Israel
In Israel, Christians embrace a simple, spiritual Christmas
By Lisa Green — December 21, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Without its commercial trappings, Christmas becomes a simple but meaningful celebration. 'There’s so much to learn in the quiet,' one woman says.
Airbnb issues conflicting statements on boycott of Jewish-owned West Bank properties
By Bob Smietana — December 18, 2018
(RNS) — Short-term rental giant Airbnb put out conflicting statements this week about its plans to ban rentals at Jewish-owned settlement properties.
Does Alice Walker have a Jewish problem?
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 18, 2018
First, she refused to have her major work translated into Hebrew, That was just the start.....
Airbnb accused of anti-Semitism for delisting West Bank properties
By Michele Chabin — November 27, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Palestinians and their supporters insist that the ban has nothing to do with anti-Semitism and everything to do with justice.
Belief helps Gaza border residents hang on during rocket attacks
By Bob Smietana — November 19, 2018
ASHKELON, Israel (RNS) — Residents on both sides of the Gaza-Israel border are relying heavily on faith to cope with escalating violence.
Jerusalem mayoral race exposes religious-secular rift
By Michele Chabin — November 12, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — A fight over nightclub closures on the sabbath represents a larger tug-of-war over whose values will prevail — the ultra-Orthodox Jews' or those of their more mainstream Jewish neighbors.
Measles outbreaks hit ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Israel and US
By Paul O'Donnell — November 9, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — In Israel, several prominent rabbis have signed a document that reads, "Whoever isn't vaccinated is a murderer."
Christ at the Checkpoint USA touts peace for Palestinian Christians. Critics call it anti-Semitic.
By Tamie Ross — October 23, 2018
MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (RNS) — Sharply contrasting narratives emerged as the group's four-day conference drew roughly 150 evangelical Christians to this Oklahoma City suburb last week.
The day I left the Left
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 18, 2018
Being a prophet is actually not all that much fun. It hurts.
‘This is not OK’: American Jewish students harassed for their support of Israel
By Yonat Shimron — October 17, 2018
(RNS) — Students who take pride in their Jewish faith, and in their support for the Jewish nation, are increasingly at odds with proponents of a movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions, or BDS.
What is the best way to fight BDS?
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 15, 2018
Sometimes, the cure for BDS can be worse than the illness itself.
Praise God and pass the plasticware
By Paul O'Donnell — September 26, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Home to the holidays for three religions, Israel uses more plastic cups per capita than any other people in the world.
How a famous Beatles song became Jewish
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 21, 2018
(RNS) — "Let It Be" became "Lu Yehi." Well, sort of....
Israeli court fines ultra-Orthodox radio station for banning women from the air
By Michele Chabin — September 21, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — After a lawsuit was filed, the station began permitting women to speak during limited hours, "and only on stereotypically female topics like recipes or education,” said an activist.
In Israel, a Conservative rabbi’s arrest reopens religious freedom debate
By Yonat Shimron — September 19, 2018
HAIFA, Israel (RNS) — Rabbi Dov Hayun's recent arrest is giving Israelis reason to atone for their country’s stranglehold on Jewish religious expression.
