American culture

How Jewish immigrants invented American childhood through classic toys, comics, and media

Virtually every major American toy company at the turn of the 20th century, with a few exceptions, had been founded by first-generation Jews, who invented the material culture of American childhood.

|ByANDREW SILOW-CARROLL/JTA
A woman shops for toys at a store in Houston, Texas, on August 24, 2026.
Many Evangelicals participate in the United for Israel March outside Columbia University in New York City in 2024.

Don’t ignore the similarities between the persecution of Israelis and US Christians - opinion

Netanyahu equates attacking Jews who support Israel to attacking Evangelicals for good reason; both faiths are founded on Zionism

|ByMIKE EVANS
Rosh Hashanah cards, all from the book ‘101 Treasures from the National Library of Israel’:

How holiday cards shaped American High Holy Day culture

The Jewish greeting card at its peak bound together the family with memory and Jewish tradition.

|ByDAVID GEFFEN
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group holds a rally in Gaza to commemorate armed commanders and operatives killed by Israel in the past five-day fighting, in Gaza City, May 19, 2023.

'If It Takes a Thousand Years': A manual on how to defeat jihadists - review

The jihadist enemy uses the organs of American democracy to subvert it from within, and what the US needs to do to protect itself.

|ByNEVILLE TELLER

The Borscht Belt hotels were cornerstones of Jewish family life that have no real replacement

Imagine season-long communal residences where families could book recurring weeks or weekends throughout the year, creating consistent community rather than one-off vacations.

JANUARY 7, 2025BySARA FREDMAN AEDER/JTA
A lawn chair sits as nature takes over the indoor pool area of Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel on July 5, 2012 in Liberty, New York. The hotel, closed since 1986, is one of many Borscht Belt hotels that shut down over the years.

Urbun: A classic American dessert right by the shuk - review

A classic American cinnamon bun, fresh, full of flavor, and with great texture and a home-baked taste.

JULY 14, 2024ByNOAH MICHAELI
CINNAMON BUN innovation: Some of the many cinnamon buns on offer at Urbun Café.

Three doses of tragicomic drama: An Evening with Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) was a highly influential American playwright who explored themes of human frailty and resilience

JUNE 4, 2024ByYAEL UNTERMAN
Larkspur Lotion’ – Miss Hardwick Moore, Mrs. Wire, Writer.