CHICAGO (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) — A local television station in Chicago, WGN-TV, used a stock image of the yellow Star of David—the patch the Nazis forced the Jews to wear on their clothing during the Holocaust—as the graphic accompanying a story about the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur this week. The symbol was
Chicago TV station apologizes for Holocaust graphic Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Jacob Kamaras/JNS.org HOUSTON, Texas — In a scheduling conflict of Abrahamic proportions, a Houston-based think tank is hosting George Mitchell—former U.S. senator from Maine and the Obama administration’s former envoy for Middle East peace—on both Jewish and Muslim holy days. “The Negotiator: Senator George Mitchell’s Adventures in Law and Politics” will be held from
Houston, we have a religious problem Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — According to Jewish tradition, the period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is the opportunity for soul searching and a new beginning, i.e., Atonement. The Almighty is said to decide each person’s fate for the coming year on Rosh Hashana, and to sign the final decision on Yom Kippur. The
Diversity, unity both said to be strengths of Judaism Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This high-holiday season may have been just the spark some needed to awaken – or re-awaken — their Jewish heritage. Still others remain in the midst of great spiritual strivings during the upcoming auspicious days of Succot and Simchat Torah. Wherever you are personally, no matter. What
We repent on Yom Kippur, and then what? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Ellen Morgenstern SAN DIEGO – This month Jews from all over the world observe the 10 holiest days in the Jewish faith (Days of Awe), the joyous celebration of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah, and the more solemn tradition of Yom Kippur where one repents for sins during the previous 12 months.
Forum at Ohr Shalom to explore LGBT economic rights Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego Calendar, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The Temple Mount (to Muslims Noble Sanctuary or Haram al Sharif) has returned to world headlines for God may know how many times, according to Jews, since the time of Solomon. Whatever happened there, and happens now, is a matter of intense concern. It is not a stretch to conclude that it
Temple Mount crux of Arab – Israeli dispute Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–“Hiddush – For Religious Freedom and Equality” is an organization headed by Rabbi Uri Regev, the former president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and, before that, the head of Reform Judaism’s Israel Religious Action Centre. Hiddush regularly surveys the religious preferences of the country’s Jews. The latest poll indicates
Israel’s Progressive Jews now equal Haredim’s numbers Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–There’s more to religious divisions in Israel than those between Orthodoxy and Liberal (Conservative and Reform) Judaism. There’re also many opposing forces within Orthodoxy: Ashkenazim and Sephardim; Hasidim and their opponents; Zionists and anti-Zionists. Yet they’re together in the Knesset and currently all in the government. In recent years, however, yet
A new schism in Israeli Orthodoxy Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Jenn Lindsay ROME, Italy–On Kol Nidre night that year, it was raining at dusk. I decided not to ride my bike to the progressive Yom Kippur service on the Boston University campus. If I rode my bike, I would get too thirsty coming home and I wouldn’t keep the holiday fast. So I went to
A Progressive Jew experiences Orthodox Yom Kippur Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — The ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called aseret yemei teshuva, the Ten Days of Repentance. These days are considered a particularly appropriate time to review our lives and correct our faults. The Shabbat which falls during these ten days is called Shabbat Shuva, the
When is the proper time to repent? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — An American cousin sent me a link to the PBS documentary, 1913: Seeds of Conflict, and asked if it was a fair and accurate presentation. I clicked, and received a message, “We’re sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to right restrictions.” The Internet being what it
Arab – Jewish holy-day battles have many precedents Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — With the Yom Kippur judgment pending (perceived as a moral threshold by most Jews, a time for cleansing souls), this is really one of the rare times of the year when our spiritual community actually ponders evil straight on. Most of the year, we’re thinking about good works. We’re
Repentance is how Jews deal with evil among us Read More »
Jewish Religion(JNS.org) A New York City judge upheld the right of Jews to conduct the Kapparot ritual for Yom Kippur despite the opposition of animal rights activists. Traditionally, Jews who engage in the practice will wave a chicken over their heard while chanting “this is my substitute, this is my exchange, this is my atonement. This
Judge upholds Kapparot custom for Yom Kippur Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAThe Aura of Torah: A Kabbalistic-Hasidic Commentary to the Weekly Readings by Rabbi Larry Tabick, Jewish Publication Society, Philadelphia; ISBN 978-0-8276-0948-8 ©2014, $24.95, p. 291, plus appendices By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — Traditionally, Kabbalah is the secret knowledge in the Torah given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, passed down orally through the ages,
New book offers kabalistic view of the Torah Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion