Back before he was facing indictment on rape charges, Israeli President Moshe Katsav hitched his star to the creation of a body of Jewish intellectuals and politicians that was to confront what he called the “crisis situation” facing the Jewish people. The gathering — initially referred to as a World Jewish Parliament — was originally…
A national Jewish Republican group is outspending its Democratic counterpart by a margin of four-to-one or more on advertisements targeting Jewish voters, political insiders told the Forward. The Republican Jewish Coalition, a Washington-based advocacy group, announced last week that it would continue running a series of controversial advertisements, attacking the Democrats’ commitment to Israel, in…
An Indiana Republican lawmaker best known for his lead role in the congressional investigations of Bill Clinton is reaching out for Jewish support in his campaign to head the House International Relations Committee, arguing that he has proved he is “tough enough” to stand up for what he believes is right, regardless of the opposition….
WASHINGTON — Changes in how homeland security dollars are distributed to not-for-profit organizations are likely to put Jewish federations in direct competition with one another for a small pot of funds. After a year with no allocation of funds to not-for-profit sites, the Department of Homeland Security is again gearing up to distribute $25 million…
A high-level group appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is prepared to issue a set of recommendations that could end up identifying the need for a peaceful Israeli-Palestinian settlement as a vital step in improving relations between Islam and the West. Annan is expected to receive the final report next month from the Alliance…
An intercollegiate Jewish student magazine says its funding was cut by an arm of the UJA-Federation of New York over articles critical of Israel. The publication, New Voices, had secured a three-year, $100,000 grant from the Solelim Fund, an organization under the auspices of the federation that advises donors. Under the terms of the grant,…
Sigmund Strochlitz, a Holocaust survivor and internationally recognized peace advocate, died October 16 at the age of 89 in New London, Conn. Born in Bedzin, Poland, Strochlitz studied economics at the University of Krakow until the outbreak of war in 1939; although he survived Auschwitz, he lost his entire family. Strochlitz moved to America in…
When Madonna started wearing layers of crosses in the early ’80s, she popularized a fashion item that, unlike most, simultaneously radiates vibes both stylish and spiritual. But even for the most irreligious of fashion-conscious Jews, donning an obvious Christian symbol was just too taboo. These days, however, it seems that it’s time for the Star…
Josie used to love pretending to give birth to her toys. She’d stuff one under her shirt, lie down on the living room floor, grunt a few times, then whip out a teddy bear from under her shirt. Ta da! Then I’d nurse Maxine, she’d bottle-feed the bunny, and we’d talk companionably about our babies’…
The work of acclaimed songwriter, Yiddish poet and teacher Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman is celebrated at a concert featuring performances by vocalist, drummer and violinist Michael Alpert; vocalists Adrienne Cooper, Sharon Bernstein, Rebecca Kaplan, Janet Leuchter, Miryem-Khaye Seigal and Paula Teitelbaum; violinist Deborah Strauss; pianist Marilyn Lerner, and cimbalom player Peter Rushevsky. Schaechter-Gottesman is known as one…
‘And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) Rashi comments: “He ‘took’ him with kind words and persuaded him to enter.” Two gentlemen walk among the clouds, philosophers obviously. Martin: I really think you need to lighten up. It’s…
