I once spoke to a group of elderly Jews about the advances in women’s Torah study. One woman in the audience eagerly raised her hand. She said that she was born in Krakow, and was the downstairs neighbor of Sarah Shenirer, the founder of the Bais Yaakov schools. “Believe me,” she said, “the rabbis were…
President Donald Trump asked for divine intercession at Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast — not to defeat the Islamic State, but to boost the viewership of his former show “The Apprentice.” “The ratings went right down the tubes. It’s been a total disaster… And I want to just pray for Arnold, if we can, for those…
The following is purportedly a leaked transcript of President Trump’s speech from the National Prayer Breakfast. Welcome everyone. It’s prayer time, so we’re going to have our little breakfast — we have some of the best pastries, really the best and pray. I love God — really do. Great guy, God, and a big supporter…
Some American Jews may now find themselves in a largely unprecedented predicament: that of praying against their own government. It is well known among synagogue goers that there is a prayer for the U.S. government in most prayer books, recited on Shabbat after the Torah service (usually followed by a prayer for the welfare of…
Each morning, observant Jews pray that God will “zokef kefufim” — straighten the bent. I used to understand this prayer literally: that those with physical disabilities should be able to participate fully in life’s activities. But with the intransigence of our new president, I’m now translating this prayer figuratively and re-assessing its message. The fact…
Shmuel Herzfeld, the rabbi of Washington’s oldest synagogue, Ohev Sholom – The National Synagogue, offers a new inauguration prayer. Dear God: Please give the president the wisdom and courage to guide the United States with fairness and kindness, and to help keep all of us safe and secure. Please protect us from violence and war…
JERUSALEM — The Sephardi Orthodox Shas Party has proposed a bill that would prevent any kind of non-Orthodox public prayer at the Western Wall. Under the draft bill, announced by Shas late on Monday, a fine of some $2,500 or a six-month prison sentence would be levied on those taking part in egalitarian prayer services…
— The Jewish Federations of North America board of trustees sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscoring the “growing sense of urgency” on the part of American Jews to see the agreement to create an egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall fully implemented. The letter was approved by the board on…
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