WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order aimed at protecting politically active churches from losing their tax-free status. The order, timed for Thursday’s National Day of Prayer, does not include the broad religious liberty provisions leaked in February that could have allowed businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation and other […]
Reform Judaism leaders oppose church-state changes WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — In response to President Trump’s dangerously broad executive order masquerading as protection of religious freedom, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement Thursday on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference
United States Jewish roundup: May 4, 2017 Read More »
Middle East, USABy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – There was a thought-provoking moment during a staged reading Wednesday night of Janet Tiger’s one-act play “Caregivers Anonymous” at Ohr Shalom Synagogue. A newcomer ridden with guilt shame facedly admitted to a group of fellow caregivers that the thought had crossed her mind that her troubles would be
When our thoughts accuse us Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USASteven Levenson is reaping his rightful rewards after years of work on ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and ‘If I forget,’ which ran concurrently this year in NY By Lisa Klug With handfuls of Tony Award nominations for a Broadway musical as well as recognition for an off-Broadway play, Steven Levenson’s work is summiting after a long
This nice Jewish boy just nabbed 9 Tony nominations Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USATexas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed a law prohibiting state agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel, The Forward reports. “You can always count on Texas,” Abbott said at the signing ceremony at the Austin Jewish Community Center, adding, “Any anti-Israel policy is an anti-Texas policy.” The law, known as HB 89, charges
Texas Governor signs anti-BDS bill Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON — President Donald Trump, hosting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House, pledged Wednesday to attempt “the toughest deal” — peace between Israelis and Palestinians. “I’ve always heard that perhaps the toughest deal to make is the deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians,” Trump said, Abbas at his side. “Let’s see
Trump’s approach to Mideast peace deal: Get to yes, figure out details later Read More »
Middle East, USADonald Trump has vowed to work on brokering peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Speaking as he hosted his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas at the White House, the US president offered no clues about how he could break the political deadlock and revive stalled peace negotiations. What did Trump say? In their first face-to-face meeting,
Trump reassures Abbas at the White House Read More »
Middle East, USAThe Philadelphia-based co-owner of Zahav and other restaurants takes home prestigious James Beard award By Jessica Steinberg Co-owner of Philadelphia’s acclaimed Zahav restaurant, chef Michael Solomonov was just named best chef of the year at the 2017 James Beard Awards, the Oscars of the cooking world (Courtesy Michael Persico) It’s a big moment for the
Michael Solomonov named best chef for his Israeli cooking Read More »
Middle East, Travel and Food, USALOS ANGELES — An unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile was launched Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base to test the weapon’s reliability and ensure an “effective nuclear deterrent,” according to the U.S. Air Force. The Minuteman III missile test launch occurred at 12:02 a.m. PDT from the base northwest of Santa Barbara, according to Air Force
Missile launched from California coast in a ‘nuclear deterrent’ test, Air Force says Read More »
International, USACNN has refused to run a Donald Trump campaign ad because it contained a graphic in which mainstream media organizations were branded “fake news,” the network said Tuesday. The head of Trump’s campaign committee criticized the network for not running the ad, which focuses on the president’s first 100 days in office. “It is absolutely
CNN Rejects Trump ‘Fake News’ Ad Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USACHICAGO — Former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama on Wednesday offered the first look at the design of the planned Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s Jackson Park — a campus of three buildings highlighted by an eye-catching museum, whose height and splaying walls would make a bold architectural statement. The museum, which will house
Obamas unveil design of presidential center in Chicago Read More »
USAA new book, “Rising Star,” shedding light on Barack Obama’s past, suggests he was more politically ambitious at a younger age than previously believed – and that he had asked another woman to marry him before he ever met his eventual partner, Michelle. You think Michelle looked mad when Obama shamelessly flirted with Denmark’s Helle
Michelle Obama: You weren’t Obama’s first Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, USAWASHINGTON — FBI Director James Comey strongly defended his decision to inform Congress in late October that he had reopened an FBI investigation into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. Comey told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the decision to go public 11 days
Comey says the late disclosure of reopened probe into Clinton emails was the right call Read More »
USAHARRISBURG. Pa. — Republican gubernatorial hopeful Scott Wagner calls it a dirty campaign trick. His campaign tracker calls it assault. What is for sure is that a routine luncheon speech at a country club near York, Pa., on Tuesday landed Wagner, a state senator, the role of unwitting star in a pair of YouTube videos,
Pennsylvania politician confiscates camera from man recording him Read More »
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