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  • Did Jonathan Pollard really cause anti-Semitism?

    Rafael Medoff, JNS.org|Aug 14, 2015

    Did jailed Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard’s actions provoke anti-Semitism in the United States? In the days leading up to the July 28 revelation that the U.S. has granted Pollard parole and that he will be released from federal prison on Nov. 20, that charge was made by former State Department counsel Abraham Sofaer. Commenting on then-unconfirmed reports that Pollard would be paroled, Sofaer—who was part of the U.S. team that investigated the Pollard affair in the 1980s—claimed Pollard “created a terrible situation for American Jews who then ob... Full story

  • Jewish lawmakers shut out noise as they consider Iran deal

    Ron Kampeas|Aug 7, 2015

    WASHINGTON (JTA)-Turn off the ads, turn down the noise and read, listen and consult. That's what five key Jewish lawmakers say they are planning for the five to seven weeks they have to contemplate their vote on the Iran nuclear deal. There are 28 Jews in Congress, but seven are undecided and in positions of influence as lawmakers consider an agreement that grants Iran sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear restrictions on its nuclear program. Republicans are mostly against the deal, so the... Full story

  • U.S. envoy raps Huckabee on Holocaust-Iran deal analogy

    Ron Kampeas|Aug 7, 2015

    WASHINGTON (JTA)-Call it a double miracle for the pastor who would be president: Mike Huckabee managed to unite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama while grabbing the spotlight from Donald Trump. Netanyahu's ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, slammed Huckabee, a Republican candidate for the White House in 2016, for saying that Obama will march Israelis "to the door of the oven" as part of the Iran nuclear deal. And Obama has mocked Huckabee's remarks,... Full story

  • For first time in 100 years, outsider tapped to lead Looksteins' N.Y. synagogue

    Uriel Heilman, JTA|Aug 7, 2015

    NEW YORK (JTA)—For the first time in about a century, a rabbi from outside the Lookstein family will lead New York’s storied Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. The Orthodox synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side voted last week to hire as its new senior rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, who for two decades has led the Montreal congregation Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem. Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, 83, who has been at the helm of Kehilath Jeshurun since the death of his father, Rabbi Joseph Lookstein, in 1979, will become rabbi emeritus. The 1,100-member shul... Full story

  • Thousands protest the Iran deal at Times Square rally

    Gabe Friedman, JTA|Jul 31, 2015

    (JTA)-New York Sen. Chuck Schumer was not actually in New York on Wednesday, but the Democrat's influence on the fate of the Iran deal loomed large when several thousand people descended on Times Square to protest the agreement. Many of those demonstrating against the agreement chanted, "Where is Chuck Schumer?" and "Kill this deal." Some who packed the sidewalks along Seventh Avenue also held up signs that urged Schumer to convince Congress members to vote against the deal reached July 14... Full story

  • Pollard to be freed in November

    JNS.org|Jul 31, 2015

    (JNS.org) -Jonathan Pollard, who was imprisoned 30 years ago for giving Israel classified information on the U.S., will be a free man Nov. 21. The decision made by the parole board was unanimous. Some U.S. officials in the Obama administration commented that it is hoped that his release would smooth over some of the anger over the pending Iran deal. Pollard is the only person in U.S. history to receive a life sentence for spying for an American ally. His lawyers Eliot Lauer and Jacques... Full story

  • New to Republican race, John Kasich espouses wisdom of Torah

    Debra Kamin, JTA|Jul 31, 2015

    (JTA)—Political columnist Matt Bai recently got an old-fashioned Jewish guilt trip for skipping synagogue, and not from his rabbi or his Jewish mother, but from an evangelical Christian politician angling for the White House. Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who this week officially joined the jam-packed race for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, is an ardent Protestant. But when he sat down with Bai in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, he went with a JDate-style icebreaker: “Do you go to synagogue?” Bai, who spent years covering politics for the N... Full story

  • Eight Jewish federations come out against Iran deal; most stay silent

    Jul 31, 2015

    WASHINGTON (JTA)—While the majority of the 151 Jewish federations in North America are withholding judgment on the nuclear deal with Iran, at least eight have come out against it. Rather than taking firm positions, federations are counseling their communities to use Congress’ 60-day review period to learn about the international agreement and share their opinions with elected officials. “There is a plethora of diverse opinions,” said Gregg Roman, community relations council director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “For Fe... Full story

