jns writer

Menachem Wecker

Menachem Wecker is the U.S. bureau news editor of JNS — Jewish News Syndicate.

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Once jeered as too pretty, Impressionism is now marshaled in climate-change activism
Menachem WeckerMarch 20, 2023
Even as they bring contemporary politics into the story, museums tend to overlook the antisemitism that divided Impressionists over the Dreyfus Affair in the late 19th century.
“Impression, Sunrise” (1872) by Claude Monet. Credit: Musée Marmottan, Paris,
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Inconsistency governs when antisemitism requires ‘and other forms of bigotry’ as chaperone
David Swindle and Menachem WeckerMarch 17, 2023
In his recent clash with Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) flip-flops on the question of whether antisemitism is a unique challenge.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) Credit: Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock.
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Pew statistics show Americans view Jews, Protestants, Catholics more favorably than Muslims, Mormons
Menachem WeckerMarch 15, 2023
“This survey confirms what we have found repeatedly over the past decade, which is that on the whole, Jews are among the most positively regarded religious groups in America,” Alan Cooperman, director of religion research at Pew Research Center, told JNS.
A rally in New York City against antisemitism. Credit: Christopher Penler/Shutterstock.
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‘We are on the right side of history’ regarding school choice, says Agudath Israel leader
Menachem WeckerMarch 14, 2023
Following big wins in 2021 for school-choice proponents, 2023 may become “the year of universal school choice,” experts tell JNS.
Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
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Arts & Culture
Siona Benjamin painted blue-skinned, Jewish self-portraits long before ‘Avatar’
Menachem WeckerMarch 7, 2023
Cleveland State University is exhibiting the Indian American Jewish artist, who draws inspiration from comic books, pop art, Bollywood, Indian folk imagery, Persian miniatures and Hebrew illuminated manuscripts.
Art by Siona Benjamin. Courtesy: Cleveland State University.
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A century old, Buber’s ‘I and Thou’ will endure for another 100 years, experts say
Menachem WeckerMarch 6, 2023
The University of Haifa will host a major conference in July, titled “Women Write Buber,” aiming to “be attentive to female voices reading Buber and continuing his legacy in their writings.”
A stamp printed in Germany shows portrait Martin Buber, circa 1978. Credit: Galyamin Sergej/Shutterstock.
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Michigan city supports Palestinian ‘right of self-determination,’ avoids mentioning Israel
Menachem WeckerMarch 6, 2023
“That must’ve been disappointing to various antisemitic folks who are pushing these resolutions,” Detroit rabbi and Jewish leader Asher Lopatin told JNS.
Hamtramck City Hall. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
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Arts, Culture & Music
Violinist Miri Ben-Ari aims to create a ‘Symphony of Brotherhood’
Menachem WeckerFebruary 24, 2023
The Israeli musician, dubbed the “hip-hop violinist,” will perform with a gospel choir.
The violinist Miri Ben-Ari performs during the Euro Classic between Maccabi FOX Tel-Aviv and EA7 Armani Milano in Madison Square Garden in New York City on Oct. 4, 2015. Credit: Shutterstock.
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Holocaust museums and memorials have work cut out for them attracting non-Jews
Menachem WeckerFebruary 22, 2023
“I believe there is always more we can do. We just need the time and resources to do it,” Lori Shepherd, executive director of Tucson’s Holocaust center, told JNS.
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Photo by Menachem Wecker.
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Lubavitcher psychotherapist creates rap video to aid addicts in recovery
Menachem WeckerFebruary 21, 2023
Charles Goldberg also finds the therapeutic-musical mix a religious experience.
Charles Goldberg. Credit: Courtesy.
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Publisher puts softer words in mouth of controversial writer Roald Dahl
Menachem WeckerFebruary 20, 2023
“Good art can definitely happen to bad people,” Karen Swallow Prior of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tells JNS.
A stack of books by British author Roald Dahl. Credit: Shutterstock.
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Netflix show star poses wearing Anne Frank pants
Menachem WeckerFebruary 14, 2023
Eagle-eyed Instagram users also noticed a Che Guevara portrait.
Amanza Smith in the Che Guevera/Anne Frank pants. Source: Amanza Smith/Sammie the Stylist/Instagram.
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Canadian newspaper slammed for glorifying Nazi sympathizer
Menachem WeckerFebruary 13, 2023
Stepan Bandera was no hero, says Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center.
A monument to Nazi sympathizer Stepan Bandera, hailed as a national hero of Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine. Credit: Shutterstock.
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Jewish organizations see American Bar Association antisemitism definition as a mixed bag
Menachem WeckerFebruary 8, 2023
The American Bar Association, a law-school accreditor, voted to pass on the IHRA definition.
Credit: DCStockPhotography/Shutterstock.
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‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,’ new to Netflix, offers no glimpse of character’s ‘Jewish soul’
Menachem WeckerFebruary 7, 2023
An exhibition in Philadelphia in 2015 focused on the art of the books’ Jewish writer and illustrator Bernard Waber.
The 2015 exhibit “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Friends: The Art of Bernard Waber” at Philadelphia’s National Museum of American Jewish History. Credit: Menachem Wecker.
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