Ki Tov Tuesday: July 1, 2025
Editor’s note: We’re having a difficult time adding contributor bylines. This Ki Tov Tuesday post was written by Kumzits co-founder Rebecca Kiki Weingarten, edited by Dan P. and fact checked and formatted by Mazali. Enjoy!
Dear Chevralah,
It's July! That glorious time of year when everyone heads out of town and leaves the city blissfully empty.
Streets? Serene (ish).
Parking? Plentiful.
Stores? Spectacularly spacious.
Parks? Perfect.
Tourist spots - not so much, but you get where I'm going.
As an often oppositional New Yorker (is there any other kind?) I love it when everyone packs out and leaves the city to us die hard pavement pounders. I leave when they're back!
But what to do, what to do? So much! There's tons going on all over the city, but at The Kumzits we focus on all things kitov!
Stay safe, stay cool, and zei gezunt! (Yiddish news below).
Bodacious Babka
Need we say more? As if Babka wasn't delicious and mouthwatering enough (hello Seinfeld), this recipe has ingredients that take it w-w-w-way over the top. YUMMMM
Join us in the mitzvah of writing a sefer torah in memory of The Kumzits co-founders Rachel and Rebecca Weingarten’s brother Tzvi a”h
Film about Nova massacre wins Documentary Emmy
Though incredibly difficult to watch We Will Dance Again deserves all the accolades. At a time of 10/7 denial and whitewashing, kudos to the filmmakers for this visual memorial and educational tool to fight the haters. We must show and tell the story.
In accepting the award for Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary, Director Yariv Mozer dedicated the award “to the safe and immediate return of the hostages who are still in Gaza.”
Aaron Lansky Tribute from the Yiddish Book Center
So it turns out that Yiddish is my first language, along with Hebrew. As a fairly new immigrant, my mother didn't want me to learn English with an accent (she charmingly says she's got an accent in five languages).
Understanding other languages means you can frequently pass for invisible as people blithely talk about you. And it's usually fun hearing what people say about you in familiar yet foreign neighborhoods. Some years back I was in my aunt's textile store and her friend asked her if I was the seamstress (shnadren) because I didn't look like the neighborhood peeps. If you know me you know how hilarious that is. If you don't yet - it's hilarious.
One of my Holocaust Survivor student/friends gifted me a subscription to the Yiddish Book Center. She was part of the Center from the very beginning and recounted the time founder Aaron Lansky came to her home on a pouring rainy night to collect her family's Yiddish books. Along with programs and events, the Center sends out an interesting magazine. If you're interested in Yiddish, check it out.
To celebrate Aaron Lansky's retirement as president, they created a documentary about him and the Yiddish Book Center. You can check it out here.
Borscht Belt Fest
While the Catskills (the country) has changed drastically since the ‘50s and ‘60s you can experience a feeling of it in July. Settings, music, comedians, entertainment, food, and fun with the Borscht Belt flavor. Or you can just re-watch Dirty Dancing for the 973rd time.
My Jewish Learning Talmud Reading Club
The school I went to did not teach girls Talmud, which is something I often feel bad about. I still wonder what it's like. I was intrigued by the online Jewish Learning Talmud reading club. I haven't tried it yet but I'm looking forward to it. You can sign up at myjewishlearning.com. Here's a little bit about it.
A note on the Parshah
Something I do every week is lead a parshah (the weekly torah portion) discussion for family and friends. I highly recommend it. It's a great way to learn about our history at a time when we need to strengthen ourselves, appreciate how far back our roots go, and how strongly we're rooted to the land of Israel and the traditions of our people.
There are lots of online resources to research. I highly recommend checking out sefaria.com. They send out a weekly email that has a lot of information and resources. I also read the works of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks a"h who focused on the humanity in the people of the torah and all the controversies from a philosophical, literary and psychological/psychoanalytic point of view both Jewish and secular. He also focused on leadership traits which is a fascinating study in itself. You can sign up for his past lectures and writings.
Another favorite is Rabbi Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of England. He has a warm humanity, and encouraging energy to him as he gives short (about 3 minutes) messages about the parshah and the world situation. Last week he spoke from Israel during the 12 day war with Iran when he couldn't get a flight back to London. Even/especially then his message was one of strength and resilience. You can sign up for his parshah thoughts as well.
Question/request Do any of you know good resources focusing on the strong women in the Torah from an historical (not necessarily religious) viewpoint? I haven't found resources I'm happy with yet. This week Sefaria mentions Dr. Erica Brown and "Leadership in the Wilderness," which sounds promising.
Educating the Next Generation on Antisemitism
An absolute hero and role model of mine, the amazing Deborah Lipstadt, is the former US antisemitism envoy, author of many books on antisemitism and Holocaust denial. She’s an educator and fierce thinker and doer of all things Jewish.
While she was still with the Stated Department, I was incredibly fortunate to hear Deborah Lipstadt speak during a Zoom meeting organized by my sister Rachel.
Speaking to us after hours and from her kitchen—much like Golda Meir, whose biography she wrote—Lipstadt joined our small group for a powerful discussion about antisemitism: how to recognize it, confront it, and thrive despite its presence. Her words, approach, and wise teachings continue to resonate with me. (Thanks for making that happen, Rachel!)
Here, she speaks about educating the next generation on antisemitism. We can all learn a lot from her.
So, what’s inspiring you right now? Drop us a comment below, share your own thoughts for Ki Tov Tuesdays, or reply to this email with your insights and ideas!
🎗️Bring them all home now