Judaism

Jewish man prays at altar with pews behind him, USA flag in background

A gift from small-town Iowa brings light to Paraguay’s capital

Ottumwa, Iowa’s centenarian B’nai Jacob synagogue held its final service in May — but the congregation’s story lives on in the heart of South America through one of its Torahs, the sacred Jewish text.

A gift from small-town Iowa brings light to Paraguay’s capital
Ivanka Trump Jared Kushner inauguration

Does Israel recognize Ivanka Trump's Jewishness? It does now.

Does Israel recognize Ivanka Trump's Jewishness? It does now.
For the Jewish ritual of Kaparot, a person's sins are symbolically transferred to a chicken, and then the chicken is slaughtered.

My sins are cleared for the year, but the chicken wasn't so lucky

My sins are cleared for the year, but the chicken wasn't so lucky
Shimon Peres was a proud holder of an Israeli organ donor card.

Shimon Peres wanted Israelis to be organ donors — like him

Shimon Peres wanted Israelis to be organ donors — like him
Visitors to the new Space of Synagogues memorial place stones in remembrance of the dead in Lviv, Ukraine on Sept. 4.

Why Ukraine’s newest Holocaust memorial is so important

Why Ukraine’s newest Holocaust memorial is so important
Fatima Elati

Two friends find common ground in a divided Holland

A sense of mutual distrust has descended upon Amsterdam’s Muslim and Jewish communities. Anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise and Jewish institutions are now guarded by police. Despite this, two activists — one Jewish, and one Muslim — have found common ground, and friendship, though not without personal cost.

Two friends find common ground in a divided Holland
A Palestinian teenager checks his Facebook account, keeping tabs on the back and forth violence between Palestinians and Israelis.

Escalating Middle East violence helped along by social media

In the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, both sides use social media as armor — and ammo.

Escalating Middle East violence helped along by social media
Cantor Chaim Adler looks over the sheet music from the Kol Nidre prayer, sung on the eve of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

The best free concert in Jerusalem takes place on Yom Kippur

The Jerusalem Great Synagogue Choir is the only institutional synagogue choir in Israel. No other choir in the world is expected to do what this kind of choir does — to work all day on Yom Kippur without food or drink, and to uphold a central part of the European Jewish synagogue tradition going back to at least the 16th century.

The best free concert in Jerusalem takes place on Yom Kippur
Torah

Becoming Jewish at a Catholic university

Spirituality is a constant hum of white noise at Boston College, and I needed something to put there while everyone else was at 10:30 mass. What I found was Judaism.

Becoming Jewish at a Catholic university
The World

A 'stimulating' film is causing a stir in Israel

Plenty of religions tell their members that masturbation is a sin, but few are willing to go to the lengths of ultra-Orthodox Jews to make sure the rule is followed. That struggle is the subject of a new documentary, "Sacred Sperm," from an ultra-Orthodox filmmaker who lives that temptation.

A 'stimulating' film is causing a stir in Israel
A still from Victoria Hanna's video "Aleph-bet (Hosha'ana)."

The 'edgiest' singer on Israeli airwaves is an Orthodox mother of three

Victoria Hanna, a longtime fixture of the small indie Jewish spiritual music scene, released her first single this month. It's just a riff on a Hebrew alphabet song, but the video became an Internet hit.

The 'edgiest' singer on Israeli airwaves is an Orthodox mother of three
rench soldiers patrol the street in a Jewish neighbourhood near a religious school and a synagogue as part of the highest level of "Vigipirate" security plan after the Islamist attacks in Paris January 20, 2015.

I never knew how differently France and America value religion

In the United States, we speak easily of different ethnic and religious communities. But the reality is far different in France, where the Charlie Hebdo attacks have brought religion and its place in French society back to the top of the agenda.

I never knew how differently France and America value religion

The Globalization of Yiddish

Yiddish may be a language in decline, but some Yiddish words are more popular than ever. Reporter Julia Simon takes us on a tour that includes Kenya, Egypt and the Netherlands.

The Globalization of Yiddish

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

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