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From the archivesFrom the archives

Meet The Orthodox Jewish Chess Grandmaster Who Beat Bobby Fischer

With 62 million people having viewed the Queen’s Gambit now on Netflix, the long-beloved and admired game is back in the spotlight. From its origins in 5th century India and its spread to the Middle East, to modern-day yeshiva chess clubs around the world, Orthodox Jews have long-loved the strategy-based game. But have you ever […]

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This Chabad Rabbi Left the Wall Street Journal to Build a Radical New Model of Giving Charity

Shalom Goodman never planned to start a nonprofit. He had made it, career-wise—working his dream job as an SEO editor at The Wall Street Journal, helping shape stories for one of the most influential publications in the world. But long before that, Shalom’s life was already being shaped by something deeper: the challenges he faced […]

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Why Are Some Orthodox Communities So Insular?

Dear Jew in the City, Some Orthodox communities live very separately from the rest of the world. Is this based on any laws? Thanks, Abbey Dear Abbey, Thanks for your question. I like the way you asked if doing so is “based on any laws.” To that I would say yes – it’s “based on” […]

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How Baking Challah in a Chinese Village Brought Me Back to Judaism

My internship with the Beijing Academy of Sciences came to an end — unexpectedly. I was 26, it was 2014 and I didn’t know where to turn. I was hoping to find a new internship that could turn into a job in China didn’t have a plan B. I hardly knew anyone where I lived (a […]

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Jew in the City Presents “The Sound of Silence” feat. The Maccabeats

In a world obsessed with devices, it occurred to me that we are living in an age where silence dominates many situations. Silence between couples, silence between families, silence everywhere you turn as people tap, tap, tap on their devices. What an isolating existence. But what if there was an antidote to silence? What if […]

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“Science vs. Religion: Mayim Bialik and the OTHER Big Bang Theory” Ep. 4, Season 2

Big Bang Theory star, Mayim Bialik, asks Jew in the City can science and religion work together in a Jewish framework? While there are some Orthodox Jews who believe in a literal account of the creation story, many of us hold that the events must be understood another way. RAMBAM, also known as Maimonides, stated […]

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Debra Messing Presents at JITC’s 3rd Jewish Media Awards

Emmy Award winning actress, producer and activist, Debra Messing took the stage at JITC’s 3rd Jewish Media Awards on November 5 at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York City. The Will & Grace star presented the Keter Shem Tov Award to executive producer and Academy Award winner Lawrence Bender for Red Alert, recognizing […]

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She Was Told to Perform on Shabbos, So This Orthodox Jewish Virtuoso Violinist Created Her Own Stage

At just 17 years old, Orthodox Jewish virtuoso violinist Nesya Fertel has already built an impressive musical résumé. A student at Los Angeles’s prestigious Colburn School, where she studies under renowned violin instructor Robert Lipsett, Nesya has performed internationally as a soloist and earned recognition in major competitions. But as she began pursuing a professional […]

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Lives We’ve Changed

I’m a Christian… I love JITC because it helps me to learn more about a culture I know basically nothing about. I’m a college student and, in part because of the curiosity about other faiths that your work instilled in me, I’m a religious studies minor. I want you to know that you are making a difference not only in the lives of Jews, but in the lives of gentiles as well.

Grace K

I love Jew In The City!!! I’m a senior college student with a secular family and a very religious sister. I’ve been sending JITC episodes to my dad and aunt to help them better understand my sister’s Jewish decision. Thanks for tackling things that can be really tough to explain!

Mary

I really enjoy watching your videos. I’m Christian (not really religious though) and I live in Switzerland where most of the Jews are ultra-orthodox so they appear a little odd to Christians at first sight… But watching your blog brought me a whole different perspective. Most of the Mizwas that appeared pretty silly to me made actually a lot of sense after your explanation… Thanks for opening up my mind! Keep up with the good work!

P.S.

I live near a large Hasidic Jewish community and have had a lot of questions and misjudgments about them. I just love watching your videos because they help answer my questions! God bless!

Molly

I am from a different world, a different religion, and when I say different, I mean it… I am an Arab, a Muslim who totally respects you and admires you and I mean it with all my heart. You are in a quest to break down stereotypes… and no matter how each of our backgrounds fear the other and view each other as the bad people, I am here to tell you, you have made me understand more and respect more.

Your fan from Kuwait

I have to tell you something about your video about headcovering--my husband and I had decided that we wanted to move towards more observance, but hadn't really taken any big steps. And then I saw your video and it made such perfect sense; I started covering my hair full-time, and that one mitzvah has snowballed to tzniut, Shabbat, taharat hamishpacha, having a kosher kitchen. And it all started with your video...

Michelle

I tend to have a hard time hearing ‘the laws’ and the ‘shoulds’ and the ‘musts’...but I have to say, your wit and humor in getting these messages across got me listening. I watched every video on Youtube and immensely enjoyed each one. Looking forward to more of your stuff! Thanks for doing the work you are doing; Jew in the City is definitely on to something BIG.

Mindy

I am so happy I found JITC... It has sincerely strengthened the relationship between me and my mother. I have recently become observant. Its been difficult to explain to my parents why I love Judaism & why I choose to follow certain laws now, however, JITC has been a great medium of explaining the Jewish faith that we never truly understood. JITC, you're doing a great mitzvah!

Will

I love your blog and hope to see more of it. I saw your first episode on modesty and hair covering before I got married. You made it acceptable for me to become frum and I am now happily married with 2 beautiful kids. I cover my hair all the time, something I never thought I would do. Thanks so much for your blog and explaining orthodox life in everyday language.

Chava J.

Your blog has such value. You are a huge positive influence for me becoming observant. You make it accessible.

Hannah

Whew! You have really opened my eyes to a lot. I am actually going to start studying with my local rebbetzin. Much of that has to do with you.

Barri

I love your site. You have deeply affected my life and helped me become more observant. Thank you so much. I can't wait until your next episode!

Jaclyn S.

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