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Jessica Steinberg

Jessica Steinberg

The Times of Israel

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Hostages’ mothers, wives and sisters honored on International Women’s Day

Peres Center honors women who are shaping Israel’s post-October 7 recovery: ‘We’re fighters and we’ll change the world with...

19.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Two days after release, ex-captive warns remaining hostages ‘don’t have any more time’

Two days after release, ex-captive warns remaining hostages ‘don’t have any more time’

Iair Horn addresses rally at Hostages Square that caps fast, events held throughout day to mark 500 days since Hamas-led attack; relatives urge deal...

18.02.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Hostages’ families mark 500th day of captivity with fast, rallies across Israel

Hostages’ families mark 500th day of captivity with fast, rallies across Israel

Activists block roads, march to Knesset, call for 500-minute fast to mark days since hostages’ abduction; ‘They’ve already been fasting...

17.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 17: Day 500 – Trump team pushes for talks, unclear what PM wants

Daily Briefing Feb. 17: Day 500 – Trump team pushes for talks, unclear what PM wants

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman discusses Netanyahu’s successful meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as Trump officials look...

17.02.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

It’s a rap: 71 performers celebrate the genre on one Israeli album

It’s a rap: 71 performers celebrate the genre on one Israeli album

‘Mitz LaMax’ has 16 original songs by generations of rappers and hip-hop artists

17.02.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Girlfriend of freed hostage Sasha Troufanov: He prayed I would find someone else to love

Girlfriend of freed hostage Sasha Troufanov: He prayed I would find someone else to love

‘He didn’t want me waiting for a man he thought would never return home. He didn’t believe he would survive,’ Sapir Cohen...

17.02.2025 80

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 16: Day 499 – Freed Nir Oz hostages describe torture, torment in Gaza

Daily Briefing Feb. 16: Day 499 – Freed Nir Oz hostages describe torture, torment in Gaza

Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz discusses details revealed by the newly released hostages, and the prime minister’s ‘wriggling’...

16.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Decade after debut, director puts hostage David Cunio back on big screen at Berlinale

Award-winning filmmaker Tom Shoval screens ‘A Letter to David’ at Berlin film festival as a show of support for the Nir Oz captive who starred in...

14.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Ireland’s anti-Israel stance has Jews on edge: ‘We feel unheard and unseen’

‘Nuanced antisemitism’ has upended pre-Oct. 7 sense of security, says community leader: ‘Demonization of Israel gets to our core’; many said...

13.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Released hostage Karina Ariev’s sister says ex-soldier focused on Oct. 7 failure

Released hostage Karina Ariev’s sister says ex-soldier focused on Oct. 7 failure

Sasha Ariev talks about Karina’s desire to commemorate her friends killed at Nahal Oz, as Shlomi Berger, father of released hostage Agam talks...

13.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

A Gaza-border kibbutznik casts an eye homeward as temporary Tel Aviv relocation drags on

A Gaza-border kibbutznik casts an eye homeward as temporary Tel Aviv relocation drags on

Textile artist Reut Nechushtan speaks about the challenges of city life for an agricultural collective forced to flee after the horrors of Oct. 7

13.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 13: Day 496 – Likud lawmakers push toward Haredi draft

Daily Briefing Feb. 13: Day 496 – Likud lawmakers push toward Haredi draft

Political correspondent Sam Sokol reviews political shifts on Haredi military service; environment reporter Sue Surkes reports on Jewish Climate Trust...

13.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Hostage Nimrod Cohen’s family pressure, protest and petition to get their son home

Hostage Nimrod Cohen’s family pressure, protest and petition to get their son home

Family of soldier who was dragged from his tank on Oct. 7 accuses the gov’t of continued abandonment of the hostages; a newly freed captive has...

12.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 12: Day 495 – With ceasefire stalling, Israel scrambles to respond

Daily Briefing Feb. 12: Day 495 – With ceasefire stalling, Israel scrambles to respond

US bureau chief Jacob Magid discusses the prime minister’s mixed messages on the hostages, Trump’s meeting with the Jordanian king, and a shift...

12.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

‘Captain America’ premiere starring Israeli Shira Haas draws protest

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators call for boycott of ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ in which an Israeli superhero works for the US government

12.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Nova community to get proceeds of exhibit showcasing Israeli art

Nova community to get proceeds of exhibit showcasing Israeli art

Bank Hapoalim’s annual ‘Israeli Art’ event will donate 75% of proceeds from sales to helping survivors, the bereaved and families of hostages...

