I get asked pretty frequently to recommend blogs for people to read or which blogs I choose to read. Within the Jewish Blogging World AKA Jewish Blogsphere, there are thousands of blogs, many of them worthwhile reads. Unfortunately time does not allow for daily reads. I have several daily reads and all of them lie within the following list. I was originally going to do a guide to the Jewish Blogsphere, the task proved too great, then I figured I should just make a post more devoted to the blogs and news sites that I read to stay up on my Jewish current events.
Every one of the blogs featured in this list is of importance to someone following what’s happening in the Jewish world – most of these sites are not personal blogs, and generally speaking I don’t read many personal blogs, save for a few of the shidduch blogs for ideas and the latest trends.I do plan on doing several guides to Jewish blogs, split up by categories, in the near future. For now, the following list is what I think Jewish bloggers trying to stay on their game should try to read frequently.
This list is not in any particular order and reflects what I think is important:
Jewlicious: Supporting Israel through cool arty and video stuff – they also do some kick ass festivals
Hirhurim: Brilliant Torah, Jewish philosophy and current events. Don’t be fooled by the terrible design!
Jewschool: Sure they didn’t let me write for them because I offended some women Rabbis, but that doesn’t negate the fact it’s a good and important read.
Dov Bear: Orthodoxy and liberalism usually don’t mix, Dov Bear makes an exception.
What War Zone?: Finally someone that thinks the middle east is funny!
Jew and the Carrot: Jewish site devoted to food and environment amongst other randomness.
Bintel Blog: The Forward Blog – do I really need to tell you why Jews should read the Forvetz?
Tablet: Your one stop shop for Jewish arts and culture.
The Jewish Channel: Imagine if you could get your Jewish news for the week in a professionally filmed news broadcast.
Mixed Multitudes: The blog of My Jewish Learning, don ‘t let Jewish and learning scare you away, they aren’t trying to get you to drink the punch.
Failed Messiah: One of the few Jewish Bloggers that made it – a real investigative journalist that pisses orthodox Jews off because he’s usually right, and how many Jewish bloggers can boast that they break stories to major news outlets.
eJewish Philanthropy: Anyone who runs a non-profit or works in the world of non-profits must read this blog.
The Kvetcher: Kvetching about orthodoxy and other matters in a well written and interesting format.
Emes Ve-Emunah: Rabbi Harry Maryles on orthodox Jewish thought and philosophy.
Wolfish Musings: The absurdities of orthodoxy and more – written by someone who is orthodox.
Cross Currents: Orthodox Jewish Rabbis and writers on today’s issues – place a finger on the pulse of orthodoxy.
The Muquata: Being a right wing pro-Israel blog can be fun too
News sites I glance at frequently:
The Jewish Star: one of the only really good religious newspapers
JTA: the only Jewish news wire
Vos Iz Neias: I check this site the most by far, read the comments, they will make you cringe.
Non Jewish daily reads:
Mashable: Where the social media world gets its news
Gray Wolf: SEO, blogging and wordpress discussion
Pro Blogger: all bloggers should read this blog
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the shout-out!
thank you for this list!
This Jewschool writer says thanks for the shoutout! I’m new-ish — so not knowing there was any blog drama between us I can’t take responsibility for it — but I appreciate the compliment and bringing our name to your readers!
Thanks for the mention!
(I’m also a serious news-provider during crisis times….)
Cross Currents: Orthodox Jewish Rabbis and writers on today’s issues – place a finger on the pulse of orthodoxy.
Seems too generous. More like “Cross Currents: Orthodox Jewish Rabbis carry water for the Christian Right and the Republican Party.
I think Modern Orthodox and Heterodox is the most original and important Jewish blog out there.
Thanks!
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization
Wish I were on this list. I am the true KVETCHER!
I wouldn’t call Harry’s blog Orthodox…
You missed me!!!!
unpious.com is a must read for all we off the D types
It may be, but it is exceedingly narrow in its scope
interesting lists
Interesting lists
I love love love Jewschool; read it everyday. I also like Aliza Hausman’s blog, though I guess that falls under the category of “personal blogs”. Badhebrew is fun, if not really Jewish per se. I used to read Danya Ruttenberg’s blog religiously (hahaha) but she recently had a baby and what with that and being a rabbi and an author, she isn’t updating anymore. Sigh. Stuff Young Jewish Adults Like is funny, too.
And the tumblrs F*ck Yeah Jewish Men and F*ck Yeah Jewish Women are always fun, if really heavy on the same celebrities (Seth Rogen, Natalie Portman… we get they’re Jews. Enough already).
