Jewish News

This Day in Jewish History / ‘Over the Rainbow’ Writer is Born

April 8, 1896, is the birth date of Edgar Yipsel Harburg, who, as “Yip” Harburg, wrote the lyrics to such songs as “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,” “April in Paris” and, most famously, “Over the Rainbow.” His long career as a writer and lyricist, which yielded some 600 songs for both film and stage, included a decade-long period when ...

Third Intifada App Removed from Apple ‘App Store’

A computer application called “The 3rd Intifada” has been removed by the giant Apple computer firm from its App Store for iPads and iPhones.Israel’s Minister for Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, Yuli Edelstein, had sent a letter to Apple, pointing out that the application called for an Arab uprising against the State of Israel and asking that it be removed.The ...

Their Work? To ‘Spark the Spark’ of Jewish Pride on the Upper East Side

Tonya Westervelt came across the YouTube videos unintentionally. They were Tanya lessons — from the central text written by the founder of Chabad-Lubavitch, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi — given by Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski, co-director of Chabad of the Upper East Side. And they helped start her on the road to recovery from addiction.Six months later, his talks motivated ...

The World Jewish Congress Celebrates the IDF’s Aid to Haiti

Rotem Caro WeizmanLeaders from the World Jewish Congress convened last week in Israel to honor members of the IDF rescue mission to Haiti. During the ceremony, Certificates of Recognition were awarded to the Home Front Command, the Amirim Communications Battalion, the Shaldag Unit, the Oketz Unit, the IDF Spokesperson Unit, the Israeli police, the Zaka organization, and the Ministry of ...

The Western Wall is for the Birds

When the swifts come back to Jerusalem’s Western Wall this week there will be rejoicing as bird watchers and the religious welcome them home to Judaism’s most sacred site.The common swift, which spends is entire life flying or sitting its nest, returns from wintering in South Africa to nest between the cracks in the ancient wall. For over 2,000 years, ...

The Weekly Schmooze: ‘Karma Police’ in the M. East

The most beautiful woman in the world is a Jewish mom. Gwyneth Paltrow made the cover of People this week, taking the title from last year’s winner, Beyonce. Still, Gwyneth shouldn’t get overconfident. She’s also the most hated celebrity of the year, according to a poll in Star.If you’re a fan of the movie “Garden State,” writer-director-actor Zach Braff is ...

‘The Voice Israel’ Competitor, 17, Suspended From School for Singing Before Men

Ophir Ben-Shetreet, a 17-year-old with a voice as outstanding as Sonenclar’s, is a leading competitor on Israel’s “The Voice.” One would think that she would be rewarded for her confidence, effort and talent. Sadly, that is not the case.Ben-Shetreet is essentially being punished for having an exceptionally beautiful voice and wanting to share it with the world. The 12th grader ...

The Vanishing American Bochur

You can still spot them, now and then: Friday morning, clambering aboard a Mitzvah Tank, blaring Nichoach on loop; ducking out of the Kollel late at night, sefer securely tucked under the arm; or massing outside the NCFJE international headquarters Wednesday afternoons. But in many ways, the American 770 bochur is a breed endangered, disappearing fast.Don’t be fooled by some ...

The True Tragedy of Tisha Be’av

Tisha Be’av, which we will commemorate tomorrow night and Sunday, is a time of mourning and lamentation for the two great calamities resulting in the destruction of the Temple, the desolation of Jerusalem and the exile of our people, the first in 586 BCE by the Babylonians and the second in 70 CE by the Romans.Although the book that gives ...

The Titanic’s Kosher Kitchen

This Sunday, the world will mark 100 years since the sinking of the infamous cruise liner, the Titanic. What do we know of the Jews who were aboard that fateful ship? How did they observe the Jewish dietary laws during the voyage? A few experts dove into the research, both figuratively and literally.From the Dayton Jewish Observer by Marshall Weiss:Of ...

The super sniper: Hero picks off two Taliban from a mile and a half away

An army sniper has earned a place in military history by killing two Taliban machine gunners from more than a mile and a half away.Craig Harrison’s record breaking shots felled the insurgents with consecutive bullets – even though they were 3,200ft beyond the official range of his rifle.Read more: @ dailymail.co.ukYou might also like:Bar mitzvah hit by stray wedding shotsThousands rally ...

The Storm Chaser

He was a black-hatted chassid, but I thought he could be a storm chaser.Then again, perhaps the storm was inside of him. He carried a cyclonic energy and as he traveled, he drew the lost and lonely wayfarers. He seemed to have an uncanny sense that something was about to happen, that he could not afford to waste a minute ...