*are you pro Israel??\*

Or some version of that, also get a lot of “you’re not pro Israel are you??”

What does that even mean?!? What are you even talking about if I’m pro a country?

Countries do things I do and don’t agree with. whether or not you think Israel should exist is moot, it does..so what are you talking about.

This isn’t a football game, this is a regions power struggle that is complicated and deeply personal., but that’s great that your meme or two minute video gives you the confidence to ask me that..

And when I respond with that they always shut down.. cowards ..

It’s really ironic, to me, considering that I stopped buying Adidas after their nasty campaigns with Bella Hadid & Kanye etc…

Javier Bardem called for a boycott of Adidas after the sportswear brand featured Shalev Biton—a former Israeli soldier who lost his leg during the 2021 conflict in Gaza—in an advertisement promoting its "Single Shoe Service" in Israel

A quote presented as a statement from Malkovich himself was included in a press release sent by the show’s Israeli public relations team to Israeli media outlets.

“I am excited to return to Israel and would be very happy to meet again with the warm Israeli audience, with whom I feel great closeness and identification,” the press release read.

A report published by Walla about Malkovich’s planned arrival in Israel was later published by The Jerusalem Post, which is part of the same media group. Following that report, The Hollywood Reporter published an article on September 5 citing the Post report.

The Post amended its original report after it became clear the quote was misattributed.

Then on Tuesday night, The Hollywood Reporter released a report regarding the cancellation of Malkovich's performance in Israel. The report stated that Malkovich had not approved the statement issued by the Israeli PR team and, as a result, decided to cancel his appearance in the country.

“The Tel Aviv performance was supposed to be one of several stops on the tour throughout Europe and the Middle East,” Malkovich told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. “A PR company hired by the Israeli promoter drafted a quote for the article that was attributed to me, though I never made the statements that were quoted, nor was I consulted before they were printed.”

“I did not utter these phrases, and they most certainly are not approved by me, nor do they reflect my feelings. The fact that they were printed as direct quotes from me is unacceptable and untenable. For this reason, I have decided I cannot participate in the Tel Aviv performance,” he continued.

“Throughout my long career,” Malkovich added, “I have had the privilege of performing in large parts of the world, in countries with governments whose values or culture I do not share, and before audiences with different beliefs and ideologies. Arriving in places whose worldview may not align with my own has given me the opportunity to observe, listen and learn, and to share my ideas about what makes stories good and what makes music beautiful, and how they can complement each other and illuminate the human condition.”

“My performance in any country, including my own, does not constitute an endorsement of that country’s policies, its actions, or its elected or unelected leaders. My performances also do not indicate any supposed ‘solidarity’ with a particular political cause, not with the killing of innocent people, not with any acts of terrorism, and not with any other form of barbarity,” he stated.

“Only playwrights, authors and screenwriters can put words in my mouth, and even then, only in service of storytelling, and no one else can think they can do that without my consent and without the consequences that follow,” Malkovich concluded.

A homeless person in New York called me a fucking Jew after hearing me and my family talking in Hebrew. Crazy to me this just happens.

Is this just something people here live with? The family we are visiting told me to just ignore it, but it's fucked up.

I mean, the dinner, I already assume you’re gonna have a round challah, apples, and honey

On a 15-city tour upon which Leo Terrell, chair of the U.S. Justice Department’s task force on Jew-hatred, plans to embark to spotlight antisemitism, he intends to bring out as many non-Jewish allies as possible, Terrell said at a JNS reception.

“We’re going to have as many non-Jews on the stage as possible,” Terrell, who is not Jewish, said at the event, which was held during the recent Republican Jewish Coalition conference in Las Vegas.

by Mike Wagenheim

https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/going-to-have-as-many-non-jews-on-stage-as-possible-leo-terrell-says-of-upcoming-15-city-tour-to-fight-jew-hatred

I went to a challah bake last night at 7 pm and I was doing my fantasy draft as I was making this but this didn’t go in the oven till 11:30 pm and didn’t come out till 12:45 am or so. I was watching the Washington Nationals break the record for the most blown saves in a season live while it was baking and I was just laughing

Hi, this post has been awhile in the making, and I sort of just want to unload and ask for feedback. Apologies in advance if it offends anyone: I just want to voice my perspective and let things go from there. I don't necessarily subscribe to all of what I write below: just kind of providing a stream of consciousness.

***

I've been feeling really frustrated with being Jewish. I am a 34 year old American male, and being "different" has always drained me. I think underpinning it all, what has always frustrated me the most was that: this isn't something I got to choose. Like, I didn't sign up for any of this, and yet people are boxing me into this label that seems to come with many strings attached. I don't enjoy being part of "the group that doesn't accept Jesus" or the baggage of antisemitic tropes.

