Israel’s mikvahs open to non-Orthodox conversions, official clarifies

Published on May 23, 2013

Clarifying existing policy, the office of Israel’s deputy religious services minister said Israel’s state-sponsored mikvahs are open for use for Conservative and Reform conversions.

Rabbis to Boy Scouts: Lift ban on gay members

Published on May 22, 2013

More than 500 rabbis and cantors urged the Boy Scouts of America to drop its ban on homosexual members when the youth group’s National Council convenes in Dallas this week.

How to become a Jew

Published on May 8, 2013

There are a variety of options for how to begin the process, but all involve study with a rabbi. Some people study with an individual rabbi for a period of time, and other people enroll in group classes designed especially for converts.

Jewish atheism and Jewish theism in America

By Roger Price
Published on April 12, 2013

Western wall compromise raises hopes, but still faces obstacles

Published on April 10, 2013

Natan Sharansky

Rabbi David Hartman’s learned students remember their rebbe

Published on February 13, 2013

The Jewish community reflects on the life of late Rabbi David Hartman.

The curious consensus of Jews on abortion

By Roger Price
Published on February 1, 2013

The queerness of love: A Jewish case for same-sex marriage

Published on January 24, 2013

Last year, I officiated at the first same-sex wedding in the 145-year history of my synagogue. For a Conservative congregation, this was quite a break with tradition.

Broad Jewish support for Obama’s gun proposals

Published on January 18, 2013

President Obama's new gun control proposals drew broad Jewish communal support.

$5 million budget hole is latest woe for Conservative synagogue group

Published on January 8, 2013

The congregational arm of the Conservative movement ran a cumulative budget deficit of more than $5 million over the past two years, JTA has learned, renewing longstanding concerns for the future of one of the movement's key institutional pillars.

Rabbi Irwin Groner, ex-Rabbinical Assembly president, dies at 81

Published on January 3, 2013

Rabbi Irwin Groner, a former president of the Conservative movement's Rabbinical Assembly, has died.

Reform, Conservative, Orthodox leaders join gun control call

Published on December 21, 2012

Top figures from the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements joined an interfaith call for greater gun controls in the wake of last week's school massacre in Connecticut.

Conservative day school cancels Boy Scout troops over exclusion of gay leaders

Published on October 25, 2012

A Conservative Jewish day school will not renew its Boy Scouts charter because of the organization's policy excluding gay and lesbian adults as leaders.

The space between

Published on October 24, 2012

Is it the individual citizen who is more important in a free society, or is it the government? It’s easy to see this as the philosophical choice during this election season: One side seems to favor the liberty of the individual, while the other favors the primacy of the government.

Everything is easier than doing good

By Dennis Prager
Published on September 5, 2012

Some thoughts for Rosh Hashanah: If we took a vote on what trait we human beings most value, goodness would undoubtedly win. Certainly goodness is the trait that we most want everyone else to possess. But if we say we value goodness above everything else -- and surely Judaism does -- why aren't there more good people? A big reason is that it is easier to value other things -- including, and especially, positive things -- more than goodness. So it's much easier to be just about anything rather than good. It’s easier to be religious than to be good.

Amid roasted pigs, country music and rabbinical blessings, Romney seeks to define himself

Published on August 28, 2012

Whole barbecued pigs, cheerleaders and elegies to skinny-dipping farmers' daughters. That was the organized noise Sunday night at the opening bash of the Republican National Convention at Tropicana Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg.

Romney/Ryan and the lullaby of lying

By Marty Kaplan
Published on August 27, 2012

It shouldn't have taken Todd Akin's crackpot contraception comment to alert us that Paul Ryan thinks rape is just another "method of conception."

Sam Raimi’s latest horror flick draws on ‘true’ tale, Jewish exorcism

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on August 22, 2012

Obama campaign launches rabbis list

Published on August 21, 2012

More than 600 rabbis joined a campaign initiative called Rabbis for Obama. Obama for America announced Tuesday that Rabbis for Obama is designed to "engage and mobilize grassroots supporters."

Reform, Conservative rabbis: step up gun control

Published on August 17, 2012

Reform and Conservative rabbinical leaders called for increased gun controls in the wake of a spate of shootings.