Thanks Heshy! And just remember-if you’re going to go to H&M in Israel, be sure to stampede innocent babies.
@Heshy: “This list is not in any particular order and reflects what I think is important”
Sure Heshy. Sure…
I’ll add http://www.JewishiPhoneCommunity.org
Good points…I would note that as someone who really doesn’t write on blogs much (in fact, this may be my first post), I don’t think the term “lurker” is very becoming to a non-posting reader. It’s not your fault really , but perhaps the blogosphere could come up with a better, non-creepy name for the 90% of us that enjoy reading the posts.
Hey thanks, this was kind, helpful, and generous
and how many Jewish bloggers can boast that they break stories to major news outlets.
I did it once, though not one outlet credited me. And let me second what JA said about this:
Cross Currents: Orthodox Jewish Rabbis and writers on today’s issues – place a finger on the pulse of orthodoxy.
Seriously? They’re little better than talk radio. Same values, same paranoia, same shrill tone, same stupid arguments.
Those are all great, love for you to check out mine…It’s JAPbarbie.com, its my daily kosher wisdom…
A self-plug never hurt… Consider reading:
http://www.israel-palestine-conflict.com/
To understand the realities of the Middle Eastern conflict.
Philanthropists and anti Jihadists wake up please!
Since my previous article titled ‘Hindu persecution, anti-Semitism and anti-Jihadist media’ got published here and there, I continued to receive several emails from people asking, “How calm the Western media is still unaware of the fight of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury against militant Islam”. I really did not have the answer!
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a self-claimed ‘Muslim Zionist’ in Bangladesh, who runs an English language newspaper named Weekly Blitz from the capital city of Dhaka since 2003. Editorial policy of this newspaper is unique, because, it is the only newspaper in the Muslim world, openly declaring it as an “anti-Jihadist newspaper”.
Mr. Choudhury, a recipient of prestigious ‘Moral Courage Award’ from American Jewish Committee in 2007; ‘Freedom to Write Award’ from PENUSA in 2006; ‘Monaco Media Award’ from Prince Albert of Monaco in 2007 is a man of rarest virtue. He is a journalist, writer, lyricist, movie director and defender of Israel.
I was simply amazed at the courage and firm commitment of this man in fighting militant Islam as well defending Israel for years, under severe adversity. Let me quote here a few of the comments from the international press on Mr. Choudhury.
New York Sun in its editorial few years back said: “Mr. Choudhury is a man in the mold of such heroes of freedom as Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa.”
In its editorial the Washington Times said, “The United States must encourage people like Mr. Choudhury to speak out. But when they do, it must also do all it can to protect them. Freeing Mr. Choudhury will tell others like him that when you stand against Islamists, the United States will stand with you.”
The Jerusalem Post said, “Despite the dire circumstances in which he finds himself, Choudhury remains strong, upbeat and determined.”
The Jewish Week said, “In a world where radical Islam is on the march, threatening moderate Muslims and non-Muslims alike, outspoken and fearless individuals like Mr. Choudhury deserve our full support. It is they, after all, who are on the front lines.”
Canada Free Press editor Judy McLeod wrote: “… Shoaib Choudhury is in reality a Muslim hero, at a time when a terrorism wary world most needs one.”
There are hundreds of such commentaries on this man available on the net. The New York Times, wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, The Australian, Arutz Sheva etc have already published editorial commentaries on the struggle of Mr. Choudhury.
In brief, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury was arrested on November 29, 2003 at Dhaka International Airport in Bangladesh on his way to Israel for attending a peace conference. Authorities in Dhaka tortured him during 10-days interrogation, broke his leg with field hockey stick and pushed him into solitary confinement at Dhaka Central Jail, where he was detained for long 17 months. He was denied medical treatment and in 2004, when his mother died, Bangladeshi government did not allow him to attend his mother’s funeral and the bail-on-parole was ignored.
While Choudhury was suffering inside prison and members of his family at home, one Jewish activist named Dr. Richard Benkin (a residence of Mount Period Prospect in Illinois) stood up and continued his battle in freeing this extremely courageous journalist and peace activist. Dr. Benkin knocked the doors of a large number of US Senators and members of Congress. But, the only Senator, who refused to do anything in support of Mr. Choudhury, is Barack Hussain Obama. Congressman Mark Steven Kirk and his entire Congressional team joined wholeheartedly the effort of freeing Shoaib Choudhury. Rep. Mark Steven Kirk met Bangladeshi ambassador in Washington DC and demanded his immediate release. After numerous meetings between Mark Kirk and Bangladeshi embassy as well as unrelenting efforts by Dr. Benkin, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury was released from prison in 2005 (April). Right after his release, joyous Richard Benkin called Shoaib Choudhury’s residence and asked him to “take rest for few days”. But, Choudhury said “brother, I am not brought out of prison for taking rest. I must continue my mission. Otherwise, why I am free?”
