The Weekly News Nosh – July 5, 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 American Jewish history, Dead Sea Scrolls research, Holocaust remembrance, Jewish heritage preservation, and more.

Editor: Phil Goldfarb, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

This week’s news links:

1. Here’s how American Jewish orgs are marking 250 years of independence. From events at historic synagogues and museums to volunteer opportunities and civic engagement, American Jews across the country are celebrating the semiquincentennial. Read the story from JTA: Here’s how American Jewish orgs are marking 250 years of independence – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
2. July 4th and the Jewish Faith. Five surprising ways Jewish ideas and people helped shape the founding of the United States. Read the story from Aish: July 4th and the Jewish Faith | Aish
3. National Library of Israel marks America’s 250th birthday. Jerusalem institution creates exhibit of rare American artifacts, lecture series and online offerings. Read and see more from The Times of Israel: National Library of Israel marks America’s 250th birthday | The Times of Israel
4. The gift Jews gave to America on its 100th birthday in 1876. The poem, ‘Minchat Yehudah,’ which honored America’s centennial, was written in Hebrew by Moses Aaron Schreiber. The gift Jews gave America on its 100th birthday in 1876 – The Forward
5. The 50 most interesting Jews in American history you’ve probably never heard of. As we celebrate 250 years since the country’s founding, the lost stories of some of its most fascinating Jewish citizens deserve resurfacing. Read about them from The Forward: The 50 most interesting Jews in US history you likely don’t know of – The Forward
6. Free FamilySearch Webinars: July 2026. FamilySearch spotlights Revolutionary War ancestry and family discovery techniques. To read more go to: Free FamilySearch Webinars: July 2026 However, if you REALLY want to know about the programs and events in JEWISH Genealogy coming up, go to The Worldwide Jewish Event Calendar called JDays from the L’Dor V’Dor Foundation: JDays. If you have a program/event to submit for the future, you can go to: User Submitted Events
7. AI, chemistry research project aims to uncover origins of Dead Sea Scrolls. A European Research Council grant will fund an international effort led by the University of Groningen and the Israel Antiquities Authority to trace where the ancient manuscripts came from. Read the story from JNS: AI, chemistry research project aims to uncover origins of Dead Sea Scrolls – Israel & Jewish News – JNS
8. The Jewish and Black Pioneers who Created the First Ambulance Emergency Service. Every life saved in the back of an ambulance traces back to a remarkable group of pioneers in Pittsburgh. This is their story from Aish: The Jewish and Black Pioneers who Created the First Ambulance Emergency Service | Aish
9. First time in 2,000 years: Israel carrying out conservation work at Tomb of the Patriarchs. “The government is showing that Jewish heritage will not be allowed to fall into the hands of people who want to erase our history and identity.” Read more from JNS: First time in 2,000 years: Israel carrying out conservation work at Tomb of the Patriarchs – Israel & Jewish News – JNS
10. Family from Lithuania? Exploring Vilnius: the Jerusalem of Lithuania and its Jewish past. A walk through Vilnius reveals a city of cobbled streets and cafés layered over Jewish heritage, from the Vilna Gaon’s legacy to the ruins of the Great Synagogue. Read more from The Jerusalem Post: Jerusalem of Lithuania: A journey through Vilna | The Jerusalem Post
11. Austria once denied its Nazi past. Now it sends young people abroad to confront it. At a Long Island nonprofit preserving the story of a Holocaust rescuer, Austrian volunteers are helping bring that history to new audiences. Read more from New York Jewish Week: Austria once denied its Nazi past. Now it sends young people abroad to confront it. – New York Jewish Week
12. Holocaust Survivors’ Torment After Liberation. Shocked by the horrific manner U.S. troops were treating survivors, two Jewish American soldiers took matters in their own hands. Read the story from Aish: Holocaust Survivors’ Torment After Liberation | Aish
13. The Woman Who Hid 100 Jews in Her Attic. Tina Strobos built a secret attic hideout the Nazis never found, stole identity cards, and survived eight Gestapo raids. She lived ten minutes from Anne Frank and never knew. Read her story from Aish: The Woman Who Hid 100 Jews in Her Attic | Aish
14. These Classic American Songs Were Written By Jewish Women. From “The Way You Look Tonight” to “The Best Is Yet To Come.” Read more from Kveller: These Classic American Songs Were Written By Jewish Women – Kveller
