Being Jewish | Hadassah Magazine

Community + Faith

Arts
Idina Menzel Dishes on ‘Redwood’ and Jewish Ethics
The Tony award-winning actor and singer is now starring in what may be the most positive Jewish play on Broadway in decades.

The Tony award-winning actor and singer is now starring in what may be the most positive Jewish play on Broadway in decades.
Being Jewish
I Forgive a Country
For professor and writer Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor, reclaiming German citizenship almost 90 years after her grandfather fled Munich has helped her come to terms with her family’s past.

For professor and writer Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor, reclaiming German citizenship almost 90 years after her grandfather fled Munich has helped her come to terms with her
Being Jewish
The Last Generation of Holocaust Survivors
Five women who survived the Shoah as children share their harrowing stories, their resilience and their fear that ‘history is repeating itself.’

Five women who survived the Shoah as children share their harrowing stories, their resilience and their fear that ‘history is repeating itself.’
Books
‘On Being Jewish Now’ at Full Volume
‘I am a Jewish author who refuses to remain silent. ‘Loud and proud’ is the new ‘Never again.’

‘I am a Jewish author who refuses to remain silent. ‘Loud and proud’ is the new ‘Never again.’
Being Jewish
Ramping up—and Rethinking— Israel Education
Jewish day schools in the United States tackle the impact of October 7 in the classroom.

Jewish day schools in the United States tackle the impact of October 7 in the classroom.
Being Jewish
‘Let There Be Light’ Feels More Urgent Than Ever
‘I can’t think of a declaration more intrepid or poignant for the first painful anniversary of October 7,’ writes Abigail Pogrebin.

‘I can’t think of a declaration more intrepid or poignant for the first painful anniversary of October 7,’ writes Abigail Pogrebin.
Being Jewish
Time for a Reassessment Among Jewish Americans
“If antisemitism is a fact, then what can we do about it?,” Rabbi Diana Fresko writes. “Historically, there are three options: Stay and fight, leave and rebuild, or do nothing.”

“If antisemitism is a fact, then what can we do about it?,” Rabbi Diana Fresko writes. “Historically, there are three options: Stay and fight, leave
Being Jewish
Israel’s Other Secret Weapon
Israel’s secret weapon, Golda Meir once said, is that “we have no place else to go.” But there’s another tool in our arsenal: community.

Israel’s secret weapon, Golda Meir once said, is that “we have no place else to go.” But there’s another tool in our arsenal: community.
Being Jewish
Jewish Girls Make the Grade
Girls are reaching new levels of academic success, in the process surpassing boys in earning undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Girls are reaching new levels of academic success, in the process surpassing boys in earning undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Returning the Landsmanns to Their Country

A student stumbles, almost literally, upon a method to raise awareness of one murdered Jewish family rendered almost forgotten by the Holocaust.

This Might Be the Smallest Synagogue in the World

by György Polgár

The man behind the Szanto Memorial and Prayer house guarantees that 'a minyan can just fit' in the 130-square-foot space.

The Spiritual Side of Thrifting

by Deborah Fineblum

One woman’s reject is another woman’s gift from above.

Chesed Breeds Tzedek

by Rabbi Shira Stutman

Judaism reminds us that even in the worst times, we can still help others.

Noah Meets Miriam

by Rabbi Wendy Zierler

A reminder that Jewish stories are often tales of surviving and thriving past hardship and loss.

Entwine Trips Infuse Adventure with Tikkun Olam

'Entwine alumni are creating a new global blueprint for what it means to be Jewish today.'

Mezuzahs, a Symbol of Jewish Identification and Allyship

by Alexandra Lapkin Schwank

MyZuzah offers free mezuzahs to self-identifying Jews, while its newest initiative is a solidarity mezuzah for non-Jewish allies.

Diary of a Liberal Jew on a College Hunt

by Gabrielle Siegel

To attend one of the elite private schools I once idealized, I’d have to enter as a warrior, not an engineering student. I deserve better.