This is 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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Opinion How Not To Close Digital Divide
A powerfully reported story published in last week’s edition of the Forward by our Josh Nathan-Kazis detailed how ultra-Orthodox groups in New York City were exploiting a federal program meant to help poor schools and libraries. The article has prompted two glaring questions. Why is a program that dispenses $2.5 billion a year of our…
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Fast Forward Jack Lew Faces $1M Caymans Snag on Path to Treasury Confirmation
Jack Lew, President Barack Obama’s pick to be U.S. treasury secretary, is expected to come under fire for the administration’s budget policies and a nearly $1 million bonus he received from bailed-out bank Citigroup when he testifies on Wednesday before a Senate panel vetting him for the job. The hearing will briefly become ground zero…
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News Orthodox Woman’s Journey From Teen Wife to Advocate
Fraidy Reiss was married at the age of 19 to a man she despised. Outwardly, she had a choice. The ultra-Orthodox matchmaker she went to gave her two men to choose from. She went on a couple of dates. She desired neither. But as a girl perilously close to 20 in the Hasidic community of…
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News In Victory for ‘Chained’ Wives, Court Upholds Orthodox Prenuptial Agreement
For the first time, a state court has affirmed the constitutionality of a Modern Orthodox-sponsored prenuptial agreement meant to protect agunot — Jewish women “chained” by husbands who refuse to grant them a religious divorce. The agunah in this case, Rachel Light, may even be eligible to demand more than $100,000 from her husband under…
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Fast Forward Orthodox Union, Leading Kosher Certifier, Picks Compromise Candidate as Leader
The Orthodox Union board reportedly has opted for a consensus candidate, Martin Nachimson, to avert a showdown over its presidency. Nachimson, a senior vice president at the organization best known for running the largest kosher certifying operation in the world, is expected to be elected when the board meets next month in New York, The…
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News Orthodox Jewish Groups Exploit E-Rate Library Subsidy Program
Down a gritty dead-end alley in ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn, past a loading dock and a couple of dumpsters, a set of stairs leads up to a small room with bare walls and a dozen computers. The plaque on the door at Kollel L’Horauh calls the room a library. As a library, it has received $135,000 in…
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Fast Forward British Court Accepts Beth Din Ruling on Custody
A British judge reportedly has accepted a U.S. rabbinical court’s ruling in a dispute between a haredi Orthodox man and his ex-wife. A judge of the London-based High Court of Justice last month adopted the rulings of a New York Beth Din on a case involving a British haredi Orthodox man and woman, according to…
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News What Happens When Jewish Law Hampers the Disabled?
About 10 years ago, Jason Lieberman stopped wearing tefillin. This was not an act of rebellion — Lieberman’s cerebral palsy simply made it too difficult for him to put them on. Seven years later, Lieberman, 34, who serves as treasurer of Matan, which provides Jewish education programs to special needs children, sought help from his…
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