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 Frum Flush: at World Series of Poker, an Orthodox Jew makes final table
It’s been all gimmels for Gershon Distenfeld at the 2020 World Series of Poker main event. The Orthodox Jewish resident of Bergenfield, New Jersey, is one of nine contestants to advance to the last round of the no-limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament, whose winner — considered to be the world champion of poker in a…
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Community A Baal Teshuva, I chose this community. In Covid, they keep choosing to hurt my family.
'What you do, you do directly to everyone else'
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News Orthodox Jews are leaving Lakewood for a neighboring suburb. How much will they change it?
You won’t see any synagogues driving around Jackson, N.J. But they’re there — at least 15 of them, hidden inside unassuming houses on wooded lots, according to Tzvi Herman, an Orthodox resident of the town. Though invisible to passersby, the synagogues are signs of the sudden growth of the Orthodox community in this spacious south…
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Israel News ‘I’m considered a traitor.’ Orthodox Jewish Biden voters are feeling the heat
Some of the most moving conversations I have had recently were with voters who left their political home on the right, including Orthodox Jews, and voted for Joe Biden. Why did their stories make such an impression on me? Their reasons for rejecting Trump weren’t unusual. They eschewed his character, his policies, his populism and…
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Fast Forward Yeshivas, private schools, not impacted by NYC school closures
While New York City public schools are closing due to the city reaching an average 3% positivity rate over the last seven days, private schools, including Jewish day schools and yeshivas, are not being asked to comply with the city’s ruling — yet. The city and state both have different data for the seven-day average…
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News ‘Whatever God dishes out:’ Orthodox Jews resigned to Biden — now or in December
Almost 80% of Americans say Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the presidential election, according to a Reuters poll. That includes more than half of Republicans. The Orthdox reaction is equal parts deep skepticism and realpolitik. While some join Trump in casting doubt on the results, most major Orthodox groups are ready to recognize, if…
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Life Do I have to wear a skirt to an Orthodox rabbi’s house?
From its start in 1906, A Bintel Brief was a pillar of the Forward, helping generations of Jewish immigrants learn how to be American. Now our columnists are helping people navigate the complexities of being Jewish in 2020. Send questions to [email protected]. Dear Bintel, This happened earlier this year, before my time abroad was cut…
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News In Brooklyn virus ‘red zone,’ why do some posters only tell healthy people to get tested?
When Borough Park, the hub of Orthodox Jewish life in South Brooklyn, was included in a designated coronavirus “red zone” in South Brooklyn earlier this month, its rate of positive tests for coronavirus was 10.6% — more than five times New York City’s overall rate. For the past three weeks, Borough Park’s leaders — rabbis,…
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Fast Forward Why the Antisemitism Awareness Act now has a religious liberty clause to protect ‘Jews killed Jesus’ statements
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News School Israel trip turns ‘terrifying’ for LA students attacked by Israeli teens
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Fast Forward The invitation said, ‘No Jews.’ The response from campus officials, at least, was real.
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Culture Cardinals are Catholic not Jewish — so why do they all wear yarmulkes?
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Fast Forward Halal restaurant opening in Congress is like ‘Muslim conquest of Jerusalem,’ says GOP congressman
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Fast Forward Germany formally classifies far-right AfD party as extremist, in blow to Nazi-linked populist movement
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Fast Forward Trump taps shock jock Sid Rosenberg and a Haredi newspaper publisher for Holocaust Memorial Council
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