Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of Orthodox Judaism, which aims for a stricter observance of halachic law than Conservative or Reform Judaism. It includes Modern Orthodox Judaism, as well as Haredi (sometimes called ultra-Orthodox) Judaism,…
Orthodox Judaism
The Latest
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News Space to Spare, Reform and Conservative Congregations Turn to Orthodox
(JTA) — Marla Topp of Temple Judea Mizpah in Skokie, Ill., doesn’t need survey data to tell her that Reform Judaism is in decline and Orthodox Judaism is growing. She has to look no further than her own synagogue. A couple of months ago, the temple began renting out unused classroom space to an Orthodox…
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Israel News Israel Jewish Marriage Law Relaxes Orthodox Grip a Bit
In a landmark vote, the Knesset has allowed Israeli Jewish couples to do what their American counterparts have long done: Shop for a rabbi. The Knesset vote marked the first tangible gain for secular Israel since the country’s ultra-Orthodox parties were frozen out of the government after the last election. But the new law still…
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Fast Forward Bill to Legalize Civil Marriage in Israel Submitted to Knesset
A bill that would legalize civil marriages in Israel was submitted to the Knesset. Under the measure presented Tuesday by the Yesh Atid party, any two people — no matter their religion or sexual orientation — could enter into a civil union with the same legal status as any marriage. The bill would create a…
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News Coney Island’s Sea Gate Still Defenseless After Sandy — By Its Own Choice
Pinny Dembitzer bounced his SUV past the “For Sale” signs lining Sea Gate’s Atlantic Avenue, slamming his way through potholes in this gated community on the western tip of Coney Island. Dembitzer apologized for the rough ride. His car, like most cars in the neighborhood, replaced one that was destroyed in October 2012, when Hurricane…
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Fast Forward Knesset Passes Marriage Registration Reform Law Despite Haredi Opposition
The Knesset approved the so-called Tzohar Law, which would allow couples to choose the city in which to register their marriage. The law passed its second and third readings Monday evening, over the objections of the country’s two chief rabbis, by a vote of 57 to 14, with one abstention. All of the no votes…
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Fast Forward Russian Orthodox Priest Chided for ‘Yid’ Jibe at Girl With Jewish Mother
Russian Church officials suspended a priest for using an anti-Semitic pejorative while baptizing a girl. The two-month ban on Andrey Evstigneeva was announced earlier this month on the website of the Diocese of Saratov, a city situated 450 miles southeast of Moscow. It followed complaints by the family and by the Russian Jewish Congress, the…
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News Women of Wall Deeply Split Over Anat Hoffman’s Acceptance of Prayer Deal
A dark cloud hangs over Women of the Wall’s 25th anniversary celebrations slated for November 4, as the movement stands on the verge of a major split. More than 100 supporters from North America, who are taking part in a special anniversary trip, will join WOW’s Israeli members at a monthly prayer meeting at the…
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Fast Forward Avi Weiss Letter Vouching for American Couple Dismissed By Chief Rabbinate
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel rejected a letter vouching for the Jewishness of an American couple marrying in Israel written by well-known Orthodox Rabbi Avi Weiss, as well as at least 10 rabbis in other cases, The New York Jewish Week reported. Weiss, the longtime spiritual leader of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in New…
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