I can still hear my relative saying the derogatory phrase, used to refer to a gay man or boy, aiming his ugly remark at a young man at a bar mitzvah celebration.
Three women sit for Israeli Rabbinate’s exam, amid growing recognition for Orthodox Jewish women’s religious leadership
When people picture a rabbi, they may imagine a man standing in front of a congregation in a synagogue. But “rabbi” means much more than that. For example, a rabbi could be a teacher, a nonprofit executive for a Jewish…
Trans screenwriter Our Lady J condemns anti-Zionism in LGBTQ spaces: ‘Zionism is not a dirty word’
Prominent transgender writer, actress and producer Our Lady J took aim at anti-Zionism within the LGBTQ community in a post on Instagram Tuesday.
Orthodox Judaism is making space for women’s religious leadership – even without traditional ordination
When people picture a rabbi, they may imagine a man standing in front of a congregation in a synagogue. But “rabbi” means much more than that. For example, a rabbi could be a teacher, a nonprofit executive for a Jewish…
Andrew Cuomo apologizes to Orthodox Jews for past handling of COVID-19 restrictions
Andrew Cuomo apologized Wednesday for having “caused pain in the Jewish community” during his term as governor, citing decisions he made regarding COVID-era public health restrictions.
Orthodox Jewish women make history in special Israeli combat unit
Over the years, many of the young Orthodox women studying at the Midreshet Lindenbaum seminary yearned to join a combat unit in the Israeli army but knew that staying religiously observant in a coed, religiously mixed setting would be difficult,…
Orthodox pro-Israel group to honor Steve Bannon after backlash for his straight-armed gesture
An Orthodox right-wing pro-Israel group will honor Steve Bannon, nine days after the former Donald Trump adviser faced criticism for a gesture that resembled a Nazi salute.
Western Wall prayer battle reminds Baptist woman of ordination struggles
In Israel, Jewish women are fighting for the right to pray from Torah scrolls at the Western Wall, as men do. Starlette McNeill identifies with those women and their struggle. While McNeill isn’t Israeli and isn’t Jewish, her personal trials…
Why Orthodox Judaism is appealing to so many Millennials
Young Americans might be leaving religion in large numbers, but for some, rules, ritual, and tradition are attractive ways to find meaning in daily life.