Fidget spinners, the incredibly popular toys that have driven thousands of schoolchildren to distraction in classrooms across America, were invented after their creator sought to create an alternative activity for Palestinian boys to do instead of throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers. Catherine Hettinger told Money magazine on Wednesday that her wheels starting turning after observing…
(JTA) — A leading official in the European Commission — one of the European Union’s governing bodies — implied that efforts by Hungary’s prime minister to shut down a university founded by George Soros are anti-Semitic. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long harbored animosity toward Soros, a Hungarian-born Jewish financier who has donated millions of…
Long ago, in a galaxy far far away, Adam Scott invited Mark Hamill to his childhood birthday party. During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Thursday, Scott recalled his earnest attempt to meet Hamill (“I thought if his schedule was clear, he was probably going to [come to the party]”) and his lifelong love of…
(JTA) — Israeli authorities are considering bringing in foreign doctors to force-feed Palestinian hunger strikers if Israeli doctors continue to resist taking part in the practice. The Israel Medical Association has advised its members not to participate in any force-feeding, deeming the practice to be inhumane. Israel’s Channel 2 reported Thursday that the government would…
(JTA) — Jewish leaders in Great Britain paid tribute to Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who announced that he will retire from public engagements after August. Buckingham Palace announced Thursday that the 95-year-old Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, had the “full support of the Queen” in stepping back after nearly 70 years of hosting…
Democrats may have to add another name to the list of potential 2020 presidential candidates. Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger is being urged by fellow Hollywood executives to enter the race, Axios reported Friday. Iger, who is Jewish, told friends last month that he is willing to consider a bid for the Democratic nomination….
(JTA) — Basketball’s international governing body will allow players to wear yarmulkes, hijabs and other religious headgear beginning October 1. The new rule, announced in a May 4 statement by the International Basketball Association, or FIBA, will have the largest impact on women from majority-Muslim countries who sought to wear the hijab in international competition. Qatar’s…
The Brooklyn park named for the late Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch, perhaps better known as “MCA,” will be throwing a party this Sunday for local residents to eat, play and listen to the rap group’s hits. “The park event is a time to really reflect on Adam’s life, appreciate his ongoing influence in the…
A State Department Twitter accounted posted and then quickly deleted a tweet from Ivanka Trump promoting her new book “Women Who Work.” The agency’s Office of Global Women’s Issues briefly retweeted the post from Trump, in which the first daughter gushed about her sisters reading her memoir/self-help volume. Thank you to my beautiful sisters for…
Deborah Cotton, the New Orleans culture writer known as Big Red Cotton, died on May 2 of complications related to the shooting that injured her in 2013. She was 52 years old. Cotton, who had African American and Jewish roots, spoke out over the years about the need to have compassion for the men who…
New Israeli government restrictions on tourists staying in the West Bank could stifle an influential non-profit that brings American Jewish leaders to stay with Palestinians in Bethlehem and elsewhere in the territories. Encounter, whose participants have included senior Jewish communal executives and prominent rabbis, says a new Israel laws could strangle its ability to run…
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