Despite a New York judge’s recent condemnation of the practice, several national rabbinic leaders said they thought Orthodox rabbinic courts should continue to screen allegations of sexual abuse and decide whether they should be forwarded to law enforcement for prosecution. “Sometimes, unfortunately, people make allegations which have no substance because they have an agenda,” said…
Those watching the ING New York City Marathon on November 1 should keep their eyes peeled for the Running Rabbis. A minyan’s worth — 10 rabbis, cantors and rabbinical and cantorial students — will be running through the streets as part of a social action endeavor started by two Reform rabbis who want to change…
A prominent Jewish lawmaker representing one of the nation’s most highly populated Jewish districts surprised his constituents and his colleagues by announcing that he is leaving Congress to head a think tank that focuses on promoting Middle East peace. Florida Democrat Robert Wexler, 48, announced on October 14 that he would be leaving office in…
People campaigning for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit are facing, for the first time, grass-roots efforts against a prisoner exchange to bring him home. Until now, there has been a split between the broader Israeli public, which has generally been united behind the idea of a prisoner exchange with Hamas for Shalit, and…
In a move seen as a landmark by Jewish activists on the right, a leading public university has referred a complaint about one of its student organizations to federal authorities, seeking an investigation of allegations of support for a terrorist group. The University of California, Irvine, asked the FBI to investigate claims that funds raised…
Although cartoonist R. Crumb generated plaudits and attention with his new book, “The Book of Genesis Illustrated” (Norton, 2009) is not the only illustrated bible being released this season. Pittsburgh illustrator Ilene Winn-Lederer’s“Between Heaven and Earth; An Illuminated Torah Commentary” (Pomegranate Communications, 2009) though given limited attention has also been received with acclaim. Although as…
Still Jewish: A History of Women and Intermarriage in America By Keren R. McGinity New York University Press, 305 pages. Freelance writer Beth Levine intended to marry a Jewish man and raise “nominally Jewish children,” although she could not define what being a Jew meant. But, after marrying Bill Squire, a gentile, in 1991, she…
Massechet Sotah in the Babylonian Talmud is not the best place to look for perspectives that contemporary Jews hold on relationships. In fact, you’d imagine that such a tractate would be about as informative as the book of Leviticus is on contemporary attitudes of dinner etiquette. But there on the very first page of Sotah…
My American-Jewish childhood may have been typical: Friday night dinner was followed by 20/20 on TV, Saturday morning synagogue often preceded a trip to the mall. I went to a Conservative Jewish day school where controversial topics were often discussed openly, though not interfaith dating or marriage. The implied assumption was: We were expected to…
As it prepares for its first national show of force, J Street, the 18-month-old dovish lobby, is experiencing unprecedented success coupled with unexpected criticism. An item of interest for the national and international press and a rapidly growing organizational power, J Street, which defines itself as the “pro-Israel, pro-peace lobby,” has already made its mark…
The wind was blowing, leaves were falling, and all I could think was “Man, I have got to get me some french onion soup.” This time of year always makes me crave comfort, and for me french onion soup is comfort incarnate. I love the sweetness of the onions, the smooth melted cheese, and the…
