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Geoffrey Clarfield

Jun 5, 2026, 9:02 AM

The Ecstasy of the Piyyut

After the fall of the Second Temple (70 CE) the Jews were still a majority in the Land of Israel. First, they lived under the authority of the pagan Romans. When the Romans then converted to Christianity, these same...

May 29, 2026, 6:44 PM

The Priestly Blessing and Forever Young

This week was the 25th (!) anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah. I always know exactly how many years it has been since my Bar Mitzvah, because I celebrated becoming a Bar Mitzvah on the same weekend that Bob Dylan...

Amy K. Milligan

May 5, 2026, 4:25 AM

When Academic Boycotts Target Jewish Culture

The audience dances and fills the aisles, May 3, 2026, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

When I was 8 years old, I asked for tickets to see Itzhak Perlman perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra. My parents, who were never fans of classical music, took me to see the Israeli-American violin virtuoso and politely tolerated...

May 3, 2026, 6:29 AM

Lag B’Omer, Turn On Your Love Light!

One of my favorite songs that the Grateful Dead used to cover is “Turn On Your Love Light,” written by Joe Scott and recorded by Bobby Bland in 1961. The chorus of this composition is powerful: “Turn on your...

Apr 8, 2026, 9:04 PM

The triumph of music in captivity

Gradually stories of survival through music in captivity are coming to light. After more than two years of torture in the Hamas tunnels in Gaza numerous hostages are only now beginning to talk about how music helped save their...

Apr 4, 2026, 8:47 AM

Free, Free Palestine. Long Live Palestine.

We will eat oranges and dance the hora. Free, free Palestine. Long live Palestine. — Yiddish folk refrain, early 20th century. Image © Ivan Bassov, 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

A Forgotten Yiddish Chorus We Must Reclaim Some stories don’t argue — they remember. In my previous article, Sarah, I Am a Palestinian Jew, I introduced a simple Yiddish lullaby sung by the mother of Willy Lipschutz: Yiddish: Mir vellen essen pomeranzen und dabei...

Silas Anastacio

Mar 25, 2026, 2:49 AM

Fortuna Illuminates Sephardic Jewish Music on Stage

Image: Used with permission from Fortuna

Last Sunday, March 22, 2026, Beth-El Synagogue hosted a memorable concert of Sephardic Jewish music at the Renascença School Theater, featuring Fortuna, an icon of Brazilian Jewish music. Shemá Koli: Internationally acclaimed, Fortuna was honored in 2025 with the Pomegranate Lifetime...

Mar 21, 2026, 9:57 AM

Sam Sussman’s Boy from the North Country: What Happens After the Awards

Sam Sussman, author of ‘Boy From the North Country’

‘Boy From the North Country’ Join Author Sam Sussman in Conversation with Cantor Dan Singer Tickets | Stephen Wise Free Synagogue On March 26, the literary world will gather for the annual celebration of the Jewish Book Council and its...

Mar 15, 2026, 6:05 AM

‘I’m Not a Hero — But I Wasn’t Going to Just Stand There’

Israeli-American rapper Kosha Dillz on being attacked at a Khamenei vigil in New York, the power of showing up, and why the real fight against antisemitism happens offline. Rami Matan Even-Esh didn't go to Washington Square Park on March 5...

Mar 12, 2026, 6:51 PM

Miezyslaw Weinberg: The Circle of the Destiny

Tribute to the outstanding composer on the 30th anniversary of his passing Part II. Part I can be read here. Soviet years and Shostakovich Surviving alone, without family and friends, young 20-year old Metek Weinberg did manage to cross the border into Soviet...

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