American Jewry

No. 43: William Daroff: Bringing American Jews to the table

Daroff has become one of the key figures trying to keep the American Jewish community at the same table because of his wide-ranging expertise and experience.

 CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations William Daroff
Harmeet K. Dhillon speaks at the IAC National Summit 2026 at The Diplomat Beach Resort on January 17, 2026 in Hollywood, Florida; illustrative

US Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights says antisemitism in America is 'national crisis'

A billboard advertising the site jews.com.

Fake rabbi plants billboards across New York City advertising Christian proselytizing website

US Vice President JD Vance speaks at a MAGA Inc. Super PAC event on Aug. 31, 2026, in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Vance meets with Temple Israel rabbi on Michigan visit, offers support to community


America’s Black-Jewish story gets an update on new PBS series featuring Henry Louis Gates

The series explores key moments in the histories of Black and Jewish Americans, and how those moments ran parallel and crossed paths over the past five centuries.

Historian and host Henry Louis Gates Jr. attends a seder in “Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History.”

Iran FM Araghchi says Trump being ‘dragged’ toward war by 'certain elements'

Abbas Araghchi told CNN that miscalculations could trigger war with the US, while insisting Iran remains open to a deal on nuclear weapons.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in Istanbul, Turkey, January 30, 2026; illustrative.

Nebraska lawmakers advance bill targeting Antisemitism in public schools and universities

The bill that would formally prohibit antisemitic discrimination in K–12 schools and institutions of higher education

Nebraska law inscription on the sheet. Nebraska residents are subject to Nebraska state and U.S. federal law

Where is American Jewish outrage over Iran? - opinion

It’s time for a gut check. See what issues enraged you this January. Compare any of your recent political activism with the Iranian people’s compelling need for our support – now.

A demonstrator protesting the deadly crackdown in Iran gathers outside the White House in Washington, DC on January 17, 2026.

This was not protest, it was a threat to New York’s Jewish community - opinion

New Yorkers, whether Jewish or not, must be willing to disavow what is being touted as a moral equivalence of something that is actually a precursor to forced expulsion.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces the appointment of Christine Clarke as chair and commissioner for the New York City Commission on Human Rights at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, Queens in New York City, New York

A century before Trump targeted Somalis, Jews faced politics of blame 

In 1908, New York City Police Commissioner Theodore A. Bingham claimed Jews accounted for half of New York’s crimes.

The crowded "Hebrew district" of New York's Lower East Side, c. 1907.

Editor's Notes: Israel, Diaspora Jews need to be on same page

Israelis and American Jews often misunderstand each other, shaped by different media. A call for shared stories and perspectives could bridge the growing gap between the two communities.

OSCAR THE GROUCH was the funny creature who lived in a trash can on ‘Sesame Street.’ In Israel, he was replaced by Moishe Oofnik, a similarly grumpy character but distinctly Israeli and living in a different kind of can.

Peter Beinart, Elliot Cosgrove and other Jewish leaders face off over the future of liberal Zionism

On Tuesday night in Manhattan, a group of prominent rabbis and Jewish thinkers gathered to ask whether liberal Zionism is now collapsing.

Peter Beinart speaks at a panel on "The Jewish Tent at a Crossroads" in the sanctuary of  B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan, Jan. 6, 2026. Others on the panel were, from left, moderator Rabbi Irwin Kula, Esther Sperber, Rabbi Jill Jacobs and Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove.

Diaspora Jewish leadership is speaking a language the world no longer understands - opinion

Jewish survival is seen more as a matter of tone than force. The world doesn't judge intentions. It doesn't reward nuance. It only tests whether a people are willing and able to defend themselves.

 Rabbi Cosgrove

Mamdani's first act as mayor made a turning point become reality for NYC Jews - editorial

For decades, the mayor of the world’s largest Jewish city outside Israel made a point of standing with its Jewish community. Mamdani’s first day did something else entirely.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji stand onstage during his inauguration ceremony in New York City, U.S., January 1, 2026.