Congregants at a synagogue in the Hamptons on New York’s Long Island pledged more than $1 million at a fundraiser for Israel. The money raised at the Aug. 9 gathering following Shabbat at The Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach will go to the UJA-Federation of New York’s Israel Emergency Fund, which assists organizations that provide…
A child from the persecuted Yazidi ethnic group of northern Iraq received heart surgery in Israel. The 17-month-old, Wisam, was born with congenital heart disease, and he and his father arrived in Israel in June in advance of the surgery, which was performed Sunday. Wisam’s family — including his mother and two newborn twins —…
Israel’s state comptroller will investigate Israeli military conduct and decisions made during the recent conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Wednesday’s announcement came in the wake of allegations of Israel Defense Forces war crimes during the month-long conflict, in which more than 1,900 Palestinians were killed. Palestinian human rights organizations claim more than 80 percent of…
An Orthodox Jew from Belgium was lightly wounded in an assault in Switzerland, which witnesses called an anti-Semitic attack. The victim of the Monday evening assault in the Davos area is a 26-year-old tourist from Antwerp, according to a report published Wednesday in the online edition of the Swiss Jewish weekly Tachles. The victim, identified…
The threat of renewed war in Gaza loomed on Wednesday as the clock ticked towards the end of a three-day ceasefire with no sign of a breakthrough in indirect talks in Cairo between Israel and the Palestinians. Officials in Egypt indicated that the talks were struggling, but said efforts were still being made to reach…
Lauren Bacall, the sultry actress with the heavy-lidded eyes and husky voice who captured Humphrey Bogart’s heart both on and off the movie screen, died on Tuesdsay at the age of 89. “With deep sorrow, yet with great gratitude for her amazing life, we confirm the passing of Lauren Bacall,” the estate of the Bogart…
Several prominent American evangelical Christian leaders will travel to Israel to demonstrate their support. The Aug. 17-22 trip, called “Christians in Solidarity with Israel,” was organized by the National Religious Broadcasters. Participants include Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham and president of AnGeL Ministries; Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council; and Richard…
Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams was found by a personal assistant hanged to death at his house in Northern California, and the preliminary finding is that he died of asphyxia due to hanging, a local sheriff’s official said on Tuesday. Williams, 63, who was found dead at his home near Tiburon, California, had recently sought treatment…
A marker commemorating the Belfast birthplace of the late Israeli president Chaim Herzog was removed following several anti-Semitic attacks. The blue plaque honoring Herzog, Israel’s president from 1983 to 1993, was taken down in the Irish capital out of concern for the safety of those living nearby, the Belfast Telegraph reported. “Attacks have included the…
Amal Alamuddin, the British attorney engaged to actor George Clooney, declined her nomination to serve on a U.N. panel investigating Israel for possible war crimes in Gaza. Alamuddin attributed her decision to “prior professional commitments,” she said, adding she “regrets that the commission will not benefit from her expertise in the field,” The Gulf Today…
Israel extended immigration benefits to non-Jewish spouses in same-sex marriages. On Tuesday, Interior Minister Gideon Saar instructed the government to extend the benefits of the Law of Return to all married couples. The law affords non-Jewish spouses of Jewish immigrants full citizenship and immigration benefits, but Israel had not extended the privileges to same-sex spouses…
