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American Jews

Director Rachel Israel, right, and producer Shai Korman arrive at the premiere of 'The Floaters' during the 2025 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, August 3, 2025. (Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images via JTA)
With 2 new films, director Rachel Israel offers comic relief for Diaspora Jews on edge
By Stephen Silver
In 'The Floaters' and 'Influenced,' the New York filmmaker shows Jewish identity as the backdrop for friendship, family and ambition rather than antisemitism or crisis
Ron Kampeas
Analysis
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After attacking AIPAC, El-Sayed seeks support from Michigan’s pro-Israel Democrats
Ron Kampeas
Uncommitted National Movement organizers Abbas Alawieh, right, and Lexis Zeidan, speak to the media on November 6, 2024, in Dearborn, Michigan. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
August 6, 2026, 7:55 pm
‘Uncommitted’ founder who pushed Dems to vote against Biden over Gaza wins local primary
Abbas Alawieh captures Democratic nomination for Michigan state Senate seat without making anti-Israel stance central to campaign; says he recently met with former VP Kamala Harris
By Shira Li Bartov
Abdul El-Sayed departs following a news conference at the Spirit of Detroit shortly after winning the Democratic nomination for US Senate in Michigan, August 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
August 6, 2026, 6:23 pm
El-Sayed’s narrow Michigan win splits Jewish Democrats over potential rapprochment
Success of anti-Israel candidate leaves many feeling abandoned by party despite razor-thin margin of victory, with some considering voting Republican in November
By Grace Gilson
Woody Guthrie (left) and Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt. After Guthrie married Greenblatt's daughter, Marjorie Mazia, the two developed a close bond, explored in the new documentary 'Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls.' (Woody Guthrie Publications via JTA)
August 6, 2026, 2:27 am
Woody Guthrie was surprisingly in tune with Judaism. A new documentary explains why
‘Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls,’ now making the rounds on the Jewish film circuit, shows a little-known side of the legendary American folk singer that was steeped in Jewish culture
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Abdul El-Sayed arrives for a news conference at the Spirit of Detroit shortly after winning the Democratic nomination for US Senate in Michigan, August 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
August 5, 2026, 11:57 am
Anti-Israel Democratic candidate El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary
Progressive who called idea of Jewish state ‘illiberal,’ and said money is only reason Dems who ‘believe in human rights’ support Israel, achieves narrow victory against pro-Israel, AIPAC-backed rival Stevens
By Agencies and ToI Staff
US Rep. Wesley Bell (L) and Cori Bush, who are both vying to represent the Democratic Party in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District during the 2026 midterm elections. (L: Michael B. Thomas for The Washington Post via Getty Images/R: Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images/JTA)
August 4, 2026, 12:28 pm
Missouri primary rematch tests former rep. Cori Bush’s vow to take down AIPAC
Israel critic is seeking to retake former seat on Tuesday from incumbent Wesley Bell, who has remained supportive of Israel and received over $1M in donations from pro-Israel lobby
By Sharon Udasin
Illustrative: Congregation Beth Israel is the oldest synagogue in Bangor, Maine. (Wikimedia Commons)
August 1, 2026, 1:31 am
Maine rabbis issue joint call for peace, urge politicians to stop calling Gaza war ‘genocide’
All 11 congregational rabbis in state sign onto letter decrying use of term as ‘misleading’ and ‘Holocaust inversion,’ after Democratic Senate primary in which several candidates used label
By Grace Gilson
Harold Grinspoon received a warm welcome by the several hundred participants at PJ Library's conference, held in April 2026 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Courtesy PJ Library via JTA)
July 31, 2026, 3:28 am
The man who changed Jewish bedtime stories is still reinventing himself at 97
Philanthropist Harold Grinspoon has taken up art while continuing to fund the expansion of PJ Library, which engages young Jewish families with monthly deliveries of children’s books
By Penny Schwartz
From left foreground, Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney, US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Michigan Democratic US Senate primary candidate Abdul El-Sayed, US Sen. Bernie Sanders, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, and US Rep. Rashida Tlaib, join hands following a campaign rally for El-Sayed, July 18, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
July 30, 2026, 6:49 pm
The El-Sayed effect: How Jews and Israel are factoring into Michigan’s primaries
Avowedly pro-Palestinian progressive’s bid to become senator of swing state is mirrored in other contests — including in districts with few Jewish residents
By Andrew Lapin
New York Times columnist Bret Stephens speaks at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, February 1, 2026. (Peter Jamus/Michael Priest Photography via JTA)
July 30, 2026, 1:36 pm
Stalwart Israel defender Bret Stephens calls out ‘Jewish terrorists’ in West Bank 
Pulitzer-winning New York Times columnist takes aim at country’s handling of settler violence, says it harms security and legitimacy of Jewish state
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Maine Democratic nominee for US Senate Troy Jackson (L) and Maine Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R). (Tom Williams/Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images via JTA)
July 29, 2026, 3:03 am
As Senate race kicks off in Maine, some Jewish voters find themselves politically adrift
Democrat Troy Jackson replaces disgraced anti-Israel candidate Graham Platner; while some blue-leaning Jews consider him a step up, his claims Israel committed genocide put many on the fence
By Grace Gilson
From left: Recent Jewish immigrants from New York Ron Dov, Arielle Sabol and her family, and Robin Reiter. (Courtesy)
July 26, 2026, 4:18 pm
‘Planning lives elsewhere’: These Jews are leaving NY due to antisemitism, politics
While the vast majority of Jewish New Yorkers are remaining, some are relocating to Israel or nearby states, citing Mayor Zohran Mamdani, schools and discrimination
By Agatha Khishchenko
Hasan Piker speaks at a campaign rally for Abdul El-Sayed, a far left candidate in the Democratic primary for US Senate, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
July 22, 2026, 5:19 am
Jewish caucus demands apology for US College Democrats’ hosting of Hasan Piker
Jews in campus group call far-left commentator’s appearance a ‘direct threat to Jewish safety and inclusion,’ say organizers blocked protest walkout by citing ‘security concerns’
By Luke Tress
Michigan Democratic US Senate primary candidate Abdul El-Sayed addresses the crowd during a campaign rally in Detroit, July 18, 2026. (Jose Juarez/AP)
July 21, 2026, 3:18 pm
How Michigan’s Senate race is testing pro-Israel Jews’ loyalty to the Democratic Party
Some Jewish communal leaders in the state say they would support a Republican candidate if a strident Israel critic beats centrist Haley Stevens in the primary
By Andrew Lapin
Hasan Piker speaks at a campaign rally for Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for US Senate in Michigan, April 7, 2026, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
July 21, 2026, 1:06 pm
J Street defends co-sponsoring college Democrats event featuring Hasan Piker
Liberal pro-Israel group says it funded exhibit table and had no say in who spoke at conference in Washington, DC, amid blowback over presence of controversial far-left streamer
By Grace Gilson
National Education Association (NEA) Secretary-Treasurer Noel Candelaria speaks during a rally in Washington, May 20, 2026. (Kevin Wolf/AP Content Services for United for Democracy)
July 18, 2026, 4:40 pm
ADL and JCPA reactions to US teachers union exposes divide on how to fight antisemitism
Organizations united on dire situation for Jewish teachers and students, but rare public disagreement on strategy highlights split between proponents of conciliatory approach or toughness on NEA
By Grace Gilson
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