Jarrad Saffren
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called himself a proud member of the Jewish community at the Tree of Life groundbreaking. (Photo by Dale Lazar)
August 14, 2024, 4:54 pm
What’s next for Josh Shapiro?
“Pennsylvanians elected me to a four-year term as their Governor, and my work here is far from finished.”
By Jarrad Saffren
Antisemitic statements were both chanted and displayed outside of an anti-Israel encampment at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning last spring. (Photo by David Rullo)
July 3, 2024, 10:15 am
PA Senate passes pro-Israel bill in response to campus encampments
Pro-BDS groups, led by CAIR, have emailed Pennsylvania legislators asking them to oppose the bill, according to the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition
By Jarrad Saffren
(Photo courtesy of Pexels)
February 21, 2024, 1:38 pm
Secretary of the Commonwealth discusses efforts to help Jews during Passover primary
April 16 is the last day to apply for a mail ballot.
By Jarrad Saffren
The Pennsylvania State Capitol building (Photo by New_Folder/iStockphoto.com)
December 29, 2023, 10:37 am
Pennsylvania’s primary remains on first day of Passover. How can observant Jews still vote?
Halachically observant Jews will not be able to go to the polls on election day. But if you are one, you can still vote.
By Jarrad Saffren
From left: Don Sable, Gerri Richmond and Sheila Berman, Jews from the Philadelphia suburbs, protest outside of the Palestine Writes Festival at Penn on Sept. 22. (Photo by Jarrad Saffren)
September 26, 2023, 2:29 pm
We went to opening night of the Palestine Writes Festival. Here’s what happened
“It’s about the fact that we remain proud, unbroken, defiant,” the event's organizer said. “Even though we are battered, colonized, exiled, robbed, terrorized and demeaned.”
By Jarrad Saffren
The Western Wall on Tisha B'Av 2017. (Photo by Kayla Steinberg)
July 19, 2023, 11:39 am
Tisha B’Av is a Jewish history lesson. Why don’t more Jews observe the holiday?
From Tisha B’Av, it is possible to gain an understanding of Jewish history after Jerusalem and during the rabbinic era.
By Jarrad Saffren
Rep. Dan Frankel stands to the left of Rep. Jordan Harris as he speaks at the press conference announcing the Black-Jewish Caucus (Photo by House Democratic Photographers)
May 18, 2023, 10:23 am
PA lawmakers announce Black-Jewish caucus
“What we need to do is make this relationship relevant to the new generation of Blacks and Jews in our communities."
By Jarrad Saffren
Josh Shapiro and his wife, Lori, enjoy the inaugural festivities at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg on Jan. 17. (Photo by Jarrad Saffren)
January 23, 2023, 2:02 pm
Josh Shapiro showed Jewish pride at gubernatorial inauguration
During a speech after his swearing-in, Shapiro made implicit and explicit Jewish references.
By Jarrad Saffren
Josh Shapiro talks to supporters at a canvass kickoff in Swarthmore on Oct. 8. (Photo by Jarrad Saffren)
December 14, 2022, 10:43 am
Josh Shapiro transitions to governor’s office
As a candidate, he talked about himself as a leader who could bring a diverse coalition. And he has tried to live up to that reputation in his effort to build a transition team.
By Jarrad Saffren
Josh Shapiro, his family and his running mate Austin Davis bask in their victory on stage at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. (Photo by Jarrad Saffren)
November 14, 2022, 1:25 pm
A look at Josh Shapiro’s election night victory party
The Jewish Democrat will become the commonwealth's next governor.
By Jarrad Saffren
Josh Shapiro talks to supporters at a canvass kickoff in Swarthmore on Oct. 8. (Photo by Jarrad Saffren)
November 2, 2022, 4:06 pm
Shapiro versus Mastriano. Will the Jewish Democrat become Pa.’s next governor?
The Jewish Exponent spent a day with both campaigns to take the pulse of the race. The reality is far more complicated than the numbers show.
By Jarrad Saffren
it’s OK not to fast if your life depends on it. (Photo by Markus Spiske via Pexels)
September 28, 2022, 12:16 pm
When is it OK not to fast on Yom Kippur?
It’s OK not to fast if your life depends on it — but there are some workable alternatives
By Jarrad Saffren
Ben Foster playing Harry Haft in HBO Max’s “The Survivor” ( Photo by Leo Pinter/HBO)
April 27, 2022, 3:09 pm
HBO’s ‘The Survivor’ asks profound question
The true story of Auschwitz survivor Harry Haft, who became a boxer in the United States and lived to 82, dying in 2007.
By Jarrad Saffren
Rachel Brosnahan is nominated for her role as Miriam “Midge” Maisel in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” on Amazon Prime. (Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime)
February 15, 2022, 9:24 pm
‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ shows its grit: Season 4 dives deep
"Maisel" is more than just a celebration of the female empowerment that swept across American culture during late 1950s and early 1960s — it's about a modern hero’s journey.
By Jarrad Saffren
Robert and Molly Freedman (Photo courtesy of the Freedman family)
January 14, 2022, 12:04 pm
Jewish music collection a labor of love
A Philadelphia couple donated their collection to Penn: more than 40,000 songs, 5,923 albums and 1,510 pieces of sheet music.
By Jarrad Saffren
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