Judaism
Families had long dialogue after Pittsburgh synagogue attack. Now they’ve unveiled a memorial design
By Peter Smith — December 7, 2023
PITTSBURGH (AP) — In the design, a walkway leads visitors into garden memorial with 11 sculpted forms of open books, each representing one of the victims.
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’s plot to ruin Christmas, and America
By Bob Smietana — December 7, 2023
(RNS) — Jews have long played a role in shaping how Americans celebrate Christmas. For Christian nationalism leader Andrew Torba, their contributions are a sign of a plot to remove Jesus from the Christmas story.
Indiana’s appeals court hears arguments challenging abortion ban under a state religious freedom law
By Isabella Volmert — December 7, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The lawsuit argues the ban violates Jewish teachings that “a fetus attains the status of a living person only at birth."
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Democrats fracture over antisemitism vote
By Jack Jenkins — December 6, 2023
(RNS) — Rep. Jerry Nadler, the most senior Jewish lawmaker in the House, called the bill ‘the latest unserious attempt by Republicans to weaponize Jewish pain.’
Votes on war force Washington Democrats to reckon with faith, conscience and politics
By Jack Jenkins — December 6, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘Did I want to take that vote? No,’ Rep. Greg Landsman said of his recent vote to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Welcoming my father’s bimah chair, saying goodbye to my childhood synagogue
By Shira Dicker — December 6, 2023
(RNS) — Why had I delayed claiming the symbol of my father’s rabbinate for so long?
‘The Prince of Egypt’ live-action musical is now streaming
By Kathryn Post — December 6, 2023
(RNS) — RNS spoke to Scott Schwartz, director of the musical adaptation of the widely acclaimed 1998 animated movie, about the West End production.
Hanukkah message of light in darkness feels uniquely relevant to US Jews amid war, antisemitism
By Giovanna Dell'orto — December 6, 2023
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Many feel that having a joyful Hanukkah is another way to show defiance to terror — even though most will include in their family celebration somber prayers for the hostages still held by Hamas.
Parties canceled. Celebrations toned down. Hanukkah won’t be the same this year.
By Yonat Shimron — December 5, 2023
(RNS) — With the Israeli military in the midst of a destructive showdown in its war with Hamas, many U.S. Jews aren’t in the mood for triumphant Hanukkah cheer.
Display your Hanukkah menorah!
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 5, 2023
(RNS) — More than ever before. It’s that important.
In US, some Muslim-Jewish interfaith initiatives are strained by Israel-Hamas war
By Mariam Fam and Luis Andres Henao — December 5, 2023
The war and its polarizing reverberations in America are testing and straining some interfaith relationships more than ever.
A Jewish rock star reflects on Oct. 7
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 5, 2023
(RNS) — Peter Himmelman — rock star, creative genius and observant Jew — sings his truth. And ours. A new podcast.
Armenian Christians battle developer to keep control of their corner of Jerusalem
By David I. Klein — December 4, 2023
(RNS) — A tiny Christian minority sitting on one of the Holy Land's most valuable pieces of real estate has rebelled against a real-estate deal that would sacrifice nearly 25% of its land in Jerusalem.
From radical chic to Jew-hatred chic
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 1, 2023
(RNS) — Leonard and Felicia Bernstein threw one of the most famous parties in New York social history. It still reverberates today.
Israel’s mosaic of Jewish ethnic groups is key to understanding the country
By David L. Graizbord — December 1, 2023
(The Conversation) — The diversity of Israel’s Jewish population has been a source of tensions, but also strength, over the decades.
