(JTA) — It’s been a busy year here at JTA, where we’ve published thousands of stories covering topics as diverse as celebrity profiles to the rise of Europe’s right-wing to breaking the news of bomb threats at Jewish institutions across the U.S.
Among the nearly 5,000 pieces we published over the past 365 days, these are 10 that resonated with our readers the most.
How many have you read?
1. Some 30 Jewish institutions across U.S. targeted in second wave of bomb threats
Little more than a week after 16 Jewish community centers and other institutions were evacuated in a mass bomb-threat scare, a second wave of threats called in to even more JCCs rattled the Jewish world. The culprit turned out to be a Jewish teenager who carried out the calls from Israel, but the troubling phenomenon — which many saw as evidence of increasing anti-Semitism in the U.S. — persisted for months.
2. Gunshot fired through classroom window of Indiana synagogue
Amid the rash of bomb threats made to Jewish institutions, a gunman shot a hole in the window of a Hebrew school classroom.
3. Popular neo-Nazi blogger resigns over revelation his wife is JewishThe founder of the popular right-wing blog The Right Stuff was outed as Mike Peinovich, a website developer from New York married to a Jewish woman. He resigned from working on the site, which was known for popularizing the triple parentheses “echo” used to identify Jews online.
4. Adam Krief, Jewish father of 3 whose bone marrow search inspired celebrities, dies
Krief’s devastating and rare form of brain cancer had moved Kim Kardashian to post about him on Facebook. After bone marrow drives were held for him around the world, Krief found a match — but eventually he succumbed to complications from the cancer.
5. A New Yorker editor picks 7 of his favorite Jewish cartoons
Before ending his 20-year run as cartoon editor for The New Yorker, Bob Mankoff spoke with JTA about his Jewish roots (“The Jews of the Bible aren’t funny”) and shared his favorite Jewish cartoons from the magazine.
6. Patriots star Julian Edelman’s 5 most Jewish moments
In advance of Super Bowl LI — in which Julian Edelman went on to make an improbable and crucial catch — we looked back at the numerous times the New England Patriots wide receiver showed off his Jewish pride.
7. Swiss hotelier sorry for signs telling Jews to shower before entering pool
“I have nothing against Jews, whom we regularly receive warmly here,” hotel manager Ruth Thomann said. As JTA’s Cnaan Liphshiz noted, the gaffe — a sign that instructed “Jewish guests” to shower before using a pool — and its consequent media frenzy turned out to be a big misunderstanding.
8. Jared and Ivanka’s rabbis don’t know who gave them permission to fly on Shabbat
The observant couple flew to Saudi Arabia for a government trip on a Friday night, stirring controversy in religious circles.
9. Why this Filipina is fighting for Israel
Staff. Sgt. Joana Chris Arpon isn’t Israeli or Jewish, but she chose to serve in the Israel Defense Forces after an army team saved her grandmother from a typhoon.
10. Is Meghan Markle Jewish? The internet is confused.
As rumors — whoops, rumours — about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement picked up steam, a British tabloid claimed that the mixed-race actress has a Jewish father. As it turned out, the story wasn’t that simple.
Schools in Montgomery County have recently experienced a wave of antisemitic incidents.
This year’s Community Block Party at the JCC of Greater Baltimore will feature classic cars, giant inflatables, games, a rock-climbing wall and roller skating rink, and strolling entertainers.
Marc Terrill talks with Michael Bresler, CEO and President of Broadheights, an AI consulting group, about the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.
For 35 years, the late Deborah Brodie, aka Bubbie Cookie, amassed a collection of over 200 Jewish ritual objects, which she used to teach her Hebrew school students with special needs.