Rabbi’s use of discretionary funds spurs new policies

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on August 15, 2012

In response to the Haiti earthquake in January 2010 and the Carmel forest fires in Israel in December 2010, members of Congregation Ner Tamid of South Bay, like so many others, wanted to donate money to help the victims. So, many of them directed donations through Rabbi Isaac Jeret’s discretionary fund.

Passionate Judaism

By David Suissa
Published on July 18, 2012

In case you haven’t heard, Orthodox Judaism has pretty much taken over Jewish life on U.S. college campuses. I say this not because I’m smug and happy about it, but as a wake-up call to the Conservative and Reform branches to get their acts together.

So, how many Jews will vote for Mitt Romney?

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on July 5, 2012

Here is a truism we all already know: Jews are news. The fact is, no matter how tiny the American Jewish community might be — between 1.5 and 2 percent of the population — the battle for Jewish votes will be extensively reported and analyzed.

Amid the ravages of wildfires, Colorado Jews band together

Published on July 2, 2012

The Sidmans are among the lucky ones: Their Colorado Springs home is still standing, nearly untouched by the flames that left many of their neighbors' houses in ashes.

Sylvia Ettenberg, Conservative Jewish educator, dies at 95

Published on June 25, 2012

Sylvia Cuttler Ettenberg, a veteran Jewish educator and a founder of Camp Ramah, has died.

Conservative rabbis approve same-sex marriage ceremonies

Published on June 1, 2012

The Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards -- which sets halachic policy for the Conservative movement -- has voted unanimously to provide the approximately 1,600 Conservative rabbis with guidelines on performing same-sex marriages.

The modern Jewish law

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on May 30, 2012

Jewish movements renew Pollard clemency appeal

Published on April 23, 2012

Representatives of the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements renewed their appeals to President Obama to grant clemency to Jonathan Pollard.

Reform, Conservative leaders complain about Israeli hotel discrimination

Published on April 11, 2012

Leaders of the Israeli Reform and Conservative movements sent a letter of complaint to the Israeli government charging that Israeli hotels discriminate against non-Orthodox Jews.

Israel: More Reform, Conservative than Charedi Jews

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on February 29, 2012

Eight percent of Israeli Jews define themselves as Conservative or Reform Jews, compared to just 7 percent of Israelis who define themselves as “Charedi” (ultra-Orthodox). Amazing?

Will Israel’s Supreme Court tilt conservative after Dorit Beinisch leaves?

Published on February 28, 2012

It ordered the West Bank security fence rerouted because it cut through private Palestinian property. It overturned state-backed discrimination against Arab Israelis on issues of land distribution and ruled against the Israel Defense Forces' use of military methods deemed to cause "disproportionate" harm to Palestinian civilians. It overturned Israel’s ban against political parties said to be too "radical."

Siri-like Android app gives racist responses

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on February 17, 2012

Larry Greenfield to head JINSA

By Tom Tugend
Published on February 8, 2012

Larry Greenfield, a Los Angeles-area native, has been named national executive director of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs in Washington, D.C., JINSA president David Ganz has announced.

Conservative group prays in mixed minyan at Knesset

Published on February 3, 2012

A recent trip of American Conservative (Masorti) Jews to Israel included a first for the country, and cuts to the heart of an issue that poses a problem for many American Jews – a mixed minyan for mincha at the Knesset synagogue.

Komen foundation cuts funding to Planned Parenthood

Published on February 1, 2012

The Susan B. Komen for the Cure foundation cut funding for Planned Parenthood breast cancer testing.

Winnipeg to host first Conservative gay ceremony in Canada

Published on January 13, 2012

A Winnipeg synagogue is about to become the first Conservative shul in Canada to host a same-sex wedding ceremony. Shaarey Zedek Synagogue will be the scene on Jan. 21 for the "renewal" of marriage vows between two men wedded in a civil service in Vancouver in 2004, the Winnipeg Jewis Post and News reported.

Iowans weigh in on GOP’s Ron Paul and Israel

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on January 4, 2012

I have come from Israel to the United States to witness the Republican candidates’ campaigns for the presidency. Earlier this week, I spent some time reporting from Iowa, including talking to Ron Paul supporters. Of those I met, first one must say they were all very courteous and nice. If Paul’s supporters — now we can start calling them voters — bear any grudge against Israel, they hide it well. At least the supporters here in Iowa do.

Israeli government accused of curbing court independence

Published on January 3, 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative government came under attack on Tuesday for promoting legislation that critics said would weaken the independence of Israel's judiciary.

