Friday’s News & Ideas - 9/26/2025

The origins of today’s conflict between American Jews over Israel
The Guardian: In the early years, American Jewish support for Israel was a fraught issue. The turning point was the six-day war of 1967, which solidified a strength of feeling that has only recently begun to fracture.

For Erika Kirk, a husband’s life cut short by violence he seemed to foresee*
The New York Times: In an interview, the wife of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk said she had implored him to wear a bulletproof vest. But she sees divine work in his death.

Voddie Baucham Jr., conservative Black pastor and seminary leader, dies at 56
Religion News Service: Baucham, who had a history of health issues, had recently started a new role as president of a startup seminary.

Holy war: How Russia recruited Orthodox priests to sway Moldova’s voters
Reuters: Russia paid for Moldovan Orthodox priests to make Moscow pilgrimages and gave them debit cards loaded with hundreds of dollars on their return home. In exchange, priests created Telegram channels to influence Moldova’s elections.

Latest update of 1844 American songbook reflects new generation of ‘Sacred Harp’ singers
NPR: “The Sacred Harp,” first published in 1844, contains hymns and anthems written with “shape notes,” designed to aid sight reading.

The Spark

The human stain remover: What Britain’s greatest extreme cleaner learned from 25 years on the job
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen it, and cleaned it, all. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to restore order, The Guardian says.

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