Benyamin Cohen
@benyamincohen.bsky.social
Senior Writer, The Forward / Author, 'My Jesus Year' and ‘The Einstein Effect' / Manager of Albert Einstein's social media
Reposted by Benyamin Cohen
The latest in @benyamincohen.bsky.social's series @forward.com on small Jewish communities reflects a universal truth: baseball is always the answer.
"'You don’t build the baseball diamond for them to come,' he said. 'You build it because you love baseball.'"
forward.com/news/782347/...
"'You don’t build the baseball diamond for them to come,' he said. 'You build it because you love baseball.'"
forward.com/news/782347/...
This Jewish farmer is harvesting corn — and planting a synagogue — in the Illinois prairie
Near his family’s Illinois farm, Nik Jakobs is replanting Jewish life — turning a cornfield into a synagogue and a museum of small town Jewry.
forward.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The latest in @benyamincohen.bsky.social's series @forward.com on small Jewish communities reflects a universal truth: baseball is always the answer.
"'You don’t build the baseball diamond for them to come,' he said. 'You build it because you love baseball.'"
forward.com/news/782347/...
"'You don’t build the baseball diamond for them to come,' he said. 'You build it because you love baseball.'"
forward.com/news/782347/...
I traveled to rural Illinois this fall to witness two harvests — one of crops, and one of faith. Amid the rumble of combines, a Jewish farmer is planting a synagogue in a cornfield. It’s a continuation of a story I've been reporting for months. 🧑🌾 🌽🕍 forward.com/news/782347/...
This Jewish farmer is harvesting corn — and planting a synagogue — in the Illinois prairie
Near his family’s Illinois farm, Nik Jakobs is replanting Jewish life — turning a cornfield into a synagogue and a museum of small town Jewry.
forward.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
I traveled to rural Illinois this fall to witness two harvests — one of crops, and one of faith. Amid the rumble of combines, a Jewish farmer is planting a synagogue in a cornfield. It’s a continuation of a story I've been reporting for months. 🧑🌾 🌽🕍 forward.com/news/782347/...
In my daily newsletter: Jewish farmer plants something unexpected in the cornfield – a synagogue
Plus: Jewish Democrat and critic of Israel’ vies for Nancy Pelosi’s seat • Cornell reaches deal with the Trump administration, ending antisemitism probes • And much more.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Jewish Democrat and critic of Israel’ vies for Nancy Pelosi’s seat • Cornell reaches deal with the Trump administration, ending antisemitism probes • And much more.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
November 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
In my daily newsletter: Jewish farmer plants something unexpected in the cornfield – a synagogue
Plus: Jewish Democrat and critic of Israel’ vies for Nancy Pelosi’s seat • Cornell reaches deal with the Trump administration, ending antisemitism probes • And much more.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Jewish Democrat and critic of Israel’ vies for Nancy Pelosi’s seat • Cornell reaches deal with the Trump administration, ending antisemitism probes • And much more.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
My daily newsletter: Mamdani fallout • Inside Germany’s debate over remembering the Holocaust
Plus: U.S. urges Israel to free Hamas militants • Conservatives grapple with Tucker Carlson’s embrace of antisemite • Police on alert at Israel soccer match in England • and more
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: U.S. urges Israel to free Hamas militants • Conservatives grapple with Tucker Carlson’s embrace of antisemite • Police on alert at Israel soccer match in England • and more
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
November 6, 2025 at 1:31 PM
My daily newsletter: Mamdani fallout • Inside Germany’s debate over remembering the Holocaust
Plus: U.S. urges Israel to free Hamas militants • Conservatives grapple with Tucker Carlson’s embrace of antisemite • Police on alert at Israel soccer match in England • and more
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: U.S. urges Israel to free Hamas militants • Conservatives grapple with Tucker Carlson’s embrace of antisemite • Police on alert at Israel soccer match in England • and more
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
My newsletter > Mayor Mamdani: What’s next? And 3 profound Jewish lessons from his victory
Plus: Boston suburb votes to divest from Israel • Final U.S. hostage is returned from Gaza • Trump nominates a Jewish astronaut to head NASA (again) • & more on the 2025 election
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Boston suburb votes to divest from Israel • Final U.S. hostage is returned from Gaza • Trump nominates a Jewish astronaut to head NASA (again) • & more on the 2025 election
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
November 5, 2025 at 1:07 PM
My newsletter > Mayor Mamdani: What’s next? And 3 profound Jewish lessons from his victory
