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Jews and the News with Rabbi Barbara Symons

Join Rabbi Barbara for a monthly discussion of an article in the news.  Open to all.  Bring your most cantankerous uncle along.  Zoom only.  Article will be posted ahead, please try to read it, but come as you are.

ZOOM LINK

Article for OCT 2026

Our article for October 27, the eighth anniversary of the attack at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh will be: https://www.adl.org/resources/article/when-fandom-meets-hate-antisemitism-true-crime-community-tcc
Questions to consider:
Did you know how pervasive antisemitism is online?
How does online material manifest itself in real life?
Can we, ironically accused of owning the media, have any control?
How can we mourn the lives lost and the subsequent loss of a sense of security?

 

 

Article for AUG 2026 (hat tip to Jack):  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/06/opinion/jewish-america-identity.html?smid=em-share 

Article for JULY 2026:  https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/learning-about-judaism-in-unexpected-places/?utm_source=cio

Article for June 2026:  https://aish.com/dostoevsky-was-an-antisemite-i-still-think-you-should-read-him/

Some questions to consider:
  • Do you currently avoid any music, theater, books, visual art due to its creator’s ethics?
  • Does it matter when they lived or what ethical lines they crossed?
  • Knowing the allegations against some of our Jewish composers, should we avoid their music during prayer? Even if they are favorites?

Article for May 2026:  https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/how-can-israel-shore-up-american-jewish-support/

Questions for consideration:
What are the current barriers between Jews in America and Israel?
If you had a plan to strengthen ties between Jews in America and Jews in Israel, what would it be?
Could you extend that plan to include Jews around the world?

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Article and questions for discussion for April 2026:

Questions for thought:
Do you have a favorite show featuring African Americans?  Featuring Jews?
Do you feel African Americans are more realistically portrayed on tv/streaming than are Jews?
Do you think a more realistic portrayal of Jews would have greater cultural impact in America on issues including antisemitism?
Why do you think Israeli tv/streaming is more effective at sharing Jewish culture than is American tv?

 

 

Article and questions for discussion for March 2026:

Thought questions:
  • How do you decide the recipients of your financial donations?
  • When the tax code changed, did it affect your pattern of donating?
  • Does it affect how your synagogue and other organizations you value meet their expenses?

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Article and questions for discussion for February 2026:

https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/bret-stephens-fight-against-antisemitism-is-a-mostly-wasted-effort/?utm_source=cio.    Thought questions:
If you had $1000 to strengthen the Jewish community, how would you divide it?

Is being an anti-antisemitism Jew enough?

What are the most effective ways to lessen antisemitism?

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Article for January 2026:  https://forward.com/opinion/798306/great-replacement-theory-minneapolis-antisemitism/

 

 

 

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Date

Oct 27 2026

Time

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

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