This won’t be the first ‘social distancing’ Passover
(RNS) — Judaism has a long tradition of isolation in times of contagion, but this Passover many Jews are trying to strike a balance between technology and true community.
The Seder’s secrets to enduring a pandemic
HOLYOKE, Mass. (RNS) — Passover is coming this year just in time to remind us to bless what God has given us, the first greens of spring and the maror, the bitter herb. How will we bless the bitterness this year?
'Zoombombing' comes for houses of worship
(RNS) — The mass transition of houses of worship to Zoom and other online video conferencing platforms has meant that religious services are more accessible than ever before — including to trolls.
In new novel, the story of two grieving fathers highlights an old conflict — and the hope of peace
NEW YORK (RNS) — Award-winning author Colum McCann’s anticipated new novel, ‘Apeirogon,’ tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two bereaved fathers born into opposite sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Holy Land churches, mosques, synagogues close for coronavirus
(RNS) — Public religion in the Holy Land has ground to a halt due to the coronavirus.
‘Deadly as Dachau’: Activists call for mass decarceration during pandemic
BOSTON (RNS) — Progressive faith-based activists and religious leaders have mounted a nationwide push to release as many people held in jails, prisons and immigration detention facilities as possible to protect them from a coronavirus outbreak.
Orthodox Jewish leaders unite against the coronavirus
NEW YORK (AP) — Orthodox Jewish communities have faced unique challenges in constraining practices built around social engagement, including multiple daily group prayers.
The coronavirus is upending thousands of years of Jewish tradition
(RNS) — It presents particular challenges to Orthodox Jews, especially on Shabbat, a time when many refrain from using any electronic devices.
In this Episcopal church, the co-leader of the Lenten study is a rabbi
(RNS) — Rabbi Raachel Jurovics is now rabbi-in-residence at the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina — one of a handful of such posts in Episcopal dioceses.
Congregations improvise ways to fight COVID-19’s isolation
PULLMAN, Wash. (RNS) — Most of the 100 people filling the pews at Calvary Lutheran Church of Federal Way fit the description of those at high risk for COVID-19, making social distancing a pastoral problem.
What if Easter, Passover and Ramadan get canceled?
(RNS) — The coronavirus pandemic may disrupt major religious holidays such as Easter, Passover and Ramadan.
There are things the Black Death can teach us today
(RNS) — Historians tend to take seriously the contention that Jewish communities were less affected by the plague itself, if not from the hatred it unleashed, because of their ritual hand-washing.
Interfaith clergy unite for mothers and housing activists who took over vacant LA house
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Activists and clergy gathered Sunday evening to pray for a group of mothers after they took over a property as a shelter from the coronavirus.
Campus chaplains, religious clubs advocate for students in a moment of anxiety
BOSTON (RNS) — As university campuses around the country shut down and move classes online, chaplains and faith-based campus groups are stepping in to ease the transition.
A gift of photos from a papal coronation opens a path for Jewish-Catholic healing
CARY, N.C. (RNS) — Howard Shulman didn’t know it at the time, but his donation of the photographs came just as the Vatican was opening its archives into Pope Pius XII's wartime conduct.