The Weekly News Nosh – April 26, 2026

This Jewish heritage news digest is this week’s NewsNosh (The Weekly News Nosh) from L’Dor V’Dor Foundation—a curated set of links for anyone interested in Jewish family history, Jewish history, and Jewish heritage. This week’s NewsNosh Jewish heritage news digest includes MyHeritage Scribe AI, Holocaust survival stories, ancient Israel archaeology, Israel history, and more.

Editor: Phil Goldfarb, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

This week’s news links:

1. Scribe AI is now available on the MyHeritage mobile app. This makes it possible to analyze historical documents and photos instantly — right from your phone. Scribe AI transcribes handwritten and printed text, translates records, and interprets images to extract meaningful genealogical insights. Whether it’s a document, an old photo, or even a gravestone, it turns complex material into clear, structured information you can use. For more information, go to their blog: Scribe AI Now Available on the MyHeritage Mobile App – MyHeritage Blog
2. Rare database offers free information on foreigners who lived in the Russian Empire. Thanks to a free database of about 100,000 people, the search for information could be a rewarding experience. The Erik Amburger Database – Search mask is a quietly known resource that documents people of many ethnicities (Germans, Jews, Italians, French, British, etc.) who lived in the Russian Empire from the 1700s to before 1917. Search the database by name, location and occupation as name lists are grouped by the first letter of last names.
3. How the sewers under Nazi-occupied Ukraine gave rise to unexpected Holocaust heroes. At least 80 percent of pre-World War II Lviv’s Jewish community of 150,000 people were murdered in the Holocaust. A small group of Jews managed to survive by hiding within the Ukrainian city’s sprawling sewer system for 14 months, evading capture by the Nazis and local collaborators. Read the story from The Times of Israel: How the sewers under Nazi-occupied Ukraine gave rise to unexpected Holocaust heroes | The Times of Israel
4. 300-year-old Nazi-looted violin worth $10 million said to reappear in France. Experts believe instrument made by famous luthier Antonio Stradivari in 1719 was stolen by German soldiers from Warsaw museum in 1944. Read more from The Times of Israel: 300-year-old Nazi-looted violin worth $10 million said to reappear in France | The Times of Israel
5. In a forgotten 20th century masterwork, a Holocaust story from the perpetrator’s perspective. Mieczysław Weinberg’s ‘Die Passagierin,’ on stage at the Dutch National Opera, is both lyrical and forceful. Read more from The Forward: Mieczysław Weinberg’s ‘Die Passagierin,’ is a forgotten masterwork – The Forward
6. Rare ancient charcoal shows how prehistoric ‘Israelis’ were already grilling 780,000 years ago. A new study testifies to how hominins at Gesher Benot Ya’akov took advantage of their environment to fuel fires, showing advanced cognitive abilities. Read the story from The Times of Israel: Rare ancient charcoal shows how prehistoric ‘Israelis’ were already grilling 780,000 years ago | The Times of Israel
7. New secrets of human evolution unlocked in study of ancient DNA from Europe and Near East. Scientists analyze 22,000 genomes documenting hundreds of genetic changes due to natural selection over the past 10,000 years, including variants linked to celiac disease and multiple sclerosis. Read more from The Times of Israel: New secrets of human evolution unlocked in study of ancient DNA from Europe and Near East | The Times of Israel
8. A California forest synagogue experiments with nature-based spirituality. There are people who want a Judaism that’s recognizable, and there are other people who want to do something that speaks to their ancestral roots but that also makes them feel alive and connected. Read the story from Religion News Service: A California forest synagogue experiments with nature-based spirituality
9. For Jewish Iranians, war with Israel brings a flood of mixed emotions. There are believed to be some 12,000 Jewish Iranians in the country. It is one of the biggest Jewish communities, if not the biggest, in the Middle East outside of Israel. Read more from CBS News: For Jewish Iranians, war with Israel brings a flood of mixed emotions – CBS News
