Jonathan Jacoby
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Articles by Jonathan Jacoby
An open letter to Jonathan Greenblatt: This time, choose engagement
Dear Jonathan: Within hours of Zohran Mamdani’s election as Mayor of New York City last November, you responded by launching a “Mamdani Monitor” to track his administration and its impact on Jewish safety across the city. Your message was clear: ADL viewed the incoming mayor with deep distrust and concern. From the outset, you chose confrontation over engagement.
Engaging Mamdani in the Fight Against Antisemitism
After New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a video last week calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several Jewish leaders responded by accusing him of fueling antisemitism and making Jewish New Yorkers less safe. Those accusations intensified after the brutal stabbing of a Jewish man outside a Manhattan synagogue. Those responses, however heartfelt, continued a path of confrontation with Mayor Mamdani that had begun long before he took office.
Engaging Mamdani in the Fight Against Antisemitism
After New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a video last week calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several Jewish leaders responded by accusing him of fueling antisemitism and making Jewish New Yorkers less safe. Those accusations intensified after the brutal stabbing of a Jewish man outside a Manhattan synagogue. Those responses, however heartfelt, continued a path of confrontation with Mayor Mamdani that had begun long before he took office.
My father was in the Hungarian resistance. Orbán’s defeat reminds us why it mattered
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news. All donations are still being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000 until April 24. This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions.
War with Iran is sparking an antisemitic chain reaction Original
Opinion>Opinions - Civil Rights The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill by Jonathan Jacoby, opinion contributor - 03/21/26 11:00 AM ET by Jonathan Jacoby, opinion contributor - 03/21/26 11:00 AM ET Share LinkedIn Email A dangerous chain reaction is underway and it may only be beginning.
The Blogs: An open letter to Jonathan Greenblatt: This is not the way
I know you have serious disagreements with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. I know it is important that you articulate your concerns to the incoming administration. That is your job — and your responsibility — as an American Jewish leader. But, as the late Yitzhak Rabin said when he condemned the growing incitement within Israeli society, לא זו הדרך — this is not the way. I am deeply worried by the divisive and overheated reactions I’ve seen — from you and from others who speak in our community’s name.
Exploring the Strange and Luxurious World of Swiss Cameras
Swiss manufacturing and craftsmanship have left their mark on a variety of fields, ranging from mechanical watches to sailplanes and, in the case of small but noteworthy endeavours such as those of Monteverdi, even luxury sports cars. This might raise the question: why, with the Swiss fascination for painstakingly realized mechanical marvels of precision and elegance, did the local photography industry never get off the ground in the little Alpine nation?
The Blogs: The First Yom HaShoah of the Second Trump Administration
I grew up in a home of survivors. My parents survived the Holocaust, and the memories of their experiences and the loved ones lost were ever present. As strong as those memories were, they did not overwhelm us. My parents’ tales were mostly of survival, not grief. They were stories of arriving to America, embraced by family in New York City, and building community in Los Angeles.
25 Things Poland is Known and Famous For
*This article may contain affiliate links. For full information, please see the disclaimer here. Though often neglected in European travel itineraries, Poland is a country that has more to offer than you might think. From its unique placement at the heart of Europe to its lively culture and vibrant cities, you’d be mistaken to give it a pass. Poland is known for being the home of delicious pierogi, former pope John Paul II, and Europe’s most ancient old-growth forest.
Carl Zeiss Werra: An East German Bauhaus Fantasy Come to Life
Carl Zeiss is a legendary name in photography. Though successful in many other areas related to the field of optics, like in microscopy for instance, it is particularly Zeiss camera lenses that have earned a spot in the pantheon of photographic giants through their engineering excellence and luxurious quality. Less often discussed than their lens business, even their microscopes, are Zeiss’ numerous attempts at successfully marketing a camera.
The Blogs: Jewish Leaders Must Disrupt the Circle of Antisemitism
Early last Friday morning, a Hebrew language media channel called The Radar posted a short video interview on X with Steve Bannon. “The people of Israel got to understand something,” Bannon said. “The number one enemy to the people in Israel are American Jews that do not support Israel and do not support MAGA.
A Guide to Camera Shutter Designs: Focal-Plane, Leaf, and the Rest
To take a photograph is to encapsulate a singular moment in time and space in the form of an image. In order to do that, no matter what kind of equipment we are using, we need a sort of tool to divide the past and future from the singular present, the precise moment that we wish to capture – no matter how long or how fleeting it might be. That, in simple words, is the job of your camera shutter.
