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
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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 These Twitter users are #YidenforBiden
Most Americans assume that Orthodox Jews vote Republican. But Twitter user @raynelunger posted on the platform last night asking Orthodox Jews to share “why your Jewish values align with your vote” for former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris. Hearing from lots of orthodox Jews who feel unsafe sharing that they support Biden….
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News A Hasidic village’s coronavirus tests went from 34% positive to 4% in a month. The county health commissioner is asking how.
In the course of about a month, the Hasidic village of Kiryas Joel, N.Y., managed to drop its rate of positive tests for coronavirus infection by a dramatic 30 points — from 34.2% in the last week of September, to 4.2% this week, according to state data released Wednesday. Town leaders and New York Gov….
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Community I’m a doctor, but I’m not mad at the Orthodox
In stark contrast to the impression left by legions of news reports about Haredi Jews in Brooklyn defying public health rules around the coronavirus, I have found over years of working with ultra-Orthodox communities in New York and Jerusalem that members of these communities care deeply about health. Haredi communities have their own system of…
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Culture Mamdani’s first statement on antisemitism as mayor-elect got some weird pushback
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Culture Mamdani quoted Eugene Debs in his victory speech — there’s a long Jewish history there
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