Of Super Bowl Ads, Brett Stephens and Where to Put Our Energy

A blog post by Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt

Brett Stephens, in his recent lecture at the 92nd Street Y, ignited a debate that has been simmering within the Jewish community for some time: The question of whether we are devoting too much of our communal energy and resources to combating antisemitism at the expense of strengthening Jewish identity.

Stephens, like Dan Senor, who delivered last year’s lecture, argues that while antisemitism is real and troubling, our disproportionate focus on fighting it may be misplaced. Instead, they contend, we should be investing more energy and funding of institutions which fortify Jewish identity—ensuring that Jewish children receive a serious Jewish education, attend Jewish day schools and camps, and travel to Israel, so that they grow up with a sense of pride and belonging.

ZRC'S Statement about Negotiations with Iran:

The freedom-loving people of Iran are crying out to the outside world for help. The protestors who are being gunned down, captured, jailed, and tortured in the streets represent the best opportunity in decades to topple a cruel, vindictive regime that is responsible for not only oppressing and torturing its own people, but who is the source of terrorist violence around the world.

We call upon President Trump and those negotiating on behalf of the United States not to be hoodwinked by the Iranian negotiators.

We call upon the United States to stand solidly with the brave and courageous people who are risking their lives and demanding regime change. As long as the mullahs, ayatollahs, and IRGC remain in power, they will continue to work for their apocalyptic vision, which entails imposing their repressive practice of Islam on the entire world.

We call upon the U.S. negotiators to demand regime change, the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, its missiles, and its support of terrorist proxies around the world.

Anything less than demanding these fundamental changes will allow these experts at deception and delay to continue to sponsor militant groups to terrorize the world and to murder those who oppose it.

Mr President, Mr. Witkoff, Mr. Kushner: The people of Iran deserve our support. The world’s safety depends on it. Do not disappoint us.

Meet the Jewish and Israeli athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics, from hockey goalies and figure skaters to bobsled trailblazers and alpine siblings.

Iran and the War in Gaza

Netanyahu paid his seventh visit to DC to meet with Trump amid negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and the war in Gaza. No major announcements or statements to the press were made following the meeting.

The Israel Defense Forces

Throughout their existence the IDF has often been spoken about as one of the most humane armies in the world. It is dedicated to protecting Israeli lives and also strive to minimize all civilian casualties. The modern state of Israel has never initiated a war without provocation. Furthermore, Israel is constantly invests keep civilians out of the line of fire.

To this end, Israel's new missile defense system, David's Sling, has successfully completed a complex series of tests and is now operational.

Special in Uniform

Serving in the IDF is a rite of passage for young Israeli men and women. Special in Uniform is a collaborative initiative of the IDF and Jewish National Fund-USA that focuses on integrating young people with physical and mental disabilities into the military and Israeli society.

Middle Eastern Leaders Groomed for Western Consumption: Jihadists Faking Tolerance

A trap may be in the process of being laid for Trump with regard to who our true friends are in the Middle East, especially with regard to many regimes that are "rich and radical" and do not recognize Israel's right to exist?

Pay-For-Slay is "Alive and Well"

On January 28, 2026, the PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs published lists of released prisoners who needed to take action before receiving their salaries for their jobs: pay-for-slay.

Israeli Innovation in Healthcare

Rewriting Mental Health Treatment

The Israeli startup "NeuroKaire" is rewriting mental health treatment through blood tests that predict which antidepressants will help each individual patient. Click Here to learn more about this innovative and successful approach.

Living, Cell Based Implant for Diabetes Treatment

A new study at the Technion in collaboration with several US universities utilizes an implant that does away with insulin dependency and offers a self-regulating treatment for diabetes. Click Here to learn more.



CAR T-Cell Therapy

Israel has released a new study yielding promising results for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and potentially paving the way for a new approach to other neurodegenerative disorders. Click Here to learn more.

Antisemitism/Anti-Zionism Continues in the US

Last month, Jews in New York City were targeted in 31 alleged hate crimes, accounting for 54% of all reported incidents and marking a 182% increase from January 2025, according to the NYPD, an alarming trend in the city that hosts the largest Jewish community outside Israel.

Jew hatred/anti-Zionism is seen from the far right to the far left and everywhere in between.

Anti-Israel Conservative Activist, Carrie Prejan Boller, was removed from Trump's White House Religious Liberty Commission. Click Here to learn more.

NY Democrat Brad Lander's congressional campaign is rife with antisemitism including Israel conspiracy theories, pro-Hamas content and other anti-Israel extremist material. Click Here for the full story.

Qatar has been investing heavily in America education, particularly on university campuses. Click Here for more information. These dollars do not come without overt and covert strings attached. What values such as Jew hatred, the role of women in society, and religious beliefs are tied up in these dollars? Click Here to learn more.

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Click below to watch an Israeli Singer Perform with an IDF Combat Commander

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