| |  | | | | | | | As details of the ordeals experienced by the Israeli hostages recently released from Gaza begin to emerge, what is particularly striking is how many of them – even proudly secular kibbutzniks – found comfort and meaning in Jewish religious rituals. Despite the dire conditions of their captivity, they prayed, they recited blessings over the meager portion of food they received, and they found innovative ways to mark the Jewish holidays. No less remarkable perhaps is that many of them are continuing these practices now that they are free and back at home.
Rachel Fink talked to a psychiatrist, a psychologist and scholar of religion to figure out why people, in such life-threatening situations, often turn to God, and whether that's a good thing. As this deep dive into the phenomenon notes, this would not be the first time that Israelis, in a period of existential crisis, have sought solace in Judaism.
In a related piece, Anat Georgy profiles Jay Shottenstein, the Jewish American billionaire funding efforts to rehabilitate the victims of October 7 and their families. His beneficiaries include a rather unconventional ultra-Orthodox rabbi and social entrepreneur who has been incentivizing the hostages to make their "Jewish journeys" public.
Meanwhile, the Trump Administration decided this week to turn Columbia University into the testing ground for its crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism. Their goal, they say, is to protect Jewish students. But is arresting a leader of the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia and threatening him with deportation actually good for the Jews? Ari Paul weighs in here. | | |
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