Judaism
Faith-based groups’ protests for cease-fire in Gaza gain momentum
By Jack Jenkins — November 3, 2023
“We don't need a pause, we need it ended — we need it to cease,” the Rev. Darrell Hamilton II said of the violence in Gaza.
New book examines how the Bible came to be — a loser’s tale
By Yonat Shimron — November 3, 2023
(RNS) — Successive expulsions and exiles forced the ancient scribes to forge from their defeats a new identity as a people.
How the Israel-Hamas war has brought together Arab Christians and Muslims
By Daoud Kuttab — November 3, 2023
(RNS) — Bonds strained in recent years by the rise of Islamic radicals have been cemented again.
Jewish students on campus feel threatened, scared amid antisemitic spike
By Yonat Shimron — November 1, 2023
(RNS) — ‘There’s definitely a foreboding sense — when’s the next tragedy?’ a Cornell University sophomore said.
Haredi Jews, exempt from Israel’s military service mandate, sign up to fight Hamas
By Michele Chabin — October 30, 2023
JERUSALEM (RNS) — 'This isn’t a drill. This is an actual war,' one ultra-Orthodox Israeli said. 'During wartime, we must all do the maximum. Anyone who isn’t studying Torah full time should contribute.'
If Bob Dylan could sing about Israel and Hamas…
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 30, 2023
Listen to "Neighborhood Bully." It is the song we need to hear -- today.
Protesters occupy New York’s Grand Central to demand cease-fire in Gaza
By Fiona André — October 28, 2023
New York (RNS) — The event was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist organization created in 1996 that also occupied Congress a week ago, asking for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Advocates erect empty Shabbat tables in support of hostages taken by Hamas
By Jack Jenkins — October 28, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Speakers, who included family members of those believed to be kidnapped, led the crowd in chants of ‘Bring them home!’ as well as songs and prayers in Hebrew.
5 years after massacre, Tree of Life rabbi inspires ‘A Psalm for Pittsburgh’
By Kathryn Post — October 27, 2023
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — Psalm 121, which gave Rabbi Jeffrey Myers solace in the wake of the tragedy, has been set to music in a piece commissioned by the Tree of Life congregation and composed by Gerald Cohen.
US Jews fracture over support for Israeli retaliation
By Yonat Shimron and Jack Jenkins — October 26, 2023
(RNS) — Pro-Israel groups have denounced left-leaning Jews, accusing them of being antisemitic and not really Jewish.
Israeli, Palestinian, Muslim or Jewish: Some pain doesn’t fit the story we want to hear
By Michael Woolf — October 26, 2023
(RNS) — People of faith are called to have compassion, regardless of our preferred political narratives.
Hollywood is speaking up for Israel
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 26, 2023
Celebrities are speaking out in defense of Israel against Hamas terror. Let's take it to the next level.
Documentary on Black millennials depicts wide range of religion, rebellion
By Adelle M. Banks — October 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We show the pluralistic nature of the African American religious experience,’ said creator Teddy Reeves, ‘from those who are of some formal faith tradition to those who are not.’
My friend’s inspiring life was a reminder: We need to see each other’s humanity
By Greg M. Epstein — October 23, 2023
(RNS) — It's natural to retreat into our own pain and fear, and to stay there. But then none of us gets the world we long for and deserve.
