Measles outbreaks hit ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Israel and US
JERUSALEM (RNS) — In Israel, several prominent rabbis have signed a document that reads, "Whoever isn't vaccinated is a murderer."
Eastern Orthodoxy risks split over independence for Ukraine’s church
(RNS) — The political significance of the decision was immediately clear. 'The (Russian) empire is losing one of the last levers of influence on its former colony,' Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.
Russian Orthodox Church issues warning to Orthodoxy's leader
MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian Orthodox Church warned Friday that it would sever ties with the leader of the worldwide Orthodox community if he grants autonomy to Ukraine's Orthodox Church.
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.
Nothing sacred: Russian spies tried hacking Orthodox clergy
LONDON (AP) — The Russian hackers indicted by the U.S. special prosecutor last month have spent years trying to steal the private correspondence of some of the world's most senior Orthodox Christian figures, The Associated Press has found.
Israel's ultra-Orthodox women win partial victory in fight to run for office
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.
Questioning real-world learning at ultra-Orthodox schools
NEW YORK (AP) — Complaints that some schools run by the city's strictly observant Hasidic Jews barely teach English, math, science or social studies have fueled a movement to demand stricter oversight by state and local educational authorities.
Orthodox rabbi chosen to lead multifaith California theological center
(RNS) — Daniel Lehmann, an Orthodox rabbi and the president of Hebrew College in Newton Centre, Mass., was picked to lead the Northern California consortium that includes graduate and doctoral degree offerings in Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
El Al vows to end practice of moving women to accommodate ultra-Orthodox
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Responding to growing pushback from Israeli feminists and human rights advocates, Israel’s national airline announced that it will no longer ask female passengers to move in deference to ultra-Orthodox men’s religious modesty. Anyone refusing to sit next to other passengers, El Al’s chairman said, will immediately be removed from the aircraft.
Greek town ritually burned Judas as Orthodox celebrated Easter
ERMIONI, Greece (AP) — The tradition dates back centuries in some places. In the Greek town of Ermioni, it has been observed the past 25 years.
Ukrainian Orthodox switch allegiance from Moscow to Kiev-linked churches
KIEV, Ukraine (RNS) — The church's ties with Moscow, which date back to the 17th century when Ukraine became part of the Russian Empire, started to cause problems in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea.
Modern Orthodox rabbis earn good salaries but few benefits
(RNS) — A first-of-its-kind survey of Modern Orthodox rabbis in the U.S. and Canada finds that their synagogues offer skimpy or barebones benefit packages.
Russian Orthodox bishop assails Putin, won’t vote for him
MOSCOW (AP) — The independent Novaya Gazeta noted Monday that Yevtikhiy's comment marked the first time a top member of the Orthodox clergy had spoken out against Putin.
More Israeli ultra-Orthodox Jews buck tradition and head for the army, higher ed
JERUSALEM (RNS) — 'My father didn’t serve and neither did my nearly 100 cousins, not that I hold it against them,' said one ultra-Orthodox soldier.
N.J. town rescinds parks ban alleged to target Orthodox Jews
(AP) The New Jersey town council was pressured by the state to drop its ban on New Yorkers visiting its public park. The council had also tried — and failed — to ban boundary markers Jews use to observe Sabbath rules.