Judaism

Julia Haart’s memoir, a journey from religious orthodoxy to high fashion

By Yonat Shimron — May 13, 2022

(RNS) — In her memoir, 'Brazen,' she details her escape from the Haredi Jewish enclave and her meteoric rise to the elite world of fashion, partly captured in the Netflix reality TV show, 'My Unorthodox Life.'

Faith-based foodies don’t stop at kosher or halal in search of sustainable eating

By Diana Kruzman — May 13, 2022

(RNS) — Eco-kosher and eco-halal devotees are less concerned with strict religious approval than faith-based food justice.

Why post-Roe abortion bans must exempt religious Jews

By Jay Michaelson — May 12, 2022

(RNS) — Jewish law not only permits abortion, but in certain cases requires it.

Study: Girls raised by Jewish parents outperform Christian girls academically

By Yonat Shimron — May 12, 2022

(RNS) — Adolescent girls raised by Jewish parents have ambitious career goals and prioritize their professional success over marriage and motherhood, a study in the American Sociological Review found.

The Pulitzer winner is also the most compelling Jewish novel of the past year

By Jeffrey Salkin — May 12, 2022

(RNS) — It just won the Pulitzer for fiction. It is either a tour de force, or a tour de farce. You decide.

Chicago rabbi is out months after hostile workplace investigation

By Yonat Shimron — May 11, 2022

(RNS) — Three months ago, Rabbi Seth Limmer returned to the Chicago Sinai Congregation after a leave of absence during which he was investigated for creating a hostile workplace culture.

Jordan’s King Abdullah, custodian of holy sites, meets US Christian leaders

By Daoud Kuttab — May 11, 2022

(RNS) — Reconfirming the status quo in Jerusalem will require some hard diplomacy and a lot of goodwill.

Now in spotlight, Dubai Jews struggle for public synagogue

By Isabel Debre — May 11, 2022

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Plans to build a permanent sanctuary for Dubai's fast-expanding congregation have sputtered to a standstill, Jewish leaders say.

It’s time to end Title 42, the immoral — and illegal — Trump-era asylum policy

By Barbara Weinstein and Mary J. Novak — May 11, 2022

(RNS) — Not only is it our duty as people of faith to support those seeking refuge, but it is our duty as Americans to fight for policies that welcome asylum-seekers.

White House’s Melissa Rogers affirms religious diversity as interfaith group expands

By Adelle M. Banks — May 10, 2022

WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘There’s so much that unites us if we are only willing to look for that unity and work side by side,’ Rogers said at the event launching Interfaith America.

Is Paul Simon Jewish? Or ‘Jew-ish’?

By Jeffrey Salkin — May 10, 2022

(RNS) — You can take the boy out of Queens. Can you take Queens out of the boy?

Even abortion foes will help friends who choose to end a pregnancy

By Bob Smietana — May 9, 2022

(RNS) — Americans hold complicated views on abortion — with many seeing it as immoral but necessary. And they often help out friends who choose abortion.