Nashville, Tenn. — The desired tone for this year’s conclave of local Jewish federations was set during the appearance of University of Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl. Pointing to his own experience as a team builder, Pearl told a cheering crowd: “We know who we are. We know our identity. We understand our challenges. We…
Gay Bill Divides Groups Passage of legislation aimed at prohibiting workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation has split Jewish groups working on Capitol Hill. The controversial Employment Non-Discrimination Act, passed last week by the House of Representatives, is considered a major legislative breakthrough for advocates of gay and lesbian rights. “This is the most important…
Hoping to replicate the successful Jewish-Christian outreach of the past 50 years, a group of mainstream rabbis and imams is launching an ambitious attempt to forge a national dialogue between American Jews and Muslims. Last week, imams and rabbis from a dozen large American cities gathered in New York to discuss a broad range of…
Washington – As Israel has been contending with the arrival of thousands of refugees from Sudan, American organizations have offered to help the Israeli government but have been met by a cold shoulder, officials say. Several Jewish organizations specializing in issues of immigration and asylum have offered the Israeli government assistance in building an asylum…
Thousands rallied against neo-Nazism in Prague as Czech police prevented a right-wing extremist march. A high court had banned Saturday’s march through the city’s Jewish quarter by neo-Nazis on the anniversary of Kristallnacht. Instead, thousands of Jews and their supporters turned up for a Sabbath prayer by Chief Rabbi Karol Sidon, and speeches against extremism…
Thanksgiving is upon us. If I were a nicer person this column would consist of a list of all the things I’m thankful for, but alas, I’m a crank. Ergo: “Things I Am Not Thankful For,” by me, Marjorie Ingall: • A vice president who wants to shoot democracy in the face • A new…
Muslim-Jewish understanding can come only through knowledge and respect, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco believes — and maybe through some old-fashioned head-to-head debate. And so, last month the JCC hosted Judea Pearl — father of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was slain by Islamic extremists in Pakistan in 2002 — and…
The Thalia Follies returns to Symphony Space for the fourth year in a row to take on a meaty subject: food. The political cabaret series, created by Isaiah Sheffer and Martin Sage, includes a number of sketches that speak directly to members of the tribe. The Food Follies includes songs about Zabar’s, Artie’s Delicatessen, egg…
Toronto — One of Canada’s foremost Jewish advocacy organizations is being shaken by an internal rebellion of members who say that the organization lacks “responsible governance.” A group calling itself Concerned Members of B’nai Brith Canada is challenging B’nai Brith Canada, a 132-year old service organization. The group of dissenters says that its members include…
We have just published our annual Forward 50 list of the people who are making a difference in the American Jewish community. What do you think about our choices? Weigh in in the comments section of this article below.
EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE GALA AT MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Let me put to rest the Jewish adage that one can’t dance at two weddings. On October 18, fleet of foot and with the help of New York City transport, I managed three simchas. First, a pause at the 950-plus black-tie Alfred E. Smith Memorial…
