Judith Hertog
@jbher.bsky.social
Writer, doubter, traveler, serial immigrant.
Bylines: New York Times, The Sun, Longreads, Tricycle, The Atlantic etc.
Interests: words, stories, the world, humans, and how humans make sense of this messy world.
www.judithhertog.com
Bylines: New York Times, The Sun, Longreads, Tricycle, The Atlantic etc.
Interests: words, stories, the world, humans, and how humans make sense of this messy world.
www.judithhertog.com
Pinned
Judith Hertog
@jbher.bsky.social
· Nov 14
The one thing for which I thank Trump:
He has cured me of imposter syndrome. Whenever I feel unqualified to do something, I think of him being president.
He has cured me of imposter syndrome. Whenever I feel unqualified to do something, I think of him being president.
My essay, Zion, about being in Shangri-La Tibet on October 7th 2023, is now up at Liberties Journal @readliberties.
I wrote about my despair and about trying to hold on to hope. Because, really, what do we have but hope?
Read the full essay at libertiesjournal.com/online-artic...
Read the full essay at libertiesjournal.com/online-artic...
Shangri-La: October Seventh, 2023
I was in Shangri-La, in a village in the Tibetan Himalayas on October 7th, 2023. More precisely, I was in the Shangri-La tourism zone of Yunnan, a popular Chinese travel destination marketed as the “t...
libertiesjournal.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:11 PM
My essay, Zion, about being in Shangri-La Tibet on October 7th 2023, is now up at Liberties Journal @readliberties.
I wrote about my despair and about trying to hold on to hope. Because, really, what do we have but hope?
Read the full essay at libertiesjournal.com/online-artic...
Read the full essay at libertiesjournal.com/online-artic...
I’m pleased and honored that my manuscript in progress, Jerusalem Syndrome, was a semi finalist for the 2025 Hudson Prize. I’ll keep working on it and hope to find a home for it soon.
We are thrilled to announce the finalists and semi-finalists for the 2025 Hudson Prize! We'd like to thank all of the writers and poets who submitted their work.
The winner will be selected from the pool of finalists and will be announced in August—stay tuned!
The winner will be selected from the pool of finalists and will be announced in August—stay tuned!
July 25, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I’m pleased and honored that my manuscript in progress, Jerusalem Syndrome, was a semi finalist for the 2025 Hudson Prize. I’ll keep working on it and hope to find a home for it soon.
“For many American Jews, being pro-Israel really has little to do with Israel.”
From my interview with Shaul Magid for The Sun Magazine, in which he talks about his concept of “counter-Zionism” and why so many American Jews are more “pro-Israel” than many average Israelis. tinyurl.com/c4ukn8ra
From my interview with Shaul Magid for The Sun Magazine, in which he talks about his concept of “counter-Zionism” and why so many American Jews are more “pro-Israel” than many average Israelis. tinyurl.com/c4ukn8ra
Long Shadows
Hertog: How do we disentangle anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism?
Magid: I certainly don’t think that anti-Semitism is the only reason people are out in the streets protesting the war in Gaza. You jus...
tinyurl.com
July 13, 2025 at 9:41 PM
“For many American Jews, being pro-Israel really has little to do with Israel.”
From my interview with Shaul Magid for The Sun Magazine, in which he talks about his concept of “counter-Zionism” and why so many American Jews are more “pro-Israel” than many average Israelis. tinyurl.com/c4ukn8ra
From my interview with Shaul Magid for The Sun Magazine, in which he talks about his concept of “counter-Zionism” and why so many American Jews are more “pro-Israel” than many average Israelis. tinyurl.com/c4ukn8ra
"Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people"
Exactly 425 years ago Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for arguing that the earth revolves around the sun.
Exactly 425 years ago Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for arguing that the earth revolves around the sun.
February 18, 2025 at 2:43 AM
"Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people"
Exactly 425 years ago Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for arguing that the earth revolves around the sun.