11.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 11: Day 494 – Will the ceasefire hold? Cabinet discusses next steps

Daily Briefing Feb. 11: Day 494 – Will the ceasefire hold? Cabinet discusses next steps

Political correspondent Tal Schneider brings us latest on hostages, Hamas allegations and moves Israel could make; Diaspora reporter Zev Stub reviews...

11.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 10: Day 493 – Netanyahu has Trump’s support but what’s his game plan?

Daily Briefing Feb. 10: Day 493 – Netanyahu has Trump’s support but what’s his game plan?

Founding editor David Horovitz discusses a heartbreaking TV interview with the mother of Alon Ohel, the status of the hostage deal, and Netanyahu’s...

10.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

This Romanian baritone sings arias in Israel, even after Oct. 7

This Romanian baritone sings arias in Israel, even after Oct. 7

Ionut Pascu, currently playing Iago in ‘Otello,’ brings his audiences into an opera ‘bubble,’ while not ignoring the reality of living in a...

10.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Released hostage Keith Siegel’s siblings say their brother tracked calendar to stay sane

Released hostage Keith Siegel’s siblings say their brother tracked calendar to stay sane

Siegel’s family have spent past week together, reminiscing and listening to his harrowing details of the last 15 months

10.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Nuchem and Libbi return to screen in ‘Shtisel’ prequel ‘Kugel’

Nuchem and Libbi return to screen in ‘Shtisel’ prequel ‘Kugel’

It’s a reunion with the family angst, drama and Haredi ambience of the Antwerp branch

09.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 9: Day 492 – 2 released hostages didn’t know loved ones were killed

Daily Briefing Feb. 9: Day 492 – 2 released hostages didn’t know loved ones were killed

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian discusses freed captives, Gazans’ return to Netzarim Corridor area, plus IDF’s Saturday strikes against...

09.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 7: Day 490 – With US backing, Israel wants more hostages in first stage

Daily Briefing Feb. 7: Day 490 – With US backing, Israel wants more hostages in first stage

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman reports on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s US visit, Trump administration’s warmth and aim to get more hostages...

07.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 6: Day 489 – Trump’s Gaza plan pleases some MKs, alarms others

Daily Briefing Feb. 6: Day 489 – Trump’s Gaza plan pleases some MKs, alarms others

Political correspondent Sam Sokol on a range of reactions in the political echelon to the US president’s idea to relocate Gazans; Diana Bletter...

06.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Now in blue: Museum exhibits first works by Be’eri artist Ziva Jelin since October 7

Now in blue: Museum exhibits first works by Be’eri artist Ziva Jelin since October 7

Gaza-border kibbutz painter known for large red landscapes, which took bullets during Hamas invasion; ‘What the Heart Wants, Art as a Gateway to...

06.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Feb. 5: Day 488 – Trump thrills Netanyahu, calls Gaza a hellhole

Daily Briefing Feb. 5: Day 488 – Trump thrills Netanyahu, calls Gaza a hellhole

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. ...

06.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Despite suffering, Romi Gonen returned from captivity with a smile, says mother

Despite suffering, Romi Gonen returned from captivity with a smile, says mother

Meirav Leshem Gonen tells ToI about the terrible conditions her daughter endured, hails all the hostages who’ve come home as ‘true survivors… they...

05.02.2025 8

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Freed IDF soldiers celebrate release from hospital with singer Elai Botner

Freed IDF soldiers celebrate release from hospital with singer Elai Botner

Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag and Agam Berger sing and dance onstage before four of them head home for first time since...

05.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Facing criticism, Netflix insists it does invest in original Israeli content

After coming under attack by local industry executives, streaming platform points to Hebrew-language ‘Bros’ and upcoming project with Lior Raz and...

04.02.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Family of freed hostage Yarden Bibas: He asks about wife and sons, we have no answers

‘Where are Shiri and the children? We won’t accept this uncertainty any longer,’ says Shiri’s sister; Keith Siegel’s daughter says he was...

