Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Toby Axelrod

Babka & Krantz, a Berlin Jewish bakery, closed citing harassment as well as economic pressure, as seen in June 2026. (Toby Axelrod via JTA)
June 9, 2026, 6:34 am
Celebrated Berlin Jewish bakery closes, citing antisemitic harassment since Oct. 7
Babka & Krantz owners shutter original store after closing second location months ago, saying they have been ‘subjected to constant verbal abuse’ since the Hamas invasion of Israel
By Toby Axelrod
Holocaust stories and images generated by artificial intelligence are sparking debate among educators and historians. (Illustration by Grace Yagel for JTA)
May 12, 2026, 5:33 am
Experts debate whether AI-generated Holocaust content aids memory or distorts it
A World Jewish Congress clip of Anne Frank highlights potential and peril of new tools as firsthand testimony dies out — and opportunists capitalize on endless supply of ‘slop’
By Toby Axelrod
Photographer Edward Serotta takes a self-portrait in a hotel room during his efforts to document Romania in the 1980s. (Courtesy Serotta via JTA)
April 11, 2026, 7:07 am
Romanian secret police trailed a Jewish photographer in the ’80s. Those files are now a film
Edward Serotta only recently discovered he’d been surveilled while traveling the communist country. Acclaimed director Radu Jude has turned the findings into a short documentary
By Toby Axelrod
A woman sits alone in a Frankfurt, Germany, cinema in November 2021. (Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images via JTA)
April 7, 2026, 6:28 am
Frankfurt cinema declines to participate in Jewish film festival, drawing backlash
Jewish community in German city calls the decision a ‘devastating societal signal’; Astor Film Lounge claims move was financial, but Jewish NGO calls this a ‘mere pretext’
By Toby Axelrod
Rabbi Gesa Ederberg is installed as the president of the Rabbinical Assembly at Congregation Beth Sholom in Teaneck, New Jersey, March 11, 2026. (Courtesy RA via JTA)
March 20, 2026, 3:08 am
Berlin rabbi makes history as first European to head Conservative rabbis’ association
In a ‘major step forward’ in relations between US and German Jews of the major denomination, Rabbi Gesa Shira Ederberg is also likely the first convert to Judaism to assume the leadership role
By Toby Axelrod
German politician Andreas Büttner is sworn in during the state parliament session following his election as Brandenburg's antisemitism commissioner, with members of his Left party in the background, June 20 2024. (Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images/ via JTA)
March 17, 2026, 11:26 pm
German antisemitism commissioner quits far‑left party over anti-Israel resolution
After 11 years in Die Linke, Andreas Büttner submits resignation over party’s condemnation of ‘existing political manifestations of Zionism’; party leaders vow to keep working with him
By Toby Axelrod
Brothers David, Eitan and Ariel Cunio, from left, stand outside the Berlin theater Babylon before a screening of a documentary about their family, Feb. 20, 2026. (Toby Axelrod via JTA)
February 23, 2026, 4:22 am
At Berlinale, former hostages view film about their captivity rewritten after release
Tom Shoval’s ‘Letter to David’ first aired at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival but was given a new ending and a second premiere after the release of David and Ariel Cunio
By Toby Axelrod
Reuven Y., a rabbi and defendant in a court case, appears in the district court in Tiergarten, Berlin, January 16, 2026. His attorney, Galina Rolnik, sits next to him. (Courtesy via JTA)
January 23, 2026, 1:42 pm
Berlin rabbi convicted of ‘sexual assault and coercion’ of woman he offered to counsel
Conviction comes over two years after Jewish community fired him following allegations of abuse going back nearly 2 decades
By Toby Axelrod
The company logo of Weleda is on a glass bottle. Weleda produces herbal medicines and cosmetics. (Stefan Puchner/picture alliance via Getty Images via JTA)
September 13, 2025, 3:33 am
Cosmetics firm Weleda to examine Nazi ties amid revelation of role in Dachau experiments
In book published this week, historian reveals that 300 prisoners were submerged in ice water for hours to verify claims company’s skin cream could protect from frostbite, killing 80-90
By Toby Axelrod
The Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker kept a record of his holdings in a pocket notebook in the 1930s. Among the paintings he owned when he died was one that has reappeared in a real estate ad in August 2025 in Buenos Aires. (Black book by Marcel Antonisse/AFP via Getty Images via JTA; real estate photograph from Robles Casas & Campas via JTA)
August 27, 2025, 12:09 pm
Looted painting vanishes after being seen in Nazi’s daughter’s real estate ad
Friedrich Kadgien’s daughter evades questions from journalist who spotted artwork, immediately removes ad and changes name on Instagram
By Toby Axelrod
Rabbi Tanya Segal at 12 Jozefa Street in Krakow, Poland, as she is evicted from her apartment, July 31, 2025. (Courtesy of Marta Kalamar via JTA)
August 23, 2025, 12:32 pm
Rabbi evicted from Krakow home once owned by Jews murdered in Holocaust
Tanya Segal, Poland’s first female rabbi, loses her apartment in building featured in ‘Schindler’s List’ thanks to Poland’s lack of Holocaust restitution laws
By Toby Axelrod
Horst Mahler waits for his trial for incitement at the higher regional court in Munich, Germany, January 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Christof Stache, file)
July 29, 2025, 1:36 am
Leading German antisemite who moved from left-wing terrorism to neo-Nazism dies at 89
Horst Mahler was once legal counsel for Nazi hunter Beate Klarsfeld before cofounding the anti-Israel Red Army Faction; he later turned to far-right extremism and Holocaust denial
By Toby Axelrod
Members of Or Tamid, an advocacy group in Frankfurt for survivors of sexual abuse, from left to right, Haleli Shomer Shalom, Roglit Ishay, Daniela Shemer and Niels Gerhardt. (Courtesy Or Tamid via JTA)
March 29, 2025, 10:27 am
Frankfurt Jewish community launches its own sexual abuse hotline amid crises and pressure
Unprecedented third-party hotline will protect 400 employees of local institutions, after advocacy by activist group; national Jewish group may also set up a wider system
By Toby Axelrod
German actors and actresses hold photos of Israeli hostage David Cunio upon arrival at the opening of the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, February 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
February 25, 2025, 4:12 pm
Jeers for Israel and a top award for a doc about hostages at Berlin film festival
As ‘Holding Liat’ wins top documentary prize and ‘Letter to David’ sees its world premiere, Berlinale organizers try to prevent repeat of last year’s unmitigated anti-Israel displays
By Toby Axelrod
An election poster showing AfD top candidate for chancellor Alice Weidel is fixed on a lamp pole in Frankfurt, Germany, February 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
February 21, 2025, 5:06 am
German Jews express alarm after JD Vance helps boost far-right party before election
Head of Jewish federation warns ‘Jewish life in Germany would be in danger’ if AfD comes to power, as ‘Holocaust deniers and antisemites feel at home’ in the party
By Toby Axelrod
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.