Lost In Fierce Israel-Diaspora Debate: Standards Differ, Even Within Denominations

At the center of the newest controversy is the conversion process itself, whose procedures and rabbinic requirements can appear arbitrary.

By Steve Lipman

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Rabbi Abraham Twerski

Editor's Desk

How This Chasidic Rabbi’s Video About A Lobster Went Viral

Rabbi Twerski’s 91-second video has been viewed more than 84 million times, but its success wasn’t a fluke.

By Gary Rosenblatt

Orthodox Instagram Star Reflects On Ugly Aftermath Of Social Media Campaign

Her campaign #FrumWomenHaveFaces went viral, but left her estranged from her religious community. What’s next for Flatbush Girl?

By Shira Hanau

The Summer Tour Map

JOFA Blog

JOFA, Yeshivat Maharat Joint Tour To Stop In 13 Cities This Summer

The Summer Tour will expose communities to new and creative models of female scholarship and leadership.

By JOFA and Yeshivat Maharat

JOFA Archives

When You Can’t Reach The Wall

By Sharon Weiss-Greenberg

@oddartpuns

How Tall Is Your Mechitza?

By Shayna Abramson

Palestinian man killed by Israeli forces in West Bank

3 Israelis Said Killed, 1 Wounded In West Bank Stabbing Attack

By JTA

The central synagogue of the Abayudaya Jewish community

Uganda’s Jews Are Down To One Meal A Day Because Of East Africa’s Famine

By Ben Sales

CC2017-Negotiations_BMF-4823

$100 Million More For Survivors’ Homecare

‘Big step forward to closing a lot of gaps,’ Claims Conference’s lead negotiator says; survivors’ groups say it’s not enough.

By Stewart Ain

Effecting Change In Israel

Editorial Why diaspora Jewry cutting off financial support to Israel is a bad idea.

By Jewish Week Editors

roiee rozenberg with antony ervin (1)

US Gold Medalist Plays Wheelchair B-Ball In Israel

The New Normal

By The Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization

Jake Tapper And Linda Sarsour Mixed It Up On Twitter. And It Wasn’t About Jews. Or Was It?

By Ron Kampeas

PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-UNESCO

On Wishing I’d Been Sightless in Hebron

First Person

By John Moscowitz

Thomas Lopez-Pierre on the show “Meet the Faith” in BET studios in New York City, 2006. JTA

NY City Council Candidate Agrees To Stop Saying ‘Greedy Jewish Landlords’

Thomas Lopez-Pierre says decision to stop using term at center of his campaign came after talks with ‘Jewish supporters.’

By Times of Israel, JTA

Opinion

Partisanship And The Fight Against Anti-Semitism

Jonathan S. Tobin Obsessing over minor Trump kerfuffles, while largely ignoring genuine threats to the Jews, illustrates the way hyper-partisanship can undermine the fight against hate.

2017 Bastille Day Military Ceremony On The Champs Elysees In Paris

Vive La Différence

Editorial

By Jewish Week Editors

Charity’s Centennial Spurs Record Giving

By Steve Lipman

Anti-immigrant billboards in Budapest

UPDATE: Hungarian Leader Vows to Protect Jews

Calls Hungary’s complicity with the Nazis to kill Jews a ‘sin.’

By Stewart Ain

From Persia, With Love Of Zion

By David Wolpe

Met Council Looks For New Start With Greenfield

High-profile Jewish councilman takes over as agency rebrands.

By Amy Sara Clark

City Councilman David Greenfield

Visitors to the show can see a video of Eichmann’s testimony from the actual glass booth he appeared in during the trial.

55 Years On, First-time Exhibit On Eichmann Trial Comes To NYC

The exhibit about the Nazi war criminal features rare artifacts from Mossad files.

In Wake Of Temple Mount Attack, A New Round Of Tension On All Sides

Pressure is mounting on multiple fronts.

By Joshua Mitnick

PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-JERUSALEM

T-Mobile Charge Allegedly Targets Chasidic, Haitian Listeners

Activists say the cent-per-minute charge, affecting elderly and immigrant listeners, is ‘discriminatory.’

By Hannah Dreyfus

03a

This Kippah Could Save The Lives Of Kids With Allergies

Food & Wine

By JW Publications

allergy_alert_1

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FILM

‘Menashe,’ The Yiddish Movie About A Chasidic Single Dad, Brings Boro Park To The Big Screen

After its Sundance success, the “thoroughly New York story” comes to cinemas here.

By Jonathan Mark

Exclusive

New Dating Site ‘Saw You At Stonewall’ Caters To LGBT Jews

Niche dating website focuses on the underserved Jewish LGBT dating scene; sliding scales place users on the Queer spectrum.

By Shira Hanau

Marchers express pride in their Jewish and LGBT identities. Talia Lakritz/JW

spotlight Communicated content

From Average Pumping Rate to Instantaneous Pumping Rate

By Theodore Sheskin P.E.

News Headlines

July 21, 2017
5:11 pm

Shuttered Bronx Synagogue Becomes A Dumping Ground

bronx

NEW YORK — Neighbors of a shuttered synagogue in the Bronx want its apparent owners to clean up the trash that is accumulating on its property. Congregation Hope of Israel on Walton Avenue in the lower Grand Concourse neighborhood — once...

By JTA

July 21, 2017
5:06 pm

3 Israelis Said Killed, 1 Wounded In West Bank Stabbing Attack

Palestinian man killed by Israeli forces in West Bank

Two Israelis were reportedly killed and one wounded in a stabbing attack in a West Bank settlement north of Ramallah. Two men, in their 40s and 60s, and a woman in her 40s reportedly died of their wounds, while a...

By JTA

July 21, 2017
11:25 am

Jared Kushner To Testify Before Senate Committee Over Russia Ties

Jared Kushner

Jared Kushner, the senior adviser to President Donald Trump, has agreed to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Kushner will appear before the committee in a closed-door session...

By JTA

July 21, 2017
10:50 am

Uganda’s Jews Are Down To One Meal A Day Because Of East Africa’s Famine

The central synagogue of the Abayudaya Jewish community

JTA — Uganda’s 2,000 Jews have long maintained a modest existence. They live in the east of the country in a hilly, rural area that lacks paved roads, consistent electricity and freely running water. But this year, the situation for Uganda’s...

By Ben Sales

July 21, 2017
10:48 am

2 Palestinians Reported Killed In Riots Over Temple Mount Metal Detectors

Israeli police and Palestinians clash

Two Palestinians were killed in clashes between rioters and police in Jerusalem over the Israeli government’s decision to keep in place indefinitely metal detectors at the entrance to the Temple Mount, the Palestinian media reported. Thousands of Israeli soldiers and...

By JTA

July 21, 2017
10:19 am

First Read For July 21

Israel: Metal detectors will remain on Temple Mount Israeli security officials are bracing for more Arab violence on the Temple Mount today following a cabinet decision that authorizes police to screen Muslim worshipers with metal detectors and take any other...

By Steve Lipma and Steve Lipman

July 20, 2017
12:05 pm

Orthodox Instagram Star Reflects On Ugly Aftermath Of Social Media Campaign

Flatbush Girl

Fighting for change in your own community is never easy. Adina Miles, otherwise known as the Instagram personality Flatbush Girl, is learning that the hard way. Miles recently became the face of a social media campaign to stop Jewish newspapers and...

By Shira Hanau

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Blogs

The Gift Of Goodness

We are a society geared toward the gifted. We have programs to enhance people’s natural endowments, special training and tutoring, early......

By David Wolpe

Shmuly Yanklowitz

Loving the Convert: how are we doing?

The path of the Jewish convert can be strenuous and taxing on the soul. The processes that have been established over......

By Shmuly Yanklowitz

Listen Up

Deuteronomy is the great book of listening. We live in a visual time; our age is saturated with images. Everyone’s cellphone carries......

By David Wolpe

Francine Klagsbrun

Going To The Wall

‘It’s obvious that the Kotel decision has been a terrible insult to American Jewry,” an Israeli friend wrote to me last......

By Francine Klagsbrun

Douglas M. Bloomfield

Where Jews are free to be Jews

My granddaughter wore a tallit and read......

By Douglas M. Bloomfield

Your Views

Yanklewizz, stop pretending to be a Rabbi. Everyone knows you aren't…

Posted by Ben Rosenbloom on Loving the Convert: how are we doing?

Thursday, July 20, 2017, 4:51 AM

These are the ravings of a lunatic.

Posted by Zach Korner on Developing a Second Halakhah

Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 7:56 AM

how come libraels always act radical and then accuse the other side of…

Posted by Yon Tel on Going To The Wall

Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 1:55 AM

If you only knew half of it.

Posted by Menashe Walsh on Loving the Convert: how are we doing?

Tuesday, July 18, 2017, 4:16 PM

This is a falacy to think Orthodox called their brothers by horrible…

Posted by Tziyona Kantrowitz on Going To The Wall

Monday, July 17, 2017, 7:51 PM

Fifty years ago, our grandfather, Jacob Blaustein would have…

Posted by Bob Roswell on Going To The Wall

Monday, July 17, 2017, 3:43 PM

The Orthodox do not consider the rest of us to be Jews unless they…

Posted by Abraham Farmer on Going To The Wall

Saturday, July 15, 2017, 5:18 AM

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July 20, 2017
11:34 am

July 20, 2017 11:34 am

US Gold Medalist Plays Wheelchair B-Ball In Israel

roiee rozenberg with antony ervin (1)

A moving encounter took place this week when 48 members of the US Maccabi Swim Team visited Tel Aviv’s Beit Halochem Rehabilitation Sports and Recreation Center and met with Zahal Disabled Veterans. US Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Ervin was amongst...

By The Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization

July 20, 2017
11:28 am

July 20, 2017 11:28 am

Aphasia Awareness Month In Israel

000_7123

Editor's Month: Last month we shared a story about the impact that Hadassah's Adler Aphasia Center is having in Israel. We're delighted to share these photos from the Center's recent Aphasia Awareness Month events. The senior staff of Hadassah Academic...

