Yonat Shimron
Yonat Shimron is an RNS National Reporter and Senior Editor.
All Stories by Yonat Shimron
DC’s Bible museum hires a Jewish exhibits director as it overhauls staff
By Yonat Shimron — October 10, 2018
(RNS) — The hiring of Rena Opert may be a symbolic gesture for a museum that says it is committed to presenting an inclusive view of the Bible.
Churches in Hurricane Florence’s path look to FEMA for a helping hand
By Yonat Shimron — October 4, 2018
(RNS) — FEMA changed its eligibility requirements in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and at the behest of President Trump.
Pastor and activist William J. Barber II wins MacArthur ‘genius’ grant
By Yonat Shimron — October 4, 2018
(RNS) — The former president of North Carolina's NAACP chapter has long been viewed as a rising star in progressive activist circles.
Survey: Summer camp may be key to fostering Reform Jewish values
By Yonat Shimron — October 2, 2018
(RNS) — The success of Jewish overnight camps is well-documented. A new survey attempts to measure whether camps also help shape adult Jewish values and social justice commitments.
In a show of contrition, Catholic dioceses begin long road of healing
By Yonat Shimron — September 26, 2018
RALEIGH, N.C. (RNS) — Standing in front of the altar Tuesday (Sept. 25) in Raleigh’s Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama took his violet zucchetto from his head and fell to his knees.
In the Mennonite Church USA, congregations realign on sexuality
By Yonat Shimron — September 25, 2018
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (RNS) — Realignments around LGBTQ inclusion cut both ways: Conservative as well as liberal congregations are breaking away and coming together in new ways.
In Israel, a Conservative rabbi’s arrest reopens religious freedom debate
By Yonat Shimron — September 19, 2018
HAIFA, Israel (RNS) — Rabbi Dov Hayun's recent arrest is giving Israelis reason to atone for their country’s stranglehold on Jewish religious expression.
Faith-based disaster-relief teams on standby as Florence nears
By Yonat Shimron — September 12, 2018
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — The biggest of the volunteer groups ready to clean up from Hurricane Florence have the words ‘Baptist’ and ‘Methodist’ in their titles.
All-star funeral for Franklin begins with prayers, songs
By Yonat Shimron — August 31, 2018
DETROIT (AP) — Ariana Grande sang one of the Queen of Soul's biggest hits, '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,' and Faith Hill performed 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus.'
Bishops back victim fund over abuse lawsuits in Pennsylvania
By Yonat Shimron — August 31, 2018
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Allowing lawsuits to be heard in courts, however, would force bigger payouts by the church and force it to disclose more about priests who preyed on children.
From ‘Judeo-Christian’ to ‘Potluck Nation,’ Eboo Patel pleads for religious pluralism
By Yonat Shimron — August 30, 2018
(RNS) — 'At a potluck, you don’t want everyone to bring mashed potatoes,' says the founder and president of the Interfaith Youth Core.
New poll finds even religious Americans feel the good vibrations
By Yonat Shimron — August 29, 2018
(RNS) — Most Americans mix traditional faith with beliefs in psychics, reincarnation and spiritual energy they say can be found in mountains, trees and crystals.
Africa, home to growing number of Christians and Muslims, contends with atheists, too
By Yonat Shimron — August 27, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Across Africa, groups have emerged stressing science and critical thinking as a better way of understanding the natural world.
Pope in Ireland vows to end cover-up of clergy sex abuse
By Yonat Shimron — August 25, 2018
DUBLIN (AP) — Francis said he was committed to ridding the church of this "scourge" no matter the moral cost or amount of suffering but provided no new details of any measures he would take.
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox women win partial victory in fight to run for office
By Yonat Shimron — August 24, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The demands for representation from a growing number of religious women come amid a seismic shift in Israeli ultra-Orthodox society in which more religious women are entering the professions.
