fbpx

JITC BranchesJITC Branches

From the archivesFrom the archives

Is The World As Terrible As We Think It Is?

Do you also feel that the world is simply coming apart at the seams? That humanity is crash-landing into oblivion on the backs of emptiness, instant-gratification, confusion, craziness, anger, and hatred? I was reading something the other day that made me think. “Love,” writes Rav Kook, “must permeate our hearts through and through. A love […]

Continue reading

This Chabad Hasidic Food Blogger Took Over Instagram’s Account For The Day

While people often assume that Hasidic women are relegated to the kitchen, many of them love to cook. Some even love to cook so much they make a career out of it. For Chanie Apfelbaum,  Instagram Influencer known as Busy in Brooklyn and cookbook author of “Millennial Kosher,” her entré into the food space had nothing […]

Continue reading

Israel on Trial Lessons from the OJ Simpson Saga

It was fall of 1995. I was riveted to the television, eagerly awaiting the verdict of the Trial of the Century, the murder trial of legendary football Hall of Famer OJ Simpson. Everything inside of me screamed, justice would be served, the evidence against him was overwhelming. And then the stunning results; OJ acquitted of […]

Continue reading

Are Orthodox Jews Allowed To Watch TV and Movies?

Dear Jew in the City, Can Orthodox Jews watch TV and movies? Best, Shmuel   Dear Shmuel, Thanks for your question. The obvious answer, based on simple observation, is that Chareidim (i.e., “ultra-Orthodox” Jews) are unlikely to partake of television and movies, while doing so is quite common among Modern Orthodox Jews. A review of […]

Continue reading

Popular videosPopular videos

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 […]

Continue reading

“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 […]

Continue reading
More videos

Recent videosRecent videos

Orthodox Jewish All Star Jeff Astrof, “Friends” Writer and Showrunner

“I heard you don’t work Friday nights,” showrunners said to Shabbat observant Jeff Astrof of Friends. Astrof was explicit about his priority: Shabbat. The biggest television show could wait. Hear from Astrof, who attended our recent Jew In the City Media Awards at Lincoln Center.

Continue reading

JITC: Building Jewish Pride Through Hollywood And Beyond

Jews don’t run Hollywood, but we started it, and if we want to fight antisemitism, we need to make sure that we tell proud and authentic stories through television and film using the same mechanisms every other minority group has employed for decades. This was the opening segment of our intro video that we debuted […]

Continue reading
More videos
testimonials-image

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.

IT'S FINE
We’ll Schlep To You

Get JITC
In Your
Inbox Weekly