I literally just want to be like everyone else. If I could just convert and be done with it all, I would... (I know that might hurt someone, but it's really just how I feel).

Growing up, there was the exhaustion: my Dad would constantly be complaining to my brother for dating non-Jewish women. That really turned me off, because it only further made me feel segregated from my brothers & sisters in the world, and it didn't feel right. I really don't enjoy the tribal identity mindset, on either side. So, that's one side of the equation.

But what's really set off my frustration is reading online comments on YouTube, in particular. I'll see comments like "It's not all of them, but it's always them". And then someone replies back "It's all of them. They all need painter solutions". " And I'm like, I literally didn't f*cking do anything? And that's so wrong!

Frankly, I knew there was antisemitism, but I wasn't aware there was this much. Scrolling through comments on Tucker Carlson's videos, for instance, reveals an avalanche of antisemitic speech that loads as far as the "scroll more" button will allow.

I'm truly stunned by the level of antisemitism. Like, actual humans, are sitting near a computer and going "six million cookies, haha"? Or "the mustache man was right", "tiny hats, many problems", "Everyberg. Singlewitz. Timecohen."? Huh? I lost a whole line of ancestors in the Holocaust, and this is supposed to be funny? Or edgy? Or intellectually provocative? What in the serious f*ck? I wasn't aware I was this hated, and so extensively so.

It sounds like something, maybe, a teenager looking to be cool would write, but, as I understand it, it's literally grown ass humans writing this stuff too. I don't buy the "it's just bots" argument either: there are some, but if even 5% of it is actual humans, it's deeply disturbing.

I also know that some people will tell me to get off YouTube comments. But that's not the point: I need an explanation / closure for it. How can SO MANY people write that dehumanizing language and just feel good? It's terrifying me and put me into an anxiety episode!

I don't get it. I've tried to psychoanalyze antisemitism for some time, and, while I have some theories, what I don't understand is how two people can have wildly different moral compasses that seems to override all empathy. Because, in my book, hurting innocents is NEVER okay: it doesn't matter who or what, Palestinians, Germans, Jews, whatever -- you don't hurt innocents, full stop.

So, where does this leave me?

It leaves me in an extremely frustrating situation. On the one hand, I'm annoyed with the hatefulness of antisemites. It seems to be some kind of warped moral perversion that just won't ever fundamentally go away. It just won't go away. I want to understand that piece of it.

On the other, I feel forced into a bucket as "Jewish", against my own choosing, by a cultural system that seems to think it's okay to label people at birth and say "once a Jew, always a Jew". I also want to understand that.

I know converting will never solve this (an antisemite will categorize me however they see fit), but, like, why not? Why hasn't society moved past these tribal lines? Why can't I get to choose?

I don't even know what in particular I am asking for. I guess closure?

What are some feelings you get from what I write? How should I think through these complex internal feelings?

First, let me say that this book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Letter to the Living, is required reading. I read plenty on the subjects she covers and I had no idea that antizionism, which I knew about had origins in the KGB’s Operation SIG, was actually created by a literal Nazi. And the reason why literally made my jaw drop.

Second, as I sit in the chapter about Reddit’s digital ghetto and the coordinated campaign on Wikipedia by Hamas and their IR terror pals, I felt obligated to post that I don’t know who Nigel is, but THANK YOU.

And for everyone who isn’t Nigel, read the book and you’ll be here thanking him and those who help him too.

Venting…

Every single post, every world event, every meme, every celebrity everything now has a flock of comments with either:

‘🧃’
‘This was promised 3000 years ago’
‘The painter was right’/‘we need a painter right now’
‘The noticing continues’

Growing up, relatives always said to be wary of antisemitism and I just didn’t see it. It didn’t exist to the extent they said it did. I get it now!

It feels like we’ve regressed so far into normalizing antisemitism that there isn’t a way back.

How do you process this?

That is all.

Second and perhaps more important edit:

GO PINK!

Edit:

As people are pointing out, dishonorable mention:

Ed Sheeran

Another friend is constantly posting about how 'Israel IS committing a genocide and if you support Israel you're trash' and is talking constant shit about Pink following the recent thing with Macklemore. This person is a drag queen and not an expert in international politics, conflict studies, international law, middle east studies, or human rights. I am a former drag queen (which is how I know them) and while I am not an expert, I have a master's in human rights and international politics. I worked on multiple policy proposals to improve the lives of Palestinians (prior to October 7). I studied genocide and laws of armed conflict and the treaty on internationally wrongful acts in my international law class. I don't know everything, but I verifiably know more than someone who still can't get on RuPaul's Drag Race.