  • CUFI on the Hill: Christian Zionist group ramps up DC office amid Iran deal

    Jacob Kamaras, JNS.org|Jul 24, 2015

    While the ink dries on the newly signed nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, America's largest pro-Israel organization is seeking to help defeat the agreement in Congress through the work of its nascent office in Washington, DC. San Antonio-based Christians United for Israel (CUFI), which during 10 years of existence has grown to 2.2 million members, is beginning to hire staff for a new entity dubbed the "CUFI Action Fund." Headed by Gary Bauer-the U.S. under secretary of education in... Full story

  • The Rabbinical Council of America's response to Azoulay

    Jul 17, 2015

    In a press release dated July 8, the Rabbinical Council of America stated that Reform Jews are Jews. Rabbi Leonard Matanky, president of the RCA, said, “The RCA, representing traditional standards of religious practice and definition of Jewishness, has well-known objections to some of the fundamental tenets of Reform Judaism. There is no question, however, that we certainly embrace all members of the Jewish community. This is clearly the undisputed position of Jewish law. In addition, our late teacher Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik spoke of a c... Full story

  • Hillel ranks UCF South's No. 1

    Jul 10, 2015

    Hillel International launched “Hillel College Guide: The Official Hillel Guide to Jewish Life on Campus” this summer, providing unique insights for students and parents on organized Jewish life, Israel programming, the availability of kosher food and the relative size of the Jewish community on campuses across North America. The magazine also includes rankings of what schools Jewish students are choosing. Topping this year’s lists are Rutgers University on the list of public schools and New York University on the list of private schools. Secon... Full story

  • Donald Trump says he is no apprentice when it comes to Israel

    Jacob Kamaras, JNS.org|Jul 10, 2015

    In the middle of a phone interview with JNS.org on June 26, billionaire real estate mogul and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump leaves his desk to scan the wall of his office for awards he has received from the Jewish community. Trump reads the text of some relevant plaques before returning to his desk. But before this reporter can move on to the next question, Trump eagerly points out that he was the grand marshal of New York City's annual Salute to Israel Parade (now the... Full story

  • Orthodox Jewish groups brace for consequences of gay-marriage ruling

    Ron Kampeas, JTA|Jul 10, 2015

    WASHINGTON (JTA)—The name that keeps coming up when Orthodox Jewish groups consider the consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court decision extending same-sex marriage rights to all states has little to do with Jews or gays. Bob Jones University, the private Protestant college in South Carolina, lost its tax-exempt status in 1983 when the Supreme Court ruled that its policies banning interracial dating on campus were “wholly incompatible with the concepts underlying tax exemption.” Orthodox Jewish organizations, several of which publicly disse... Full story

  • Jewish groups celebrate Supreme Court ruling extending gay marriage rights

    Ron Kampeas|Jul 3, 2015

    WASHINGTON (JTA)-How often do you get the opportunity to pack "109 years," #LoveWins and the rainbow colors into 140 characters? That's how the American Jewish Committee celebrated the Supreme Court ruling Friday extending marriage rights to gays throughout the United States. "For 109 years AJC has stood for liberty and human rights," its tweet said. "Today is a happy day for that proud tradition ‪#LoveWins." It was punctuated with a heart emoticon splashed orange, yellow, green blue and p... Full story

  • At Foxman farewell, lots of hugs (from Abe) and murmurs (about Oren)

    Jul 3, 2015

    By Ron Kampeas NEW YORK (JTA)-At Abe Foxman's farewell, there were the hugs, there were the recollections of the hugs, and there was the sheer diversity of the huggers. Abe likes to hug, and he hugged everyone who came out to the June 17 gala marking his retirement from the Anti-Defamation League after 50 years, the past 28 leading the civil rights agency. So plenty of people got an Abe embrace: About 1,200 were in attendance, necessitating the use of the balconies in the vaulted Waldorf Astoria ballroom. Onstage there were tributes from Jews,... Full story

  • Israel crisis averted in Missouri as biology professor's anti-Zionist course nixed

    Maayan Jaffe, JNS.org|Jun 26, 2015

    A University of Missouri (MU) fall 2015 honors tutorial that pro-Israel students felt would promote bigotry and misinformation on their college campus has been cancelled. “Perspectives on Zionism,” which was scheduled to be taught by self-proclaimed “post-Zionist” and “Nakba Jew-in-law” George Smith, was nixed due to no enrollment, according to a June 10 announcement. Yet the catalyst behind the cancelled course—Smith, a tenured biology professor who pushed for a curriculum that the instructor himself said would have included works by anti...

