Jewish News

Jewish Federation opens emergency relief fund for Japan tsunami victims

The Jewish Federation of North America opened Friday an emergency relief fund to assist the victims of the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami that swept over Japan.“The Jewish Federations send our deepest sympathy to people affected by this terrible event,” said Fred Zimmerman, chair of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Emergency Committee. “We are determined to provide ...

Jewish Federation finds GA youth outreach a tricky business

At this year’s General Assembly of The Jewish Federations of North America, young Jews took to the streets of New Orleans to work on social service projects. They heard Jewish leaders exhort them about the dangers of the “delegitimization” of Israel. And some young Jews were ejected from the gathering when they stood up in the middle of Israeli leader ...

Jewish-Druze celebration planned

A unique religious event will be held in northern Israel next week: A joint Jewish-Druze celebration.Such an event has likely not taken place for decades or even centuries. It will be held in the Druze town of Sajur in the Galilee region, in honor of the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha, who was considered a righteous ...

Jewish day schools putting iPads to the test

Toward the end of his life, Apple’s visionary leader, Steve Jobs, was visited by another computer innovator, Microsoft’s Bill Gates. The conversation turned to the future of education.As related in Walter Isaacson’s recent biography of Jobs, both men agreed that computers had made surprisingly little impact on schools.“Computers and mobile devices would have to focus on delivering more personalized lessons ...

Jewish Culture Festival Kicks Off in Krakow as Euro 2012 Winds Down

While sports fans in Poland are engrossed in the Euro 2012 soccer finals, the Jewish community has its own sporting event to enjoy. The 22nd Jewish Culture Festival kicked off on Friday in Krawkow, marking the beginning of a nine-day festival of art, science, politics and philosophy. And the opening act: a lecture on Jewish sports.Over the nine-day festival, audience ...

Jewish congressman to retire after 30 years

US Congressman Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) announced Monday he would not seek re-election in the coming congressional elections, putting an end to the 30-year-long career in the House of Representatives that made Frank one of Washington’s most prominent Jewish politicians.Frank said redistricting following the most recent census was behind his decision to leave Congress a term earlier than he had previously ...

Jewish congregation finds home in church

A Jewish congregation in Florida has found an unlikely home.Congregation Mateh Chaim in Palm Bay has been using the sanctuary at Riviera United Church of Christ for its services.The small congregation has been struggling to save enough money for a permanent home.In the meantime, twice a month, they gather at church.Read More: @ ynetnews.com Readers found more information by searching for:the sanctuary ...

Jewish community shocked and appalled by UK riots

“The Jewish community, like all right minded people, will have been shocked and appalled at the wanton destruction and criminality witnessed on our streets over the last few days,” Jon Benjamin, chief executive of the Board of Deputies. “Attacks on businesses and property are also assaults on the lives and livelihoods of decent hardworking people, trying to get by in ...

Jewish Community OK in Aftermath of Texas Tornado

While parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area remain under a tornado watch until 8 PM CDT, the Jewish community of Dallas seems to have fared well despite two confirmed tornadoes which caused massive damage with winds in excess of sixty five miles per hour and sightings of hailstones the size of baseballs.“So far everyone is doing well,” Rabbi Mendel Dubrawsky ...

Jewish Community In Montreal Needs Your Help Emailing City Officials

YWN received the following email from a community activist in Montreal:Dear YWN readership,We are appealing to our friends around the world to help us with this in a very polite way.In Outremont, a city in Montreal there are a few individuals constantly instigating against the Chasiddic Community, and it has become increasingly difficult to deal with the city. Any time ...

Jewish Co-Chairs Abound in Obama Reelection Campaign

The list of Obama campaign national co-chairs released Wednesday includes several prominent Jewish supporters, including former White House chief-of-staff and current Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel and Penny Pritzker, heir to the Hyatt hotel dynasty.The 35 named co-chairs also include Jewish politicians Colorado Senator Michael Bennett, Illinois Representative Jan Schakowsky and former Wisconsin senator Russ Feingold, as well as businessman Marc ...

Jewish Cemetery in Poland Struck by Anti-Semitic Vandalism

Vandals have desecrated a Jewish cemetery in Poland, spraying swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans on tombstones and memorial plaques, an official said Monday.The vandals also wrote “This is Poland, not Israel” on one sign at the Jewish cemetery in Wysokie Mazowieckie, a town in eastern Poland, according to the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland.Police are investigating the ...