Plus: Boston suburb votes to divest from Israel • Final U.S. hostage is returned from Gaza • Trump nominates a Jewish astronaut to head NASA (again) • & more on the 2025 election
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Boston suburb votes to divest from Israel • Final U.S. hostage is returned from Gaza • Trump nominates a Jewish astronaut to head NASA (again) • & more on the 2025 election
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
In my morning newsletter: How Mamdani and Cuomo built bridges to Jewish New Yorkers
Plus: Wikipedia founder slams Gaza genocide entry • Yad Vashem taps AI to ID Holocaust victims • The Rabin assassination, 30 years later • And rabbi joins Netflix’s 'Squid Games'
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Wikipedia founder slams Gaza genocide entry • Yad Vashem taps AI to ID Holocaust victims • The Rabin assassination, 30 years later • And rabbi joins Netflix’s 'Squid Games'
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
November 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
In my morning newsletter: How Mamdani and Cuomo built bridges to Jewish New Yorkers
Plus: Wikipedia founder slams Gaza genocide entry • Yad Vashem taps AI to ID Holocaust victims • The Rabin assassination, 30 years later • And rabbi joins Netflix’s 'Squid Games'
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Wikipedia founder slams Gaza genocide entry • Yad Vashem taps AI to ID Holocaust victims • The Rabin assassination, 30 years later • And rabbi joins Netflix’s 'Squid Games'
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Manhattan friends! I'll be speaking at the New York Jewish Book Festival on Sunday Nov. 16 at 12:45. Hope to see you there!
November 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Manhattan friends! I'll be speaking at the New York Jewish Book Festival on Sunday Nov. 16 at 12:45. Hope to see you there!
In my morning @jdforward newsletter > Election eve: Deeply divided Jews vote, pray, worry
Plus > GOP fights over antisemitism • Halloween float invokes Auschwitz • And a kosher pizza joint’s offer to furloughed federal workers.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > GOP fights over antisemitism • Halloween float invokes Auschwitz • And a kosher pizza joint’s offer to furloughed federal workers.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
November 3, 2025 at 2:07 PM
In my morning @jdforward newsletter > Election eve: Deeply divided Jews vote, pray, worry
Plus > GOP fights over antisemitism • Halloween float invokes Auschwitz • And a kosher pizza joint’s offer to furloughed federal workers.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > GOP fights over antisemitism • Halloween float invokes Auschwitz • And a kosher pizza joint’s offer to furloughed federal workers.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Reposted by Benyamin Cohen
I went to Germany to speak with both Jews and non-Jewish Germans who are doing the work of bringing memory culture to life — and to learn how Germany's commitment to remember the Holocaust is being strained by the post-Oct. 7 and far-right politics.
Thanks to @boellus.bsky.social for their support.
Thanks to @boellus.bsky.social for their support.
How Germany's Holocaust remembrance culture kicked off a democratic crisis
Germany’s Holocaust remembrance culture has been strained by Oct. 7 and the rise of the far-right. What happens if Germany loses its memory?
forward.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I went to Germany to speak with both Jews and non-Jewish Germans who are doing the work of bringing memory culture to life — and to learn how Germany's commitment to remember the Holocaust is being strained by the post-Oct. 7 and far-right politics.
Thanks to @boellus.bsky.social for their support.
Thanks to @boellus.bsky.social for their support.
In my morning newsletter: In America’s most Jewish city, the mayor’s race has become a test of faith — and fear
Plus: U.S. may train Palestinian police unit in Gaza • Jewish family sues Met museum over Nazi-looted Van Gogh • And the Yiddish way to celebrate Halloween.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: U.S. may train Palestinian police unit in Gaza • Jewish family sues Met museum over Nazi-looted Van Gogh • And the Yiddish way to celebrate Halloween.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
October 30, 2025 at 12:12 PM
In my morning newsletter: In America’s most Jewish city, the mayor’s race has become a test of faith — and fear
Plus: U.S. may train Palestinian police unit in Gaza • Jewish family sues Met museum over Nazi-looted Van Gogh • And the Yiddish way to celebrate Halloween.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: U.S. may train Palestinian police unit in Gaza • Jewish family sues Met museum over Nazi-looted Van Gogh • And the Yiddish way to celebrate Halloween.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
American synagogues are closing at a record rate. This retired judge is rescuing their stained glass windows. I traveled to Chicago for the latest in my Holy Ground series. 🕍 🪟 ✈️ ✍️
forward.com/news/779548/...
forward.com/news/779548/...