A Guide to Nikon's Lens Abbreviations
Few lens makers can claim a lineup as huge and diverse as Nikon’s. Its legendary F-mount for film-based and digital SLRs has been in continuous production since 1959, along with the newer Z-mount specifically for mirrorless cameras that launched in 2018. The appeal of the Nikon system is obvious: by allowing the interchangeability of optical designs produced across eight decades, the Nikon photographer has unprecedented freedom in choosing the best lens for their craft. There’s only one problem.
The Pros and Cons of Using a Scale Focus Camera
Nowadays, we photographers are a bit spoiled. With how much power current-day cameras and lenses are packing, we can feel free to relegate a lot of the most basic operations, from determining exposure to acquiring focus and more, to automatic functions. Some of you may, every now and then, fall back on full manual control to get a better feel of the inner workings of your gear.
Let's not let trauma drive our actions on this day of mourning Original
(RNS) — Tisha B’Av, which falls Tuesday (Aug. 13), is an annual fast day when traditional Jews mourn the tragedies that have befallen our people throughout history. The commemoration was first created to memorialize the destruction of the First and Second Temples, but it has continuously evolved into a commemoration of Jewish history seen through the lens of suffering and trauma.
The Fascinating History of Leica Copies, from Braun to Zorki Original
Throughout photographic history, few cameras have had the kind of defining influence that can compare to the original Barnack Leica. It’s only natural that the industry of the time would react impulsively to the arrival of such a new, exciting, and innovative breed of camera – which is exactly what happened. Throughout varying periods of the 20th century, the market for 35mm cameras was absolutely filled with Leica copies.
TABOR ASSET MANAGEMENT RELEASES PUBLIC LETTER QUESTIONING TENDER OFFER FOR TOD’S S.P.A. BY CROWN BIDCO S.R.L.
TABOR ASSET MANAGEMENT RELEASES PUBLIC LETTER QUESTIONING TENDER OFFER FOR TOD’S S.P.A. BY CROWN BIDCO S.R.L. Tabor Calls on Board, Shareholders and Interested Members of the Public to Consider Whether the Tender Offer is in the Best Interests of All Tod’s Shareholders.
An open letter to Jonathan Greenblatt, National Director and CEO of the ADL - Jonathan Jacoby
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An open letter to Jonathan Greenblatt, National Director and CEO of the ADL
Dear Jonathan, Shortly after Hamas’s brutal torture and murder of Israeli civilians on October 7, my 95-year-old mother, a Holocaust survivor, called me. “I can’t believe this is happening again in my lifetime,” she said. “I feel like I did when the Nazis occupied Hungary.” “But this is not Hungary in 1944,” I reminded her. “This is America. We have a President who flew to Israel to show solidarity, we have a democracy that has withstood the onslaught of MAGA insurrectionists.
Bronica: How a Japanese Rice Farmer Tried To Give Hasselblad a Run for Its Money Original
Hasselblad needs no introduction. Ever since the launch of its 500C, the boxy, modular medium-format waist-level SLR has defined the output of genres ranging from street to fashion photography throughout the mid-20th century and beyond. So much has been said about the Swedish icon, though, that many of its contemporary rivals have been conspicuously neglected, even completely forgotten. Sure, the original might take the crown for sheer innovation. But being first is not everything, is it?
Bronica: How a Japanese Rice Farmer Tried To Give Hasselblad a Run for Its Money
Hasselblad needs no introduction. Ever since the launch of its 500C, the boxy, modular medium-format waist-level SLR has defined the output of genres ranging from street to fashion photography throughout the mid-20th century and beyond. So much has been said about the Swedish icon, though, that many of its contemporary rivals have been conspicuously neglected, even completely forgotten. Sure, the original might take the crown for sheer innovation. But being first is not everything, is it?
Kodak DCS: Why the Revolutionary Digital Camera System Failed to Catch On
Sometimes, having an original idea isn’t everything. Innovation can strike at the wrong moment, fizzing out before it has a chance to materialize. In that sense, “Too little, too late” may be only the flip side of the even more frustrating “Too much, too soon”. Nowhere is that more evident than in the tragic fate of the Kodak DCS, the original pioneer of digital photography.
A Brief History of Olympus, From the Six to OM Digital Original
Throughout the history of photography, few names have endured for as long and few have left as significant of an impact on the medium as Olympus. As the history of this storied brand enters a new era, under new ownership and now bearing the banner of OM Digital Solutions, let’s take a trip back in time to explore its origins, successes, and the milestone camera designs that will forever be associated with the Olympus name.
Minolta: Tales of a Forgotten Camera Maker
Today, most of the consumer-grade camera landscape is dominated by less than half a dozen brands. Canon, Sony, and Nikon take the lion’s share in terms of sales and public recognition, while almost all the gaps are filled by smaller companies like Fujifilm and Pentax. It was not always this way. In fact, for most of photography’s history, there used to be an immense wealth of camera makers competing with one another on the market.