15. Three rare ceramic tombstones are reinstalled after restoration in the historic Jewish cemetery in Tata, Hungary. The Tata Jewish cemetery is one of the oldest in Hungary, with the oldest Jewish gravestone dating from 1740 is still in its original place. Read more from Jewish Heritage Europe: Hungary Update: Three rare ceramic tombstones are reinstalled after restoration in the historic Jewish cemetery in Tata – Jewish Heritage Europe
16. Audrey Gelman on Retelling the Forgotten Jewish History of German Folk Art. A new line of homewares from The Six Bells and The Wallach Project gives new life to Wallach House, an influential Jewish textile business once seized by the Nazis. Read the story from Hey Alma: Audrey Gelman on Retelling the Forgotten Jewish History of German Folk Art – Hey Alma
17. The Israeli rescue operation that was tailor made for Hollywood. Israel’s 1976 ‘raid on Entebbe,’ which saved more than 100 lives, was perfect fodder for the 1970’s disaster movie era. Read the story from The Forward: Israel’s ‘raid on Entebbe’ was tailor-made for Hollywood – The Forward
18. B’nai B’rith honors Poles preserving Jewish heritage, combating antisemitism. Three individuals and a grassroots group received the 2026 Wdzięczność–Gratitude–Hakarat Hatov Awards in Lublin for strengthening Jewish-Polish ties and preserving Holocaust memory. Read more from JNS: B’nai B’rith honors Poles preserving Jewish heritage, combating antisemitism – Israel & Jewish News – JNS
19. Speaking of Polish Jews: A New Gate Opens: Polish Jewry in an Era of Community and Connection. Roots & Revelations: Field Notes is a monthly series from L’Dor V’Dor Foundation exploring Jewish heritage, memory, and the stories we carry forward. How community renewal, archives, AI, and genealogy tools are helping families reconnect with Jewish Poland. Read more here: A New Gate Opens: Polish Jewry in an Era of Community and Connection A New Gate Opens: Polish Jewry in an Era of Community and Connection | LDVDF
20. The Army’s only airborne rabbi finds his congregation wherever he lands. As America celebrates 250 years, Scott Klein, the sole Jewish chaplain at the country’s largest military base, is carrying on a tradition of service that dates back to the Revolution. Read his story from The Forward: At Fort Bragg, the Army’s only airborne rabbi builds Jewish life – The Forward
21. Synagogue in the Sahara. For centuries a Jewish community thrived in the heart of the Sahara Desert. Read the story from Aish: Synagogue in the Sahara | Aish
22. Rabbinical seminaries boast highest enrollment in years, defying downward trend. Jewish Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College will welcome their largest incoming classes since the Obama administration. Read the story from The Forward: Rabbinical seminaries boast highest enrollment in years, defying downward trend – The Forward
23. Maccabiah Games open in Jerusalem as global celebration of Jewish pride. Thousands of athletes from more than 30 countries gather in Jerusalem for a star-studded opening ceremony of the delayed sporting event. From The Times of Israel: Maccabiah Games open in Jerusalem as global celebration of Jewish pride | The Times of Israel
24. A scholar unpacks the slur that Jews were arsonists — and why it stuck. Marx’s new history, “Jewish Firebug,” arrives as immigrant groups are again being blamed for economic and social ills. Read more from JTA: A scholar unpacks the slur that Jews were arsonists — and why it stuck – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
25. ‘Digging Deep’ for legacies, author finds missing Jewish soccer players killed in Holocaust. David Bolchover’s dark detective journey unearths a star footballing ‘team’ whose memories were erased by the Nazis, and shows that the dearth of Jewish greats in the sport today is no accident. Read the story from The Times of Israel: ‘Digging Deep’ for legacies, author finds missing Jewish soccer players killed in Holocaust | The Times of Israel
26. From Vietnamese Refugee to Israeli Soldier to Florida Restaurateur. Ai Lien fled Vietnam as a baby, grew up in Israel, served on the Lebanese border, and now owns four kosher restaurants in Florida. Read her story from Aish: From Vietnamese Refugee to Israeli Soldier to Florida Restaurateur | Aish
27. The Ultimate Jewish Guide to Hot Dogs. Kosher classics, creative toppings and must-try brands: Your ultimate Jewish hot dog playbook. A Challah hot dog?? Read the story from The Nosher: The Ultimate Jewish Guide to Hot Dogs | The Nosher

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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.