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Carin M. Smilk

Carin M. Smilk is managing editor of the U.S. bureau of JNS.

Holocaust survivor Branko Lustig. Photo by Carin M. Smilk.

‘Humans of Judaism’ exhibit opens in Philadelphia, a ‘labor of love’ for a first-time author

Through text and images, “we can celebrate our story, the Jewish story,” said Nikki Schreiber. “We can give people a little flavor of our lives.”

Carin M. Smilk

Dec. 6, 2024

Hilel Jonathan Jolodenco, head of ambulance services for Magen David Adom in Sderot, at an American Friends for Magen David Adom event in Philadelphia on Nov. 21, 2024. Photo by Carin M. Smilk.

Celebrating Israeli first responders, those in real-life ‘Fauda’ who face chaos

Magen David Adom is made up of “selfless, generous, heroic brave people who literally put their lives on the line to save others,” Emily Austin, emcee of an event for supporters in Philadelphia, told JNS.

Carin M. Smilk

Nov. 25, 2024

A poster discarded by an anti-Israel protester at the Jewish National Fund-USA conference in Denver, November 2023. Photo by Carin M. Smilk.

Chasing the anti-Israel vitriol of part-time protesters

Optics can be powerful. They can be transformative. And often very deceiving.

Carin M. Smilk

Nov. 22, 2024

World War II veteran Alfred Benjamin (seated on stage) directs the men playing roles in his play based on time in the U.S. Air Force, titled “In the Dark of the Night,” November 2024. Credit: Hebrew SeniorLife.

Man on a mission: 100-year-old former air-force pilot writes and directs play for Veterans Day

There’s some fiction, some truth” to the text, says Alfred Benjamin of Massachusetts. “I never expected to bring it to life, but I wanted to relay some information about the war.”

Carin M. Smilk

Nov. 5, 2024

Attendees of the “365 Days of Hope” memorial and vigil in remembrance of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in southern Israel, held in front of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Oct. 6, 2024. Photo by Carin M. Smilk.

‘Fast but painful year,’ says Israel supporter at Oct. 7 memorial in Philadelphia

“365 Days of Hope” drew several hundred attendees, many donning “Bring Them Home Now” T-shirts and yellow ribbons, and holding small balloons with the faces of the hostages and the fallen on them.

Carin M. Smilk

Oct. 7, 2024

Doug Seserman, CEO of Americans for Ben-Gurion University, addresses the audience at the A4BGU concert benefit, featuring American reggae singer Matisyahu, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City on Sept. 22, 2024. Photo by Carin M. Smilk.

‘One Day’ benefit featuring Matisyahu raises $1m for recovery, education in southern Israel

“Our role is not only in higher education and groundbreaking research,” said Daniel Chamovitz, professor and president of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. It’s also about “building a cosmopolitan, attractive society the youth of Israel want to be a part of.”

Carin M. Smilk

Sep. 23, 2024

Morse Hall on the residential campus of Simmons University in Boston. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Boston women’s college responds to article noting housing for Muslim, but not Jewish, students

The website describes the living facility as “a holistic experience while embracing the richness of Islamic culture and values.”

Carin M. Smilk

Aug. 9, 2024

Rabbi Levi Slonim of the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Life at Binghamton University in Vestal, N.Y., delivers the prayer before a session of Congress on July 25, 2024. Source: Screenshot/C-SPAN.

Rabbi delivers prayer to Congress, documentarian recounts history of guest chaplains

Rabbi Levi Slonim of the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Life at Binghamton University spoke one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aiming to show “the importance of unity.”

Carin M. Smilk

Aug. 9, 2024

Billboards addressing anti-Israel hate have been placed in Philadelphia and Los Angeles during July-August 2024. Credit: U.S. Forum for Israel.

Billboards in Los Angeles and Philadelphia ask, ‘Who’s behind this chaos’?

“We are trying to raise awareness and bring attention to who’s behind the chaos—the anti-Democratic and hate-filled chaos,” said Charles Asher Small, executive director of ISGAP.

Carin M. Smilk

Aug. 8, 2024