Holy Land churches, mosques, synagogues close for coronavirus
(RNS) — Public religion in the Holy Land has ground to a halt due to the coronavirus.
App for the blind is the latest in Jerusalem's effort to make holy sites accessible
JERUSALEM (RNS) — In recent months, pedestrian walkways through the oldest parts of the city have been reworked to make them wheelchair-accessible, and new technology is bringing holy sites to life for everyone.
Jerusalem pride parade draws thousands, guarded by police
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Jerusalem's parade draws thousands of LGBTQ Israelis and their allies, to an event guarded by thousands of police. Unlike in Tel Aviv, known as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world, Jerusalem's residents aren't always welcoming. Its pride parade has sparked controversy and, in at least one case, violence, in the past.
Latino evangelical leaders meet in Jerusalem for summit on Israel
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Latino evangelical leaders from the United States recently met at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to celebrate its move there.
Israeli health advocate pens prayer to encourage vaccination
JERUSALEM (RNS) — A concerned Jewish healthcare worker has composed a prayer to be said before vaccinations are given. She hopes the prayer, which has been posted in some well-baby clinics, will help ease the minds of parents whose children are being vaccinated.
Close vote in Israel extends tiny ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties' outsized sway
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Besides its effect on the everyday lives of Jewish Israelis, the influence of haredi parties promises to exacerbate tensions between the Israeli government and non-Orthodox Diaspora Jews.
Women wearing tefillin cause a stir in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (RNS) – Women of the Wall is part of an annual campaign spearheaded by American Conservative Jews to encourage women, as well as men, to wear phylacteries during prayer.
As survivors age, Holocaust educators rush to preserve their irreplaceable testimony
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The race against time has prompted a program to take survivors back to their hometowns in Europe to film their recollections of the places where they experienced the catastrophe most acutely.
Greek Orthodox Church faces Israeli homeowners' ire after land sales
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The secretive sale by the church, the country's second largest landowner, to a group of investors has outraged residents and church members alike.
Airbnb accused of anti-Semitism for delisting West Bank properties
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Palestinians and their supporters insist that the ban has nothing to do with anti-Semitism and everything to do with justice.
Jerusalem mayoral race exposes religious-secular rift
JERUSALEM (RNS) — A fight over nightclub closures on the sabbath represents a larger tug-of-war over whose values will prevail — the ultra-Orthodox Jews' or those of their more mainstream Jewish neighbors.
Israeli court fines ultra-Orthodox radio station for banning women from the air
JERUSALEM (RNS) — After a lawsuit was filed, the station began permitting women to speak during limited hours, "and only on stereotypically female topics like recipes or education,” said an activist.
Archaeologists find more evidence of Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The results of the excavation, carried out in Jerusalem’s Old City, come days before Tisha B’Av, a fast day commemorating the anniversary of the destruction the First Temple.
Israeli government suspends mixed-prayer plan at the Western Wall
JERUSALEM (RNS) The move is likely to improve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's relations with ultra-Orthodox parties in his ruling coalition.
Noah’s Ark mosaic uncovered in ancient Galilee synagogue
JERUSALEM (RNS) The mosaic, dating to the fifth century, includes pairs of bears, donkeys, leopards, camels, lions, ostriches and snakes, just as described in the Book of Genesis.