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The Schmooze Court Rules Catholic Woman Has To Raise Stepson as Orthodox Jew
Divorce is never easy, and mixing in the rules of Orthodox Judaism certainly doesn’t make it easier. But that’s precisely what happened when Laura Derbigney became entangled in a custody battle between her Catholic husband and his Jewish ex-wife over the ex-couple’s 7-year-old son. Derbigney, a Chicago resident, is being forced by a court to…
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Art Jews Have Been Magic for Thousands of Years
We all believe in magic. Despite 300 years of industrial and social revolution, as well as unparalleled explanation of the natural world through the scientific method, we still throw salt over our shoulders, put up hamsas in our homes, wear lucky shirts to job interviews and run through tested game-day rituals, whether we are playing…
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The Schmooze PunkTorah’s Jewish Prayer Campaign
PunkTorah, creators of the Indie Yeshiva Pocket Siddur, have taken a do-it-yourself approach to daily prayer. The non-profit organization has just launched the website 3xdaily, which aims to explain the traditional three daily prayers (Shacharit, Mincha, Ma’ariv) along with other information related to Jewish prayer. On the site, PunkTorah explains that they created 3xdaily in…
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The Schmooze Rebbe in a Box!
Praying by the graves of long-deceased holy men is a time-honored Jewish practice, especially on the recent holiday of Lag b’Omer, when thousands flock to the resting place of R’ Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron. But what about kohanim, who are not allowed to come into contact with the dead, or even enter a cemetery?…
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The Schmooze RIP Israeli Burger King
Israelis have been shunning Whoppers, causing Burger King to shut down all of its 55 locations over there, according to an article on JTA’s website. I never thought my health-conscious American Jewish parents’ refusal to let me eat any fast food growing up, echoed the sentiments of our homeland. Though unlike my folks, instead of…
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The Schmooze Mother-In-Law Jokes Are Kosher, Judge Rules
A U.S. District Judge in New Jersey recently ruled that comedian Sunda Croonquist can continue making fun of her Jewish mother-in-law. Croonquist, the AP reports, a half-Swedish, half African-American woman who married a Jewish man, was sued two years ago by her in-laws who were offended by her jokes. And just in case things weren’t…
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The Schmooze Beverly Hills Mayor Hearts Theodore Herzl
If you will it, it is no dream. And if you believe in it (and you are the mayor of Beverly Hills), you can name a street after it. Which is just what Beverly Hills Jewish Mayor Jimmy Delshad did for the grand-father of modern Zionism, Theodore Herzl, according to a recent story on Ynet….
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The Schmooze Who Is a Ball-Playing Jew?
Play ball, already! For those who are in the “fascinated by Jews who are professional athletes” category, a new website will help you indulge your yenta streak. JewishBaseballNews.com, a website that debuted this week, follows all Jewish Major League Baseball players, showing how they perform, as well as how they fare compared with the rest…
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News Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s selection as JTS commencement speaker roils graduating class
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Sports NBA coach Steve Kerr: ‘Israel sought revenge for Oct. 7 and now 72,000 Palestinians have been killed’
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Film & TV A new documentary challenges stereotypes about Orthodox Jewish women — and their wigs
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News Analysis: As Democrats unite behind Platner, Schumer’s future as leader faces tests
In Case You Missed It
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Fast Forward A new Hebrew press in Berlin argues that Israel doesn’t own the language
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Fast Forward Jewish library and Chabad near Buenos Aires attacked, Argentine Jewish advocates say
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Fast Forward Cornell’s Jewish president clashes with students following on-campus debate about Israel
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Fast Forward U of Michigan apologizes after faculty chair praises pro-Palestinian students during commencement speech