JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.

WHAT’S DRIVING THE AMERICAN JEWISH CONVERSATION

Today: Israel accused of “scholasticide” • Some Canadian Jewish leaders happy to see Trudeau resign • New book shines light on biggest antisemitic riot in U.S. history • Kyra Sedgwick stars in dark comedy about Shabbat.

THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

President-elect Donald Trump speaking at Mar-a-Lago last month. (Getty)

Trump transition

Most American Jews do not believe President-elect Donald Trump will effectively address rising antisemitism or manage the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a new survey, but a larger portion have confidence in his nominee for secretary of state, Sen. Marco Rubio. Our senior political reporter, Jacob Kornbluh, has the details. Read the story ►

Opinion | By the time Trump returns to power, the hostages will have spent nearly 500 days in captivity. The U.S. has been too weak in seeking a hostage deal, argues David Christopher Kaufman, who believes Trump can employ several strategies to change that narrative — and reality. Read his essay ►

January 6 anniversary…

On Monday, the fourth anniversary of the riot at the U.S. Capitol, Congress peacefully certified Trump’s election. We’ve got three takes…

One of the most vivid images of Jan. 6, 2021, was a rioter who wore a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt. I tracked down what happened to him.

Trump has vowed to pardon the rioters. Our senior columnist, Rob Eshman, argues in an opinion essay that it would be an insult — and a threat — to Jews.

Vice President Kamala Harris presided over her own defeat. It was umgelumpert, writes our language columnist Aviya Kushner.

Elsewhere in Trumpworld…

Trump’s transition team is planning a “pay for pray” interfaith service the day before his inauguration, with attendance requiring a donation of at least $100,000. (Religion News Service)

A new Trump-endorsed “Inauguration Day Bible” is selling for $69.99 — or four copies for $59.49 each. (Religion News Service)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for health secretary, wants fluoride out of drinking water. He could look for lessons in Israel, which stopped requiring fluoridation a decade ago. (JTA)

ISRAEL AT WAR

Mourners help bury Rachel Cohen, 73, an Israeli killed Monday in a shooting by Palestinian gunmen in the occupied West Bank. (Getty)

The latest…

The Israeli government warned soldiers traveling abroad that they could face war crime charges in other countries. (JTA)

Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters demonstrated in front of the NYU Langone Health Center Monday to draw attention to what they say is the destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza due to the ongoing war. It was unclear why they chose this specific hospital for the protest. (Times of Israel)

Members of the the largest group of historians in the U.S. accused Israel of committing “scholasticide,” alleging it destroyed much of the educational infrastructure in Gaza. (New York Times, Times of Israel)

Plus: The film Happy Holidays is a drama about an upper-class Palestinian family living in Haifa. While not directly about the current conflict, “its impact is constantly felt,” writes our Olivia Haynie in a review.

BOOKS

The 1902 funeral of Rabbi Jacob Joseph on the Lower East Side. (Wikimedia)

Riot police

Tens of thousands of mourners gathered on the streets of the Lower East Side for the July 1902 funeral of Rabbi Jacob Joseph, the so-called chief rabbi of New York, a newly invented role by congregations hoping that a central authority might resolve ongoing disputes about kosher butchery and other issues. Local factory workers pelted the hearse and the mourners with bottles, bricks and stale bread. Some understandably outraged Jews reciprocated, the police arrived and used violence to clear people from the area. It was the biggest antisemitic riot in U.S. history, and a new book tells the story. Go deeper ►

Plus…

Did you know that Jews couldn’t own property in England until 1831 — and even later in many other countries? Owning a grand home was a symbol of equality, not just material success, according to a new book called Jewish Country Houses.

Humans of Judaism, a new coffee table book based on a popular Instagram account, shares the stories of inspirational Jews — including the world’s oldest practicing physician.

Actor Josh Radnor is set to host a new show where he’ll interview Jewish authors about their books. (Kveller)

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY

Rivals of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have made a play for Canadian Jewish support through pro-Israel statements and outspoken opposition to antisemitism. (Getty)

Around the globe…

🇨🇦 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he will resign, after his popularity fell in recent months amid worries over inflation and immigration. The country’s Jewish leaders have been critical of his perceived failures to support Israel and combat antisemitism. (JTA)

🇫🇷 Jean-Marie Le Pen, the controversial founder of France’s modern far-right movement known for his decades-long career marked by accusations of antisemitism and neo-Nazi propaganda, died today at 96. (New York Times)

🇦🇹 Austria’s far-right Freedom Party, founded by former Nazis, has been tasked with forming a government after winning the most votes in the September elections, marking a potential return to power for the first time since World War II. (JTA)

⛰️ Rescuers reached three Israeli snowboarders who were stranded for around 24 hours in subzero temperatures atop a mountain in Japan. (Haaretz, Times of Israel)

And elsewhere…

😲 Police arrested a Massachusetts man who allegedly posted antisemitic threats online, including threatening to rape Jewish women and encouraging others to shoot people outside synagogues. Authorities found a Nazi flag and illegal firearms in his home. (NBC Boston)

🎒 A New York day school became the first Solomon Schechter to switch to Orthodox, after nearly 70 years of being affiliated with the Conservative movement. (New York Jewish Week)

🤦 Sunny Hostin, a co-host on The View, is facing backlash for comparing the 2021 riot on the U.S. Capitol to the Holocaust, saying both were part of “the worst moments in American history.” (Algemeiner)

📈 Jews were the target of 54% of hate crimes in New York City in 2024, with 345 antisemitic incidents reported, according to data from the New York Police Department. (New York Jewish Week)

Shiva call ► Mel Shapiro, a beloved theater director who worked on Broadway and beyond, died at 89.

What else we’re reading ► Why is it so hard to build a Holocaust memorial in London? (New Yorker) … Palestinian winemakers are using ancient techniques (New York Times) … A soccer-loving nun is now the world’s oldest living person at nearly 117 (AP).

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Here’s the premise of the movie Bad Shabbos starring Kyra Sedgwick: An interfaith engaged couple plans a Friday night dinner for their parents’ first meeting. An unexpected death in their New York apartment interrupts their plans. It’s like Only Murders in the Building, but Jewish. Watch the trailer above.

Thanks to Talya Zax for contributing to today’s newsletter, and to Julie Moos for editing it. You can reach the “Forwarding” team at [email protected].

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