October 29, 2025 at 6:53 PM
American synagogues are closing at a record rate. This retired judge is rescuing their stained glass windows. I traveled to Chicago for the latest in my Holy Ground series. 🕍 🪟 ✈️ ✍️
forward.com/news/779548/...
forward.com/news/779548/...
In my morning newsletter > Ceasefire resumes after day of attacks
Plus > Mamdani's antisemitism plan collides with his anti-Zionist views • Stephen King HBO series uses Holocaust to haunt • And meet the retired judge rescuing stained glass windows.
Start your day here >
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > Mamdani's antisemitism plan collides with his anti-Zionist views • Stephen King HBO series uses Holocaust to haunt • And meet the retired judge rescuing stained glass windows.
Start your day here >
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
October 29, 2025 at 12:38 PM
In my morning newsletter > Ceasefire resumes after day of attacks
Plus > Mamdani's antisemitism plan collides with his anti-Zionist views • Stephen King HBO series uses Holocaust to haunt • And meet the retired judge rescuing stained glass windows.
Start your day here >
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > Mamdani's antisemitism plan collides with his anti-Zionist views • Stephen King HBO series uses Holocaust to haunt • And meet the retired judge rescuing stained glass windows.
Start your day here >
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
In my morning newsletter: Cuomo cuts Mamdani’s lead in half in NYC mayoral race late surge
Plus: Elon Musk launches Wikipedia competitor • Israeli town now home to U.S. soldiers • Tucker Carlson hosts Holocaust denier • And how Talmudic rabbis are like elite video gamers
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Elon Musk launches Wikipedia competitor • Israeli town now home to U.S. soldiers • Tucker Carlson hosts Holocaust denier • And how Talmudic rabbis are like elite video gamers
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
In my morning newsletter: Cuomo cuts Mamdani’s lead in half in NYC mayoral race late surge
Plus: Elon Musk launches Wikipedia competitor • Israeli town now home to U.S. soldiers • Tucker Carlson hosts Holocaust denier • And how Talmudic rabbis are like elite video gamers
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Elon Musk launches Wikipedia competitor • Israeli town now home to U.S. soldiers • Tucker Carlson hosts Holocaust denier • And how Talmudic rabbis are like elite video gamers
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
In my morning @jdforward newsletter > Tree of Life massacre, seven years later • Mamdani’s moment
Plus > Vice President JD Vance, Kristen Bell, Sen. Marco Rubio, Laura Loomer and the Jewish mentalist featured on last night’s '60 Minutes.'
Start your day here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > Vice President JD Vance, Kristen Bell, Sen. Marco Rubio, Laura Loomer and the Jewish mentalist featured on last night’s '60 Minutes.'
Start your day here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
October 27, 2025 at 12:53 PM
In my morning @jdforward newsletter > Tree of Life massacre, seven years later • Mamdani’s moment
Plus > Vice President JD Vance, Kristen Bell, Sen. Marco Rubio, Laura Loomer and the Jewish mentalist featured on last night’s '60 Minutes.'
Start your day here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > Vice President JD Vance, Kristen Bell, Sen. Marco Rubio, Laura Loomer and the Jewish mentalist featured on last night’s '60 Minutes.'
Start your day here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
✅ Bucket list item checked: Hiking the Swiss Alps 🇨🇭 🏔️
October 16, 2025 at 9:09 AM
✅ Bucket list item checked: Hiking the Swiss Alps 🇨🇭 🏔️
In my daily Forward newsletter > ‘Morning of hope’: Israel and Hamas reach deal to release all hostages
Plus > Will Trump win Nobel Peace Prize? • Why a school fighting antisemitism wrong is winning Jewish praise • Remembering Zabar’s Zabar • And much more.
