This is the Forward’s coverage of social media platforms and their role in Jewish life.
Social Media
The Latest
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The Schmooze Syria President Bashar Al-Assad Joins Instagram
In an attempt to show that dictators too, can bask in the glow of the Earlybird filter, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has joined Instagram. The account, which goes under the name “syrianpresidency” shows Assad’s softer, friendlier side — smiling, waving and shaking hands with laughing children. Syrian First Lady Asma al-Assad, who grew up in…
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The Schmooze Sexy Selfie Gets Knesset Rebuked
Knesset Chairman Yuli Edelstein is not pleased with the sex appeal of some its members. In a letter sent out to all the MKs, Edelstein rebuked them all over a series of embarassing events, which he said “cheapen” the Knesset, Haaretz reported. Though nothing specific was mentioned, the timing led Senior MKs to believe that…
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The Schmooze Israeli Politician Posts Sexy Selfie
When one is a politician, one can usually count on losing sleep in favor of debating important public issues. But one such public servant, Yesh Atid first-time MK Boaz Toporovsky, took this to a whole new level. On Monday night (Israeli time), during a heated debate about women’s right to a say in the appointment…
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Opinion Shavuot Is Tough Sell in Age of 140 Characters
The festival of Shavuot marks God’s announcement of his commandments on Mount Sinai. Occurring seven weeks after Passover, the holiday involves no prescribed rituals and can pass virtuously with little ceremony. Those who observe Shavuot often honor the occasion with all-night Torah classes. Because of its boundless significance, the Sinaitic revelation is commemorated by engaging…
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Fast Forward 100-Year-Olds Live Healthy and Get Active on Social Media
America’s centenarians are generally content and believe staying active is key to longevity, and some are even using social media and email to stay in touch with family and friends, a survey released on Thursday showed.’ The poll that compared the attitudes and lifestyle of baby boomers to centenarians showed the country’s oldest citizens were…
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Opinion Anti-Semitism and Anonymity on Twitter
“Anonymous” is a pretty apt name for the motley crew of anarchist hackers who like to disable and deface the websites of groups or people “they” don’t like. We can’t interrogate their motives. Only their work offers clues, sometimes quite unambiguous ones. When Anonymous recently tried to take down the website for Yad Vashem —…
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The Schmooze #ObamaInIsrael Has Its Own Pinterest Page
Social media loves a good diplomatic visit. Pictures abound, attempts at speaking other languages often fail, and the agonizing possibility that something will go horribly wrong — like a car breaking down, perhaps? — makes for great third party commentary. All of you avidly following President Obama’s trip to Israel this week will be happy…
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Life Even Frum Girls Get GIFs
The thing about youth web culture is that kids of every background will appropriate trends to fit their own lifestyles. It’s not so easy for fashion, music or even food. But a social media meme? It’ll tear across the Internet, equally amusing to young netizens regardless of gender, race or class. And if Internet access…
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Opinion Outrage over Nicholas Kristof’s op-ed on sexual assault of Palestinians is missing the point
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News They texted about Torah and mitzvahs. Feds say they were insider trading
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Opinion I run The Jewish Theological Seminary. Here’s the real story about President Isaac Herzog speaking at our commencement
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Fast Forward Talarico won’t campaign with Democratic House candidate who wants to open ‘a prison for American Zionists’
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Yiddish World Molly Crabapple’s book is well researched but ideologically biased
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News At Trump’s Christian revival on the National Mall, one rabbi made a Jewish case for America
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Fast Forward California judge says Kars4Kids misled donors by omitting Orthodox Jewish mission from ads
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Fast Forward Pacific Palisades Jews, displaced by fire, reopen their synagogue as part of returning home