March 30, 2014
6:55 am

The Rabbinical Council of America’s refusal to vouch for the validity of Karen Brunwasser’s conversion to Judaism nearly derailed her Aug. 29, 2013 wedding in Israel to Lior Shabo. (Yoram Amir/JTA)

Is the RCA applying tough new standards to old conversions?

After several Israeli weddings were nearly derailed by the RCA’s rejection of its members’ credentials, critics claim the US organization wields too much power

By Uriel Heilman

March 27, 2014
9:25 pm

The Winnipeg Jewish community holds a party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the GrowWinnipeg program, which helps Jews from overseas immigrate to Manitoba. (Jewish Federation of Winnipeg)

Winnipeg Jewish recruits aren’t quite what was expected

Outreach by ‘icy paradise’ to overseas Jews draws a mixed bag of South American Zionists and Israeli opportunists

By Uriel Heilman

March 24, 2014
4:49 am

Newly ordained rabbis from Hebrew Union College's class of 2013 in Cincinnati celebrate with their ordination certificates outside the historic Plum Street Temple. (Janine Spang/JTA)

Decided to become a rabbi? Prepare for unemployment

With more rabbinical schools than ever, even a top-notch education might not get you a job

By Uriel Heilman

March 11, 2014
11:00 pm

This photo taken Dec. 26, 2011, shows the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER that disappeared from air traffic control screens Saturday, March 8, on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (photo credit: AP/Laurent Errera)

The guy who missed the Malaysia Airlines flight

An ultra-Orthodox travel agent reportedly refused to book his client a Saturday ticket, thus saving his life

By Uriel Heilman

March 10, 2014
12:23 pm

A woman leads a partnership minyan at a conference in New York of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, December 2013. (Mike Kelly/JTA)

Partnership minyans require ‘delicate choreography’

Despite Modern Orthodox leaders’ condemnations, these more egalitarian prayer groups are on the rise among the grassroots

By Uriel Heilman

March 6, 2014
9:10 am

A man shoots a slingshot at national guard troops following one of the largest anti-government demonstrations yet on March 2, 2014 in Caracas, Venezuela. (John Moore/Getty Images/JTA)

With Venezuela in a tailspin, many Jews opt for ‘Plan B’

Venezuelan Jews who stuck it out under Chavez have yet another reason to leave their country: growing despair

By Uriel Heilman

February 28, 2014
4:09 am

Devorah Halberstam honored Raymond Kelly, the former commissioner of the New York Police Department, at a gala dinner at the Jewish Children's Museum in May 2013. (photo credit: Jewish Children's Museum/JTA)

From bereaved mother to counterterrorism authority

Called ‘relentless’ by her supporters, Devorah Halberstam’s claim that her son was killed in retaliation for Baruch Goldstein’s massacre was validated by 9/11

By Uriel Heilman

February 27, 2014
10:23 pm

A Jewish Voice for Peace activist protests outside New York City's 14th Street Y in May 2012 after the Jewish institution canceled a 'Go and Learn' event organized by the group's youth arm that was scheduled for a rented room in the Y's building. (Courtesy of Jewish Voice for Peace/JTA)

Where to draw red lines with criticism of Israel?

In hosting critics, Jewish institutions are damned if they do and damned if they don’t

By Uriel Heilman

February 24, 2014
4:38 am

The Ben Gamla Hebrew Charter School in Hollywood, Fla., seen here as a Jewish religious after-school program gets underway, is one sign of the growing presence of young Jewish families in South Florida. (Uriel Heilman/JTA)

Florida: It’s not just for old Jews anymore

With the large influx of Latin American immigrants since 2000, one of every 10 American Jews resides in the Sunshine State

By Uriel Heilman

February 19, 2014
5:53 pm

Members of the National Socialist Movement rally near Los Angeles City Hall on April 17, 2010. (David McNew/Getty Images/JTA)

Anti-Semitism in America today is down, but not out

Although 12% of Americans hold entrenched anti-Semitic views, US tops list of countries where Jews suffer least

