Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of Modern Orthodox Judaism, a movement in Orthodox Judaism that emphasizes secular education and involvement with the modern world alongside adherence to Jewish law.
Modern Orthodoxy
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Opinion Orthodoxy — It’s Not What They Want You To Think
American Apparel’s idea of an Orthodox man What is “Orthodox”? Is it “Haredi”? Is it “Modern”? Is it “Ultra”? Is it “Yeshivish”? These days, the Orthodox world is a confusing place. Fifty years ago, Orthodox Jews (who had been known at the turn of the 20th century as “Traditionalist”) talked about three flavors of Orthodoxy:…
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Fast Forward Michael Broyde Quits Modern Orthodox Rabbi Group Over ‘Sock Puppet’ Scandal
Rabbi Michael Broyde, a prominent Modern Orthodox figure, resigned from the Rabbinical Council of America as a result of the scandal over his use of an online pseudonym. Broyde’s resignation was first reported Thursday by The Jewish Channel, which also uncovered Broyde’s online activities last year. “I deeply regret my wrongdoing and understand how disappointing…
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Fast Forward Modern Orthodox Leader Won’t Appeal Sexual Assault Conviction
Rabbi Mordechai “Motti” Elon, an Israeli Modern Orthodox leader, will not appeal his conviction on two charges of sexually assaulting a minor. Elon, 55, said he decided not to appeal the conviction on the advice of his family, which has asked him to move on, Ynet reported Sunday. The rabbi’s attorney said he stood a…
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News Modern Orthodox High School in New York Allows Girls to Wear Tefillin
SAR High School, a Modern Orthodox institution in Riverdale, New York, is now allowing girls to wear tefillin. Rabbi Tully Harcsztark, head of the school, sent out an email explaining that two girls were granted permission to wrap tefillin at the school’s daily all-girls meeting, reports the Boiling Pot, the online student newspaper of Shalhevet…
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Life My Jewish Wedding Felt Like an Intermarriage
I was supposed to be a low-maintenance bride. I am usually “the easygoing one.” Our florist would disagree. As I stood in front of his 20 foot refrigerator and pointed to every type of flower, telling him which to put in our arrangements, and which should, under no circumstances , even come near our venue,…
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Fast Forward Avi Weiss Gets Green Light From Israel Rabbis To Vouch for Jewishness
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel will accept letters confirming individuals’ Judaism from Avi Weiss, a New York liberal Orthodox rabbi. The Rabbinate sent a letter Wednesday to Weiss’ attorney in Israel, Assaf Benmelech, affirming that it will accept all letters from Weiss confirming the Judaism of couples who want to wed in Israel. In October,…
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Fast Forward Rabbi Motti Elon Gets Slap on Wrist for Sex Abuse
Rabbi Mordechai “Motti” Elon, an Israeli Modern Orthodox leader, was sentenced to six months of community service for his conviction on two charges of sexually assaulting a minor. Elon was sentenced Wednesday in Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court for incidents that took place in 2003 and 2005. The student had come to Elon, the former rosh yeshiva…
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News Asher Lopatin Gets Less-Than-Warm Welcome From Orthodox World
Rabbi Asher Lopatin is feeling a little “roughed up.” It’s October 17, less than a fortnight since Lopatin’s official installation as president of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, a liberal Orthodox rabbinical school in the Bronx, and his attempts to reach out to New York’s Orthodox community are not going well. Sitting in a cramped office at…
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Opinion Mike Huckabee’s stunning, terrifying new gift to the Israeli right
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Fast Forward Israeli weapons display is walled off at Paris Air Show, in move Israelis decry
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Fast Forward Conservative flagship’s first woman chancellor, Shuly Rubin Schwartz, to step down in 2026
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Fast Forward Leonard Lauder, who expanded his Jewish family’s business into a cosmetics empire, dies at 92
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Yiddish מיר פּראַווען מײַן טאָכטערס געבוירן־טאָג אינעם מיקלטCelebrating my daughter’s birthday in the bomb shelter
אינעם באַהעלטעניש קומען פֿאָר קליינע מענטשן־דראַמעס, בשעת אין הימל שטורעמט די גרויסע דראַמע פֿון מלחמה.
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