Jen Rubin

@bagelquester.bsky.social

Teller of stories. Writer of books. On a self-appointed Great Midwest Bagel Quest | www.rubinjen.com

And yet in their fear of rocking the boat, they've become powerless; the legislative branch of government has, under the leadership of Thune and Johnson, surrendered the power of the purse, the power to declare war, and most of its other powers, except when the Democratic minority prevails.

Allison Gill@muellershewrote.com · 6mo ago

23 people could stop this genocidal war criminal. That’s it. 23. 20 Republican senators and 3 republican reps in the house and he’d be out of politics forever. But they won’t. They’re addicted to power. A drug so strong they’d rather see a civilization die than give it up.

The 2026 Passover Jeopardy game is ready for your Seder. Trust me, if you host a Seder, playing this game somewhere between the 1st and 2nd cup of wine will be appreciated. Sample: Passover Rhymes: "Flowers for the liberators." Answer: What are Moses’s Roses? rubinjen.substack.com/p/passover-j...

Passover Jeopardy 2026!

Trust me, you want to add this Passover Jeopardy game to your Seder. It has been a highlight across the generations at my Seders for years.

rubinjen.substack.com

🎙️The perfect bagel has been properly kneaded, fermented, boiled, and baked, says @bagelquester.bsky.social. She joins @alimuldrow.bsky.social and Jenny Pressman to discuss the Great Midwest Bagel Quest, how food intersects with identity, and capers. Listen here: www.wortfm.org/road-trippin...

Road-Tripping for Bagels - WORT-FM 89.9

Ali Muldrow is in conversation with Jen Rubin and Jenny Pressman who spent the last two years on the hunt for the perfect New York-style bagel.

wortfm.org

I was invited to talk about my bagel quest on WPR's Wisconsin Today show. I got to compare my bagel definition to Justice Potter Stewart's pornography definition, traditional bagel making techniques, and some WI bagel history dating back to the 1920s

One former New Yorker’s search for a great bagel in the Midwest

Madison storyteller Jen Rubin is on a mission to find the best bagel in the Midwest and connect with her Jewish cultural identity along the way.

wpr.org

St. Louis has no long-standing bagel shops, so I had my reservations for this quest stop. But from the delicious Tzitzelnickel bagel at one shop to the rapid ocean-to-deli-counter trajectory for lox at another shop, St Louis bagels did not disappoint. #bagels #comfortfood tinyurl.com/33wpyx4x

St Louis Bagels - the results are in

Several followers of the bagel quest suggested I add St. Louis to the list. So I did. And they were right — St Louis has a great bagel scene!

rubinjen.substack.com

I was glad to have the opportunity to talk with @alimuldrow.bsky.social about the defunding of state humanities work and in particular the storytelling work I do around the state and in state prisons. @apublicaffair.bsky.social

A Public Affair@apublicaffair.bsky.social · last yr.

🎙️On today's show, host @alimuldrow.bsky.social speaks with @bagelquester.bsky.social and Jessica Becker of Wisconsin Humanities. Last week their federal funding was cancelled. As the staff stands to lose their jobs, the people of WI also stand to lose. Listen here: www.wortfm.org/state-of-the...

I don't take a back seat to anyone on the subject of anti-semitism. Jews are being used here as a fig leaf to advance a broader attack on universities and higher learning. Trump wants to bring Universities to heel and obedience. Jews are just a convenient cudgel here and just as disposable.

Adam Harris@adamhsays.com · 2y ago

The Ed. Department's Office for Civil Rights sent letters to 60 additional institutions "warning them of potential enforcement actions" for "violations relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination" including Harvard, Brown, Stanford, Princeton, UNC, and several UC's

U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Sends Letters to 60 Universities Under Investigation for Antisemitic Discrimination and Harassment
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) sent letters to 60 institutions of higher education warning them of potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities. The letters are addressed to all U.S. universities that are presently under investigation for Title VI violations relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination. 

“The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year. University leaders must do better,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal antidiscrimination laws.”  

The schools that received letters from the Office for Civil Rights include: