By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Those tempted to think that Judaism is the most spiritual of the three religions that developed from Abraham should think again. True, Judaism does not have a man-god with lots of paintings and statues at its center, and it does not seek to conquer the world in order to advanced […]
Many religious sites are a matter of faith, not history Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East
JERUSALEM (Press Release)- “I couldn’t move”, “It was like magic” and “you must do it” were some the responses of the ten randomly selected strangers who participated in a guided meditation intended to connect them more deeply to the Western Wall. (Ha Kotel). In a seven minute video detailing the process, we can see French, Italian, American
A meditation at Ha Kotel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Gabriel Rochelle/JNS.org MESILLA, New Mexico — I was in one of those big boxes in another city, waiting for a prescription. After wandering around for a few minutes, I sat down across the aisle from the pharmacy on one of the benches kindly provided by the store. I was wearing my cassock and vest
A priest’s encounter with Jew-hatred Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Yidel Kleinbart, an Orthodox Jew, was rushing to Mt. Sinai hospital from his Brooklyn home. His wife was in labor, and he had little time to spare. The problem was, there was a great deal of traffic en route to Manhattan. The fastest way to Manhattan was via
New dad settles an account Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird told the AJC Global Forum that his nation favors a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,“ but “there can be no constructive discussion with anyone wedded to Israel’s destruction. There can be no bargaining over Israel’s existence.” Addressing the Global Forum closing plenary session, Baird
Baird: Canada supports Israel because it is right to do Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Zev Hurwitz LA JOLLA, California — The May 14 meeting of the Associated Students at UCSD —the governing student body —unanimously passed a resolution in support of a joint project brought forward by the Union of Jewish Students and the Muslim Student Association to establish kosher and halal dining facilities on campus. Over the past
UCSD’s Jews Muslims team up for kosher, halal dining Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Rachel E. Gross Long ago, a few Jewish foods made themselves an indispensable part of the way Americans eat. So thorough was their assimilation that their popularity swiftly overshadowed their cultural origins. (These days, who thinks “Jewish” when they reach for their bagel and schmear?) In recognition of these culinary superstars, Moment editors put
Moment magazine’s top 10 Jewish American foods Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Dr. Navras Jaat Aafreedi GREATER NOIDA, India — 2013 was an exciting year for Indian Jewish literature: two works of fiction were published, one in Hindi, the other in English. Sheela Rohekar’s Miss Samuel: Ek Yahudi Gatha (Miss Samuel: A Jewish Saga) is one of only two Hindi novels depicting Indian Jewish life, and
Jews becoming subjects of interest in Indian fiction Read More »
International, Jewish Religion
By Jonas Jacobs LA JOLLA, California — As I grew up, I discovered I loved the theater. I thought that theater was important to people of all ages. But for me, theater was more than entertainment; it became my dedicated hobby. I believe many children today don’t have a hobby and instead play video games
Escape from video games to world of human interaction Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County
Photo and story by Debra Rubin/JNS.org NEW YORK — The Shabbat of Memorial Day weekend later this month will mark a first in American Jewish life: Three New York City congregations representing the three major U.S. Jewish movements will daven from the same prayer book. Produced by the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) Jewish Chaplains Council
Memorial Day muster in NYC for military siddur Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
Editor’s Note: Lag B’Omer begins at sundown Saturday, May 17 and ends at sundown Sunday, May 18 By Deborah Fineblum/JNS.org One of Pnina Newirth’s earliest childhood memories is of a trip to Mount Meron, Israel, on Lag B’Omer. But this was no ordinary family vacation. “I was very small, yet I vividly recall the
Lag B’Omer crowds will head for Mt. Meron Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Travel and Food
By Jason Stack/JNS.org Believe it or not, the recently canonized Pope John Paul II had a Jewish Cardinal as an occasional adviser in the 1980s. The French TV film The Jewish Cardinal, which has been receiving a limited release in the United States, follows the crucial years of the life of Cardinal Jean-Marie Aaron Lustiger
Television biography tells of ‘Jewish Cardinal’ Lustiger Read More »
International, Jewish Religion
NEW YORK (Press Release) – More than 100 prominent Orthodox rabbis, including the Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel, Ha Rav Dovid Lau, have signed a petition urging action against the ongoing Arab attacks on the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem. “The continuing Arab desecration of the Mount of Olives cemetery must no longer
RIALTO, California (WJC) — School district officials heresaid an assignment asking students to write an essay on whether they believe the Holocaust really happened was “horribly inappropriate”. The Rialto Unified School District made headlines when it gave eighth-graders the assignment to do some research and write an essay explaining whether they believed the Holocaust
Rialto Holocaust assignment ‘horribly inappropriate’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education