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Modern Orthodox Jews

Mothers and daughters walk across from the Congregation Shaarei Tefila synagogue in Los Angeles on October 7, 2023. (AP/Damian Dovarganes)
May 29, 2026, 8:54 am
How much does Orthodox life cost in America? Increasingly, more than families can afford
The challenge is not only to remain financially afloat today, but also to ensure Orthodox middle-class life in America remains sustainable for future generations
By Zev Stub
Prominent Jewish communal leader Rabbi Julius Berman died at age 90 in December 2025. (Yeshiva University via JTA)
January 1, 2026, 2:19 am
Julius Berman, Orthodox rabbi who led prominent Jewish institutions, dies at 90
Born in Lithuania in 1935, Berman served in leadership positions at the Orthodox Union, Yeshiva University, and over a dozen other Jewish communal organizations
By Grace Gilson
Rabbi Yosef Blau, former spiritual adviser at Yeshiva University, addresses members of Smol Emuni, an organization of liberal observant Jews, in a video shown at their conference in March, 2025. (Courtesy Smol Muni via JTA)
August 29, 2025, 8:12 pm
Yosef Blau, author of Orthodox rabbis’ letter critiquing Israel, responds to critics
Last week, the former Yeshiva University rabbi penned what he sees as a contrarian but necessary missive decrying the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Reactions have been mixed
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
A detail from 'The Holy Spirit,' by Sara Erenthal, which will be among the artworks on display at 'After Orthodoxy: Cultural Creativity and the Break with Tradition.' (Courtesy Sara Erenthal)
September 15, 2024, 12:44 am
A NYC conference celebrates the cultural creativity of formerly Orthodox Jews
Organizers of Sunday and Monday’s symposium at YIVO aim to emphasize what those who exited haredi communities have accomplished, not the ‘sensational story’ of how they left
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Superintendent Shifra Buchris, 45, commands the patrol unit of the Border Police Southern Brigade. (Israel Police)
October 29, 2023, 10:48 pm
Orthodox mother of 10 worked for 12 hours to rescue revelers from party of death
Shifra Buchris and colleagues from the Border Police rescued young people from Supernova party while it was still under Hamas attack, determined to reunite them with their families
By ToI Staff
Emile Ackermann and Myriam Ackermann-Sommer are leading what is thought to be one of the only Modern Orthodox congregations in France. (David Khabinsky via JTA)
July 3, 2023, 9:14 pm
France gets its first Orthodox woman rabbi, shaking the traditional establishment
Myriam Ackermann-Sommer wants to see women more involved with Jewish life, including in the synagogue. But not all welcome her — or even her Modern Orthodox denomination
By Alice D'Oleon
Stern College for Women, part of Yeshiva University, in New York. (Wikimedia Commons via JTA)
April 25, 2023, 2:41 pm
Yeshiva U said to reverse decision to cut women’s Talmud classes, following petition
1,400-plus signatories urged Stern College to offer Gemara lessons even with low enrollment, suggested endowed position to honor late rabbi who taught core Jewish text for decades
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Yitzi Halberstam (left) spoke on the first panel of queer Orthodox highschoolers at JQY's Pride=Nachas event. (Courtesy JQY/ via JTA)
July 8, 2022, 3:25 am
‘Official-unofficial’ group serves NY Orthodox LGBT teens as schools waver on policy
Jewish Queer Youth provides a space for students at educational institutions often wary of sanctioning official Pride Clubs due to the biblical prohibition against homosexuality
By julia GERGELY
Educator and father Dr. Mark Shinar (courtesy)
June 17, 2022, 1:21 pm
Podcast: At 45, this Orthodox principal and father of four came out of the closet
Hear what happened next for Dr. Mark Shinar and his family in an open conversation marking Gay Pride Month
By ToI Staff
Danielle Finn, a 17-year-old young Orthodox Jewish woman from Los Angeles, will be featured in the upcoming season of American Idol. (ABC/Eric McCandless/via JTA)
February 28, 2022, 2:17 am
Modern Orthodox high schooler is bringing her voice to ‘American Idol’
On February 27, the world will meet Danielle Finn, a 12th grader at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles and fan of chanteuses Adele and Amy Winehouse
By Sarah Rosen
Naftali Bennett, in 2014, gives a speech holding his kippa to his head. (Menahem Kahana/AFP)
June 17, 2021, 4:12 am
Bubblegum and magic tape: How PM Bennett’s kippa stays on, and why it matters
The new prime minister is the first to regularly wear a head covering, identifying as a Modern Orthodox Jew, a stark shift from Israel’s secular founding fathers
By Ben Sales
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz (Facebook)
January 23, 2021, 7:33 am
Rabbi starts praying for president again after Trump departs
In 2017, Shmuly Yanklowitz drew attention for new prayer beseeching God to guide ‘leader of this country away from his basest instincts, thwart his plans to target certain groups’
By Shira Hanau
An attendee wears a 'Make America Great Again' kippah before US President Donald Trump speaks at an annual meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition on April 6, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP/John Locher)
October 7, 2020, 10:30 pm
In US election to be won on margins, Modern Orthodox Jews may be key demographic
Subset represents rare group in American Judaism that doesn’t overwhelmingly vote for either party; residency in swing states could give it outsized influence come November
By Jacob Magid
Yeshiva University's Mendel Gottesman Library. (Wikimedia Commons via JTA)
September 4, 2020, 9:25 pm
Yeshiva University nixes LGBTQ club, saying it’ll support students in other ways
Flagship Modern Orthodox college says accepting group would have disrupted balance between accepting every individual and ‘affirming timeless prescriptions of Torah’
By Josefin Dolsten
A selection of Elisheva Rishon's designs. (Image designs by Grace Yagel; product shots via Eli7 Designs website)
July 12, 2020, 4:23 am
Black Modern Orthodox woman sells empowering Jewish apparel with Hebrew slogans
Elisheva Rishon’s designs celebrate some of her own identities while offering universal messages of affirmation that people of all backgrounds can draw strength from
By ToI Staff and alma via jta
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