By Hadassah Academic College

July 17, 2017
10:33 am

July 17, 2017 10:33 am

Financial Planning And Special Needs

special-needs-trusts

“Caregiver” is a familiar word as we gain appreciation for the things people do for loved ones. The term is especially applicable to those caring for someone who has special needs. Decision-making, particularly where children are the ones with...

By David J. Goldwasser

July 13, 2017
10:08 am

July 13, 2017 10:08 am

This Chasidic Mom Got Arrested To Save Medicaid

Sara Atkins

Sara Atkins, a Chasidic stay at home mother of five children is busy this summer planning her son’s Bar Mitzvah, overseeing her children’s schooling (they all attend a cyber charter school) and taking her children to their scouts and...

By Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer

July 10, 2017
2:40 pm

July 10, 2017 2:40 pm

Medicaid Is A Civil Rights Issue

Editor's Note: The New Normal blog continues to cover the impact of proposed Medicaid cuts on the lives of people with disabilities. Thank you to Erica Mones for sharing her perspective which originally appeared here. Nearly once a week a...

By Erica Mones

July 5, 2017
2:32 pm

July 5, 2017 2:32 pm

SINAI Schools New Film Wins Multiple Awards

jacobparents_hilleldebby-adler

SINAI Schools has won multiple prestigious Awards of Excellence and an Award of Merit from The Accolade Global Film Competition for their short documentary, Jacob’s Footprints. Jacob’s Footprints premiered at SINAI’s annual benefit dinner in February, 2017. It tells the...

By SINAI Schools

July 4, 2017
8:53 am

July 4, 2017 8:53 am

Denver 9 Released: #SaveMedicaid Fight Continues

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Editor's Note: Thank you to ADAPT for sharing this update on the protestors in Denver who were opposing the Senate's proposed cuts to Medicaid. The ADAPT Community is greatly relieved by the safe release of our members by the Denver...

By ADAPT.org

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Arts

Three Jewish Sisters, Pop’s Newest Music Sensation

New band HAIM’s second album lands with a splash, as the sisters head on tour.

By Shira Hanau

July 20, 2017
11:26 am

July 20, 2017 11:26 am

A New Play Tells The Story Of Mikvah-Peeping Rabbi Barry Freundel

Matty Griffiths

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Rabbi Barry Freundel was the rabbi of Kesher Israel in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. He was a man of power in his synagogue, and influence in the wider modern Orthodox world. But all of...

By Giovanna Paz

July 19, 2017
2:37 pm

July 19, 2017 2:37 pm

Granddaughter Of Holocaust Survivors Removed Auschwitz Relics To Use For Art Project

Auschwitz

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum said it will file a complaint with the Polish prosecutor against an Israeli woman, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, who removed relics from site. Rotem Bides, 27, an art student at the...

By JTA

July 19, 2017
8:29 am

July 19, 2017 8:29 am

‘Menashe,’ The Yiddish Movie About A Chasidic Single Dad, Brings Boro Park To The Big Screen

01bot

It was the nighttime fires of Lag B’Omer, flames licking the darkening skies over Borough Park, that convinced Joshua Z. Weinstein he had to make a movie about chasidim. A filmmaker with a documentarian’s eye, and ear, for “authenticity,” he...

By Jonathan Mark

July 18, 2017
5:56 pm

July 18, 2017 5:56 pm

NYC Events of The Week

Top Picks REGINA SPEKTOR Indie-pop singer/songwriter/pianist Regina Spektor — a Russian-born American Jew — is a genre onto herself. With her bird-like voice, Spektor’s pop-rock ballads offer an eccentric, bittersweet and poetically striking experience, which often leaves listeners both puzzled and moved....

By Orli Santo

July 18, 2017
2:18 pm

July 18, 2017 2:18 pm

Best Bets For August

August is the weirdest month for travel. It’s traditionally the vacation period, particularly in Europe; entire cities appear to be evacuated between July and September. August commands the highest prices for East Coast beach rentals, and as every New...

By Hilary Danailova

July 17, 2017
1:07 pm

July 17, 2017 1:07 pm

55 Years On, First-time Exhibit On Eichmann Trial Comes To New York City

Visitors to the show can see a video of Eichmann’s testimony from the actual glass booth he appeared in during the trial.

Over a cup of coffee several years ago at Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv with the director of the Israeli spy agency’s archives, Avner Avraham learned that the Mossad archives still contained the Adolf Eichmann files. Avraham, 52, an author,...

July 14, 2017
10:56 am

July 14, 2017 10:56 am

2017 Emmys: All the Jewish Nominees

Actors Shemar Moore (L) and Anna Chlumsky present the Emmy nominees for Outstanding Drama Series at the Television Academy, on July 13, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images

JTA — On Thursday, the Television Academy announced the nominees for the coveted Primetime Emmy Awards. Here are the candidates with Jewish ancestry. The awards for TV excellence will be presented Sept. 8 on CBS. Lead actress, drama series Evan Rachel Wood is being...

By Josefin Dolsten

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