By Uriel Heilman

February 16, 2014
8:11 pm

The kosher section at Winn-Dixie's Boca Raton store is larger than that of many kosher-only supermarkets. (Uriel Heilman/JTA)

Southern supermarket giant Winn-Dixie bets big on kosher

With three stores providing in-store kosher operations, the Jacksonville-based chain reflects the growing Orthodox presence in Florida

By Uriel Heilman

February 2, 2014
6:53 am

Anabella Mandelblum, a kindergarten student at Jacobson Sinai Academy in North Miami Beach, is a recent immigrant from Venezuela. (Uriel Heilman/JTA)

Reform Judaism with a Latin flavor spices up Florida school

New Spanish-speaking immigrants find their place in an institution that highlights the Jewish values they’re used to

By Uriel Heilman

January 24, 2014
11:17 am

Tefillin: Just the tip of the iceberg

Increasing divisions over the role of women suggest that Orthodox Judaism is heading for a schism

By Uriel Heilman

January 17, 2014
3:19 am

Food writer Mark Bittman wants you to eat more plants. (photo credit: Courtesy photo/JTA)

Food writer Mark Bittman is kosher on food policy

Not the most orthodox vegetarian, Bittman advocates veganism — foregoing meat, poultry, fish, dairy or eggs — until evening

By Uriel Heilman

December 19, 2013
5:12 am

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, advocates for 'audacious hospitality' in his keynote address at the Reform biennial in San Diego, Dec. 12, 2013. (photo credit: URJ via JTA)

Reform Judaism ‘reboots’ to focus on youth

Movement tries to engage its young adults, 80 percent of whom are ‘out the door’ and out of touch with religion by the end of high school

By Uriel Heilman

Writer: Uriel Heilman

Is the RCA applying tough new standards to old conversions?

After several Israeli weddings were nearly derailed by the RCA’s rejection of its members’ credentials, critics claim the US organization wields too much power

Winnipeg Jewish recruits aren’t quite what was expected

Outreach by ‘icy paradise’ to overseas Jews draws a mixed bag of South American Zionists and Israeli opportunists

Decided to become a rabbi? Prepare for unemployment

With more rabbinical schools than ever, even a top-notch education might not get you a job

The guy who missed the Malaysia Airlines flight

An ultra-Orthodox travel agent reportedly refused to book his client a Saturday ticket, thus saving his life

Partnership minyans require ‘delicate choreography’

Despite Modern Orthodox leaders’ condemnations, these more egalitarian prayer groups are on the rise among the grassroots

With Venezuela in a tailspin, many Jews opt for ‘Plan B’

Venezuelan Jews who stuck it out under Chavez have yet another reason to leave their country: growing despair

From bereaved mother to counterterrorism authority

Called ‘relentless’ by her supporters, Devorah Halberstam’s claim that her son was killed in retaliation for Baruch Goldstein’s massacre was validated by 9/11

Where to draw red lines with criticism of Israel?

In hosting critics, Jewish institutions are damned if they do and damned if they don’t

Florida: It’s not just for old Jews anymore

With the large influx of Latin American immigrants since 2000, one of every 10 American Jews resides in the Sunshine State

Anti-Semitism in America today is down, but not out

Although 12% of Americans hold entrenched anti-Semitic views, US tops list of countries where Jews suffer least

Southern supermarket giant Winn-Dixie bets big on kosher

With three stores providing in-store kosher operations, the Jacksonville-based chain reflects the growing Orthodox presence in Florida

Reform Judaism with a Latin flavor spices up Florida school

New Spanish-speaking immigrants find their place in an institution that highlights the Jewish values they’re used to

Tefillin: Just the tip of the iceberg

Increasing divisions over the role of women suggest that Orthodox Judaism is heading for a schism

Food writer Mark Bittman is kosher on food policy

Not the most orthodox vegetarian, Bittman advocates veganism — foregoing meat, poultry, fish, dairy or eggs — until evening

Reform Judaism ‘reboots’ to focus on youth

Movement tries to engage its young adults, 80 percent of whom are ‘out the door’ and out of touch with religion by the end of high school

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