10. The Jewish People’s Undying Connection to the Land of Israel. For over 2,000 years, scattered Jews have yearned for and returned to this small patch of land. Why? Read the story from Aish: The Jewish People’s Undying Connection to the Land of Israel | Aish
11. A Museum Charts Those Who First Put Israel on the Map. Now reopened with war on hold, Israel Museum exhibition explores maps produced from the 15th to 19th century that blended geography with biblical beliefs and contemporary politics. Read more from The Times of Israel: As Iran tries to wipe Israel off the map, a museum charts those who first put it on | The Times of Israel
12. Finding a Lost Tribe of Israel in India. For 2,700 years, they kept the Sabbath, circumcised their sons, and prayed facing Jerusalem — in the jungles of India. Now they’re coming home. Read their story from Aish: Finding a Lost Tribe of Israel in India | Aish
13. On the small island of St. Eustatius, the Jewish community turned the tide of the American Revolution. ‘The First Salute’ exhibit at the Weitzman Museum in Philly sheds light on the Jewish history of St. Eustatius and its impact on America. Read the story from The Forward: How Jews in St. Eustatius aided the American Revolution – The Forward
14. Steeped in history, Pensacola Jews celebrate the 150th anniversary of Florida’s oldest synagogue. The celebration included a gala and a visit to the grave of Florida’s first Jewish mayor. Read the story from The Forward: Steeped in history, Pensacola Jews celebrate the 150th anniversary of Florida’s oldest synagogue – The Forward
15. 125 years ago, the Forverts (now The Forward) entered a vibrant Jewish world. The year was 1897. Here’s what Jews were doing. Read about the Jewish year1897 from The Forward: The year was 1897. Here’s what Jews were doing. – The Forward
16. As Israel approaches 78th Independence Day, its population stands at 10.244 million. 76% are Jews and ‘others,’ 21.1% Arabs; over past year, 177,000 Israelis were born, 48,000 died, 21,000 immigrated; population has grown over a dozen-fold since state’s founding. Read more details from The Forward: As Israel approaches 78th Independence Day, its population stands at 10.244 million | The Times of Israel
17. The most persecuted people in history built a prosperous state in less than a century. The world keeps asking Israel to apologize for existing. The data has different answers. Read the story from JNS: The most persecuted people in history built a prosperous state in less than a century – JNS.org – Jewish News Syndicate
18. Orde Wingate, Father of the Israeli Army. The great British military leader helped shape Israel’s army and was an unorthodox, controversial tactician. Read his story from Aish: Orde Wingate, Father of the Israeli Army | Aish
19. Finally, a Jewish James Bond hits cinemas. Peter Sichel the CIA spymaster turned winemaker steps out of the shadows in The Last Spy. Read about him from Jewish News UK: Finally a Jewish James Bond hits cinemas – Jewish News
20. Today’s American Jews finally have their era’s Sandy Koufax. Something strange, funny and frankly delicious happened on social media last week: A legion of extremely online sports fans stepped forward one by one to admit that the NBA’s most famous Israeli was, unfortunately, very good at basketball. Read his story from The Forward: Today’s American Jews finally have their era’s Sandy Koufax – The Forward
21. Harpo Speaks! Marx Brothers fans rejoice: There’s a recording of Harpo speaking. A tape of a benefit concert marks the only time the silent brother let himself be recorded speaking in performance. Read and hear more from The Forward: A rare recording of Harpo Marx speaking – The Forward

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About The Weekly News Nosh

The Weekly News Nosh (NewsNosh) is the L’Dor V’Dor Foundation’s weekly Jewish heritage news digest—a curated set of links for anyone interested in Jewish family history, Jewish history, and Jewish heritage. NewsNosh is published on Sundays and shared on our website and social media platforms. “A Family Without The Understanding Of Their Past History, Foundation And Ethnicity Is Like A Tree Without Roots.” Subscribe to receive NewsNosh every Sunday, directly in your inbox. Browse past issues of our Jewish heritage news digest in the NewsNosh archive.