Exactly 425 years ago Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for arguing that the earth revolves around the sun.
On my laptop, I just came across this old document that dates back to the previous Trump presidency. These are tips for resistance and maintaining community.
I don't remember where I got all these tips, but I think some of them are helpful...
Do you have anything to add?
I don't remember where I got all these tips, but I think some of them are helpful...
Do you have anything to add?
February 8, 2025 at 8:38 PM
On my laptop, I just came across this old document that dates back to the previous Trump presidency. These are tips for resistance and maintaining community.
I don't remember where I got all these tips, but I think some of them are helpful...
Do you have anything to add?
I don't remember where I got all these tips, but I think some of them are helpful...
Do you have anything to add?
I asked DeepSeek if it's censored. It's own honest answer: "DeepSeek’s models are required to comply with strict Chinese regulations, including censorship of politically sensitive topics. For instance, it avoids discussing subjects like Tiananmen Square or criticism of the Chinese Communist Party."
January 29, 2025 at 2:44 AM
I asked DeepSeek if it's censored. It's own honest answer: "DeepSeek’s models are required to comply with strict Chinese regulations, including censorship of politically sensitive topics. For instance, it avoids discussing subjects like Tiananmen Square or criticism of the Chinese Communist Party."
Reposted by Judith Hertog
She complained that life in Hangzhou was stressful and competitive. “But today I am Drolma,” she said, “a #Tibetan girl who is free and joyful and lives without care.”
@jbher.bsky.social @foreignpolicy.com
foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/24/c...
@jbher.bsky.social @foreignpolicy.com
foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/24/c...
How Tourism Trapped Tibet
The region is becoming a theme park for the Chinese nation.
foreignpolicy.com
January 25, 2025 at 11:33 AM
She complained that life in Hangzhou was stressful and competitive. “But today I am Drolma,” she said, “a #Tibetan girl who is free and joyful and lives without care.”
@jbher.bsky.social @foreignpolicy.com
foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/24/c...
@jbher.bsky.social @foreignpolicy.com
foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/24/c...
“But today I am Drolma,” she said, “a Tibetan girl who is free and joyful and lives without care.”
Foreign Policy just published my article and photo reportage about China's commodification of Tibet.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/24/c...
Foreign Policy just published my article and photo reportage about China's commodification of Tibet.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/24/c...
January 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
“But today I am Drolma,” she said, “a Tibetan girl who is free and joyful and lives without care.”
Foreign Policy just published my article and photo reportage about China's commodification of Tibet.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/24/c...
Foreign Policy just published my article and photo reportage about China's commodification of Tibet.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/24/c...
@genesegrill.bsky.social 'Humor was central to her': Portrait of Hannah Arendt as an unknown poet, translated by Samantha Rose Hill and Genese Grill.
www.haaretz.com/life/books/2...
www.haaretz.com/life/books/2...
'Humor was central to her': Portrait of Hannah Arendt as an unknown poet
***
www.haaretz.com
December 23, 2024 at 9:16 AM
@genesegrill.bsky.social 'Humor was central to her': Portrait of Hannah Arendt as an unknown poet, translated by Samantha Rose Hill and Genese Grill.
www.haaretz.com/life/books/2...
www.haaretz.com/life/books/2...
The LA Times has proposed to improve “journalistic objectivity” by having AI algorithms write “two-sides” of each stories. Soon we’ll have AI write our news, read our books, make our decisions, create our art... and then we can all just go to sleep and let AI live our lives.
tinyurl.com/5xeyhjyk
tinyurl.com/5xeyhjyk
Los Angeles Times owner says articles will use AI meter to show sources’ ‘bias’
Biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong also wants to include more conservative voices in paper’s opinion section
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2024 at 4:18 AM
The LA Times has proposed to improve “journalistic objectivity” by having AI algorithms write “two-sides” of each stories. Soon we’ll have AI write our news, read our books, make our decisions, create our art... and then we can all just go to sleep and let AI live our lives.
tinyurl.com/5xeyhjyk
tinyurl.com/5xeyhjyk
“Both sides”? Who decided that there are only two sides to everything?
How about three sides? Four sides? A multitude of sides?
“Two sides” was a cost-cutting concept media companies came up with to claim they’re “unbiased” when quoting 2 sources without actually researching the story.
How about three sides? Four sides? A multitude of sides?
“Two sides” was a cost-cutting concept media companies came up with to claim they’re “unbiased” when quoting 2 sources without actually researching the story.
LA Times owner plans to add AI-powered ‘bias meter’ on news stories, sparking newsroom backlash. www.cnn.com/2024/12/05/m... "The reader can press a button and get both sides of that exact same story," says the owner.
If you think "critical of" equals "biased about" then you may enjoy this machine.
If you think "critical of" equals "biased about" then you may enjoy this machine.
LA Times owner plans to add AI-powered ‘bias meter’ on news stories, sparking newsroom backlash | CNN Business
Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, who blocked the newspaper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris and plans to overhaul its editorial board, says he will implement an artificial intelligence-power...
www.cnn.com
December 7, 2024 at 4:57 AM
“Both sides”? Who decided that there are only two sides to everything?
How about three sides? Four sides? A multitude of sides?
“Two sides” was a cost-cutting concept media companies came up with to claim they’re “unbiased” when quoting 2 sources without actually researching the story.
How about three sides? Four sides? A multitude of sides?
“Two sides” was a cost-cutting concept media companies came up with to claim they’re “unbiased” when quoting 2 sources without actually researching the story.
Reposted by Judith Hertog
I don't know who needs to know this, but Pro Publica has an online thing that will format a letter to your US health insurance company to demand the records behind a claim denial. (which the insurance is then legally required to provide in most cases)
projects.propublica.org/claimfile/
projects.propublica.org/claimfile/
Find Out Why Health Insurance Denied Your Claim
You likely have the right to access records that explain why your insurer denied your claim or prior authorization request. Use ProPublica’s free tool to generate a letter requesting your claim file f...
projects.propublica.org
March 22, 2024 at 1:25 PM
I don't know who needs to know this, but Pro Publica has an online thing that will format a letter to your US health insurance company to demand the records behind a claim denial. (which the insurance is then legally required to provide in most cases)
projects.propublica.org/claimfile/
projects.propublica.org/claimfile/
As an Israeli, I must say: there’s no denying Israel is committing ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon agrees.
To American Jews and AIPEC I say: Your uncritical support of Netanyahu hasn't helped the Israeli people. It helped these extremists stay in power.
To American Jews and AIPEC I say: Your uncritical support of Netanyahu hasn't helped the Israeli people. It helped these extremists stay in power.
Ethnic cleansing in Gaza? Israel's ex-defense chief warns, extremist ministers confirm | Haaretz Today
Ethnic cleansing in Gaza? Israel's ex-defense chief warns, extremist ministers confirm
***
www.haaretz.com
December 3, 2024 at 9:12 PM
As an Israeli, I must say: there’s no denying Israel is committing ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon agrees.
To American Jews and AIPEC I say: Your uncritical support of Netanyahu hasn't helped the Israeli people. It helped these extremists stay in power.
To American Jews and AIPEC I say: Your uncritical support of Netanyahu hasn't helped the Israeli people. It helped these extremists stay in power.
And don’t succumb to despair. Which is really, really hard.
Many people ask how we resist. First, urge all civil and business leaders not to surrender in advance. Second, support organizations fighting for democracy and the rule of law. Third, get involved with your local community to build a strong civil society.
December 2, 2024 at 6:02 PM
And don’t succumb to despair. Which is really, really hard.
#20BookChallenge
A favorite from my teenage years. I wrote an essay about rereading it as an adult.
A favorite from my teenage years. I wrote an essay about rereading it as an adult.
December 2, 2024 at 4:46 PM
#20BookChallenge
A favorite from my teenage years. I wrote an essay about rereading it as an adult.
A favorite from my teenage years. I wrote an essay about rereading it as an adult.
And if your local bookstore doesn't carry everything you're looking for, you can order used books online from independent marketplace Biblio: www.biblio.com
don't order books (or anything) from Amazon today! Instead, order from a small press, Bookshop, a local bookstore, or request a book from your local library. Yes, Amazon is "easy," but it's continuing to kill local businesses and concentrate wealth.
November 30, 2024 at 10:44 PM
And if your local bookstore doesn't carry everything you're looking for, you can order used books online from independent marketplace Biblio: www.biblio.com
#20BookChallenge
Funny, smart, sad, subversive: a travelogue against travel.
I first fell in love with Diski when I read this 2014 essay in the LRB about her cancer diagnosis. Maybe the funniest patient essay I’ve read. Unfortunately,she died less than 2 years later. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v3...
Funny, smart, sad, subversive: a travelogue against travel.
I first fell in love with Diski when I read this 2014 essay in the LRB about her cancer diagnosis. Maybe the funniest patient essay I’ve read. Unfortunately,she died less than 2 years later. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v3...
November 30, 2024 at 9:54 PM
#20BookChallenge
Funny, smart, sad, subversive: a travelogue against travel.
I first fell in love with Diski when I read this 2014 essay in the LRB about her cancer diagnosis. Maybe the funniest patient essay I’ve read. Unfortunately,she died less than 2 years later. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v3...
Funny, smart, sad, subversive: a travelogue against travel.
I first fell in love with Diski when I read this 2014 essay in the LRB about her cancer diagnosis. Maybe the funniest patient essay I’ve read. Unfortunately,she died less than 2 years later. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v3...
“Pro-Palestine” activists in Montreal have succeeded in canceling the screening of a film that shows architecture's complicity in the Israeli occupation. Why? Because the filmmaker happens to be Canadian-Israeli. What a way to promote awareness of your cause and make allies!
Humans are indeed mad.
Humans are indeed mad.
Rule of Stone | A film by Danae Elon — Filmoption International
If Jerusalem stone could speak, it would tell this story: from Imperial British bylaws about cladding with it, to the conquest and annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967, and architecture’s role in maki...
www.filmoptioninternational.com
November 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM
“Pro-Palestine” activists in Montreal have succeeded in canceling the screening of a film that shows architecture's complicity in the Israeli occupation. Why? Because the filmmaker happens to be Canadian-Israeli. What a way to promote awareness of your cause and make allies!
Humans are indeed mad.
Humans are indeed mad.
#20BookChallenge
To distract herself from the ruins of her own life and the disintegration of Lebanon, Aaliya sets herself the pointless task of producing literary translations into Arabic that no one will ever read. Appropriate reading now, as Lebanon is recovering from yet another war.
To distract herself from the ruins of her own life and the disintegration of Lebanon, Aaliya sets herself the pointless task of producing literary translations into Arabic that no one will ever read. Appropriate reading now, as Lebanon is recovering from yet another war.
November 29, 2024 at 6:28 PM
#20BookChallenge
To distract herself from the ruins of her own life and the disintegration of Lebanon, Aaliya sets herself the pointless task of producing literary translations into Arabic that no one will ever read. Appropriate reading now, as Lebanon is recovering from yet another war.
To distract herself from the ruins of her own life and the disintegration of Lebanon, Aaliya sets herself the pointless task of producing literary translations into Arabic that no one will ever read. Appropriate reading now, as Lebanon is recovering from yet another war.
#20BookChallenge
I read this book when I first arrived in the US. It has shaped my view of this country ever since. A good Thanksgiving read!
I read this book when I first arrived in the US. It has shaped my view of this country ever since. A good Thanksgiving read!
November 28, 2024 at 5:43 PM
#20BookChallenge
I read this book when I first arrived in the US. It has shaped my view of this country ever since. A good Thanksgiving read!
