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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News How Orthodox Are Blocking East Ramapo School Reform Measure
A bill to appoint an overseer over an Orthodox-dominated New York school board appears to be on the brink of failure, despite the backing of New York’s governor, the chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, the Rockland County Legislature, and a handful of advocacy groups. The bill’s expected defeat, which comes amid…
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News Marc Schneier Lashes Out at Rabbinic Group for ‘Betraying’ Him
Embattled Rabbi Marc Schneier is now claiming that the Rabbinical Council of America, Orthodox Judaism’s top rabbinical association, reneged on an arrangement he had reached with them in its decision to expel him due to an extramarital affair he had with a congregant. “This is a set-up, my friend. I feel betrayed and violated,” Schneier…
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Life Newly Minted Orthodox Leaders Take ‘Rabba’ Title
Two women ordained as Orthodox rabbis this week will be entitled “rabba,” the female form of “rabbi.” They will be joining the only woman who had the title until now, Sara Hurwitz of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale’s synagogue in the Bronx. Rahel Berkovits barely managed to say a couple of sentences from the short…
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Fast Forward New York May End Consent Forms for Controversial Circumcision Rite
The New York City Board of Health may waive a consent form for a controversial circumcision rite. In an effort to cooperate with Orthodox community leaders, the Board of Health voted Wednesday night to mull a plan for hospitals to distribute a brochure in English and Yiddish to Orthodox patients that talks about the danger…
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News Who’s Investigating Rabbis Who Cross the Line?
A rabbi who surfs the Internet for transsexual escorts stands trial for borrowing and stealing almost $500,000 from his congregation to pay off an extortionist. Another rabbi is sentenced to more than six years in jail for videotaping naked women in his synagogue’s ritual bath. A third rabbi is being told to leave his pulpit…
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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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