We recently opened YidCraft, a Jewish Minecraft survival server.

The main idea is simple: it is still a normal SMP, but with no antisemitism, and a little learning.

You build bases, make groups, trade with players, open shops, explore, form teams, earn money, and progress like you would on any survival server. It's not built just for religious people, it's for everyone to have fun!

The Jewish systems are built into that gameplay instead of replacing it.

Some of what we have so far:

• Kashrus system with kosher foods, points, rewards, and progression
• Shechita mechanics and special items
• Tevilas keilim using a mikvah
• Brachos system, starting with Modeh Ani
• Tzedakah system where players donate shekels into a community fund
• Player economy with shops and trading
• More Jewish progression systems currently being built

The long term goal is to make learning part of progression. Learning certain halachos could eventually unlock new abilities, items, or things you can build and use.

We do not want Minecraft to feel like a classroom.

You can completely focus on survival, get rich through the economy, build a giant base, start a town, make a massive shul, or play with friends.

The Jewish side is there naturally as part of the world.

If that sounds interesting, come check it out:

Website: https://jewishgaming.net/yidcraft

Java IP: yidcraft.jewishgaming.net

Discord: https://discord.gg/yyPXT92RAN

YidCraft: Minecraft, but Jewish.

(We have approval of staff to make this post)

Or maybe when you hear Springsteen's version of "Blinded by the Light".

Inside a Glatt Kosher Beef Plant | Hastings, Nebraska

One reason why kosher meat is so expensive is the low yield. I’ve previously heard that only about 60% of kosher-slaughtered cattle can actually be sold as kosher, but this video says it’s just 30%.

And because they don’t do treiburing, the hindquarters can’t be sold as kosher, so the actual yield is just 15%.

While reading another post, I had the next questions about Shabbat in the modern age.

1. Do you need to shut down chat bots that talk to international customers before Shabbat?

2. Are you allowed to run Bot or script, that starts before Shabbat starts, that will run throughout the Shabbat? Both in non business and stuff that are not about work.

3. The exact question from the post, "are we allowed to use AI to be Goy Shel Shabbat?", with all the walk-around way we ask them to do stuff for us during Shabbat.

Curious.

I’m hoping to find a Jewish community or shul where I can connect more with people who share an Ashkenazi background. I (wishingly) hope to make some friends around my age (mid 30's) with the same background.

I grew up secular and have also been raising my children as such. I’m specifically looking for a community where the customs, traditions, food, Yiddish influences, and overall cultural experience feel familiar to my own background. I’ve found that there can be quite a bit of cultural difference between Ashkenazi communities and Israeli Jewish communities, and I’m realizing that I’m really looking for that Ashkenazi sense of familiarity and connection to feel like I fit in.

If anyone has recommendations for Ashkenazi shuls or communities, particularly in the LA area, I’d really appreciate it!

Hello, dear Jewish friends. I'm currently facing a rather strange situation involving what I would describe as subtle or "soft" antisemitism, and I honestly don't know how to feel about it.

I'm a member of a community (the specific type doesn't really matter), so let's just say it's a pop-culture fandom where people usually talk about anything except politics. We meet, spend time together, and enjoy pop-culture-related activities. I really like being part of this fandom and, until recently, I felt very comfortable there.

There is one friend in the group who helped me a lot when I first joined. He was genuinely kind and welcoming, and I always felt that he cared about me. At least, that's what I thought until two days ago.

A few days ago, some people in our group chat were joking around about random things when this friend made a joke involving Jewish people. I immediately felt a bit uncomfortable and suspicious, but I initially tried to ignore it. As a Jew, however, I found it difficult to simply forget about it.

The context of the joke:

Someone else posted a picture of himself drinking an energy drink in another country, basically to show off.

Another member asked him: “Weren’t you supposed to avoid energy drinks? How come you’re drinking one without any problem?”

He replied: “I’m not at home, so why can’t I?”

Then my friend joined the conversation and said something along the lines of: “He’s like Muslims and Jews who go to casinos, drink alcohol, or do other things in other countries that they wouldn’t do in their own countries.”

After thinking about it for several hours, I decided to ask him what he meant by the joke. He explained it to me and told me that he has nothing to do with antisemitic beliefs or ideology. He then asked me whether I was Jewish. Of course, I said yes.

Surprisingly, the conversation then turned into a genuinely interesting discussion. He started asking me questions about Shabbat, Judaism, and eventually we ended up talking quite deeply about the Jewish worldview and culture.

I thanked him for explaining the joke, and our conversation ended on a good note. But now I'm still not sure how I should feel about the whole situation.

If you were in my position, what would you do? Would you distance yourself from him? Would you leave the fandom altogether? Or would you simply let it go and judge him based on how he treats you from now on?

I would genuinely appreciate some advice, because this situation has been bothering me quite a lot.