04.02.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Haifa artists exhibit in Cuba, despite its non-recognition of Israel

Veteran artists Belu-Simion Fainaru and Avital Bar-Shay participate in Havana Biennale

04.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Hostage rallies press Trump, Netanyahu to not let deal fall apart before all go free

Hostage rallies press Trump, Netanyahu to not let deal fall apart before all go free

Glee for those coming home tempered by concern for scores of remaining hostages, with many expressing concerns that political interests will win out...

02.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

University of Michigan suspends pro-Palestinian group for 2 years

University of Michigan suspends pro-Palestinian group for 2 years

Students Allied for Freedom and Equality accused of violating conduct policy; university says ‘protests are welcome’ but not if they infringe on...

01.02.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

David Grossman, rapper Shaanan Streett reunite to voice nation’s pain

David Grossman, rapper Shaanan Streett reunite to voice nation’s pain

Artist Zeev Engelmayer also joins in to create ‘A Sudden Cry,’ an animated music video expressing the country’s sorrow and need for action...

01.02.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

In battle-weary Gaza envelope, annual anemone event seeks to make region bloom again

In battle-weary Gaza envelope, annual anemone event seeks to make region bloom again

A muted version of the annual flower pilgrimage in February will memorialize those killed and kidnapped on Oct. 7, and host the small businesses again...

01.02.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Safely home, freed hostage Gadi Mozes shaves son’s 482-day beard

Yair had vowed not to cut his facial hair until his father returned; Gadi also takes razor to grandson’s Erez’s curls

31.01.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Jan. 31: Day 483 – After chaotic hostage scene, Israel demands calmer handovers

Reporter Amy Spiro discusses aftermath of Thursday releases, Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit with released surveillance soldiers and in Hostages...

31.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Working through the trauma, Thai farmhands who survived Oct. 7 return to the fields

While many lost colleagues and friends in the Hamas terror onslaught, foreign agricultural workers still need to support families back home. But not...

30.01.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Jan. 29: Day 481 – Is Trump’s new deal moving Gazans out of Gaza?

US bureau chief Jacob Magid discusses US president’s first days in office, Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff’s connection to hostages’ families,...

29.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Jan. 27: Day 479 – Some Gazans return north as more hostages set to be freed

Political correspondent Tal Schneider discusses latest in Hamas ceasefire-hostage deal, Hezbollah truce, and Kibbutz Nir Oz; reporter Sue Surkes talks...

27.01.2025 80

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

The way we wore: Textile exhibits weave local history of fabric craft

The art of textiles are examined in five related shows at the Herzliya Museum, while an exhibit of recycled materials at Hiriya looks at the waste...

27.01.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Father of freed hostage says nation ‘will settle accounts’ with those who opposed deal

‘I despise you,’ says Eli Albag, father of surveillance soldier Liri, to those who voted against hostage-ceasefire deal; families single out Trump...

27.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Choreographer looks back on a year of dances for freed captive

Etai Peri, who once taught released hostage Romi Gonen, reflects on leading movement events with her friends at Hostages Square

26.01.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

‘Done a lot of praying’: Family of hostage Agam Berger finds strength, hope in faith

As relatives anxiously await Agam’s possible return home, her cousin, YouTuber Ashley Waxman Bakshi, says Jewish rituals have been a source of...

24.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Jan. 23: Day 475 – Tensions grow as next release of hostages nears

Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz discusses twists and turns of the ceasefire deal; the PA and Gaza; and the resignation of IDF chief...

23.01.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

‘The 16th Sheep’ a hit at first of sold-out reunion shows

Audience sings every word along with Yehudit Ravitz, David Broza, Gidi Gov and Yoni Rechter

23.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Daily Briefing Jan. 21: Day 473 – Trump hails Gaza ceasefire during inauguration

US bureau chief Jacob Magid reviews comments about the ceasefire and hostages made by new US president as he began his second term in office

21.01.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Father and husband of hostages freed in Nov. 2023 on what lies ahead for the newly released

Avihai Brodutch, who sat outside Defense Ministry demanding return of his family, says the 3 hostages freed after 471 days, 2 of whom are from his...

19.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

14 months after hostage son was freed, father says family still held captive by trauma

Ahead of the ceasefire and first phase of hostage deal, Yoav Engel gives a glimpse into the world of a family shaken by their child’s Oct. 7...

19.01.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Israelis head to streets to rally for and against brewing hostage deal

Thousands attend Tel Aviv demonstration in eager anticipation of Hamas’s response to proposal, while hundreds in Jerusalem fume at government over...

15.01.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg