Eight Black youths were hastily sentenced to death in 1931 Alabama. Global outcry ensued, and a flamboyant New York Jewish lawyer was sent down to defend them…


This Jewish War Hero Protested the Nazis… Then Helped Defeat Them
A decorated German soldier in World War I, Richard Stern opposed Nazism from within. After fleeing, he joined the US Army at age 43, and soon became a hero there, as well…

This Remarkable Woman Made the First Israeli Flag in Jerusalem
Rebecca Affachiner trailblazed across multiple continents, and she did it all as a single, religious Jewish woman…

Kirk Douglas: Star of David and Hollywood
He starred in the first Hollywood feature filmed in Israel, but the legendary actor’s connection to the Jewish state and people certainly didn’t start or stop there…

Elie Wiesel’s Haunting, Mysterious and Brilliant Master
“Mr. Shushani” reportedly knew the entire Hebrew Bible, Talmud and countless other texts by heart. His Nobel-laureate student never knew his real name.

What Was This Russian Operative Doing at a Tiny American College?
The son of a famous performer, Kirill Chenkin fought in the Spanish Civil War and was recruited by Soviet intelligence prior to joining the faculty of Black Mountain College. He later became a ‘refusenik’ spokesman…

Reporting the Holocaust Alongside Vacation Ads
In 1939, sickening accounts of impending genocide appeared on the same pages as cruise and resort promos

A Brief Blinken Family History: From Pereiaslav to DC and Back
US secretary of state’s immigrant ancestor was a trailblazing Yiddishist, as well as a carpenter and masseuse

100 Years of Ford and the Jews – From Antisemitism to Zionism
Henry Ford was one of the most notorious American antisemites of the 20th century. His grandson, however, was an ardent Zionist. A collection of rare photos from Henry II’s little-known visit to Israel appears here for the first time.

What Did Martin Buber and His Friends Write to President Johnson about Martin Luther King Jr.?
From the Martin Buber Archive: A letter to the American president about MLK’s 1965 release from jail