When people ask me what my future career goals are, I have a very simple answer. I’d like to go back to school and get a PhD in Muppetology. Yes, the study of Muppets.
I have had a long time interest in not just collecting Muppet memorabilia, but also researching the history and impact of the […]

It’s been interesting to monitor the response to our new animated short The Adventures of Todd and God. For the most part, people have loved it and encouraged our attempt to find new modes of educating and engaging.
Our goal, of course, was to create something truly informative and useful and package it in a fun […]

-Andrew Lachman makes the case that “Progressives should join Jews on Iran strategy,” while acknowledging that the Jewish position on Iran is somewhat at odds with the general Jewish rejection of the neo-Con agenda. (Jewish Journal)
-Seeing little hope for preventative sanctions, Zvi Bar’el predicts, “Within three years the international community will need a new kind […]

Tonight is the official opening of the new building of the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago. Many people may not be familiar with the institute and it’s mission:
Spertus invites people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the multifaceted Jewish experience. Through its innovative public programming, exhibitions, collections, research facilities and degree programs, […]

-AIPAC comes under attack from two of its major donors for, of all things, being too pro-Palestinian. (Forward)
-Interview with Herb Zweibon, chairman of Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI), a Zionist organization very opposed to “land for peace.” (The Jerusalem Post)
-B’nai Brith of Canada is facing a stiff internal challenge on its governance procedures, […]

Hanukkah’s almost here, so we’ve got a gift for you, dear readers: the “pilot” episode of MyJewishLearning.com’s The Adventures of Todd & God.
In this episode, we risk violating the Second Commandment to help young Todd learn how to light the Hanukkah candles. There’s a high resolution version here and a YouTube version below.
Many thanks to […]

Israel tends to lead the world in airport and airplane security. It probably has something to do with terrorist attacks and previous hijackings. Well it just got even tougher to fly over Israel:
Soon, pilots from all airlines flying into Israeli airspace will have to enter a numbered sequence to prove they are not terrorist hijackers. […]

In today’s Jewish world, a whole range of post-denominational identities has popped up. For those that took part in our annual reader survey, you saw just a few: Just Jewish, Unaffiliated, Secular.
Secular Judaism is probably the most misunderstood of the bunch. It’s not “more reform than reform,” nor is it an absence of Judaism in […]

“Jelvis,” the Jewish Elvis, sings Blue Suede Yamulka.

-Although Israeli-Arabs make up 19% of the population, their representation in the media stands at only 1%. For example in TV “Channel 2” “only 0.55% of the items broadcast by the channel featured Arabs.” (Ynet)
-Israel’s HOT, which has nearly two-thirds of Israel’s cable and satellite audience, will be replacing CNN with Al-Jazeera’s English channel. (The […]