Ed Koch: Fiercely Jewish But Buried in a Churchyard

Posted on: February 5th, 2013

He explained at the time that he could not bear the idea that his body would have to leave New York City. "This is my home, the idea of having to go to New Jersey was so distressing to me."

13

Northern Most Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Celebrated in Murmansk

Posted on: February 4th, 2013

On the day of the ceremony, the entrance to the Jewish Agency building in the city was blocked by snow.

3

Will Kerry Search for His Roots in Israel?

Posted on: February 3rd, 2013

John Kerry’s name today would have been John Kohn, or maybe Yonatan Kohn, if his great-grandfather had not converted to Catholicism, and assuming his parents would have survived the Holocaust.

8

Rav Ovadia: Women who Wear Talit Are Transgressors

Posted on: February 3rd, 2013

"Women are absolved of saying the Shma Israel – they needn't make the blessing, much more so to wear a talit and make a blessing over it."

36

Atheist Birthright Founder and Rabbi Buchwald to Do Battle

Posted on: January 30th, 2013

Jewish Outreach founder Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald and Birthright’s co-founder, self-declared atheist Michael Steinhardt have agreed “to wrestle out” their beliefs in a debate.

2

Israeli Haredim Becoming Black Hat Professionals

Posted on: January 29th, 2013

A new Israeli government survey sheds light on mainstream media slander of Haredim and points to a growing trend of Haredim studying law and business.

Rabbis Tweak Inaugural Readings to Make them ‘Jewier’

Posted on: January 27th, 2013

Gina Campbell, the cathedral’s director of worship, “encouraged all the religious leaders to be faithful to their own traditions.”

1

Indonesian Muslims Rejects Ban on Female Circumcision

Posted on: January 24th, 2013

The government is unable to make good on a ban that's been on the books since 2006.

30

Lapid: Let Conservatives and Reform in

Posted on: January 24th, 2013

The (Conservative) Rabbinical Assembly shares remarks, photos from Yair Lapid’s address to its 2012 convention.

19

Rabbi Lior ‘Saddened’ by Rav Ovadia’s Attack on Jewish Home

Posted on: January 21st, 2013

On Saturday night, Rav Ovadia attacked the Jewish Home party saying it was not the home of Jews but of goyim.

4

Rabbi Piron: Shas’ Election Spot ‘Darkness Judaism’ (Video)

Posted on: January 9th, 2013

The spot shows a Russian born bride to receive her instant giur-conversion document by fax.

2

Dutch Gov’t Human Rights Panel Backs Sabbath Observers

Posted on: January 3rd, 2013

A Dutch governmental agency advised a security firm to hire a Sabbath-observing intern after ruling that employers may not reject Jewish candidates on the basis of their refusal to work on the Jewish day of rest.

1

US Jewish Groups Applaud Netanyahu’s Review of Western Wall Restrictions

Posted on: December 30th, 2012

Netanyahu asked Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky to look into the matter.

3

The Palestinian Holy Trinity: Jesus, Arafat and Abbas

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

PA leader Rajoub: "The greatest Palestinian in history since Jesus is Yasser Arafat."

37

Worcester, Mass. Yeshiva Seized by IRS Up for Auction as Illustrious Long-Time Leader Takes Ill

Posted on: December 25th, 2012

Over the past ten years, the IRS has been unable to get the yeshiva to turn over payroll taxes for its 30 or so employees.

7

‘Judeophobia’ Asks: Why Do They Hate Jews?

Posted on: December 19th, 2012

The film carefully and concisely packs into 81 minutes the birth, metamorphosis and metastasization of Jew-hatred.

7

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis the Next Chief Rabbi of the UK

Posted on: December 18th, 2012

Since 1996 Rabbi Mirvis has become synonymous with the ever-growing Finchley Synagogue, one of the biggest congregations in London.

1

PM Netanyahu Lights Eighth Hanukkah Night at Western Wall Plaza

Posted on: December 16th, 2012

Lighting the national menorah for the last night of Hanukkah at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated:

N.J. Shul Claims New Menorah-Lighting Guinness Record

Posted on: December 12th, 2012

A New Jersey synagogue said that it set a new Guinness World Record by lighting 834 menorahs on 90 tables in an airport hangar.

Germany Finally Approves Brit Mila Bill

Posted on: December 12th, 2012

AP reports that German lawmakers finally approved a bill that permits Brit Mila. 434 lawmakers voted in favor, 100 against and 46 abstained. The bill needed to be passed after a Cologne regional court ruled in June against permitting Brit Mila.