Jacob Henry

May 16, 2023, 8:08 am

Zak Malamed is latest Democrat to throw hat in ring in race to unseat George Santos

Fundraiser says he was spurred to run by indicted Republican congressman’s false claim to be Jewish: ‘He is an extreme MAGA Republican who doesn’t take antisemitism seriously’

By Jacob Henry

New York City Mayor Eric Adams attends a a news conference, October 11, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

May 16, 2023, 7:36 am

NYC mayor praises yeshivas, pushes back on criticism of secular education standards

Adams suggests city’s public schools are failing students and should follow the seminaries’ example, as city hall fights media effort to publicize assessments of 26 yeshivas

By Jacob Henry

A woman encourages people to sign a petition calling for an end to "Jew Hatred," outside the offices of then-New York governor Andrew Cuomo, October 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

May 14, 2023, 12:45 am

Growing ‘End Jew Hatred’ movement sparks controversy amid right-wing links

Organization pushing resolution nationwide to declare April 29 ‘End Jew Hatred Day,’ but viewed with suspicion by progressives for roots in conservative activism

By Jacob Henry

Herschel Siegel, who was a beloved member of the Jewish community at Yeshiva University and Atlanta, died by suicide last Friday. (Courtesy via JTA)

May 6, 2023, 4:47 pm

Yeshiva University left mourning after beloved gay alumnus dies by suicide

Hershel Siegel had openly expressed his struggles with reconciling as both LGBTQ and Orthodox, with friends saying his death should be a wakeup call for school

By Jacob Henry

Joseph Borgen shows his injuries after being beat by a pro-Palestinian mob in the streets of New York (video screenshot)

April 27, 2023, 5:49 am

Two plead guilty to hate crime charges for 2021 attack on Jewish man in NYC

Joey Borgen, who was severely beaten while walking to pro-Israel rally during Gaza war, says sentences for his attackers should’ve been harsher

By Jacob Henry

Illustrative: The Passover Seder plate, as shown in this March 8th, 2007 photo, is a special plate containing symbolic foods used by Jews during the Passover Seder. The items include (from top center): horseradish; a shank bone; a mixture of fruit, wine and nuts called haroset; lettuce, parsley and an egg. (AP Photo/Dan Goodman)

April 6, 2023, 5:30 am

Episcopalian bishop of Missouri bans Christian Passover seders in diocese

Reverend Deon K. Johnson calls practice ‘deeply problematic’ and warns ‘it contributes to the objectification of our Jewish neighbors’

By Jacob Henry

A general view shows the Rikers Island jail complex in the East River of New York, from Queens, on January 13, 2022, with a Passover seder and matzah illustration. (Ed JONES/Getty Images/ Illustration by Mollie Suss via JTA)

April 5, 2023, 2:05 am

Next year as free men: On Rikers Island, a Passover seder for Jewish inmates

Known for its harsh conditions, the oft-overlooked NYC prison allows a yearly ritual that provides a rare ray of hope for those incarcerated there — and the volunteers who lead it

By Jacob Henry

Anti Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt speaks at a press conference announcing the Jewish Security Alliance at the ADL's investigative research lab. Behind him is Scott Richman, the regional director of ADL’s New York-New Jersey Office, CSS CEO Evan Bernstein and CSI Executive Director Mitch Silber. (Jacob Henry via JTA)

March 29, 2023, 5:59 pm

Leading NY Jewish security organizations form supergroup to coordinate activities

Jewish Security Alliance includes ADL and other groups, aiming to ‘connect those dots’ on disparate antisemitic incidents and keep Jewish communities safer in New York, New Jersey

By Jacob Henry

Kosher Dekal is coming back with a new design and formula for its countertop linings, which caused a scandal last year after customers had trouble taking them off their counters. (Courtesy via JTA)

March 29, 2023, 2:58 am

Kosher Dekal aims to stick the landing one year after its Passover product fail

The easy-on counter lining promised to make holiday prep a breeze but left buyers in a bind when it wasn’t easy-off. With a new and improved formula, owners seek a clean slate

By Jacob Henry

Attendees of a Chabad teen convention in Times Square pose next to the mezuzah affixed to the doorpost of American Eagle Outfitters' flagship store. (Courtesy of Chabad via JTA)

March 5, 2023, 2:34 pm

American Eagle now has a mezuzah at its Times Square flagship

The popular apparel brand’s CEO Jay L. Schottenstein is well-known for his charitable Jewish contributions, including to Chabad, whose teen program engineered the affixing event

By Jacob Henry

An illustrative photo of people on the subway station in New York City. (J2R via iStock by Getty Images)

February 16, 2023, 4:43 am

New Yorkers hunt for ‘The L Train Nazi,’ caught drawing hate slogans on subway

Activists look for suspect seen scrawling ‘1488,’ a neo-Nazi code, on New York’s L line, document tags across city

By Jacob Henry

Some have accused the new video game, Hogwarts Legacy, as peddling in antisemitic caricatures of goblins. (YouTube screenshot/Hogwarts Legacy via JTA)

February 11, 2023, 4:27 am

Are the goblins in blockbuster Harry Potter game ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ antisemitic?

Newly released video game revives criticism that hook-nosed creatures running wizard bank echo racist tropes about Jews and money

By Jacob Henry

A Jews For Asians event that took place in March 2021 in New York City. (Courtesy/via JTA)

February 1, 2023, 9:19 am

Jewish initiative aims to support Asian New Yorkers following Monterey Park shooting

Jews For Asians will send volunteers to help mourners feel safe at vigils and solidarity events this week as the Asian American community processes yet another tragedy

By Jacob Henry

Thousands of people protest against the Israeli government at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, on January 14, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

January 28, 2023, 12:52 pm

Judicial overhaul protests go global with rallies to be held in US, Canadian cities

Expat group says ‘foundations of Israeli democracy are being challenged’; solidarity event criticized for Shabbat timing, but organization says it is to sync with Tel Aviv event

By Jacob Henry

Reuven Blau, 43, seen here interviewing an unnamed source in New York City while working as a reporter for The City. (The City/Ben Fractenberg via JTA)

January 21, 2023, 5:49 am

A Jewish reporter goes inside Rikers for a new book on a notorious jail

Reuven Blau, 43, co-authors deep dive into a New York City prison that makes headlines for violence, mistreatment

By Jacob Henry