David I. Klein
David I. Klein is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by David I. Klein
Israeli rabbinate under scrutiny as religious issues threaten government’s wartime unity
By David I. Klein — March 21, 2024
(RNS) — A complaint against the rabbinate's control of who is deemed Jewish comes as cracks are beginning to show in the sense of unity fostered by Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7.
Patriarch Neophyte I of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church dead at 78
By David I. Klein — March 14, 2024
(RNS) — A soft-spoken theologian, Neophyte I was a critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Terror attack strikes Istanbul Catholic church known for its welcome
By David I. Klein — January 29, 2024
ISTANBUL (RNS) — Two gunmen shot and killed a member of a minority Muslim sect who was among a diverse congregation. Though Sunday’s attack came as a shock to many of Istanbul's Catholics, it's not without precedent.
Greek bill on marriage for LGBTQ couples tests Orthodox Church’s historic influence
By David I. Klein — January 24, 2024
(RNS) — The Greek Orthodox Church opposition to legalizing marriage for anyone but traditional heterosexual couples is testing the church's influence over Greek life.
Israel’s Supreme Court cracks open door to female participation in state rabbinate
By David I. Klein — January 22, 2024
(RNS) — Women rabbis, common in the United States, have for decades struggled for recognition from the state.
As Druze fight alongside Jewish soldiers, Israel looks back on controversial Nation-State Law
By David I. Klein — December 11, 2023
(RNS) — For many Druze, an Arabic-speaking minority in Israel, the bill was seen as an insult and ignorant of the role the Druze have played in Israel’s military history.
Armenian Christians battle developer to keep control of their corner of Jerusalem
By David I. Klein — December 4, 2023
(RNS) — A tiny Christian minority sitting on one of the Holy Land's most valuable pieces of real estate has rebelled against a real-estate deal that would sacrifice nearly 25% of its land in Jerusalem.
In Bosnia, gentile musicians work to preserve the country’s Sephardic Jewish tradition
By David I. Klein — November 20, 2023
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (RNS) — A cadre of Bosnian musicians have realized that with the death of Ladino music's most famous singer, an essential part of Bosnian culture was in danger of being lost forever.
UK archaeologists use metal-detecting hobbyists’ finds to study medieval faith
By David I. Klein — November 16, 2023
(RNS) — Archaeologists hope to capitalize on a local fad for metal detecting to examine pilgrimage and personal piety in areas where the written record is thin.
As Turkey’s Christians celebrate a new church, religious minorities still call for respect
By David I. Klein — October 27, 2023
ISTANBUL (RNS) — Though he has allowed new houses of worship to be built and old ones to be reopened, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan needs to do more, observers say, to restore respect for a truly pluralistic society as much as for church property.
Ukrainian Parliament moves to bar Russian-linked church from operating in the country
By David I. Klein — October 19, 2023
(RNS) — Draft law 8371, which requires another vote before moving to the president’s desk, would give Ukrainian authorities power to examine the connection of religious groups in Ukraine to the Russian Federation and to ban those whose leadership is outside of Ukraine.
Russian Orthodox Church appoints Putin’s spiritual adviser metropolitan of Crimea
By David I. Klein — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — In March, Metropolitan Tikhon was seen at Putin's side as the president made his first visit to Crimea since full-scale war broke out between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022.
In secular Tel Aviv, restaurants go kosher to support the war effort
By David I. Klein — October 13, 2023
(RNS) — 'We felt we needed to do something, and what we know how to do is cook', said Yuval Ben Neriah, the owner of Taizu, a chic Asian-fusion restaurant in downtown Tel Aviv.
Orthodox Jews emerged from holiday isolation to hear news of Hamas’ assault
By David I. Klein — October 10, 2023
(RNS) — Sequestered by bans on devices during holy days, many Orthodox Jews struggled to get news about the Hamas attacks.
Fate of historic Sofia church unclear as Bulgaria accuses abbot of spying for Russia
By David I. Klein — October 4, 2023
(RNS) — After three Russian Orthodox Church priests were expelled from Bulgaria on charges of espionage last month, their former church is at the center of a diplomatic rift between the Russian and Bulgarian governments and an ecclesiastical one between the two countries’ Orthodox churches.
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