Gabe Friedman

Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, speaks at an abortion rights rally in front of the US Supreme Court in December 2021. (Courtesy of Danya Ruttenberg.)

May 4, 2022, 8:40 am

US Supreme Court leak energizes Jewish groups ahead of planned abortion rights rally

‘We will fight for abortion rights with all of our strength,’ head of Reform movement vows after publication of draft document indicating justices set to overturn Roe v. Wade

By Jackie Hajdenberg and Gabe Friedman

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk arrives on the red carpet for the Axel Springer media award even in Berlin on December 1, 2020. (Hannibal Hanschke/Pool Photo via AP, File)

April 27, 2022, 4:07 am

What Elon Musk buying Twitter could mean for Jewish users and antisemitism

The billionaire’s plans for the social network are murky, but his support for unfettered free speech is causing worries that hate will run rampant on the platform

By Gabe Friedman and PHILISSA CRAMER

Destruction in Constitution Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-biggest city, after shelling by Russian forces, March 2, 2022. (Sergey BOBOK / AFP)

March 3, 2022, 6:06 am

Hillel chapter in Kharkiv destroyed as city’s Jews scramble for safety

Hillel branch was located in iconic Constitution Square building shelled by Russian troops amid intense bombardment against Ukraine’s second-largest city

By Gabe Friedman

US President Joe Biden makes an address on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2022. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images/JTA)

March 1, 2022, 8:15 am

Even as crisis loomed, Biden attended Zoom shiva for childhood crush

US president took time to participate in online mourning event for Joan Olivere, mother of Hallie, his former daughter-in-law through late son Beau

By Gabe Friedman

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the nation in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 24, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

February 26, 2022, 2:01 pm

In 4 years, Zelensky went from Jewish comic to Putin’s enemy #1, democracy defender

Ukrainian president finds himself at center of Europe’s most significant conflict since World War II

By Gabe Friedman

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a ceremony at the monument to Jewish victims of Nazi massacres, at Babyn Yar in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, on September 29, 2021. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

February 25, 2022, 5:15 am

Who are Ukraine’s Jews, and how is Russia’s invasion affecting them?

Tens of thousands of Jews living in Ukraine are plunged into uncertainty, including country’s Jewish President Volodymyr Zelensky; while some have fled, others are staying to fight

By Gabe Friedman

Whoopi Goldberg attends a benefit event in New York City, Sept. 13, 2021. (Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images via JTA)

February 3, 2022, 5:34 pm

‘The View’ Holocaust controversy: Are Jews white? Is Whoopi Goldberg Jewish?

Host’s comments strike nerve among many Jews, but also bring to fore questions about identity that have never been easy to answer

By Gabe Friedman

Rep. Lauren Boebert, Republican-Colorado, speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 29, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

January 21, 2022, 3:02 am

US Rep. Boebert asks Jewish visitors if they are spying on Capitol

Controversial Colorado Republican says comment was a joking reference to tours she allegedly gave ahead of insurrection; she says she’s too short to see kippahs on peoples’ heads

By Gabe Friedman

Alex Clare performs in Germany in 2018. (Michael Debets/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

October 31, 2021, 5:38 pm

Orthodox singer who skipped Adele tour over Shabbat has new single

Despite past experiences, Israel-based Alex Clare says there is little tension between being an observant Jew and following a successful career as a musician

By Gabe Friedman

First Lady Jill Biden speaks at the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah fundraiser dinner in Detroit, Oct. 24, 2021. (Screenshot from C-Span)

October 26, 2021, 10:56 am

At yeshiva fundraiser, Jill Biden pays tribute to Jonathan Sacks

‘We mend the world one life at a time, one act at a time, one day at a time,’ first lady says at annual dinner for Yeshiva Beth Yehudah in Detroit

By Gabe Friedman

Benicio del Toro, center, as painter Moses Rosenthaler, and Léa Seydoux, right, as the prison guard Simone in "The French Dispatch." (Searchlight Pictures via JTA)

October 23, 2021, 6:48 am

Move over Tenenbaums, ‘French Dispatch’ is Wes Anderson’s most Jewish film yet

Movie starring Jewish heartthrob Timothée Chalamet has chapters focusing on Jewish protagonists and characters based on Jewish journalists from The New Yorker

By Gabe Friedman

Ben Foster on the set of "The Survivor" in New York City, May 30, 2019. (Bobby Bank/GC Images/Getty Images via JTA)

October 7, 2021, 11:32 am

HBO picks up film about boxer who escaped Auschwitz death march

Ben Foster plays in ‘The Survivor,’ which recounts how Harry Haft went from boldly fleeing the Nazis to a sporting career that saw him fight Rocky Marciano

By Gabe Friedman

Dave Chappelle arrives at Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the 22nd Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in Washington, October 27, 2019. (Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File)

October 7, 2021, 11:29 am

Dave Chappelle jokes about world-conquering ‘Space Jews’

Comedian criticized for apparent antisemitic standup line, as well as for likening Black people beating Asians to his own body conquering COVID-19

By Gabe Friedman

Adam Sandler accepts the award for best male lead for "Uncut Gems" at the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 8, 2020, in Santa Monica, California. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

October 7, 2021, 11:11 am

Adam Sandler is Gen Z’s favorite celebrity

After some flops, 55-year-old US Jewish actor remains a favorite among teens after ‘Uncut Gems’ success and appearances in pickup basketball

By Gabe Friedman

Illustrative: Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. (Uriel Heilman/JTA)

October 6, 2021, 5:04 am

CDC study looks at how Ramah summer camps avoided COVID outbreaks

Paper finds only nine infections among 7,000 attendees at 10 Jewish summer camps throughout US; credits frequent testing, pods and hand-washing

By Gabe Friedman