Yonat Shimron
Yonat Shimron is an RNS National Reporter and Senior Editor.
All Stories by Yonat Shimron
A new documentary takes a deep dive into the ancient and modern practice of Sabbath
By Yonat Shimron — May 22, 2023
(RNS) — Martin Doblmeier's latest documentary takes viewers to various religious communities to illustrate their Sabbath practices.
Poll: Religious attendance is shrinking but those who remain are happy
By Yonat Shimron — May 16, 2023
(RNS) — In the PRRI study, 57% of Americans say they seldom or never attend religious services. Among those who do, 89% said they were proud to be associated with their congregation.
North Carolina clergy demonstrate against legislature’s new abortion limits
By Yonat Shimron — May 12, 2023
(RNS) — Their aim was to signal that not all Christians oppose abortion. A new state bill bans abortion after 12 weeks, down from the current 20.
Hebrew school enrollment plunges dramatically in new report
By Yonat Shimron — May 12, 2023
(RNS) — The enrollment plunge may be another sign of declining American religious affiliation affecting American Jews as well.
Faith-based refugee resettlement agencies denounce new asylum rule
By Yonat Shimron and Alejandra Molina — May 11, 2023
(RNS) — The new rule, which goes into effect May 16, rejects asylum claims for most people who cross the border but do not first seek asylum in Mexico.
Kansas City prophet calls for 21-day fast and prayer for ‘salvation of Israel’
By Yonat Shimron — May 8, 2023
(RNS) — Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer Kansas City has launched a 21-day fast and prayer intended to hasten Jesus' return.
Their church is leaving the UMC fold. They found refuge in a nearby ‘Lighthouse.’
By Yonat Shimron and Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church is turning its attention to taking care of those who want to remain and rebuilding and fortifying its ranks.
In NC, a church network turns unused church buildings into homes for refugees
By Yonat Shimron — May 1, 2023
(RNS) — A glut of underutilized church properties offers a solution to the severe shortage of affordable housing for newly arrived refugees.
Need a kosher meal? At the world’s largest furniture market, Chabad delivers
By Yonat Shimron — April 27, 2023
HIGH POINT, N.C. (RNS) — For the past 10 years, Chabad of Greensboro has been renting a showroom at the High Point Furniture Market where Jews in the furniture industry can come to rest, pray and eat homemade kosher meals while they’re in town.
Conservative Christians aren’t the only ones asking for accommodation in mailman case
By Yonat Shimron — April 18, 2023
(RNS) — Religious minorities — Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Seventh-day Adventists — have filed briefs asking the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that gutted a civil rights statute’s protections for religious accommodation.
Haredi Jews bear the brunt of antisemitic attacks, global report finds
By Yonat Shimron — April 17, 2023
(RNS) — The report from Tel Aviv University and the Anti-Defamation League finds the number of physical attacks on Haredi Jews spiked in the US but declined in the UK, Germany, France, Canada and Argentina.
Abortion pill rulings undermine religious freedom, interfaith leaders say
By Yonat Shimron — April 14, 2023
(RNS) — Multiple faith groups object to Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk’s ruling on mifepristone, saying it is motivated by a sectarian version of Christianity that tramples over their beliefs.
Amid attacks on trans people, a queer yeshiva offers a path to liberation
By Yonat Shimron — April 12, 2023
(RNS) — At Svara, LGBTQ Jews are reinterpreting and reshaping Jewish tradition by copying the methods used by the rabbis who compiled the Talmud.
In ‘God on Psychedelics,’ Don Lattin offers a roadmap of congregational tripping
By Yonat Shimron — April 10, 2023
(RNS) — The veteran religion reporter investigates how various religious groups are using psychedelics to inspire chemically induced mystical experiences.
Judge denies most claims against Seattle Pacific University board
By Yonat Shimron — April 7, 2023
(RNS) — Twelve students and faculty sued four members of the university’s board of trustees for refusing to scrap an employment policy that bars the hiring of people in same-sex relationships.