The 31 Best Food Photographers in the World
Food photography is one of the most popular genres of photography. But the top food photographers in the world have created different styles, including using natural light, expert editing, and fantastic food styling. We can all learn how to be professional food photographers by studying the work of some of the greatest in the world. Whether you are a wedding, portrait, or street photographer, maybe now is the time to study food photography and add another skill to your toolbox.
Nuance is Crucial in Fighting Hate. That’s Why I Helped Write an Alternative Definition of Antisemitism.
(JTA) — My 95-year-old mother knows a thing or two about trauma. Not only because she is a survivor of Auschwitz but also because she is a psychologist. “What worries me,” my mother says, “is that we Jews will succumb to our past trauma rather than rise above it.” I share my mother’s concern.
Nuance is crucial in fighting hate. That's why I helped write an alternative definition of antisemitism.
(JTA) — My 95-year-old mother knows a thing or two about trauma. Not only because she is a survivor of Auschwitz but also because she is a psychologist. “What worries me,” my mother says, “is that we Jews will succumb to our past trauma rather than rise above it.” I share my mother’s concern.
National Jewish Leadership Statement on Antisemitism
Download The Statement May 25, 2023 The Biden administration made history today. For the first time, the United States has unveiled a focused strategy to employ all of our government’s resources to stop, deter, and address antisemitism, the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. This whole-of-government strategy includes an extensive list of initiatives.
The Rise and Fall of the Press Camera
If you were an aspiring photojournalist during most of the 19th and early 20th centuries, then your dream machine was likely not a Hasselblad, a Rolleiflex, a Leica, or any of the other vintage film cameras commonly cited as the most desirable collectibles nowadays. No, the tool of choice among the crème de la crème of professional journalists was what’s called a press camera.
Color Filters for Black-and-White Photography: A Complete Guide Original
Lens filters are one of the most affordable yet also most versatile accessories you can stow in your lens bag. Some of them, like polarizers and UV filters, are practically ubiquitous in modern-day photography, used both to lend images a unique look as well as to protect your costly gear. But one particular lens filter is only rarely talked about these days: the humble color filter. Today, let’s rectify that.
Caffenol: A Guide to Developing B&W Film with Coffee
One of the greatest things about film photography is its friendliness toward do-it-yourself approaches. Want to hack together a working camera out of discount hardware store supplies? All the power to you! Want to shoot on art paper coated in a home-concocted emulsion, contact-printed using authentic techniques from the 1800s? Why not? Okay, those kinds of DIY jobs might be a bit extreme to the casual photographer, especially so to those that haven’t been dabbling in analog media for too long.
Finding the Decisive Moment in Candid Street Photography
Much has been written about the concept of the “decisive moment”, a notion popularized (posthumously, for the most part) by legendary candid photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. The debate is still raging about what exactly Cartier-Bresson was alluding to when he used those magical words in the first place, but that is not the subject of today’s guide. Instead, let’s take a step back for a second. On a streetside photography walk, when should you trip the shutter?
A Leadership Call for Critical and Necessary Debate About Israel
“It Is Profoundly Irresponsible to Conflate Charges of Antisemitism With Criticism of Israeli Policies” February 1, 2023 Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Israel has had no greater ally than the United States, and the two countries have formed enduring unbreakable ties based on deeply held shared values.
Kevin McCarthy and the weaponization of antisemitism
By Steve Sheffey and Jonathan Jacoby Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was a featured speaker at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s Annual Leadership Meeting last weekend at the Venetian. After being elected as Republican Leader on Nov. 15, McCarthy now needs to strengthen his position to get the votes to become House speaker. To do so, he needs to show the far-right of his party that he can disrupt President Joe Biden’s agenda.
The mistake in equating right-wing and left-wing antisemitism
The throughline of those 80 years - from the expulsion of Polish Jews to the Tree of Life massacre - is white supremacy. The same line stretches from my mother's incarceration in Auschwitz to the virulent antisemitism of this past year - from white nationalist rallies to a shooting in Buffalo, New York, inspired by racist and antisemitic conspiracy theories . Our experience of growing antisemitism spurs us to redouble our efforts to fight it.
Tabor Asset Management Releases Second Public Letter Responding to Tod's Board of Directors
Tabor Feels that the Board Has Not Done Enough to Respond to Tabor’s Concerns Tod's S.p.A. (MIB:TOD.MI) NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES , October 20, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Tabor Asset Management, LP (“Tabor”), which beneficially owns approximately 0.6% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Tod’s S.p.A. (“Tod’s”), today published a second open public letter questioning the fairness of the terms of the voluntary tender offer (the “Offer”) at an offer price per ordinary share of €40.00 (the...
Tabor Asset Management Releases Letter Questioning Tender Offer for TOD'S S.P.A Original
Tabor Calls on Board, Shareholders & Interested Members of the Public to Consider Whether the Tender Offer is in the Best Interests of All Tod’s Shareholders.
I rallied for Israel’s survival in 1967 but now worry about its future – The Forward
The first time I went to the Hollywood Bowl was 55 years ago on June 11, 1967. When I was 14, I went to the Bowl with my family for the Israel Survival Rallya massive demonstration of solidarity with Israel after the Six Day War. Although I would have preferred to see the Monkees, who performed at the Bowl just three days earlier, the rally for Israel was no less exciting. The amphitheater was overflowing with people.
When criticism of Israel is and isn’t anti-Semitic
On Tuesday, a yeshiva student was assaulted in Brooklyn, the third anti-Semitic attack in that borough in just five days. Five males reportedly surrounded the student and punched him in the face. One of them was heard to yell “Free Palestine” during the assault. It was a blatant act of anti-Semitism. Whatever the goals of the assailants, violence like this is never defensible.
Is it antisemitic to be anti-Zionist?
Sadly, but perhaps inevitably, as Israel celebrates its independence 74 years after its creation, the debate over whether anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism is gaining steam. For Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, the answer is yes.
A Glossary of 251 Most Essential Photography Terms
Photography terms are numerous and can be super confusing for new photographers to get their heads around. But having a good understanding of the photography terms used to describe essential processes will help you enjoy photography a lot more. Some of the technical jargon is just that, jargon. Listening to two photographers having a conversation seems like they may be speaking a different language. All the technical terms have little or no meaning outside of photography.
Anti-Semitism, painfully widespread but not everywhere
As we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah, this year, my mother, a survivor of the Auschwitz death camp, reminds me that anti-Semitism is still with us. It was only three months ago that we watched the insurrection on Capitol Hill together, with its abounding symbols of anti-Jewish hatred and racism.
Trump’s disruption and Israel’s future
When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo labeled the boycott movement against Israel as anti-Semitic on his visit to Israel last month, his target wasn’t the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) itself — it was the Democratic Party. Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi (L) speaks alongside US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo following a security briefing on Mount Bental in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, near Merom Golan on the border with Syria, on November 19, 2020.
Understanding and Misunderstanding Anti-Semitism and Israel
According to an exit poll conducted by J Street, 78% of American Jews voted for Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate, while 21% voted for Donald Trump, the Republican candidate. No surprise there — Jews have historically voted Democrat. Now, consider the findings of another survey, released by the American Jewish Committee on October 26, the second anniversary of the killings at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Opinion | About double standards, antisemitism, and Israel
Was there a double standard in the controversy at the University of Southern California that led to the resignation of a Jewish student leader, Rose Ritch, after a spate of online harassment targeting her as a Zionist? Bari Weiss, who publicly resigned as a New York Times Opinion writer and editor this summer, was just the latest to suggest so, as part of a widely read essay published in Tablet last week.
Anti-Semitism and COVID 19: A Tale of Two Viruses
I suppose it’s not surprising that antisemites would use the coronavirus pandemic as a platform for spewing Jew-hatred and conspiracy theories. Still, I was astounded to read David Duke’s tweet a few weeks ago, in which he asked: “Does president Donald Trump have coronavirus? Are Israel and the Global Zionist elite up to their old tricks?” I asked Dr. Dov Waxman what he thinks about Duke’s tweet and other linkages being made between the coronavirus and Jews.
The Holocaust teaches us to recognize our shared destinies
My mother and I were discussing the Holocaust, as we often do. She survived Auschwitz and frequently talks about her experiences and the lessons she learned from them. “Did you know that white nationalists are moving into the political mainstream?” I asked. “It’s just like it was in Europe,” she answered. “One day they’re in the streets and the next day they’re in the government.” “Let me tell you a story about what to do when the extremists take power,” my mother continued.
Diaspora Jews’ Role in Shaping Israel’s Future — Jewish Journal
When many of us enter our synagogues, we see two flags framing the Aron Kodesh: the flag of the United States and the flag of Israel. Looking at the American flag, we may think about how much this country has changed over the past two years and how deeply concerned we are about its direction. Nevertheless, as disheartened as we may feel, we are empowered by the knowledge that we have the right, responsibility and ability to fight for what we believe.
Dear Mr. Kushner … a Letter from the Other Side
I am not the obvious person to write a letter to you. We are different from each other in so many ways. You work for a Republican administration, and I am a life-long Democrat. Your family is from Belarus and Poland; mine is from Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Our visions and hopes for Israel are different in many ways as well. At the same time, there are more than a few things that we have in common. Many of our closest relatives were murdered by Nazis. We are both fervent lovers of Israel.
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