Start here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > Will Trump win Nobel Peace Prize? • Why a school fighting antisemitism wrong is winning Jewish praise • Remembering Zabar’s Zabar • And much more.
Start here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
October 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
In my daily Forward newsletter > ‘Morning of hope’: Israel and Hamas reach deal to release all hostages
Plus > Will Trump win Nobel Peace Prize? • Why a school fighting antisemitism wrong is winning Jewish praise • Remembering Zabar’s Zabar • And much more.
Start here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > Will Trump win Nobel Peace Prize? • Why a school fighting antisemitism wrong is winning Jewish praise • Remembering Zabar’s Zabar • And much more.
Start here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
In my morning newsletter > Two years, one hope: Deal nears on war’s anniversary
Plus > Mamdani’s Jewish outreach • Texas school district bans Holocaust novel • New Jersey rabbi assaulted • And watch comedian Alex Edelman’s Yom Kippur sermon.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > Mamdani’s Jewish outreach • Texas school district bans Holocaust novel • New Jersey rabbi assaulted • And watch comedian Alex Edelman’s Yom Kippur sermon.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
October 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM
In my morning newsletter > Two years, one hope: Deal nears on war’s anniversary
Plus > Mamdani’s Jewish outreach • Texas school district bans Holocaust novel • New Jersey rabbi assaulted • And watch comedian Alex Edelman’s Yom Kippur sermon.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus > Mamdani’s Jewish outreach • Texas school district bans Holocaust novel • New Jersey rabbi assaulted • And watch comedian Alex Edelman’s Yom Kippur sermon.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
When the Chabad rabbi comes to your house with his own power tools to cut down bamboo for the upcoming Sukkot holiday. #WestVirginia 🌿🪚✡️
October 5, 2025 at 8:31 PM
When the Chabad rabbi comes to your house with his own power tools to cut down bamboo for the upcoming Sukkot holiday. #WestVirginia 🌿🪚✡️
In my daily newsletter: A new Yom Kippur liturgy • Why U.S. social media influencers are campaigning for Israel
Plus: Apple sued over antisemitism • Charlie Kirk’s message to Netanyahu • University will vote on Yom Kippur over whether to boycott Israel • And much more.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Apple sued over antisemitism • Charlie Kirk’s message to Netanyahu • University will vote on Yom Kippur over whether to boycott Israel • And much more.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
October 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
In my daily newsletter: A new Yom Kippur liturgy • Why U.S. social media influencers are campaigning for Israel
Plus: Apple sued over antisemitism • Charlie Kirk’s message to Netanyahu • University will vote on Yom Kippur over whether to boycott Israel • And much more.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Apple sued over antisemitism • Charlie Kirk’s message to Netanyahu • University will vote on Yom Kippur over whether to boycott Israel • And much more.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
My daily newsletter: Trump reveals peace plan, as support for Israel drops among U.S. voters
Plus: Elon Musk says ADL ‘hates Christians’ • John Oliver slams Netanyahu • Palestinian American launches bid for Georgia governor • & the Hitler sitcom that aired only 1 episode
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Elon Musk says ADL ‘hates Christians’ • John Oliver slams Netanyahu • Palestinian American launches bid for Georgia governor • & the Hitler sitcom that aired only 1 episode
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
September 30, 2025 at 12:32 PM
My daily newsletter: Trump reveals peace plan, as support for Israel drops among U.S. voters
Plus: Elon Musk says ADL ‘hates Christians’ • John Oliver slams Netanyahu • Palestinian American launches bid for Georgia governor • & the Hitler sitcom that aired only 1 episode
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Elon Musk says ADL ‘hates Christians’ • John Oliver slams Netanyahu • Palestinian American launches bid for Georgia governor • & the Hitler sitcom that aired only 1 episode
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
In my daily newsletter: Kushner returns as Trump, Netanyahu eye Gaza breakthrough
Plus: Northwestern bars students for not watching antisemitism video • New York mayoral race gets shaken up • Friends creator gifts shul $25 million • And much more.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Northwestern bars students for not watching antisemitism video • New York mayoral race gets shaken up • Friends creator gifts shul $25 million • And much more.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
September 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
In my daily newsletter: Kushner returns as Trump, Netanyahu eye Gaza breakthrough
Plus: Northwestern bars students for not watching antisemitism video • New York mayoral race gets shaken up • Friends creator gifts shul $25 million • And much more.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Northwestern bars students for not watching antisemitism video • New York mayoral race gets shaken up • Friends creator gifts shul $25 million • And much more.
