Judaism

With the Caribbean as their ritual bath, Colombian converts flow to Judaism

As evening begins in the Colombian coastal city of Santa Marta, the sun descends into the Caribbean Sea, captivating residents with its picturesque tableau. In an area noted for its sunsets, the sun is now rising on two recent Jewish congregations made up entirely of converts. They are Shirat Hayyam in Santa Marta, and Javura […]

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International, Jewish Religion

Trial of Auschwitz medic stalls amid legal wrangling

NEUBRANDENBURG, Germany (WJC)– The trial of a former medical orderly at the Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau resumed on Monday in Neubrandenburg, north of Berlin, with a call on the judge to recuse himself. Hubert Zafke as SS officer during World War II Hubert Zafke, 95, is accused of having been an accessory to the murder of 3,681 people between August and

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International, Jewish History

‘Sound of Music’ actress Charmian Carr, who played Liesl von Trapp, dies at 73

LOS ANGELES — Charmian Carr will always be 16 going on 17 for fans of “The Sound of Music.” In the 1965 movie adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, she played the rebellious Liesl von Trapp, eldest daughter of a privileged Austrian clan of seven children living under the strictures of their militaristic father,

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Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Former Italian president, prime minister Ciampi dies

Italian former President and senator Carlo Azeglio Ciampi speaks to reporters after consulting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinale palace in Rome February 23, 2007. [Photo/Agencies] ROME – Former Italian president, prime minister and central bank governor Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who played a key role in guiding the country into the European single

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International, Obituaries & memorials

Canada’s Female Athlete of the Half-Century is Jewish

By Joe Spier CALGARY, Alberta, Canada — Who was the only Jewish person featured on a Canadian postage stamp? Don’t know – here’s a hint. She was an Olympic Games multi-medal winner. Still don’t know – another hint. She was named Canada’s woman athlete of the half-century. Give up – then read on. Fanny “Bobbie”

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International, Jewish History, Sports & Competitions

World’s oldest man plans to mark birthday in Israel with bar mitzvah

Tel Aviv (dpa) – The world’s oldest man, who turned 113th on Thursday, plans to mark his birthday by celebrating his bar mitzvah in the Israeli city of Haifa about a century later than most people, his daughter told dpa. About 100 family members are expected to attend his belated bar mitzvah, which is expected

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Can Jews and Muslims recover their historic friendship?

By Fadel Al Mheiri ABU DHABI, U.E. — “Some of my ancestors before the Spanish Inquisition were Jewish and probably some of them were Arabs, since my family comes from Andalusia.” This is a Spanish girl I came upon during my study at an university in Florida. Spain was once Andalusia during the middle ages, where

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International, Jewish History, Middle East

Guatemalan authorities raid secretive compound of Jewish cult

Guatemalan authorities on Tuesday raided the property of a strictly Orthodox Jewish sect after receiving reports that community leaders were severely abusing children, Israel Radio said. One unconfirmed report said children were taken away from the compound, where more than 200 Lev Tahor members live in complete segregation from locals, according to the Israeli daily

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International, Jewish Religion

Jewish historic connection to Jerusalem undeniable

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — So now the Palestinians are saying that the concept of any historical connection between the Jews and Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount in particular, is pure myth, and they are trying to get UNESCO to adopt a resolution to that effect. I wonder what would happen if they

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Education minister says Torah learning trumps science, math

Jewish studies are more important than learning mathematics and science, Education Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday night. Speaking in Caesarea at a conference of the TALI Education Fund, which provides a pluralistic Jewish Studies program for public schools, Bennett stressed the importance of Jewish education over secular subjects. “Learning about Judaism and excellence in

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Jewish Religion, Middle East