PHILISSA CRAMER

In this photo provided by Jocelyn Augustino, Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, center, officiates a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony attended by family and friends for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, left, and his partner, Marlon Reis, in Boulder, Colorado, on September 15, 2021. (Jocelyn Augustino via AP)

September 17, 2021, 7:08 pm

Colorado governor, partner tie knot in Jewish wedding

Jared Polis, the first openly gay US governor, marries partner of 18 years: ‘We couldn’t be happier to be married at last’

By PHILISSA CRAMER

In this March 3, 2021 file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein speaks during a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Senate Committee on Rules and Administration joint hearing examining the January 6 attack on the US Capitol in Washington, DC (Greg Nash/Pool Photo via AP, File)

September 16, 2021, 10:45 pm

California governor recall fails, but scrutiny on Feinstein could be lasting

According to some reports, America’s 1st Jewish female senator is increasingly infirm; if she is unable to complete her term, the state’s governor would pick her replacement

By PHILISSA CRAMER

The popular 'pop-it' fidget toy created by Theo and Ora Coster. (Wikimedia commons/ CC-SA 4.0/ RuslanABOBA)

September 13, 2021, 10:43 pm

Anne Frank’s Israeli classmate behind popular breast-inspired fidget toy

Husband-and-wife duo Theo and Ora Coster created over 150 toys and games, including Guess Who? Now, their GoPop! toy has sold millions of units and is a hit among TikTok users

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt speaks at the group's 2018 National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. (Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images/JTA)

September 5, 2021, 6:49 pm

ADL CEO apologizes ‘without caveat’ for opposing Islamic center near Ground Zero

Jason Greenblatt admits his organization mishandled its response to proposed Cordoba House, warns against rising Islamophobia

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Illustrative: To create a pre-recorded online service, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, center, and musicians and singers from Mishkan Chicago recorded the songs and prayers of the High Holidays in August. (Courtesy of See3 Digital Events/ via JTA)

August 31, 2021, 4:10 am

For American kids and adults, COVID-19 High Holiday safety questions answered

With vaccinations, transmission and mask mandates varying by region in the US and the under-12 group ineligible for the shot, how can we safely navigate this year’s celebrations?

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Avishai and Naomi Weinberger sing 'The Anti-Vaxxer's Lament,' a satirical response to activists comparing COVID restrictions to the Holocaust. (YouTube screenshot)

August 29, 2021, 3:53 pm

New Yorkers fight anti-vaccine Holocaust comparisons via song

Fed up with activists defiling the memory of 6 million murdered Jews, musicians pen a ‘deeply Jewish’ satirical response they say is more about catharsis than convincing opponents

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Vanessa Wruble is one of the organizers behind an August 2021 march for voting rights. (Mark Hartman/JTA)

August 28, 2021, 6:31 am

Meet the longtime Jewish activist behind this weekend’s US voting rights marches

Vanessa Wruble, who withdrew from Women’s March due to antisemitism among leadership, is channeling activism in March On in favor of expanded US voting rights

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va., on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

August 26, 2021, 3:04 am

Jewish groups kick into high gear as Afghan refugees begin to arrive in US

With a longtime focus on refugee issues, Jewish organizations in US and around world are preparing to assist and help resettle Afghans who have fled the Taliban

By PHILISSA CRAMER

A Chabad of the Beaches synagoge in Long Beach, New York was vandalized on August 21, 2021. (Eli Goodman/Twitter via JTA)

August 24, 2021, 12:48 pm

Man arrested over vandalism and stolen Torahs at Long Island shul

Chabad of the Beaches synagogue has one door of the ark broken off and prayer shawls strewn on the ground; police detain 23-year-old homeless man

By PHILISSA CRAMER

School buses lined up in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn on April 24, 2019. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images/JTA)

August 19, 2021, 9:41 am

Census data shows Orthodox Jewish areas of NY, NJ are among fastest growing

In New Jersey, the heavily ultra-Orthodox town of Lakewood is growing at the highest rate of any city in the state

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Yeshiva Toras Chaim is located in the West Colfax neighborhood of Denver and is part of the historic center of the city's Jewish community. (Wikipedia via JTA)

August 19, 2021, 6:08 am

Yeshiva student shot and killed during late-night crime spree in Denver

Shmuel Silverberg, 19, was standing outside his school building; police say murder does not appear to be a hate crime, though they aren’t ruling out the possibility

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Screenshot from Israel's Kan TV interview with Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen, August 17, 2021 (Kan screenshot)

August 19, 2021, 4:21 am

Taliban spokesman says he was duped into interview with Israeli TV

Suhail Shaheen says he was unaware the Kan network is Israel’s state broadcaster

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Police patrol a street in Melbourne on August 12, 2021 as five million people in Australia's second-largest city will remain under stay-at-home orders for at least another week. (William WEST / AFP)

August 16, 2021, 12:38 am

Illicit engagement party during lockdown roils Melbourne Jewish community

Amid a strict lockdown in Victoria, 68 people were reportedly present at the gathering, and contact tracing is underway after someone at the event tested positive for COVID-19

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Les Rowe sits amid panels from a Cardiff synagogue in his 'Tranquility Base' shed. (Cuprinol via JTA)

August 15, 2021, 11:46 pm

Wales synagogue’s stained glass windows turn up in award-winning chicken coop

Winner of best budget shed of 2021 competition says he bought the panels — taken from Cathedral Road Synagogue in Cardiff — on eBay

By PHILISSA CRAMER

Eboni Williams, left, convened her fellow cast members for a Shabbat dinner on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City," in an episode that aired Aug. 11, 2021. (Screen capture via JTA)

August 12, 2021, 5:20 am

Real Housewives host ‘Black Shabbat’ dinner on latest episode

Attendees nosh on challah, express appreciation as cast member in process of converting recites Hebrew blessing; another initiates discussion about Black-Jewish relations

By PHILISSA CRAMER