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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Opinion Why Is East Ramapo School Board Under Siege?
The Board of Education of the East Ramapo Central School District is under siege. There has been a relentless drumbeat in support of a bill pending in the legislature that, if enacted, would require the appointment of a “monitor” to exercise complete control over the school district. The elected Board of Education will be figureheads,…
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Fast Forward Orthodox vs. Orthodox as Right Wing Israeli Parties Feud
(JTA) — When haredi Orthodox political parties Shas and United Torah Judaism entered Israel’s governing coalition, they vowed to roll back a raft of recent religious reforms. In turn, the secularist Yesh Atid party raised its voice in protest. But now, the haredi parties have a more surprising opponent: Jewish Home, a fellow religious party…
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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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Opinion I spoke out against Mamdani. Then he won. Here’s how we walk forward together.
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News Indiana University removed its Jewish studies director. His replacement has ignited a firestorm over Israel.
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Opinion Why a concert hall should be the last place for a protest — particularly an antisemitic one like this
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Fast Forward Groundbreaking analysis of Hitler’s DNA shows no Jewish ancestry — but finds a genetic disorder
In Case You Missed It
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Yiddish אַן אינטערוויו אויף ייִדיש מיט דער פֿילמאָגראַפֿקע פּערל גליקA chat in Yiddish with filmmaker Pearl Gluck
פּערל גליק, וואָס איז דערצויגן געוואָרן אין די חסידישע קרײַזן, וועט דערציילן ווי ייִדיש שפּילט אַ ראָלע אין אירע פֿילמען.
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Opinion Settlers torched a West Bank mosque — and the milquetoast Israeli mainstream response won’t suffice
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Culture This Jesus horror movie could have used more heresy
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Film & TV Her parents fled Mexico and Mandatory Palestine, taking their traumas with them
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