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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Fast Forward New Jersey Synagogue Reveals It Hired First Orthodox Woman ‘Rabbi’
An Orthodox synagogue in New Jersey has hired Lila Kagedan, the first Yeshivat Maharat graduate to go by the title “rabbi.” Mount Freedom Jewish Center, in Randolph, New Jersey, announced in a news release Monday that Kagedan is joining its “spiritual leadership team.” The news release did not use the word “rabbi,” instead referring to…
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Fast Forward Restaurateur Says Synagogue Threatened Kosher Certification in $1.8M Dispute
A New York restaurant owner claims in legal papers that a prominent Orthodox synagogue threatened to have his kosher certification revoked if he does not drop a $1.8 million lawsuit against it. Joseph Allaham, who operates several kosher restaurants in Manhattan, said Lincoln Square Synagogue wants him to move his legal dispute with the shul…
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Opinion Jewish Extremists Divide Israel’s Right Wing — Even as Orthodox Take Reins of Security Services
In a uniquely Israeli bit of irony, the VIP protection unit of Israel’s Shin Bet security service has beefed up protection — for the director of the Shin Bet, Yoram Cohen. The reason, according to Israel’s Channel 10 television news, is growing agitation against the Shin Bet and its director by pro-settler radicals. Intense anger…
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Life First Woman Orthodox ‘Rabbi’ Is Hired by Synagogue
The first graduate of Yeshivat Maharat to take the title “rabbi” said she has been hired by an unnamed American Orthodox synagogue. Lila Kagedan, who was ordained this summer by the seminary created by Open Orthodox Rabbi Avi Weiss to train Orthodox female clergy, told the London-based Jewish Chronicle this week that she was recruited…
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News Hillary Clinton Complains in Email of ‘Unbelievable’ Airbrushing From Orthodox Papers
Hillary Clinton complains in a newly released email about being airbrushed out of photographs by ultra-Orthodox newspapers. The email with the subject line “unbeleivable” was bared as the State Department released another 5,000 pages of emails of the former secretary of state and Democratic presidential candidate. The emails released on Thursday afternoon are part of…
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Fast Forward Women of the Wall Slams Bibi Over Reports of No Change at Western Wall
The Women of the Wall group vowed to continue reading from the Torah in the women’s section of the Kotel in the wake of a report that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised haredi Orthodox parties that it still would not be allowed. Army Radio reported Tuesday that Netanyahu met last week with the haredi parties…
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News New York Yeshivas Get City Funds for Guards — at Cost of $19M
Government funded sentries will soon be guarding nonpublic schools in New York’s five boroughs, thanks to a major victory won by Orthodox Jewish advocates after a year of tough political defeats. A security guard bill passed by New York’s city council in early December is the first in the country to guarantee religious schools city…
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Opinion Why Chief Rabbi Couldn’t Be More Wrong About Conservative School
Rabbi David Lau’s condemnation this week of Naftali Bennett’s visit to the Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan was shortsighted and inaccurate in many ways. Most close to home for me, it denigrated the vital work we are doing at Schechter Manhattan to nurture positive Jewish identity in our students, the future leaders of the American…
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News Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s selection as JTS commencement speaker roils graduating class
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Film & TV A new documentary challenges stereotypes about Orthodox Jewish women — and their wigs
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Sports NBA coach Steve Kerr: ‘Israel sought revenge for Oct. 7 and now 72,000 Palestinians have been killed’
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News Analysis: As Democrats unite behind Platner, Schumer’s future as leader faces tests
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