Jewish Religion and Thought
Religious Zionists have built their homes in Germany’s capital, where Jews of all backgrounds can connect with their roots, and feel a sense of family and belonging.
Police officers in Haifa arrived at the home of Conservative (Masorti) Rabbi Dov Haiyun at 5:30 a.m. on July 19, and brought him in for questioning about conducting an unauthorized Jewish wedding.
Leaders of the Conservative and Reform Jewish movements fear that the actions of Israeli politicians in recent weeks may contribute to a widening gap between Israel and Diaspora Jews.
Their goal is to heighten international awareness as to the requirement, according to Jewish law, for Israel to maintain control over the entire area of the Holy Land.
Controversy arose around the issue earlier this year, with exhausted and filthy animals suffering during long and hot sea voyages from Australia being featured on Australia TV’s “60 Minutes,” as part of an exposé on the conditions of sheep shipped to the Middle East.
Challenges include the widening gap between Israel and segments of the global Jewish community, such as non-Orthodox and progressives, as well as concern of maintaining bipartisan support for Israel.
An ongoing discussion of how to present the nuances of Israel education at summer camps and to Jewish youth groups.
While the Central Bureau of Statistics estimates that the “haredi” population will grow to be 50 percent of the total Jewish population by 2059, a new report by the Israel Democracy Institute shows that between 2005 and 2016, there was a decrease in childbirth of exactly one child per such family, from 7.7 children per woman to 6.7 children per woman.
Meet Rabbi Menachem Bombach, 41, the founder of Torah Academy-Midrasha Chasidit, a new yeshivah system in Israel focused on reducing poverty in the haredi community through education.
The Agudath Israel of America organization issued a Jewish legal ruling prohibiting Jews from taking out loans from majority-Jewish-owned mortgage lender Quicken Loans, due to the fact that Jews are forbidden to charge interest from each other.
Never before has a member of that community served in Israel’s world-renowned intelligence, covert operations and counterterrorism service.
Rabbi David Lau called on Jews threatened by anti-Semitism to move to Israel, but nevertheless to keep expressing their religious observance.
