Orthodox Judaism
Exhibition in Jerusalem challenges perceptions of modestly dressed women
By Michele Chabin — September 6, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Featuring women from different cultures, the multimedia investigation of modest dress shows that the common denominator is a thirst for spiritual meaning.
In Queens, revered Jewish leader’s burial site draws crowds
By Deepti Hajela — July 5, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — Since the passing of the leader of Judaism's Chabad-Lubavitch movement 25 years ago, people wait hours to pray at his mausoleum on the anniversary of his passing on the Jewish calendar, which this year falls on July 6.
In a rural corner of Britain, a farm reconnects Judaism with the land
By Catherine Pepinster — May 10, 2019
(RNS) — At Sadeh, a farm in Kent, Talia Chain and her small staff are reconnecting Judaism with its agricultural roots and biblical principles of growing food.
For Orthodox Jewish men, the hat known as a Borsalino is tops
By Bill Motchan — April 9, 2019
(RNS) — A fedora worn by Rihanna and Indiana Jones has also been the hat of choice for Jews from Eastern Europe to the United States for more than a century.
Rabbis express concern about excesses of Purim celebrations
By Michele Chabin — March 19, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — For many Jews, the holiday of Purim has become too commercialized, and alcohol, according to one rabbi, 'has become the star of the holiday.'
Jews and Muslims say Belgian animal cruelty law trammels religious freedom
By Elena Berton and Jabeen Bhatti — February 26, 2019
PARIS (RNS) — A ban on slaughtering livestock without stunning them first is seen as a direct attack on kosher and halal practices.
The case for gender-segregated beaches
By Michele Chabin — June 29, 2018
(RNS) — News that New York City Councilman Chaim Deutsch has rented a city-owned Brooklyn beach for separate male and female swim days is creating excitement among devout Muslims and Orthodox Jews, but critics say the practice amounts to gender discrimination.
Surveys show sharp differences between Jews in US and Israel
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — June 14, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — While most Israeli Jews recognize the Jewishness of their American counterparts, the majority do not share the Americans' dreams to make Israel a more religiously pluralistic country.
Bikini begone: Conservative modesty at the beach
By Madeleine Buckley — July 11, 2017
(RNS) — A look at how women of different religions stay covered up with swimwear.
After 40 years of women rabbis, a Q&A with the first
By Lauren Markoe — December 8, 2016
(RNS) A self-described private person, Sally Priesand didn't want to be a pioneer. She just wanted to be a rabbi.
Knesset member challenges ultra-Orthodox influence in Israeli society
By guest — October 24, 2016
JERUSALEM (RNS) Rachel Azaria has been described as the only member of Israel’s 66-member coalition government willing to challenge the ultra-Orthodox monopoly on family rights and religion-and-state issues.
Why Obamacare’s contraception mandate hurts minority religions (COMMENTARY)
By Frank Pavone — February 19, 2016
(RNS) If the government is allowed to determine the veracity of religious doctrines familiar to most everyone, what will happen to Americans whose beliefs are less known or understood?
Orthodox rabbis’ statement calls Christianity part of God’s plan
By Lauren Markoe — December 8, 2015
(RNS) Most Orthodox rabbis won't sign on, but it's notable that even some Orthodox rabbis want to place Christianity in a Jewish theological perspective.
Modern Orthodox Judaism says ‘no’ to women rabbis
By Kimberly Winston — November 2, 2015
(RNS) The Rabbinical Council of America officially prohibited the ordination of women in what it described as a direct vote of its membership.
Avi Weiss, the rabble-rouser rabbi, takes stock after an activist career
By Lauren Markoe — January 29, 2015
BRONX, N.Y. (RNS) “There was a time when it was fun. I enjoyed mixing it up,” said Rabbi Avi Weiss. “But it got to a point where it was not fun at all.”
