Jewish Religion

How many Jews are there in the world?

Sunday will begin the Week of Connection to Diaspora Jewry, a week dedicated to strengthening the ties between Israel and Jews in the diaspora in light of the various challenges and complications currently facing Jewry in Israel and abroad. According to the Diaspora Affairs Ministry’s statistics, there are currently 14.4 million Jews in the world, […]

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International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Eight TV shows that get Hanukkah just right

Less commonly — or successfully — portrayed than Christmas, the Jewish festival of lights has nevertheless created some great screen moments By Lior Zaltzman Seth from The O.C. presents Chrismukkah (YouTube screenshot) ‘Tis the season of TV Christmas specials! The drama, the intrigue, your favorite TV characters in ill-fitting Santa costumes — the Christmas special

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Jewish Religion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Employee disciplined for observing Pesach’s last 2 days

By Edwin Black WASHINGTON, D.C. Susan Abeles’ saga began in 2013 when she took time off to observe the last two days of Passover, just as she had done annually for the past 26 years. During those years, Abeles, an Orthodox Jew, worked for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), mainly as a data specialist.

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Edwin Black, Jewish Religion, USA

At final Hanukkah party, Obama extols religious freedom, ignores elephant in room

Five weeks before Trump assumes power, president tells American Jews: ‘We look forward to working with you on the other side’ By Eric Cortellessa Mika Almog, granddaughter of the late former Israeli president Shimon Peres, lights a menorah candle as Rabbi Rachel Isaacs says a blessing during a Hanukkah reception in The East Room at

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Denmark’s chief rabbi: No legal ban on circumcision

Rabbi Yair Melchior, the chief of rabbi of Denmark and a member of the Council of European Rabbis, clarified on Wednesday evening that the Danish Medical Association did not recommend a legal ban on circumcision before the age of 18. The clarification came following reports in the media that the Danish Medical Association had considered

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International, Jewish Religion

Women rabbis who waded into a sea of opposition still fighting the waves

At New York’s Central Synagogue, five female ‘firsts’ discuss their experiences pioneering the clergy in ‘Breaking Bounds’ panel By Cathryn J. Prince NEW YORK — They’d never be able to lift and carry the Torah. They’d look strange standing there on the bima (pulpit) wearing a yarmulke and prayer shawl. They don’t know how, or

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Jewish Religion, USA

Interior Minister: No recognition for Reform Movement

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri addressed a special conference of 100 Sephardic rabbis from around the world in the Knesset Tuesday. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein also participated in the conference. Deri criticized the Reform Movement during his speech. “I am asked, ‘Why fight for Jewish causes? Why don’t you make a

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Jewish Religion, Middle East

Menorah to be displayed at University of Alabama

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– For the first time in its almost 200-year history, the University of Alabama will allow a Jewish student group to display a menorah on campus during the Chanukah season, December 24 through January 1. This new seasonal display demonstrates the University’s desire to create a campus life that embodies collaboration, collegiality,

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Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Amazonian Jews thrive in the depths of the rainforest

Unreachable by road, the city of Iquitos must be accessed by air or boat — yet the tiny Jewish community still imports clergy and exports a love of Israel By Rich Tenorio After their ancestors journeyed across an ocean from the edge of the Sahara to the center of the Amazon, their current numbers have

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International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food