1.A Monarchy Lost

Don't be distracted by the visit of King Charles and his genuine effort to lower the tensions with one of our biggest allies across the Atlantic.

In the early '70s my grandmother lived in London and the area where two Jewish men were stabbed on the street in a heavily Orthodox neighborhood on Wednesday is not far from her old flat. Personally I have long ago abandoned the idea of travel to England other than to watch the greatest sports team the world has ever known, Manchester United. If I ever needed a reminder why I made the decision (I don't) this week was it.

"A man was arrested at the scene in Golders Green after being apprehended first by members of the Shomrim, a Jewish security force that operates in parts of London. Hatzola, the Jewish-operated nonprofit emergency service whose ambulances were recently burned in an arson, treated the two victims. Both men who were stabbed — one in his 70s and the other in his 30s — are hospitalized in stable condition, according to the Metropolitan Police."

2.No Chance

This Israeli government's bet of 3 billion shekels that a Hasbara campaign will help its current reputation crisis is farcical. "Lawmakers in Jerusalem approved a 2026 national budget last month that includes roughly $730 million for public diplomacy — the broad category known in Hebrew as hasbara — more than four times the $150 million they allocated the year before."

Israeli voters, should they vote this government out of office at the next election, will have more impact than this enormous budget ever will. Without such a a vote this budget will be a very expensive spackle job. Nothing more.

Read the full JTA report in "Israel just quadrupled its PR budget to $730M. Experts say it won't work."

3.Supercessionism - Antisemitism Spelled Differently

"Christian influencers like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson are rallying their followers against Israel — and Jews. And to do so, they’re also weaponizing a centuries-old concept that underlies many strains of Christianity.

"It’s called supersessionism, and it’s the idea that Jesus’ existence supersedes all commands, laws and beliefs that came before it. Christians often say that Jesus’ death 'fulfilled' God’s commandments, meaning that everything God said to Jews in the Hebrew Bible, all of the covenantal promises and laws, are obsolete.



"These views on Israel, and their theological interpretation, collide with a Christian Zionist movement that deeply supports Israel for its own scriptural reasons, believing that Jews must return to Israel to fulfill a prophecy and herald Jesus’ own return."

Learn more in The Forward: "Inside the ancient Christian theology driving modern antisemitism"

4.Dress for Success

"The Met Gala is the party of the year — a fundraising event for The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the fashion Oscars and the most watched red carpet on the East Side all combined into one. Today it makes headlines with its themes for the annual exhibitions and elaborate red carpet outfits of celebrities.

"But behind all that spectacle and glamour is a story that begins with two Jewish women. Before becoming a part of the Met and making global news, The Costume Institute began as an independent organization called the Museum of Costume Art. It was founded in 1937 by Irene Lewisohn, a theatre director and co-founder of the Neighborhood Playhouse, and its set designer, Aline Bernstein." HeyAlma takes us behind "The Jewish Roots of the Met Gala."

The theme for the 2026 Met Gala and concurrent spring 2026 museum exhibition is "Costume Art," a theme that aims to "celebrate fashion as an art form" according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Met Costume Institute. This year's gala takes place Monday, May 4.

5.Try to Set the Night on Fire

The Doors likely did not have Lag B'Omer in mind when writing the song, but the lyrics fit.

"Lag B’Omer is a minor Jewish holiday that falls on the 33rd day of the omer and is celebrated on the 18th day in the month of Iyar. This year, the holiday will fall on Monday evening, May 4, and continue into Tuesday, May 5. Lag B’Omer is a portmanteau of the traditional Hebrew notation of the letters lamed and gimel that add up to the number 33. And the period of counting the days between Passover and Shavuot is known as the omer—the word for an agricultural measure of grain.

"Today, Lag B’Omer celebrations reflect Israel’s cultural and religiously observant diversity. Honoring Rashbi’s wishes, kabbalist-inspired pilgrimages to Meron include ultra-Orthodox parents traditionally cutting their 3-year-old sons’ hair for the first time. Secular Israelis celebrate the day throughout the country by roasting potatoes, marshmallows, hot dogs and other foods in bonfires.

"The holiday is also a celebration of the Zionist fighting spirit. The Palmach division of the Haganah was founded on Lag B’Omer in 1941. To that end, the Israel Defense Forces was created on the holiday in 1948. In 2004, the Israeli government designated Lag B’Omer as a day to honor IDF reservists."

JewishBoston provides us with "Lag B'Omer; A Primer." Below are some recipes for the day. Also, check our ReformJudaism.org's "The Best Recipes for Your Lag B'Omer Celebration."

6.Scholarship Application Deadline Near

If you are a Federation member (donor), now is the time to encourage your children and grandchildren to apply for Federation scholarships for school, camp and Israeli travel programs. Email your application (describe the program and explain the cost and need) to office@jewishnewbedford.org by Memorial Day.

For Your Calendar

TBA