Gabe Friedman

Amanda Beckenstein Mbuvi had been a faculty member at High Point University in North Carolina. (Reconstructing Judaism)

June 19, 2021, 5:06 am

Black Jewish Bible scholar to lead Reconstructionist rabbinical school

In a first for American Jewish movements, Amanda Beckenstein Mbuvi will head institution outside Philadelphia

By Gabe Friedman

Steve Goode, far left, is biking across America to raise awareness about hunger by visiting Jewish delis. (Courtesy Goode/ via JTA)

June 19, 2021, 3:38 am

Biker takes his hog on ‘Great American Deli Schlep’ to raise hunger awareness

Motorcyclist Steve Goode is on a 75-day cross-country trek in which he’s partnered with the nonprofit Mazon to hit up 42 Jewish delis and spread knowledge about food insecurity

By Gabe Friedman

Stand-up comedian and actress Sarah Silverman talks about Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., at a campaign event at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

June 18, 2021, 12:52 am

Maybe add a Jewess to the Squad, comedian Silverman asks progressives

But raunchy actress turns down invitation from Ilhan Omar to join band of outspoken representatives, some of whom have been accused of antisemitism

By Gabe Friedman

Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg are Nefesh Mountain. (Lawrence Rickford/via JTA)

June 10, 2021, 9:59 am

Anne Frank’s famous optimism gets a bluegrass twang

New Jersey duo Nefesh Mountain’s new song ‘Piece Of The Sun (For Anne Frank)’ debuts just ahead of what would have been the Holocaust diarist’s 92nd birthday on June 12

By Gabe Friedman

Illustrative: A man wears a kippah at a demonstration against an anti-Semitic attack in Berlin, Germany, April 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

June 7, 2021, 2:55 am

What’s a ‘Jew of no religion’? 3 American Jews on their non-religious identities

A recent Pew survey breaks Jewish Americans down into 2 broad categories based on beliefs – but while God may not be on the menu, some say this distinction doesn’t work for them

By Gabe Friedman

Mayim Bialik in her "Jeopardy!" debut, May 31, 2021. (Screenshot from ABC)

June 2, 2021, 8:51 am

Mayim Bialik makes ‘Jeopardy!’ guest host debut

Actress will serve on gameshow for two weeks; program matching amount won by contestants to her charity of choice — the National Alliance on Mental Illness

By Gabe Friedman

Mark Ruffalo appears at the "I Know This Much is True" panel during the HBO TCA 2020 Winter Press Tour at the Langham Huntington on January 15, 2020, in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

May 26, 2021, 4:47 pm

Mark Ruffalo apologizes for suggesting Israel committed ‘genocide’ in Gaza

Actor says his description of the fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas was inaccurate and now ‘is being used to justify antisemitism’

By Gabe Friedman

The aftermath of an allegedly antisemitic attack at the Chaverim Congregation in Tucson, Arizona on May 18, 2021. (Chaverim Congregation via JTA)

May 25, 2021, 8:24 am

After spike in attacks, NBA teams take social media stances against antisemitism

Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, which all have Jewish owners, post messages on official accounts denouncing racism, hate speech

By Gabe Friedman

Kim Kardashian West speaks at the Langham Huntington, Jan. 18, 2020, in Pasadena, California (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

May 22, 2021, 2:36 am

Kim Kardashian, Mayim Bialik, others pan anti-Israeli, antisemitic expressions

Celebrities speak out in wake of altercations between pro-Palestinian protesters and Jews and acts of hate throughout the US

By Gabe Friedman

Bianna Golodryga interviews Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on CNN, May 20, 2021. (Screenshot via JTA)

May 21, 2021, 8:07 am

Pakistan’s foreign minister: Israel has ‘deep pockets’ and controls the media

CNN anchor Bianna Golodryga pushes back against Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s comment: ‘I would call that an antisemitic remark’

By Gabe Friedman

Tom Aharon in his video responding to John Oliver. (Screenshot from YouTube via JTA)

May 21, 2021, 12:50 am

Israeli comedian Tom Aharon takes on John Oliver over Israel criticism

Local comic, who models his show on Oliver’s ‘Last week tonight,’ says HBO star gets a lot wrong about the conflict

By Gabe Friedman

Rihanna performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Aug. 28, 2016. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

May 14, 2021, 8:04 am

Rihanna draws praise, criticism after solidarity with both Israel and Gaza

‘There needs to be some kind of resolve!’ pop star says in a message of unity to her 95 million followers

By Gabe Friedman

Trevor Noah devoted a 'Daily Show' segment to the Gaza-Israel conflict. (Screenshot from YouTube)

May 13, 2021, 1:58 pm

From Gal Gadot to Trevor Noah, celebrities weigh in on the Israel-Gaza violence

As rockets rain down on Israel and mobs riot in the streets, the Hollywood elite take to their social media accounts to make their opinions on the conflict public

By Gabe Friedman

Lakeith Stanfield in New York City, Feb. 12, 2020. (Jason Mendez/Getty Images via JTA)

May 8, 2021, 6:11 am

Actor Lakeith Stanfield moderated a Clubhouse room full of antisemitism

Participants aired tropes often trumpeted by Louis Farrakhan; Stanfield acknowledged antisemitism in the forum, says people ‘clearly weren’t listening’

By Gabe Friedman

Director Steven Spielberg addresses the audience at the 2018 Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

May 1, 2021, 2:21 am

Steven Spielberg’s new foundation announces first 10 documentaries it will fund

Grant awardees include one film following story of drag queen turned rabbinical student and another on Israeli comic who uses routine to push Israelis to question their biases

By Gabe Friedman