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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Opinion Why Caitlyn Jenner Is an American Triumph — and Challenge to Observant Jews
In ultra-Orthodox circles, Western culture, and the non-Orthodox Jews who embrace it, are often referred to as “Greek.” Though seemingly frozen in time, this epithet is actually quite apt. It points to the deeper meaning of debates surrounding religion in American life – and why progressives are winning them. Where Haredim say “Greek,” conservative Christians…
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Opinion The Best Way To Move the Orthodox World
The Orthodox rabbinate will come around to approving same-sex marriage and equal status for women in Halacha, Jewish law. Provided. Provided that the momentum for such equality in the wider society builds to the point where discrimination is so repugnant that the Orthodox rabbinate feels morally compromised. So if you want Orthodoxy to alter its…
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News Marc Schneier Booted From Rabbinic Group Over Affair
Rabbi Marc Schneier, the spiritual leader of a tony congregation in the Hamptons, has been expelled from the Rabbinical Council of America, the Forward has learned. The five times married Schneier was quietly expelled from the Orthodox rabbinical group earlier this year in relation to allegations, in 2010, that he had an extramarital affair with…
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Life Why Orthodoxy Needs Better Sexual Assault Education
This past semester, I participated in the , part of the international movement encouraging allies to wear denim in solidarity with sexual assault survivors. Wearing a jean skirt and a sticker informing onlookers to “ask me why denim,” I fielded a lot of genuine inquiries about the origins, purpose, and goals of the Denim Day…
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Opinion Don’t Blame the Sauna Rabbi — Blame Orthodox Mentality
Sometimes a trailblazer attempts to level criticism at someone or something within the Orthodox Jewish community. That hero is too often scorned. “He has an agenda.” (Of course he does! His agenda is to make Orthodox Judaism better!) “Who is she to criticize?!” (A very brave person!) “But there’s so much good in the community!…
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Opinion An Immoral Use of Jewish Power in Upstate New York
New York State’s legislative session is in full swing, and thousands of Jews from across denominational lines are expressing their support for two bills that, on the face of it, don’t seem to have anything to do with typical Jewish issues like Israel or liberal social causes. But these bills — A.5355 and S.3821, as…
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Fast Forward Whooping Cough Warning for Brooklyn Orthodox
NEW YORK (JTA) — The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has issued a warning about an increase in cases of pertussis, or the “whooping cough,” in the Orthodox communities of Williamsburg and Borough Park, Brooklyn. The city’s department of health issued a statement on Friday, May 22 about 21 confirmed cases…
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Fast Forward Orthodox Blur Faces and Erase First Names of Israel Ministers
Another group of women in powerful positions, another haredi Orthodox paper erasing them. Here we go again. After each new Israeli government is sworn in, its ministers pose for a group photo with the president. This year’s photo, taken yesterday, features Israel’s three women ministers in the middle row — Culture and Sport Minister Miri…
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News Exclusive: ADL chief compares student protesters to ISIS and al-Qaida in address to Republican officials
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Opinion Greta Thunberg’s Gaza flotilla was never going to help Palestinians
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News A Jewish farmer drove 600 miles to rescue a century-old synagogue. Now he’s building a new one in a cornfield.
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Culture I ranked the NYC mayoral candidates exclusively based on their bagel orders
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Fast Forward Federal judge orders Mahmoud Khalil to be released by Friday on $1 bond
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Fast Forward California ICE protests spark calls for ‘nonviolence’ from Jewish community leaders
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Fast Forward Outrage ensues after a Long Island high school study guide calls Zionism ‘extreme nationalism’
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