Dr. Benkin recollects that memory every time with heavy emotional voice and tears in eyes.
On getting released from prison, Mr. Choudhury resumed the publication of his newspaper Weekly Blitz (English language newspaper) and Weekly Jamjamat (Vernacular newspaper). In July 2006, his office was bombed by Islamic militancy group named Khatmey Nabuat Andolan. In October same year, his office was attacked by thugs belonging to the ruling party and Mr. Choudhury was physically assaulted.
On 18th February 2008, he was abducted at gun point by the members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). At this stage again, Dr. Richard Benkin and Rep. Mark Steven Kirk took prompt initiatives which ultimately saved the life of this courageous editor.
Lately, on February 22, 2009, Mr. Shoaib Choudhury’s office was attacked by a gang of armed thugs accompanied by members of Bangladeshi military intelligence. He was again physically assaulted along with other staffs of his newspapers.
In 2009, publication of Weekly Jamjamat had to be suspended due to severe financial crisis. It may be mentioned here that, entrepreneurs and business establishments in Bangladesh refrain from placing any advertisement in either Weekly Blitz or Weekly Jamjamat because of its anti-Islamist and pro-Israel editorial policy.
Few weeks back, Shoaib Choudhury made an appeal through editorial column in his newspaper asking immediate help for continuation of the publication of Weekly Blitz as well resuming the publication of Weekly Jamjamat. Several newspapers in the West as well in Israel also published editorials in favor of helping Mr. Choudhury and his newspapers as well his peace mission.
So far, there isn’t any good news except some help from Hudson Institute and Middle East Forum. Eminent writer and scholar Dr. Daniel Pipes as well NYC based activist Ms. Nina Rosenwald came forward with some help, at least to save Weekly Blitz for a couple of months. Should other philanthropists, especially those opposing Jihad and willing to help the only anti-Jihadist and pro-Israel newspaper in the Muslim world to continue, come forward, things would have been resolved any time.
I personally phoned the office of Mr. Shoaib Choudhury last Wednesday to get the latest update on the situation. They said, for months Mr. Choudhury and his team are trying to get some fund wither as grant or soft-term loan, which would ensure smooth publication of both the newspapers as well continuation of the peace work.
I was amazed to learn as to how this ‘One Man Army’ in the Muslim world is continuing battle against militant Islam and Jihad and so far succeeded in getting Hizbut Tahrir as well a publication of another Islamic militancy group Hizbut Towhid banned. Both are anti-Semitic groups with heavy funding from Afro-Arab sources as well Islamic Charity (Zakaat) is continuing various types of propaganda against Jews, Christians and Israel.
If you haven’t yet read Weekly Blitz, I would strongly recommend reading this newspaper to understand the important role it is playing in today’s world. Link to the newspaper is here.
Also it is my hope that major philanthropist groups and individuals in the world will forthwith come forward in extending their support for the extremely precious and important works of Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.
Wish this write up would get into the attention of philanthropists like Lawrence Ellison, Sheldon Adelson, Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Michael Dell, Steve Ballmer, Carl Icahn, Michael Bloomberg, George Soros, Samuel Newhouse, Rupert Murdoch, Robert A Iger, Philippe P Dauman, Jeff Zucker, David Westin, Donald Graham, Mortimer Zuvkerman, Arthur O Sulzberger Jr, Mel Karmazin, Joanne Lipman, Jann Wenner, Richard S Fuld Jr, Lloyd C Blankfein, Charles R Schwab, Alan D Schwartz, Bruce Wasserstein, Dr. Joseph Ackerman, James Dimon, Blake Gossman, Larry Ellison, Oleg Deripaska, Sumner Redstone, Sir Philip Green, Joseph Safra, Esther Koplowitz, Alicia Koplowitz, Ralph Lauren, Nicky Oppenheimer, David Geffen, David & Simon Reuben, Stef Wertheimer, Shari Arison, Lev Leviev, Yitzhak Tshuva, Sammy Ofer & family, Arnon Milchan, Steven Spielberg, Lloyd Dorfman, Richard Desmond and many others.