Judaism

People watch the Purim parade in Jerusalem, Monday, March 25, 2024. For the first time after 42 years and amid the Israel-Hamas war, Jerusalem holds a Purim parade on Monday. 

‘Our joy is limited’: A subdued Purim in Israel during wartime 

Jews around the world just celebrated the holiday of Purim, which is said to mark the survival of Jews in ancient Persia. In Israel, it is known for being a raucous holiday with parties, costumes, sweets and drinking. But for many Israelis, the war meant this year’s holiday felt different.

‘Our joy is limited’: A subdued Purim in Israel during wartime 
A main street on the edge of Mea She'arim, a Haredi (religious) neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Neturei Karta: an Orthodox Jewish sect that doesn’t believe in the concept of a Jewish state of Israel

Neturei Karta: an Orthodox Jewish sect that doesn’t believe in the concept of a Jewish state of Israel
A Virgin Mary statue in a public square in France

The state of religion in France

The state of religion in France
Benjamin Netanyahu sits with his hand covering his mouth.

What Israel's new election reveals about the struggle over Jewishness

What Israel's new election reveals about the struggle over Jewishness
A close up of image of ancient Dead Sea scroll texts.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are a priceless link to the Bible’s past

The Dead Sea Scrolls are a priceless link to the Bible’s past
Frimet Goldberger grew up in a Hasidic community in New York where women are forbidden to drive. She got her license at age 23, when she left the community.

I'm a woman in America, and I wasn't allowed to drive

Saudi Arabia may be the only country where women aren't allowed to drive, but it’s not the only place where woman are forbidden from getting behind the wheel. It even happens in some communities in the US.

I'm a woman in America, and I wasn't allowed to drive
A sign at the entrance to Giv’at Oz veGa’on, a new outpost established by Israeli settlers in the West Bank in the name of three teenagers killed in June.

Jewish settlers establish a new West Bank outpost in the name of the murdered Israeli teens

In the heart of the West Bank, Israelis have started building a settlement. The area is where three Israeli teenagers were killed — allegedly by Hamas — back in June. While the settlers say this is a peaceful occupation, it may prove to be a roadblock during peace talks.

Jewish settlers establish a new West Bank outpost in the name of the murdered Israeli teens
Merima Ključo

This Bosnian War survivor has a musical interpretation of the Sarajevo Haggadah

The Sarajevo Haggadah was written in the 14th century as an illustrated guide to the Passover seder. Bosnian-born composer and concert accordionist Merima Kljuco was inspired to turn the book, and its story, into a piece of music.

This Bosnian War survivor has a musical interpretation of the Sarajevo Haggadah
Members of the Women of the Wall group take part in their monthly prayer session at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City.

'Separate but equal' will work for Jewish women who want to pray at the Western Wall

The Israeli activist group Women of the Wall has been demanding the chance to pray alongside men at Judaism's holiest place. Now they are ready for a compromise that would give them an area at the Western Wall where they can call the shots.

'Separate but equal' will work for Jewish women who want to pray at the Western Wall

American evangelical collectors buy up Dead Sea Scroll fragments

A few fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls have made their ways into the hands of American evangelical Christians -- thanks to a man who was one of the first people to come into contact with the scrolls after Bedouin Arabs first found them in the late 1940s.

American evangelical collectors buy up Dead Sea Scroll fragments

Conservative LA Synagogue to Perform Gay Marriages Angering Some Congregation Members

A senior rabbi in Los Angeles has announced that same-sex weddings will be performed at his synagogue. Sinai Temple is the oldest and largest Conservative Jewish congregation in LA and Rabbi Wolpe's announcement has angered some members.

Conservative LA Synagogue to Perform Gay Marriages Angering Some Congregation Members

Jerusalem shopping mall at center of culture war in Israel

There's a perceptible tension between mainstream Israeli society and its growing ultra-Orthodox minority. It's on display at a shopping mall in Ramot, a community that's become more ultra-Orthodox. Ultra-Orthdox rabbis have called for a mall boycott, hurting sales.

Jerusalem shopping mall at center of culture war in Israel

Shopping Mall at Center of Culture War in Israel

One of the biggest conflicts in Israel doesn't involve the Palestinians. It's over a shopping mall in a Jerusalem suburb that's at the center of a culture war. Reporter Daniel Estrin explains.

Shopping Mall at Center of Culture War in Israel

A New Sex Manual Gives Ultra-Orthodox Jews the Facts of Life

An American-born Orthodox Jewish sex therapist in Jerusalem has written what he says is the first sexually explicit sex manual for ultra-Orthodox and Orthodox Jews.

A New Sex Manual Gives Ultra-Orthodox Jews the Facts of Life

Egyptian-American man sends a message while running last week's Jerusalem marathon

Last week's Jerusalem Marathon was replete with controversy, with Palestinian officials telling those signed up they should withdraw. But one man, an Egyptian-American, wanted to spread his own message, God is love, as he ran.

Egyptian-American man sends a message while running last week's Jerusalem marathon