This is the Forward’s coverage of Jewish culture where you’ll learn about the latest (and sometimes earliest) in Jewish art, music (including of course Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen), film, theater, books as well as the secret Jewish history of…
Culture
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A primary influence on Jewish jokes? The ancient Purim spiel
Purim spiels, like a roast, were always written in good fun and not with the intent to harm or demean
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In the story of two Jewish Bunds, a stark generational divide over Israel
A new Bund is trying to reclaim a storied history. Members of the old Bund say they're ignoring important context.
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Books Prominent Jewish book-ban advocate says Florida’s crackdown on ‘frivolous challenges’ won’t deter him
'To just show up and object to every single book under the sun, that is not an appropriate situation,' Gov. Ron DeSantis said last week about abuses of his signature initiative
The Latest
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In new documentary ‘God and Country,’ Rob Reiner shines a light on Christian nationalism
Reiner is famous for his comedies, but he’s getting serious with his new project
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First Person What our son’s short life taught us about faith and tradition
We’re Jewish, but found strength in other's prayers — from Rama to rugby
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Theater This Purim play features Henry Ford, Eastern Parkway tunnels and Marjorie Taylor Greene
Director David Herskovits talks ‘Remember This Trick,’ his new theater piece about antisemitism
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Israelis love photos of triumphant soldiers in Gaza. Everyone else? Not so much
Wholesome photos of soldiers eating in Gazan kitchens did not go over as well in English as they did in Hebrew
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Books An effort to track antisemitism in the literary world launches amid widespread anti-Israel sentiment there
Mayim Bialik, Brett Gelman, Gabrielle Zevin and Sarah Maas are among the Jewish creatives caught up in recent literary Israel controversies
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A new book asks readers to understand Spinoza through cancel culture
Ian Buruma’s biography of the philosopher paints a vivid picture of the Netherlands of the 17th century, but ruins it with some talk of today
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Hippie, hero, traitor, spy — the baffling legacy of Jonathan Pollard
A documentary series tries to shed light on the many contradictions of the man who spied on America for Israel
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From a Jewish home in Queens to ‘Sesame Street,’ Broadway, ‘Succession’ and ‘Job’
Fresh from completing four seasons as vice-chairman of Waystar Royco, Peter Friedman is starring in an Off-Broadway thriller
Most Popular
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Fast Forward After Minneapolis shooting, local Jewish service channels a city’s grief and resolve
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Culture ‘The Pitt’ tackled the trauma of the Tree of Life attack. Here’s how survivors of the synagogue shooting reacted to the episode.
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Holy Ground A Millennial rabbi built a synagogue where others have closed. Her maverick ideas are becoming a model.
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News Why Josh Shapiro’s memoir could complicate a presidential run
In Case You Missed It
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Fast Forward What we know about the car ramming at Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters in Brooklyn
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Fast Forward Federal building with murals by Jewish artists at risk of sale, demolition
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Fast Forward Father of former Israeli hostage joins Columbia as a Jewish history professor
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Fast Forward Conservative British pro-Israel commentator Douglas Murray joins Yeshiva University
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