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From the archivesFrom the archives

Announcing Jew in the City’s 7th Class of Orthodox Jewish All Stars

Amar’e Stoudemire, Brooklyn Nets’ Assistant Coach, Leslie Berland, Chief Marketing Officer of Twitter; Jordan Gorfinkel, the creator of Batman: Dark Knight; and Sharon Mazel, co-author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting (4th/5th eds); are among 10 individuals who have been named the 7th class of Orthodox Jewish All Stars by Jew in the City, the organization dedicated to […]

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Why Don’t Orthodox Jews Turn On Lights on Shabbat?

You may be aware that religious Jews do not work on Shabbat. You may also be aware that religious Jews do not do a whole slew of things on Shabbat, such as igniting a fire or even turning on lights. You are certainly aware that turning on the lights isn’t a whole lot of work. […]

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Can the Torah Help Explain Jewish and Muslim Relations?

Dear Jew in the City, Can you please explain Jewish/Muslim relations in the Torah, in particular why they’re so contentious? Sincerely, Itai   Dear Itai, Thanks for your question. The Torah has literally nothing to say about Jewish/Muslim relations. To explain why this is, please consider the following timeline: 1312 BCE – The Torah is […]

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This Woman Was Searching For Lost Relatives, Instead She Found Cancer

About a decade ago, when chromosomal testing first came out, Lara Diamond, a Baltimore-based genealogist decided to do some DNA tests. She was in search of long lost relatives, but her query eventually produced something even more valuable than reconnecting with family – her own life being saved. Diamond explains, “There were earlier tests that weren’t […]

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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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This Chabad Rabbi Prayed For My Recovery, Then He Was Murdered At Bondi Beach

When Australian journalist Nikki Goldstein was placed into a medically induced coma in September 2022, doctors warned her family to prepare for the worst. Goldstein, who had long struggled with chronic lung disease, had entered the hospital believing she had another chest infection. Instead, her condition deteriorated rapidly. By her second day in the ICU, […]

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JITC’s “Like a Jew” Wins Gold Telly Award for Social Impact

What does it mean to “act like a Jew”? For decades, television and film have often answered that question through tired stereotypes: neurotic, greedy, awkward, entitled, loud. But Jew in the City’s Jewish Institute for Television & Cinema’s award-winning video Like a Jew set out to offer a very different answer — one grounded in […]

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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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