Sam Biederman News Today

Today's Water Cooler

(JTA) — One week ago, Jews outside of Ukraine knew Volodymyr Zelensky as the world leader on the other end of the “perfect phone call” that

Leading his country in battle against Russian invasion, Jewish president is being compared to storied heroes, while also seen as dispelling notions of Jews as unpatriotic

One of many similar reactions: "As a Jew, it is impossible not to feel proud of the courage, dignity, and defiance shown by Zelenskyy."

Workers have removed the iconic Theodore Roosevelt statue that had stood in front of Manhattan's Museum of Natural History since 1940. 

A statue honoring Theodore Roosevelt, which stands in front of NYC's American Museum of Natural History, is heading for a new home.

The Theodore Roosevelt statue outside Manhattans Natural Museum of American History was vandalized with red paint early on Wednesday morning.

Sam Biederman, chief of staff of the New York City Parks Department, said the statue “was not erected with malice of intent” during Monday’s meeting. However, he agreed that the subject matter and content “supports a thematic framework of colonization and racism.”

A controversial statue of Theodore Roosevelt will finally be moved from its current location after years of debate -- and one year after a formal request for its removal. The New York City Public Design Commission unanimously voted in favor of the move Monday.