I read this book when I first arrived in the US. It has shaped my view of this country ever since. A good Thanksgiving read!
#20BookChallenge
This account of Alexandra David-Neel’s 1923 journey to Lhasa inspired my life-long fascination with Tibet. I just wrote an article for Tricycle Magazine, in which I retrace her footsteps and realize she could be quite arrogant, prejudiced, and insufferable. Still, she’s my hero.
This account of Alexandra David-Neel’s 1923 journey to Lhasa inspired my life-long fascination with Tibet. I just wrote an article for Tricycle Magazine, in which I retrace her footsteps and realize she could be quite arrogant, prejudiced, and insufferable. Still, she’s my hero.
November 27, 2024 at 3:33 PM
#20BookChallenge
This account of Alexandra David-Neel’s 1923 journey to Lhasa inspired my life-long fascination with Tibet. I just wrote an article for Tricycle Magazine, in which I retrace her footsteps and realize she could be quite arrogant, prejudiced, and insufferable. Still, she’s my hero.
This account of Alexandra David-Neel’s 1923 journey to Lhasa inspired my life-long fascination with Tibet. I just wrote an article for Tricycle Magazine, in which I retrace her footsteps and realize she could be quite arrogant, prejudiced, and insufferable. Still, she’s my hero.
#20BookChallenge
About the history of the Hmong people and their displacement to the US. About war. About the US medical system and its values. About the way culture shapes how we see the world. About disregard for other people's reality. About cultural chauvinism. About a little girl who is ill.
About the history of the Hmong people and their displacement to the US. About war. About the US medical system and its values. About the way culture shapes how we see the world. About disregard for other people's reality. About cultural chauvinism. About a little girl who is ill.
November 26, 2024 at 7:21 PM
#20BookChallenge
About the history of the Hmong people and their displacement to the US. About war. About the US medical system and its values. About the way culture shapes how we see the world. About disregard for other people's reality. About cultural chauvinism. About a little girl who is ill.
About the history of the Hmong people and their displacement to the US. About war. About the US medical system and its values. About the way culture shapes how we see the world. About disregard for other people's reality. About cultural chauvinism. About a little girl who is ill.
#20BookChallenge
I read this holocaust memoir at age 15 and it has shaped my worldview ever since. Menahem Arnoni committed suicide not long after publication. Unfortunately, "Mother Wasn't Home for Her Funeral" was only published in Dutch.
I read this holocaust memoir at age 15 and it has shaped my worldview ever since. Menahem Arnoni committed suicide not long after publication. Unfortunately, "Mother Wasn't Home for Her Funeral" was only published in Dutch.
November 25, 2024 at 1:11 PM
#20BookChallenge
I read this holocaust memoir at age 15 and it has shaped my worldview ever since. Menahem Arnoni committed suicide not long after publication. Unfortunately, "Mother Wasn't Home for Her Funeral" was only published in Dutch.
I read this holocaust memoir at age 15 and it has shaped my worldview ever since. Menahem Arnoni committed suicide not long after publication. Unfortunately, "Mother Wasn't Home for Her Funeral" was only published in Dutch.
“Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you."
#20BookChallenge
Stoner: I resisted it initially because I thought it’d be about smoking dope. In fact it's a quietly devastating book about life, failure and resignation. Few books move me to cry, but this one did.
Stoner: I resisted it initially because I thought it’d be about smoking dope. In fact it's a quietly devastating book about life, failure and resignation. Few books move me to cry, but this one did.
November 24, 2024 at 2:16 PM
“Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you."
#20BookChallenge
Stoner: I resisted it initially because I thought it’d be about smoking dope. In fact it's a quietly devastating book about life, failure and resignation. Few books move me to cry, but this one did.
Stoner: I resisted it initially because I thought it’d be about smoking dope. In fact it's a quietly devastating book about life, failure and resignation. Few books move me to cry, but this one did.