Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of Reform Judaism, a major liberal Jewish denomination.
Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of Reform Judaism, a major liberal Jewish denomination.
Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of Reform Judaism, a major liberal Jewish denomination.
Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of Reform Judaism, a major liberal Jewish denomination.
West End Temple, a Reform synagogue in the Rockaways section of Queens, has been devastated by floodwaters from superstorm Sandy. The sanctuary, social hall, and gym were flooded. A downstairs bathroom was still submerged hours after the storm’s high waters receded. The boiler and mechanical rooms were almost certainly full of seawater. “The sanctuary is…
More than 2,500 people signed up to participate in a global Shema flash mob as part of a campaign to promote religious pluralism in Israel. The gatherings early Monday afternoon came two days after Conservative Jewish congregations were asked to dedicate a recitation of the Shema to the topic as well. The actions were a…
Last week’s episode was hardly the first time Israeli police stopped activist Anat Hoffman while she was leading a women’s prayer service at the Western Wall in violation of Israeli law. But this time, police actually arrested Hoffman – a first, she says – and the incident appears to be galvanizing liberal Jewish groups in…
Reform Jewish leaders are calling for an investigation following reports that an Israeli colleague was roughed up by police after leading a women’s prayer group at the Western Wall. Reform leaders in the United States said Thursday that they have spoken with Israel’s ambassador in Washington, Michael Oren, about the incident involving Anat Hoffman, executive…
Rabbis and cantors across the United States have agreed to spend $31.50 on food and beverages for one week in support of those living on food stamps. The 2012 Jewish Community Food Stamp Challenge marks the third year that participating clergy have agreed to spend the amount allocated for individuals on SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition…
While I was researching my Forward story about circumcision and pain, I realized that I didn’t know what a circumcision actually looks like. I’ve only attended one bris — apart from my own — and there I didn’t have a good line of sight to the baby. I was particularly interested to know more about…
Jews and Muslims in Berlin demonstrated for the right to carry out ritual circumcisions, a right that has been endangered in Germany. Under the slogan “On Knife’s Edge: Religious Freedom,” some 300 demonstrators rallied Saturday at Bebelplatz, the site of the 1933 Nazi book burnings, to protest the May ruling in a Cologne court that…
Isaac is cradled in his grandfather’s arms. In the space of a few minutes, the Orthodox ritual circumciser, or mohel, separates the foreskin from the head of Isaac’s penis, pulls the skin forward and inserts a metal shield that protects his penis while his foreskin is cut off. No anesthetic is used. Meanwhile, Joseph is…
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