18 Awesome Things That Happened To Jews In 2018

Clockwise from upper left: Mordechai Miller, members of the Israeli Olympic team, Netta Barzilai, Quai James, Judge Ruchie Freier, avocado toast, Henry Winkler, Rabbi Barat Ellman. Center: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Image by Forward Montage

By Jenny Singer December 30, 2018

Beauty-queens-turned-diplomats Sarah Idan and Adar Gandelsman became dear friends and allies, even though they met when Idan was the year’s Miss Iraq and Gandelsman was Miss Israel. Despite threats that caused her extended family to flee Iraq, Idan stayed public about her relationship with Gandelsman, going on to make a warm visit to Israel. The two women also partnered on a fundraiser for Israeli emergency services, ignoring a cacophony of criticism in favor of friendship.

Quai James, the man who went viral mocking a Hasidic child did deep, public teshuva, setting an inspiring example of the possibility of redemption through repentance.

Henry Winkler, America’s favorite sex-symbol and then, improbably, also our favorite Jewish grandfather, got his due at last, with a triumphant Emmy win.

Aly Raisman, already one of the greatest athletes living, spent the year reshaping the world as a tireless champion for sexual assault and child abuse survivors and a force against bureaucracies that protect latent evil.

Ady Barkan, a California dad, continued to be one of the most heroic people alive.

Ruchie Freier, a 52-year-old wig-wearing, traditional Orthodox woman and the mother of six children, rained justice and righteousness on Brooklyn as the world’s first Hasidic female judge.

In times of crisis, Muslim groups raised massive funds for Jewish communities.

Jewish women protested with their hearts, their souls, and their might. Rabbi Barat Ellman was forcibly taken out of Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination hearing, screaming, “It’s a shonda!” Jewish actresses Amy Schumer and Emily Ratajkowski were arrested later in the hearing process. Sara Atkins, an Orthodox mother of five, was arrested at the hearing. Atkins’ five children all have serious diagnoses that require regular medical care; the arrest was her 10th in the past two years.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had yet another year of jubilance and justice, starring in a documentary, a big-budget biopic, and a workout video. She inspired things as well as people, including an action figure and, for better or for worse, a bra.

Israel won Eurovision! Netta Barzilai is a sensation!

Israel sent its biggest team ever to the Winter Olympics.

Doctor Ruth turned 90 but continues her holy work — she has a documentary coming out on Netflix and a comic book.

A Yiddish version of “Fiddler On The Roof” became not just a theatrical success but a cultural phenomenon.

An Orthodox, Israeli, female NASA scientist developed life-saving breast cancer screening technology.

Jews and Muslims united, successfully pushing New York schools to agree to offer kosher and halal meals.

Israeli technology helped rescue the boys trapped in the cave in Thailand.

Holocaust survivor Charlotte Adelman reunited with the French family that hid her in their cellar, seventy years later. 89-year-old survivor Hedy Pagremansky inspired formerly incarcerated people with her and her husband’s stories. Survivor Mordechai Miller received his high school diploma at 87. Hanne Hirsch and Max Liebmann, who met in a concentration camp as teenagers, celebrated 72 years of marriage. And 93-year-old survivor Samuel Heider had his bar mitzvah.

And, naturally, Jewish teens sent avocado toast to space.

Jenny Singer is the deputy lifestyle editor for the Forward. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @jeanvaljenny

Jenny Singer is a freelance writer with pieces in Vox, the Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, Teen Vogue, and more. She was previously a staff writer at Glamour and the Forward, and she’s currently getting an MFA in nonfiction writing at the University of Iowa.

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