Start your week here > mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
In my daily newsletter: A High Holiday helpline for rabbis is flooded with millennial calls
Plus: Bernie Sanders becomes first senator to accuse Israel of genocide • Jews, Christians pray for Charlie Kirk at holy Muslim site • And a new interview with Woody Allen.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Bernie Sanders becomes first senator to accuse Israel of genocide • Jews, Christians pray for Charlie Kirk at holy Muslim site • And a new interview with Woody Allen.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
September 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM
In my daily newsletter: A High Holiday helpline for rabbis is flooded with millennial calls
Plus: Bernie Sanders becomes first senator to accuse Israel of genocide • Jews, Christians pray for Charlie Kirk at holy Muslim site • And a new interview with Woody Allen.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Bernie Sanders becomes first senator to accuse Israel of genocide • Jews, Christians pray for Charlie Kirk at holy Muslim site • And a new interview with Woody Allen.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
In my daily newsletter: As Democrats shift on Israel, Josh Shapiro stands firm
Plus: Jerry leaves Ben & Jerry’s over Gaza • Most Jewish college students hide religious identity, new study finds • Robert Redford’s surprisingly Jewish legacy • & the Tinder Swindler arrested
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Jerry leaves Ben & Jerry’s over Gaza • Most Jewish college students hide religious identity, new study finds • Robert Redford’s surprisingly Jewish legacy • & the Tinder Swindler arrested
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
September 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
In my daily newsletter: As Democrats shift on Israel, Josh Shapiro stands firm
Plus: Jerry leaves Ben & Jerry’s over Gaza • Most Jewish college students hide religious identity, new study finds • Robert Redford’s surprisingly Jewish legacy • & the Tinder Swindler arrested
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Jerry leaves Ben & Jerry’s over Gaza • Most Jewish college students hide religious identity, new study finds • Robert Redford’s surprisingly Jewish legacy • & the Tinder Swindler arrested
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
In my daily newsletter: ‘Gaza is burning,’ as Israel begins attack • Why two Beverly Hills rabbis are fighting
Plus: Andrew Cuomo's Israel pivot • Christians divided over Charlie Kirk martyrdom • Hollywood’s self-sabotage over Gaza • & Robert Redford's most Jewish roles.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Andrew Cuomo's Israel pivot • Christians divided over Charlie Kirk martyrdom • Hollywood’s self-sabotage over Gaza • & Robert Redford's most Jewish roles.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
September 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
In my daily newsletter: ‘Gaza is burning,’ as Israel begins attack • Why two Beverly Hills rabbis are fighting
Plus: Andrew Cuomo's Israel pivot • Christians divided over Charlie Kirk martyrdom • Hollywood’s self-sabotage over Gaza • & Robert Redford's most Jewish roles.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Plus: Andrew Cuomo's Israel pivot • Christians divided over Charlie Kirk martyrdom • Hollywood’s self-sabotage over Gaza • & Robert Redford's most Jewish roles.
mailchi.mp/forward/1292...
Christian debate over whether Charlie Kirk was a martyr raises questions for Jews about how comfortably language of religious martyrdom is being fused into American politics — and what that means for pluralism, dissent and the separation of church and state.
My latest: forward.com/news/769333/...
My latest: forward.com/news/769333/...
Was Charlie Kirk a martyr? Here’s why Christians are divided and Jews should care
Evangelical leaders are casting Charlie Kirk as a Christian martyr, while other pastors reject that framing, warning it deepens America’s divisions.
forward.com
September 15, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Christian debate over whether Charlie Kirk was a martyr raises questions for Jews about how comfortably language of religious martyrdom is being fused into American politics — and what that means for pluralism, dissent and the separation of church and state.
My latest: forward.com/news/769333/...
My latest: forward.com/news/769333/...