NEW YORK (WJC) – The World Jewish Congress welcomed a statement by the Polish Parliament, the Sejm, saying that kosher slaughter of animals is permitted in Poland if performed for the needs of Jewish communities. Last July, the Sejm had voted against a government proposal that would have granted a general exemption for kosher and […]
Polish Parliament okays shechita Read More »
International, Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) –Aboard the retired Air Craft Carrier USS Midway, a new Torah was presented Tuesday evening, April 1, by the Jewish community of San Diego to the JWB, previously called the Jewish Welfare Board, for use by Jewish chaplains. Carried under a chuppah by San Diego philanthropist Gary Jacobs, the Torah a few hours before had its
A new Torah for the military Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
CHICAGO (Press Release)–Fifty-four Reform rabbis shaved their heads to raise awareness of and funding for pediatric cancer research on Tuesday evening, April 1, at a convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. As the religious leadership of Reform Judaism, the CCAR Rabbis strive for justice and health in the world for all people. The
A close shave for 54 rabbis Read More »
Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share
CHICAGO (Press Release) –Mondelēz International Chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld told a gathering of North American Reform rabbis how Judaism guides her professional life and leadership of one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies. Mondelēz International is the $35 billion global snacking powerhouse launched following Rosenfeld’s strategic decision to spin-off the company’s North
By Anav Silverman KFAR CHABAD, Israel (TNA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the time to bake some Passover matzah for his first time when he visited a matzah bakery in Kfar Chabad ahead of the upcoming Passover holiday on Tuesday, April 1. Local Chabad leaders and rabbis briefed Prime Minister Netanyahu on the preparations to hold
Israeli Prime Minister bakes matzah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)-The total number of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States fell by 19 percent in 2013, continuing a decade-long downward slide and marking one of the lowest levels of incidents reported by the Anti-Defamation League since it started keeping records in 1979. ADL’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, released today, reported a
Anti- Semitic incidents fewer but often more violent Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
CHICAGO (Press Release)–North America’s Reform rabbis took on the sometimes-ignored human costs of two of today’s pressing social issues: immigration policy and healthcare inequality. The rabbis addressed the topics in two sessions — “Undocumented and Unafraid: Standing Strong as an Immigration Ally,” and “The Death Gap: Inequality in America and the Unfinished Business of Health
Rabbis weigh immigration, health care Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release)– The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Monday, March 31, expressed concern at the continuing failure of political leaders in Quebec to condemn the anti-Semitic and religiously intolerant statements alleging a “kosher tax” by Louise Mailloux, a candidate for the province’s National Assembly. Mailloux’s comment was made at a time when many in Quebec
ADL seeks retraction of ‘kosher tax’ charge Read More »
International, Jewish Religion
CHICAGO (Press Release)-At the opening ceremony of the 125th annual Convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Sunday evening, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) highlighted what she called the pervasive “meanness” in Washington and faulty morality used by members of Congress to support cuts to programs like food stamps and unemployment benefits. The CCAR is
Schakowsky hits ‘mean’ Congress Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
By Judy Lash Balint/JNS.org JERUSALEM—When most Israeli Jews sit down for the Passover seder, they’ll wait for the kids to recite Mah Nishtana, the four questions; pucker up to inhale the bitter herbs; relish the sweet Charoset; dip herbs in salt water; sing rousing renditions of Dayenu and Chad Gadya; and knock back four cups
Taking Passover back to its roots Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Binyamin Kagedan/JNS.org “In every generation, one is obligated to see himself as if he had personally left Egypt.” The Passover Haggadah annually exhorts us to make the ancient tale of Israelite liberation feel personally relevant. What better way to make this dinner party (or dinner parties, for those who observe two Passover seders)
A pop Passover seder Read More »
Jewish Religion
Stories and photos from Mollie Katzen/JNS.org Vegetarians, and especially vegans, need some high-protein plant food with a bit of heft to keep them going during Passover, especially if observing the Ashkanazic tradition that forbids eating kitniyot—a category that includes legumes, most grains, and some seeds. Meat eaters also might want to break the monotony of potatoes, matzoh, or matzoh
Three quinoa dishes for Pesach Read More »
Jewish Religion
PARSIPPANY, New Jersey (Press Release)– Limmud FSU (former Soviet Union) and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (the Fellowship) have announced a new global and long-term partnership designed to enhance and develop the activities of Limmud FSU and expand the organization worldwide. As part of the collaboration, the Fellowship will be a key partner in the
Alliance to educate Russian Jews about their roots Read More »
Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — The immediate irony about the current spate of Bible-themed motion pictures is the apparent endorsement of many fundamentalist groups. The very folks who insist that the Bible was written by God are happy to let Hollywood spread fantastical, computer-enhanced, high definition recreations. These movies are essentially about two
As for the movie ‘Noah;’ the Book is better Read More »
Jewish Religion