International

Saudi Crown Prince Tackles Extremism on the Road to Social, Economic Reform

The recent flurry of social and economic reform coming out of Saudi Arabia has left some Saudis ecstatic, others more circumspect, and a few conservatives bewildered or even angry. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman told a crowd of investors at a conference in late October that he was merely attempting to “return Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Tackles Extremism on the Road to Social, Economic Reform Read More »

Middle East

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announces surprise resignation

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation on Saturday, citing Iran’s “grip” on the country and threats to his life. The surprise move risks plunging the small and already fragile Middle Eastern country deeper into turmoil. “I announce my resignation from the post of prime minister,” Hariri said in a speech broadcast from Saudi

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announces surprise resignation Read More »

Middle East

Sen. Feinstein said Trump can be a ‘good president,’ but there’s more to the story

A few words about President Donald Trump from Sen. Dianne Feinstein over the summer personified her well-worn reputation as a measured veteran elected official. And they’ll also surely be the centerpieces of Democratic campaigns attempting to unseat her. It was a boilerplate political event at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco on Aug. 29. Feinstein,

Sen. Feinstein said Trump can be a ‘good president,’ but there’s more to the story Read More »

USA

White House slams both Bush presidents after their criticism of Trump was revealed

George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush The White House is pushing back after newly released excerpts from a book on former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush revealed that they both criticized President Donald Trump. “The Last Republicans” by Mark K. Updegrove, which will be released later this month, was previewed by The

White House slams both Bush presidents after their criticism of Trump was revealed Read More »

USA

Netanyahu delays vote on law allowing return to northern Samaria

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu delayed the vote on a proposal canceling the expulsion from northern Samaria communities destroyed as part of the 2005 “Disengagement” from Gaza. The Knesset’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation was scheduled to vote on the law on Sunday. If approved, the new law would allow Jews freedom of movement in the

Netanyahu delays vote on law allowing return to northern Samaria Read More »

Middle East

Spain Unveils Europe’s First Feminist Torah Scroll

A Spanish synagogue is unveiling Europe’s first feminist Torah scroll on Saturday, a move many Jews say signals major progress towards making Judaism more egalitarian. According to Orthodox Jewish law, only men are allowed to write a Torah scroll. And in many traditions women are forbidden from even reading the sacred texts. But Jewish women

Spain Unveils Europe’s First Feminist Torah Scroll Read More »

International, Jewish Religion

Sharing is caring: In Scotland, Jewish and Catholic schools occupy same building

By Jenni Frazer GLASGOW — Bishop John Keenan is half of the religious authority for a unique education project in Scotland. There, two primary schools, one Catholic and one Jewish, share a purpose-built campus. “I think,” jokes Bishop Keenan, “that the relationships here have gone beyond interfaith dialog. As far as I can see, the

Sharing is caring: In Scotland, Jewish and Catholic schools occupy same building Read More »

International

Camp Newman moves to temporary locale

SANTA ROSA, California (Press Release) – Just three weeks after deadly wildfires caused widespread destruction throughout Northern California, resulting in significant damage at the camp’s physical location in Santa Rosa, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) announced Friday that URJ Camp Newman will be housed for Summer 2018 at the facilities of California State University

Camp Newman moves to temporary locale Read More »

USA