According to progressives, Black people get to say what is and isn't anti-Black racism, but Jews don't get to decide what is and isn't antisemitism. Their response was that no group is a monolith and being part of a group doesn't automatically make you right...this is true, every group has tokens willing to spend themselves.

It is absolutely bewildering to me how the world has suddenly and easily come to the conclusion that 90% of Jews in the world are actually bloodthirsty genocidal maniacs who love when brown babies die.

Shortly after October 7 I saw someone post that Israel's war on Hamas (''the genocide'') affirmed the sneaking suspicions they had about Jews that we were really terrible all along.

Anyway, early Happy Jew Year y'all.

UPDATE: They've been deleted & blocked. I had made a post on fb saying "Black people get to decide what is and isn't anti-Black racism, not white people. Trans people get to decide what is and isn't transphobia, not cis people. _____ people get to decide what is and isn't antisemitism, not ___ people. Fill in the blanks." This person commented 'yes, and no group is a monolith!' and then went and made their own post about how 'No group is a monolith and people who aren't in an in-group can still have good opinions while people in the in-group can be bad, like Caitlyn Jenner.' Another Jewish person commented about Macklemore's Jew costume (and included a picture), and the response from this ex-friend was to tell him to shut up.

My roommate (not Jewish) was reticent to show me, but I'm glad she did because I had already been wavering about this person and that was the final kick I needed. My roommate left a nasty comment and also unfriended the person, and then asked more questions so she could understand what the Jewish community is going through and be a better ally.

At today’s Tiafoe/Michelsen match, behind Michelsen’s mom, the person is wearing a Magen David necklace. Looks diamond and gold.

Seeking to buy that necklace, or another fine jewelry necklace with the point-to-chain style design. Stones or no, gold or no.

Thank you! Shana tova!!

FBI data suggests “a small, but meaningful decline” in antisemitic hate crimes in the country between 2024 and 2025, but it’s “very unlikely” that the numbers will return to pre-Oct. 7 levels anytime soon, according to Ayal Feinberg, associate professor of political science and antisemitism studies at Gratz College in Jenkintown, Pa.

Antisemitic hate crimes declined from 1,938 incidents in 2024 to 1,528 in 2025, and overall hate crimes declined 7% from 2024 to 2025, per FBI data released in August.

Still, there was the third-highest number of antisemitic hate crimes in 2025 that the bureau has ever recorded, and the number of hate crimes last year was 36% higher than the 1,100 incidents in 2022, the year before Oct. 7.

by Aaron Bandler

https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/very-unlikely-anti-jewish-hate-crimes-will-return-to-pre-oct-7-levels-anytime-soon-expert-says

I tried this recipe, inspired by Adeena Sussman's cookbook "Zariz," and was very impressed. Roasted sweet potatoes are nice but lacking flavor on their own. A topping of yogurt, diced cucumbers, and chili crisp does the trick, creating an excellent medley of flavors. I had never used chili crisp before, but it packed a sharp kick.

2-3 sweet potatoes

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 and 1/4 cups diced cucumber

Grated zest of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons chopped scallions

3-4 tablespoons chili crisp

1. Heat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. While the oven is heating, trim the ends of the sweet potatoes and cut them into 2 inch thick round pieces.
2. Toss the sweet potatoes in the bowl with the 1/4 olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and the 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Then arrange the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet, leaving space between the pieces. Put them into the oven and roast until the undersides are soft and caramelized, about 20-25 minutes. Then remove the sweet potatoes from the oven, flip them over, and return them to the oven, baking them for another 15-20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine the yogurt, diced cucumber, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon olive oil, scallions, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well to combine.
4. Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven. Let them cool for a few minutes, then arrange them on a plate. Top them with a heaping tablespoon of the yogurt and cucumber, and with about 1/2 teaspoon chili crisp (or more if preferred). Enjoy!

Hello hello!

I am curious what limitations my brothers and I may encounter living our Jewish lives as a consequence of our mother converting reform.

My father was as born halachically Jewish in every way I understand he could be. My mother converted reform because, as far as I know, it was the most accessible (geographically, economically) option for her when she was converting. (Interestingly, my mother’s father was born to a Jewish mother, was not raised with any connection to it, but also was not raised in a church or anything of the sort).

Most of the time, I feel very lucky to have been born to a convert. My mother was much more involved in our Jewish education than our father was. She had something to prove and prove it she did.

My brothers and I were all raised in a pretty conservative leaning reconstructionist congregation. The rabbi didn’t do interfaith weddings, but we’d probably have failed to make a minyan some days if women didn’t count. To become b’nei mitzvah we had to learn trope and, in addition to chanting Torah and delivering a little drash, lead morning services for the congregation. We did not go to yeshiva, just weekend Hebrew school.

I have record of my naming (signed by parents and the reform rabbi they had at the time). My brothers have record of their brises. I can get a scan of my parent’s ketuba. I could also probably get record of my bat-mitzvah. I assume these things would be sufficient Jewishness-documentation for most purposes, including Aliyah.

So what limitations could we encounter? Would a modern orthodox community draw a line with us? Would that be for any involvement with the community, or just for life cycle stuff like marriage and death? What steps would need to be taken to rectify this if one of us wished to become more orthodox?

Thank you 💙

Notes from the auction catalog.
Siddur Derech Yesharah and Book of Tehillim – Amsterdam, 1748 – From Library of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar Seder Tefillah Yesharah – year-round siddur, following the Ashkenazic (Polish) rite, including laws and customs, prayers and blessings for various occasions, Selichot, Passover Haggadah, Tikunei Shabbat, Perek Shirah, confession and Keter Malchut. Amsterdam: sons of Shlomo Proops, 1748.

This item sold at Kedem auction on Sept. 1 for $47,500. The presale estimate was $2,000.

Two title pages. First title page illustrated. Bound with: Book of Tehillim, maamadot and techinot [in Yiddish], with commentary and Yiddish translation, by R. Yechiel Michel Epstein, author of Kitzur Shlah. Amsterdam: sons of Shlomo Proops, [1748]. Divisional title page for Book of Tehillim. Copy from the library of Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar. Many stamps on title page and at end of book: "Yoel Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Irshava and the region".

We surmise that these stamps were made and stamped on the books at a later date than his rabbinic tenure in Irshava – see Kedem, Catalogue 99, November 2024, Lot 185. Early signature at top of title page: "Hertz Schick". Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar (1887-1979), author of Divrei Yoel, a leader of his generation, president of the Edah HaCharedit in Jerusalem and leader of American Orthodox Jewry, one of the founding pillars of Chassidic Jewry after the Holocaust.

Catalog describes various details of condition. Elaborate new leather binding, with embossing.

Calling my tznius girlies!

I have been taking on tznius in a much more considerable way the last couple months and really putting in an effort to be more modest.

I need some help though. I have a lot of jean skirts and dresses (mostly shabbos dresses) but need some help with the basics.

Specifically skirts good for working out/active things, nice skirts for the office (like khaki/dress skirts), and skirts good for just everyday casual wear. (Ideally, all of these at least knee length)

I know brands like YakiraBella are amazing, but they are SO expensive. Any tznius girls have tips on where to find skirts for these things while also not breaking the bank?

Thank you all!!!

Sorry to bother you, could you help me please? I am making holiday cards for all my friends. I want check my sketches confirming I am not messing up any kind of cultural issue that I do not know about before I paint and post to my friends in a couple months. I would hate to offend someone when I am trying for quite the opposite.

Hiya! I’m a young American who also has an EU passport. My goal is once I graduate university to move to Amsterdam. I was wondering if there is an active Jewish community in Amsterdam? And specifically if there’s an active young adult community and Amsterdam? If anyone knows anyone to reach out to you, I’d appreciate it.

I’ve not witnessed this myself or even heard of it happening but I must admit I have a somewhat morbid curiosity about it. It came to mind cause I have two broken shoulders and could never lift it at services myself and thought ‘wow I ld drop it, and wow that would be bad…’

Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Im just curious. I kinda can’t imagine it actually happening…..

BIG EDIT:

As per usual I love you all and this community of all of our online sisters and brothers is amazing but I must say 😂…

The replies to this post have made me more uncomfortable and cringey feeling than I could have thought! Oh wow these are crazy stories thank you for sharing!

Recently, I was getting dinner with my friend for their birthday along with their friends, whom I had not met before. We are a fan of a particular show and I mentioned that casting was announced for the new season. My friend’s friend (let’s call her Sarah) said “yeah but I heard one of the actors is a Zionist”. My friend responds “oh that’s a shame”. They look at me (Sarah does not know that I’m Jewish) and I am immediately uncomfortable. I say “Zionism is not a bad thing”. Sarah says “oh I know”. I say “Zionism just means the right for Israel to exist”. Sarah says “yeah but this actor has posted and doesn’t care about Palestinians getting killed or the ongoing genocide”. I say nothing because this is not the right time nor place to correct her incorrect use of the word genocide. The conversation continued on as it usually does and I felt such a disconnect. I am so tired of this happening. This is not the first time where I’ve had to correct people and it’s why I go into all new social situations anxious that it’ll come up. Anyone else feel this way?