Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca ahead of the start of the Hajj later this week, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale.
Bestseller ‘Who is Taylor Swift?’ comes out with its first international edition — in Israel
Taylor Swift’s detachment from contentious global conflicts is a hallmark of her superstardom. For some fans in Israel, it’s also a selling point.
On Religion: New Threat To Alaska’s Historic Orthodox Cathedral
The fire began in the early hours of Jan. 2, 1966, and spread through the business district of Sitka, Alaska — toward the historic St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
‘Fiddler on the Roof’ may be many Americans’ image of Judaism – but American Jews’ heritage is stunningly diverse
“Tradition!” rings out the opening line of “Fiddler on the Roof,” the Broadway play that brought Jewish life to stages around the world. The 1964 musical gives audiences a window into Yiddish-speaking, rural Jewish life in 19th-century Europe.
Rights groups implore IOC president to help get rid of hijab ban
Sports and human rights organisations have called on International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach to help overturn a ban on French athletes wearing the hijab, saying it undermines celebrations of the first gender-equal Olympics.
Review: Machen’s Hope
I first encountered the name J. Gresham Machen in college. Although I didn’t take Greek in college, my friends in the first-year Greek class used his grammar.
Success of German far-right party in EU election has many Jews hearing echoes of Nazi past
The success of German extremists in Sunday’s European Parliament election has mainstream Jewish leaders and politicians worried. Some say they fear the country is veering into political territory that resembles the era just before the rise of the Nazis here…
How to make Jerry Seinfeld cry
I have pretty much committed certain episodes of “Seinfeld” to memory. Many of them are moments of comedic genius. Some are brilliant as satire. Consider: Jerry making out with Rachel, his observant, shellfish-avoidant girlfriend, during “Schindler’s List.”
Churches In Ireland Using Music To Engage Young People
A recent youth Mass at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin started with a song that seemed to fit better in an evangelical worship service than among the Catholic rituals. A five-piece band led the congregation in an upbeat version of…
American slavery wasn’t just a white man’s business − new research shows how white women profited, too
As the United States continues to confront the realities and legacy of slavery, Americans continue to challenge myths about the country’s history. One enduring myth is that slavery was a largely male endeavor — that, for the most part, the…
Pope Francis appeals for urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza and backs cease-fire proposals
Pope Francis called Sunday for humanitarian aid to urgently reach Palestinians in Gaza and for Israel and Hamas to immediately accept proposals for a cease-fire and release of hostages.
I’ve Preached the Gospel Countless Times. The Love of the Amish Preached it to Me.
On Sunday, June 21, 2020, 18-year-old Linda Stoltzfoos of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, was kidnapped and later murdered by Justo Smoker—my brother-in-law.