  • BBYO, Hillel International and Moishe House launch initiative to invest in rising talent

    Jun 26, 2015

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Three leading Jewish organizations—BBYO, Hillel International and Moishe House—are teaming up in a rare and pioneering global initiative to recruit, train and retain top professionals throughout their organizations. Called the Talent Alliance, the novel collaboration links 780 Jewish communal professionals in 37 countries in a global ecosystem designed to promote rising stars in these Jewish non-profits. The initiative is among the first of its kind in both the Jewish and nonprofit sectors. The pilot year of the Talent Allia... Full story

  • What will the ADL lose when Foxman leaves?

    Uriel Heilman|Jun 26, 2015

    NEW YORK (JTA)-If there's one thing that can be said of longtime Anti-Defamation League leader Abraham Foxman, who is stepping down this month after nearly 30 years at the helm, it's that he never holds back from speaking his mind. In an age of canned, anodyne statements from public figures reticent to say what they really think, Foxman offers an authentic, unabashed voice free of artifice, hesitation or restraint. Foxman also has something else when he speaks: listeners. Though the ADL doesn't... Full story

  • Limited ruling on passports

    Ron Kampeas, JTA|Jun 19, 2015

    WASHINGTON (JTA)-Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority in the Supreme Court decision that will keep "Israel" off the passports of Jerusalem-born Americans, begins by calling Jerusalem a "delicate subject." Competing claims to the Holy City were not the only timeworn and sensitive issue the justices contended with in their 6-3 decision on Monday, which upheld the State Department's policy of not allowing Americans born in Jerusalem to list "Israel" as their birthplace. The Supreme... Full story

  • Obama's latest wooing of Jews not working, poll suggests

    Ron Kampeas, JTA|Jun 19, 2015

    WASHINGTON (JTA)-It's early days for the White House's latest charm offensive among American Jews, but a new poll suggests that the wooing effort is having little effect. The poll, published Wednesday by J Street, a liberal pro-Israel group that generally backs President Barack Obama's Middle East policies, shows Obama stuck at the same mid-50s approval ratings he was registering in April, when U.S.-Israel tensions were prominently in the news. Jim Gerstein, whose GBA Strategies conducted the po... Full story

  • Bernie Sanders: Being Jewish taught me 'what politics is about'

    Jun 19, 2015

    (JTA)-A day after a radio host falsely said that Sen. Bernie Sanders has Israeli citizenship, the candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination spoke publicly about how his Jewish identity has influenced him. In an interview with the Christian Science Monitor Thursday, Sanders (I-Vt.) said that he was "not particularly religious" but that as a child being Jewish taught him "in a very deep way what politics is about." "A guy named Adolf Hitler won an election in 1932," he told the Monitor.... Full story

  • Rochelle Shoretz, founder of Sharsheret, dies at 42

    Gabrielle Birkner, JTA|Jun 12, 2015

    NEW YORK (JTA)-Rochelle Shoretz was fond of saying, "There are no problems, only solutions." Her approach to life was not to dwell on bad news, but to channel the energy that friends described as boundless into somehow making things better. It's what drove her to establish the national cancer organization Sharsheret after she was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28. On Sunday, Shoretz died of complications from the disease at her home in Teaneck, New Jersey. She was 42. At the time of... Full story

  • Houston floods inundate Jewish homes and two synagogues

    Uriel Heilman, JTA|Jun 5, 2015

    (JTA)-Two synagogues and the homes of countless Jewish residents were damaged in the floods that swept through Houston on Monday and into Tuesday, inundating homes and businesses, sweeping away cars and leaving at least five people dead. Houston, America's fourth-largest city and home to more than 40,000 Jews, was paralyzed when many of the canals that run through the city (known locally as bayous) crested after torrential rains soaked the city. Some 8-12 inches of water fell in a matter of... Full story

  • Illinois votes to oppose BDS

    Paul Miller, JNS.org|May 29, 2015

    Illinois became the third state in a month to pass legislation formally opposing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. But going further than non-binding anti-BDS measures in Tennessee and Indiana, the Illinois bill took concrete action against those who boycott the Jewish state. The legislation-which unanimously passed both the Illinois House (102-0) and Senate (49-0), and will be signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner-prohibits state pension funds from... Full story

  • Two Jews among confirmed dead in Amtrak crash

    JTA Staff|May 22, 2015

    NEW YORK (JTA)-A 39-year-old executive with an education startup and a 20-year-old naval academy student were among the seven people confirmed dead from an Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia. Rachel Jacobs, the executive, who also is the daughter of former Michigan State Senator Gilda Jacobs, and Justin Zemser, a second-year student at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, were both Jewish. The accident, on a northbound train Tuesday night, injured more than 200 people, and... Full story

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