WASHINGTON (JTA) — Miriam Adelson, the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and a Republican kingmaker in her own right, loaned former Vice President Mike Pence a plane this week — affording him the kind of photo-ops that presidential contenders cherish. Pence met in Israel with its prime minister and president, toured a settler enclave…
(JTA) – Eight women have accused Éric Zemmour, a Jewish candidate in France’s presidential elections, of sexual misconduct, dating as far back as 1999. The women spoke on camera to Mediapart, a left-leaning news channel, about Zemmour, a far-right politician, with some saying he groped and kissed them against their will. Seven of the interviewees…
ANN ARBOR, Michigan (JTA) — Like many American universities today, the University of Michigan wants its community to know that it is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, known as DEI. But for Jews, an email its chief diversity officer sent today inadvertently communicated the opposite effect. In a letter to all students, staff and…
(New York Jewish Week via JTA) — After two years of Covid restrictions, Jews across the city are preparing for crowded Purim events, ranging from synagogue services and rock shows to queer Megillah readings and dance parties. While Purim is traditionally celebrated inside of a synagogue, the holiday — with its themes of masquerade and…
TEL AVIV (JTA) — “You’ll be calling until the mashiach comes,” one woman responded this week to a frantic query about embassy appointments on a Facebook group for Russians planning to move to Israel. While Russians seeking to make the move, known as aliyah, may not have to wait until the messiah arrives, they are facing…
In the early days of the Russian invasion, Kharkiv native Oleg Kosariev, who now lives in Israel, lost touch with his mother and stepfather, who had no electricity and had taken shelter in a basement of their home in the Ukrainian city. He would have to wait until he could communicate with them again, but…
(JTA) – When West Virginia lawmakers opened a discussion about proposed “critical race theory” legislation on Monday, it didn’t take long before topic of conversation turned to Jews. West Virginia’s House of Delegates was debating legislation along the lines of laws considered or passed in a slew of other states, to prohibit classroom instruction that…
BERLIN (JTA) – Germany is easing immigration requirements for Jewish refugees from Ukraine, the country’s main Jewish umbrella group announced today. In a deal worked out with the federal government, refugees who have papers proving their Jewish roots will have an expedited path to German citizenship. Jewish leaders welcomed the news even as they struggled…
(JTA) — Ukraine’s Jewish president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has become a global symbol of defiance as his country endures an all-out offensive from Russia. British lawmakers gave him a standing ovation. Fans have set his speeches to rousing soundtracks. And Jewish supporters have called him a “modern Maccabee,” a reference to the ancient Jews who stood…
(JTA) — The Israeli Holocaust museum and historical authority Yad Vashem is suspending its philanthropic partnership with Roman Abramovich as the Russian-Israeli oligarch is hit with sanctions in the United Kingdom aimed at isolating Russian President Vladimir Putin and people close to him. Abramovich, who made billions in the Russian oil industry but has denied…
(JTA) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has added the Knesset to the list of legislative bodies he is appealing to for support as he faces down Russia’s war against his country. Israeli media reported Wednesday that Ukraine’s government requested a chance to address the legislature. The request came just as the Knesset session was adjourning…
