Haredim Close Ranks to Fight IDF Conscription

Posted on: February 28th, 2012

Many of the participants in an emergency conference last night were adamant on the need to “give up our lives” over the preservation of Torah study, in face of a growing public push for Haredi military service. In the Israeli marketplace of ideas, two views competed this morning: "Don't push them too fast, or you'll get nothing but conflict" – versus "It's time for everybody to carry their fair share of the load." Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman was on the money when he accused retired Supreme Court President Beinisch of committing a hit-and-run…

5

Dr. Pepper Not Kosher – In Israel

Posted on: February 28th, 2012

The Chief Rabbinate claims that, based on data provided by the Badatz in London, it appears that the products under the name "Dr Pepper" which are made in England and imported to Israel are not kosher.

2

Heartbreak: Iran’s “A Separation” Beats Israeli “Footnote” at the Oscars

Posted on: February 27th, 2012

In pre-Oscar television interviews, actors Shlomo Bar-Aba and Lior Ashkenazi, stars of the Israeli Oscar nominated "Footnote," which last night became the tenth Israeli nominee to not win the big prize – were telling anyone who would listen that it was definitely going to be Iran this year. And they were right. The Hollywood elite which decides these things gave the nod to Iran's "A Separation," from what we hear a fantastic family drama, and Director Asghar Farhadi has taken home the Oscar for best foreign language film. While Director Joseph Cedar, an observant Jew, went home empty handed for the second time in his career. Bummer.

3

Sukkah War Erupts Two Weeks Before Purim

Posted on: February 26th, 2012

Ya gotta' love the NY Post. Where else will you find a report on a "high-rise holy war" at the Trump Place Condominiums, where "one man's straw Sukkot" is driving the neighbors bonkers?

Comforting The Afflicted: The Life Of Rebbetzin Chana Weinberg

Posted on: February 24th, 2012

Thanks to her efforts, domestic violence is now on the national Jewish agenda. But the Rebbetzin didn’t simply raise awareness; she opened safe houses across the country, trained volunteers to provide emotional, physical and financial support and always made herself available for comfort, advice, and direction.

Chief Military Rabbi: Religious Soldiers Do Not Have to Hear Female Singers at IDF Events

Posted on: February 23rd, 2012

On the heels of the Supreme Court's annulment of the Tal Law, and following weeks of harsh debates over the coerced participation of religious soldiers in IDF sponsored concerts with women singers, the IDF Chief Rabbi admitted Thursday that despite his liberal ruling on the matter, soldiers should be allowed to avoid entertainment they find religiously problematic.

5

No Kosher Food at Malta Jewish Conference

Posted on: February 23rd, 2012

At least it took a while, since somehow the organizers of this 4-day event for 120 European Jewish young professionals didn't realize they would all insist on eating kosher food. In Malta? It took a few heroic feats to straighten out that one…

Oscars to Sacha Baron Cohen: Stay Home

Posted on: February 23rd, 2012

If they ban him, does he not bleed, at least a little, on the inside? The Oscar folks appear to have had it up to here with the loveable, although as lowbrow as they come, British-Jewish star. Or maybe it was all his own idea. You figure it out.

Jews, Mormons, Happiest, Atheists Grumpiest: Gallup

Posted on: February 23rd, 2012

Assuming 676,000 Gallup survey participants can't be wrong, it's now official: don your best yarmulke, tighten that lovely tichel, pour on those blintzes, kreplach and ponchikes, and trek out to hear the Torah reading every Shabbes – cuz that'll make you the happiest man or woman in America. Unless you belong to LDS, that works, too, apparently…

Israel Approves 695 New Housing Units in Sister Settlements Shilo and Shvut Rachel

Posted on: February 22nd, 2012

Two settlements in Samaria will be celebrating a modest expansion with Wednesday's decision to add nearly 700 housing units to an area where so much Jewish blood has been spilled. Now wait for it… wait for it… international condemnations!

Journalist: Secular Fear of Haredim Drove Court’s Rule on Service Deferments

Posted on: February 22nd, 2012

Journalist and radio host Israel Gelis offers the Haredi point of view on the Supreme Court's decision to kill the Tal Law, which served as a moderate avenue for Haredim to join modern Israeli society, while holding on to their unique values.

Jews Up in Arms over Revisionist Israeli Historian’s Visit to Fresno State

Posted on: February 22nd, 2012

Ilan Pappé is one of Israel's "New Historians" who blame the state's founders of committing a well planned ethnic cleansing to drive the Arabs out of the promised land. Now three California state schools are featuring his lectures and the local Jewish community is not amused.

Mets First Win of 2012 Is Over Kosher Dogs

Posted on: February 22nd, 2012

Brooklyn Federal Judge Jack Weinstein ruled that the NY Mets have the right to restrict Kosher Sports Inc. from selling their products on the Jewish Sabbath, citing a contract between the two entities that does not explicitly guarantee weekend sales

1

Kosher Food Vendor Suing the Mets

Posted on: February 21st, 2012

one might ask why, if you go out to the ballgame on a Friday night instead of hitting the nearest shul for Kabbalat Shabbat, you would need your hot dogs to be kosher? But that's not what this high-powered law suit is about...

2

Yakima Congregation Reveres Ancient Torah Saved from the Holocaust

Posted on: February 20th, 2012

Jewish scribe Rabbi Moshe Druin discovers a Torah that was rescued from Prague, after being stashed "for safety" by the Nazis.

English National Opera in Hot Water over “Death of Klinghoffer”

Posted on: February 19th, 2012

The work that's been accused of romanticizing terrorism and touting the ideology of murderers is being launched again, by England's esteemed National Opera, with predictable reactions from offended Jews.

2

NH Town to Vote on Changing Name of Jew Pond

Posted on: February 19th, 2012

The Watertown Daily Times of New Hampshire reported Saturday that voters in the small town of Mont Vernon, NH, will have the final say on whether to change the controversial name of a local pond. The small pond near the middle of Mont Vernon is known as Jew Pond. Town officials say it got its [...]

1

JAFI Bosses Making Record Salaries While Employee Pay Is Cut

Posted on: February 17th, 2012

Should a JAFI fund raiser make close to a quarter million dollars? Well, whether he should or shouldn't, Sharansky's money man takes home the second-largest paycheck in the world of Jewish not-for-profits, at a time when JAFI is facing a financial crisis.

Tzohar Rabbis Recall the Breaking of a Heifer’s Neck, Atoning for a Disturbing Death

Posted on: February 17th, 2012

Tzohar Chairman Rabbi David Stav arrived Thursday morning with a minyan of Rabbis near the entrance to Kibbutz HaZore'a, where they conducted a prayer, calling on everyone to take greater care when driving, and protesting the deep moral offense of a hit-and-run driver who left a young female soldier for dead.

Govt. Minister Pledges No More Settlement Evacuations

Posted on: February 16th, 2012

The law commemorating the destruction of Jewish life in Gaza by Israel's government yields heartfelt responses from Israeli official and schools on Gush Katif day.

1