself: What am I feeling right now? What story am I telling myself about what happened? What is this feeling asking me to do? And, perhaps most importantly, is that the person I want to be? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D,]

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California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: Oct. 7, 2026

” … On Oct. 7, Hamas-led attackers murdered civilians, committed sexual violence, mutilated bodies and took hostages. You are weaponizing a day meant for mourning the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust to recycle your usual antizionist talking points. … (SDJW staff roundup)

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Press Release, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA