1.State Battles Antisemitism

"Citing a 'pervasive and escalating' threat of antisemitism in Massachusetts schools and workplaces, a state-appointed commission has put forth a sweeping set of recommendations aimed at combatting anti-Jewish sentiment.

"Unanimously approved last month, the report from the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism debuted to mixed reception; while proponents praised the commission for offering a blueprint to a more welcoming Massachusetts, some critics felt its findings missed the mark.

"The non-binding recommendations call for state leaders to fight antisemitism 'the Massachusetts Way,' through a combination of proposals meant to promote inclusivity, bolster anti-bias education, and improve channels for monitoring and reporting potential hate crimes. 

"The Concerned Jewish Faculty and Staff released a competing “shadow report” calling for, among other points, antisemitism training that separates Jewish identity from any nation-state or political ideology; anti-harassment policies that differentiate between prohibited harassment and protected speech; and an emphasis on open inquiry into competing ideas, including those related to Zionism, antisemitism, Israel, and Palestinian territories. 

From The Boston Globe: "Here's what Massachusetts' antisemitism commission found - and what it thinks we should do about it."

2.Pardon Me, Bibi

We have all seen the "No Kings" demonstrations throughout the country. Imagine issues of separation of powers and term limits when there is no constitution and no term limits.

On trial for numerous cases and charges, Bibi reached a low only he could find by asking President Herzog to pardon him - before he was convicted and without any admission of guilt and/or departure from office. Quelle chutzpah!

At the same time, his government approved the recall of thousands of soldiers for reserve duty (some have served hundreds of days since October 7) and confirmed that thousands of Orthodox military-aged individuals will continue to be exempt from service. "Torah is their service."

And this is just THIS WEEK.

With that in mind, here's "Netanyahu's disingenuous pardon request, and how Herzog should handle it"

from David Horovitz in The Times of Israel.

"If Israel had term limits for its prime ministers — as it should, since too much power for too long tends inevitably to corrupt — Benjamin Netanyahu would not be on trial. The filing of the kind of charges for which he was indicted in November 2019 would have waited until he was out of office, French presidential style.

"If he is a self-acknowledged offender — seeking a pardon despite his simultaneous contention that the trial will vindicate him — then Herzog must treat him as such and impose the appropriate punishment, ensuring that the rule of law is applied and seen to be applied to Netanyahu as to any citizen; that justice is done and is seen to be done."

3.The Very Last One

Last night the remains of Sudhisak Rinthalak, a Thai national agricultural worker who was taken by Hamas on October 7th and murdered in Gaza, were returned. A heartbroken nation now awaits the remains of Sargeant Major Ran Gvili. One more before the first stage of the famous Trump Plan is complete.

Let's not forget that Hamas has delayed the returns for the past few weeks in order to regain control of nearly half of Gaza and will hope to avoid stage 2 which includes disarming the terror organization and placing the part of Gaza they control under a multinational force. Count me skeptical.

4.KPop for Bubbes

"This Hanukkah, the Maccabeats may have released their most epic parody of all time. It’s based on Netflix’s most iconic kids’ movie of all time, KPop Demon Hunters, and it is very good," writes Lior Zaltzman for Kveller.

"It’s true, I expected a lot of parodies of the history-making Netflix film (we already got a KPop Adon Olam, after all,) but the Maccabeats beat my expectations by covering not one, not two, but five (!) songs from the uber-catchy movie soundtrack. And just like a good Kpop song mixes Korean phrases with English lyrics, this parody is bilingual, featuring Hebrew lines amongst the puns."

If you're unfamiliar with the phenomenon that is this film, ask your grandchildren or children about it or watch the trailer below the Maccabeats' song here.

5.Kosher-Style TV

"December 2025 brings with it a lot of light — Hanukkah starts on Dec. 14 this year — and a lot of TV laughter. Two of our favorite young Jewish comedians are coming out with specials this month, and there’s a new punny Hanukkah Hallmark movie titled Oy to the World.” Check out Kveller's "All the Jewish TV Coming in December 2025" for a TV guide.

"Adam Sandler plays Ron, the long-suffering manager of George Clooney’s Jay Kelly, in this upcoming Netflix film from Jewish director Noah Baumbach." See the trailer below. Available tomorrow and looking good if not great.

6.Kosher Beach

Earlier this year Miami got its first-ever kosher beach club, Nana Kosher Beach Club. The woman behind that project, Olivia Ostrow, is launching a “sexy” global kosher restaurant group with famed chef, Todd English. The restaurant, French English, is expected to have outposts in Miami, New York, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Paris and London.

“Todd and I have known each other for years; with mutual respect and mutual curiosity,” says Ostrow. “I’ve always admired how he built a global culinary brand, and he was intrigued by what I was doing in Miami with modern, elevated, actually-sexy kosher cuisine. At some point, it just clicked — why hasn’t anyone created a chef-driven, international kosher brand with global credibility? That’s what we’re building.”

Some of you may have experienced English's food before. "Opened in 1989 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, his restaurant Olives quickly garnered acclaim for its bold, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and convivial atmosphere. The restaurant’s name pays homage to English’s then-wife, Olivia, and reflects the Mediterranean theme that would become a hallmark of his culinary style.​"

Read more in, "Todd English and kosher queen Olivia Ostrow to launch a 'sexy' global restaurant group."

Recipes below inspired by the chefs' offerings from their kitchens.

7.Countdown to Volunteering

In a SouthCoast Today article from 2016, one of the people who attended the holiday meal shared her thoughts about the day. “You come and you meet different people. It isn’t just about the food. It’s the loneliness,” she said, with tears in her eyes.

"She was talking about the Christmas Dinner held at the Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Hall. The dinner, sponsored by the Jewish Federation and Coastline Elderly Services and coordinated by Ellen Hull and Stanley Levine for about 20 years, is now in its 49th year. Thanks to at least 32 volunteers, about 300 meals are served each year — some in the Parish Hall and others are delivered."

To help with this year's event, please contact Ellen Hull at (508) 993-5742. Both drivers and workers for Christmas day are needed.

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