The Latest News

Deborah Feldman and her memoir — “Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of my Hasidic Roots”
Unapologetically ‘Unorthodox’
Thursday, February 9, 2012 | Julie Wiener | Associate Editor

Like many other single Jewish women her age in Manhattan, Deborah Feldman hates dating.

“I won’t do it,” she says emphatically.

But unlike her peers, she has no interest in marriage. That’s because, at 25, she’s already been married (engaged at 17), divorced and has a 5-year-old son.

“I’m still celebrating the fact that I’m sleeping in my own bed,” she says.

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Larry Greenfield Tapped To Lead JINSA
Thursday, February 9, 2012

LOS ANGELES (JTA) -- Larry Greenfield was named national executive director of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs in Washington.

JINSA President David Ganz made the announcement Thursday.

Greenfield, 50, a native of the Los Angeles area, has worked in the fields of law, business, philanthropy, politics, Jewish organizational life and academe.

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Minn. Rabbinical Group Opposes Ban On Same-Sex Marriages
Thursday, February 9, 2012

(JTA) -- Members of the Minnesota Rabbinical Association have signed a statement opposing a state ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriages.

The group represents rabbis from 15 congregations in the state from the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements. No Orthodox rabbis signed the statement, which was adopted last month.

The statement said the rabbis were unanimous in opposing the amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot recognizing marriage only as a union between a man and a woman.

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Shalit And Parents Meet With Sarkozy In Paris
Thursday, February 9, 2012

PARIS (JTA) -- Former captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and his parents met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the presidential palace in Paris.

“We are very happy to be here at the Elysee Palace,” said Noam Shalit, speaking to journalists Wednesday morning.  “We are very touched.”

Hours later, Shalit's parents attended the annual gala hosted by the French Jewish umbrella group CRIF.

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Kissinger, Others Honored By Israeli President
Thursday, February 9, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was among the recipients of Israel's first President's Prize.

The new initiative, spearheaded by Israeli President Shimon Peres, honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to Israeli society and the country's global image.

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Avigdor Lieberman: "We must consult with America and work with America."
Exclusive Interview: Israel's Lieberman Defends And Praises U.S. Mideast Efforts
Thursday, February 9, 2012 | Gary Rosenblatt | Editor and Publisher

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s controversial foreign minister and deputy prime minister, sounded uncharacteristically diplomatic during an exclusive interview with The Jewish Week on Wednesday evening in Manhattan.

Fresh from meetings with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, he praised the administration’s leadership in imposing tougher sanctions on Iran, stressed the importance of maintaining direct dialogue with the Palestinians and indicated his disagreement with those American Jews who assert that President Obama is anti-Israel.

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Hadassah Probing Top Officials On Allegations Of Funds Misuse
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 | JTA

Two top Hadassah officials are being investigated by the organization for possible misuse of funds.

The probe was launched after board members of Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America were sent a letter on Jan. 12 by the organization’s chief operating officer, Larry Blum, alleging that Hadassah national president Marcie Natan and former national president Nancy Falchuk had used organizational assets for personal use.

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State Dept. Advising Modest Dress In Some Jerusalem Areas
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 | JTA

The U.S. State Department in revised travel recommendations on Jerusalem advises visitors to "dress appropriately when visiting the Old City and ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods."

The advisory for Israel, West Bank and Gaza Strip, in the section on Jerusalem updated last month, warns that "Assaults on secular visitors, either for being in cars or for being 'immodestly dressed,' have occurred in these neighborhoods."

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Long-Shot Super Bowl Bet Winner To Give 50G To Charity
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 | JTA

The Jewish owner of a real estate company in New York is donating his $50,000 winnings in a Super Bowl bet to charity.

Jona Rechnitz, 29, of New York, had wagered $1,000 on Super Sunday at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas that the New York Giants would score first -- on a safety.

With the odds at 50 to 1, earned Rechnitz a $50,000 payout.

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Massive Workers Strike Hits Israel
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 | JTA

Israeli workers launched an open-ended general strike.

The strike launched Wednesday by the Histadrut, Israel's main labor union, closed down the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, stopped trains across the country and caused major delays at Ben Gurion Airport. The crippling strike also affected hospitals, government offices and banks.

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