William Sutcliffe’s new novel “The Wall” combines elements of fairy tales and dystopian young adult novels. But it’s set in the present-day Israeli settlements.Read More

Heading Into the 'I' of the Knaidel

By Philologos

Did Arvind Mahankali spell ‘knaidel’ correctly or not? The problem lies not with Yiddish, the New York Times or a 13-year-old boy. Philologos says it is the English language.Read More

Is It Last Dance for Kaveret, the 'Israeli ABBA'?

By Tal Kra-Oz

Kaveret sold hundreds of thousands of records in the ’70s and represented Israel in the Eurovision song competition. Now the band’s reuniting for what they say will be their final concerts.Read More

Recalling the Jews, Radicals and Rogues Who Created Greenwich Village

By Laura Albert

Why were Jews so integral to the creation of New York’s downtown arts scene? Greenwich Village historian John Strausbaugh explains a unique neighborhood bond.Read More

10 Reasons Superman Is Really Jewish

By Larry Tye

The new Superman film is out and the superhero is celebrating his 75th birthday. Here’s 10 reasons to believe the Man of Steel might actually be Jewish.Read More

Defining Franz Kafka Proves a Kafkaesque Dilemma

By David Mikics

Were Franz Kafka’s books the most typically Jewish documents of his time? Reiner Stach sheds light on Kafka’s last years and his inner conflicts.Read More

True History of an Unknown Hero of the French Jewish Resistance

By Myra Sklarew

For her service in the French Resistance, Charlotte Sorkine Noshpitz was awarded a slew of medals and honors. And yet hardly anyone knows her stranger-than-fiction story.Read More

Poor Heiress Pens Unorthodox Orthodox Memoir

By Jon Kalish

‘The Astor Orphan’ tells the story of growing up on a grand estate. Unfortunately, all was not right behind the curtain of one of America’s most famed blueblood families.Read More

David Nirenberg Traces The Long, Bewildering History of Anti-Semitism

By Raphael Magarik

David Nirenberg traces the history of anti-Semitism from ancient Egypt through 20th-century Europe, encompassing literary criticism of ‘The Merchant of Venice.’Read More

What Makes a Jewish Joke Jewish?

By Adam Rovner

Ruth Wisse offers a cogent analysis of Jewish humor in her new book. Why does she overlook several decades of scholarship on ethnic jokes?Read More

Arts & Culture

By Laura Moser