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Judaism

Book: The world is losing its religion. Revival is unlikely.

By Yonat Shimron — June 6, 2023
(RNS) — In ‘Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society,’ three sociologists lay out a theory that can be summed up in a simple phrase: Modernization creates problems for religion.
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Amid horrific testimonies, Pittsburgh Jews hold each other up

By Yonat Shimron and Kathryn Post — June 2, 2023
PITTSBURGH, (RNS) — The long-awaited trial of Robert Bowers has reopened old wounds and resurfaced painful memories.

Virtual worshippers often satisfied, but more Americans choose in-person services

By Adelle M. Banks — June 2, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Broadly speaking, the survey finds that most Americans who watch religious services on screens are happy with them,’ Pew researchers found.

‘Felt like a year’: Worshipper describes fear during gunman’s deadly attack on Pittsburgh synagogue

By Peter Smith — June 1, 2023
Robert Bowers, a truck driver from the Pittsburgh suburbs, could face the death penalty if he’s convicted of some of the 63 counts he faces in the Oct. 27, 2018, attack, which claimed the lives of worshippers from three congregations using the city's Tree of Life synagogue.

Choice is the future of religion in America

By Mark Silk — June 1, 2023
(RNS) — Judaism lays bare the complexities of American religion’s new regime of choice.

Israeli protesters fear for the future of their country’s precarious LGBTQ rights revolution

By Orit Avishai — June 1, 2023
(The Conversation) — LGBTQ rights are not the main issue bringing Israeli protesters to the streets, but they do symbolize the country’s stark divide.

Survey: Drop in Eastern European antisemitism may be due to Zelenskyy effect

By Yonat Shimron — May 31, 2023
(RNS) — As arguably the world’s most famous Jew, he may also be contributing to a decline in antisemitic attitudes not only in Ukraine but also in neighboring Poland to the west and Russia to the east.

Lawyers for Pittsburgh synagogue defendant admit he carried out deadliest US antisemitic attack

By Peter Smith — May 31, 2023
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bowers’ defense acknowledged at the outset of his federal trial that he was the gunman, but hope to spare the suburban truck driver a possible death sentence over the Oct. 27, 2018, massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue.

How we are giving Jewish Heritage Month the attention it deserves

By Johnnie Moore and Elan Carr — May 31, 2023
(RNS) — Most Americans would be surprised to hear that presidents have honored Jewish heritage 43 previous times.

Judaism’s rituals to honor new mothers are ever-rooted, ever-changing – from medieval embroidery and prayer to new traditions today

By Lisa Fishbayn Joffe — May 30, 2023
(The Conversation) — Recent generations of Jewish women have looked to reinvent rituals marking the most meaningful moments in their lives, especially childbirth and motherhood.

Faith at Work conference builds momentum on religious inclusion in workplace

By Adelle M. Banks — May 26, 2023
(RNS) — ‘You can integrate faith into every aspect of your workforce, but it has to be voluntary,’ one expert said.

Jewish organizations laud White House plan to fight antisemitism

By Yonat Shimron — May 25, 2023
(RNS) — The new strategy, the first of its kind, was developed in consultation with some 1,000 federal officials, faith leaders and civil society groups and contains more than 100 recommendations.

Freedom was granted at Passover. It was defined on Shavuot.

By Avi Shafran — May 24, 2023
(RNS) — The Festival of Weeks shows that true freedom comes in endeavoring to live a 'mission-focused' life.
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