1.Tell Me About Your Friends

It is telling that the voice of one Ben Gvir soared above all who praised Charlie Kirk's support of Israel. At a time when college campuses are possibly the most hostile spaces for Jews, Zionism and support for Israel that part can't go unnoticed. It does not surprise me (or anyone) that about as long as an egg timer cycle after Kirk's murder, antisemitism has already flared.

"Kirk was the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, an influential youth organization in conservative politics. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, he founded the group at 18 after dropping out of college. Over the following years, he played a crucial role in galvanizing youth support for President Donald Trump and came to represent a vanguard of Christian nationalism in the United States.

"Kirk frequently characterized himself as a defender of the Jews and Israel, even as he faced criticism from across the spectrum over his comments about Jews and from the Anti-Defamation League and others over his role in the mainstreaming of the far right." JTA provides more on the Jewish response here and also in "Antisemitism flares and 'Reichstag' mentions soar online in wake of Charlie Kirk assassination."

2.Nowhere Is Too Far

"Israel’s Tuesday strike in Doha, Qatar, which targeted Hamas’ senior leadership, marks a moment of extraordinary drama in the Middle East. The decision to send Israeli jets some 1,800 kilometers across the Arabian peninsula into the heart of Qatar’s capital is breathtaking in its implications, no matter the results.

"Those results could mark a strategic breakthrough — or a breakdown of any hope for a negotiated end to the war.

"In many ways, the strike was an almost unthinkable move, tantamount to an act of war against a country that, while not an Israeli enemy, is certainly not an ally. It was apparently conducted without the approval of the United States: 'Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard in bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,' said President Donald Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt."

Read more on this latest development in Forward's "Israel's strike in Qatar: An audacious bid for victory, or just another foolhardy provocation?"

3.That Day

Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial I saw a descending plane in the area on the other side of the Potomac. Even after the news from New York moments before, I did not suspect much because DCA (the airport) is in the same area. And then the cloud of smoke appeared from the direction of the Pentagon. Like all of us, I will never forget that day. Twenty-four years later Rabbi Erez Sherman shares his personal evolution in the years following in "9/11 taught me to fear. This year I'm choosing to hope - even when it's hard."

"Twenty-four years ago were some of the darkest moments of my life. I will never forget the smells of burning humans, the sights of horror, and the sounds of fear.

"Now, twenty-four years later, I am proud to be involved in creating a moment of light that I anticipate also always keeping with me: the sights of embracing, the smells of the bread we break together, and the sounds of the dialogue of tomorrow.

"We will never forget the tide turning as the pragmatists — the vast majority of us — join forces to expel extremism and embrace our commonality and yearn for hope, healing, and wholeness. Our children deserve to inherit not our fears, but our courage to build peace. The true memorial to 9/11 will not be in stone or steel, but in the bridges we choose to build."

4.Yellow Is His Color

"At a time when being Jewish feels so fraught, the 'Roastmaster General' Jeff Ross gets on stage six days a week and makes an entire Broadway theater sing 'Don’t Fuck With the Jews,' karaoke style. The song was inspired by Jeff’s fierce Jewish great-grandmother, Rosie, and instead of a plain bouncing ball booping across the screen, the audience gets a bouncing matzah ball to guide us through the lyrics of the song.

"It’s one of many wonderfully affirming moments in Ross’ one man show, 'Take a Banana for the Ride.' The title comes from Ross’ grandfather, a WWII veteran, with whom the comedian lived as a young man. Some nights, he’d send Ross into the city, armed with bus fare and a bright yellow dose of potassium, to follow his passion at the Big Apple’s comedy clubs.

"The bananas paid off. Most of us know Ross, born Jeffrey Ross Lifschultz to a working-class Jewish family in Newark, as the 'Roastmaster General,' the emcee of roasts for the likes of Tom Brady, Gene Simmons and countless other icons (including, yes, President Donald Trump)." Read more in Kveller's "'Roastmaster' Jeff Ross's One Man Broadway Show Is So Jewish and So Needed." And check out the (of course) funny promotional visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live below.

5.So Ready for Some Football

Nothing grabbed my attention last week ahead of football season. The Israeli basketball team (last week's highlight) was defeated by the Greeks and their new golden-age ruler Giannis (the new Pericles.)  Israel's soccer team (history keeps repeating itself) gave the Romans a serious run for their money (don't we always), but they too ultimately succumbed. 

Enter Hailee Steinfled! The Jewish Oscar winner who is married to the NFL's best player, Josh Allen, did not "Taylor Swift" the game and like all of us marveled at her husband's outstanding play. And more importantly in so doing opened the door for me to include the best highlight reel from the NFL's opening weekend.

6.Saffron Says

"(My husband) Alan and I and our three daughters had an unforgettable, wonderful week in Barcelona, shopping, touring and eating delicious meals. But seven years later, my children have still not forgotten, nor forgiven me for the last day of our vacation.

"The choice was to spend the day in the turquoise waters of the picture-perfect Costa Brava beachfront. Or to visit Girona, a historic medieval city that was the home of the Ramban. Also known as Nachmanides, he was a great Jewish medieval scholar, rabbi, philosopher, physician and kabbalist. 

"Our kids were not quite as excited (to say the least). So, to make it up to them, Alan and I promised them one last dinner at Maccabi Restaurant. Located on Las Ramblas (the historic, famous bustling main promenade of Barcelona), Maccabi serves authentic kosher Spanish cuisine. My girls loved all the different paellas that they serve."

Read the personal experience with paella from two Jewish women in Jewish Journal, "Saffron Scents: Paella Valenciana." And below we're sharing three saffron-imbued recipes for you to try at home. Bonus: Food & Wine's "20 Saffron Recipes to Showcase the World's Most Expensive Spice."

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