Romney, Santorum say they would vote for Paul if he wins nomination

Published on December 29, 2011

Two Republican presidential candidates said they would vote for Rep. Ron Paul if he wins the GOP nomination.

Rabbis’ love for Israel: Is it a generational thing?

Published on October 4, 2011

Do Conservative rabbis become more politically conservative on Israel as they grow older, or are older rabbis simply more right wing than younger rabbis when it comes to Israel?

Conservative synagogue body restructures, reduces dues

Published on June 14, 2011

The umbrella body for Conservative congregations will undergo a major restructuring that includes a significant staff reorganization and dues reductions.

Conservatives’ challenge to Orthodoxy’s near monopoly on kosher gets more serious

Published on April 11, 2011

The Conservative movement’s ethical kosher initiative may not have been intended as a wedge into the Orthodox monopoly over kosher supervision. But the planned rollout this summer of the Conservative-backed seal of ethical kosher production, the Magen Tzedek, coincides with an increase in the number of Conservative rabbis acting as kosher supervisors.

Sarah Palin must be so proud - Bristol is cashing in!

By Julia Bendis
Published on April 7, 2011

At Conservative rabbis’ confab, it’s not about the organization, but the future

By Sue Fishkoff
Published on March 29, 2011

Listening to Conservative rabbis talk about their movement is like witnessing an intervention. They talk of “saving” Conservative Judaism – and sometimes they blame the parents when things go wrong. “Reform rabbis speak positively about their movement and less positively about their synagogue, while Conservative rabbis speak positively about their synagogue and less positively about their movement,” said Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt of B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, Md., paraphrasing a refrain he says he has heard often from Reform and Conservative colleagues.

Don’t believe gloomy forecasts on Conservative Judaism

Published on March 14, 2011

Conservative Judaism is dying, I hear -- or at least according to the media. Not so. Please don't tell me that because North America's United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has had its problems, that means Conservative/Masorti Judaism is declining around the Jewish world.

Ladies of the View and Hasselbeck…

By Julia Bendis
Published on February 19, 2011

Conservative responsa approves selling, renting to non-Jews

Published on December 21, 2010

Up to 50 Conservative rabbis signed on to a religious responsa that says it is permissible to rent or sell homes to non-Jews in Israel. The statement, issued Monday, counters a rabbinic ruling signed by about 50 Israeli municipal rabbis that prohibits the same. Written by Schechter Institute President Rabbi David Golinkin, it examines the issue from biblical sources to modern opinions.

Brouhaha in Texas House a Jewish test case for Tea Party

Published on December 21, 2010

In Texas, the Tea Party passed its first Jewish test even before its legislators had been sworn in.

Conservative movement launches Shalit campaign

Published on June 7, 2010

The Conservative movement has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the captivity of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Conservative, Reform oppose Israeli conversion bill

Published on April 30, 2010

The U.S. Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements are warning that a proposed Israeli conversion bill is “disastrous to the unity of the Jewish people.”

Conservative Judaism set to open first shul in Australia

Published on March 25, 2010

It began with a small ad placed in the Melbourne edition of the Australian Jewish News by John Rosenberg, a Jewish professor who liked neither the constraints of Orthodoxy nor the lack of tradition in Reform Judaism.

Philadelphia-area Rabbi Tapped to Head Conservative Body

Published on March 13, 2009

Rabbi Steven Wernick, religious leader of Adath Israel in Merion Station, has been tapped to be the next professional leader of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the movement's congregational arm.

Mergers and consolidations for congregations—it’s the economy, stupid [VIDEO]

By The Web Guy
Published on December 28, 2008

Madoff’s Redemption

By David Suissa
Published on December 24, 2008

It's like a quadruple shot of cheap vodka that you drink quickly on an empty stomach. You feel disgusted and drunk at the same time.

Obama's cousin-in-law Rabbi Capers Funnye battles to open the gates of Judaism [VIDEO]

By Julie G Fax
Published on November 26, 2008

Funnye, 56, has dedicated his life to chiseling away at the conventional, but increasingly inaccurate, conception of who is a Jew.

Angeleno pushes effort on recognizing conversions

By Julie G Fax
Published on November 26, 2008

When Lorin Fife converted to Judaism some 30 years ago, his experience with the Orthodox rabbis who presided over his year of study and conversion ceremony was one of warmth and acceptance.

Passage of Prop. 8 reveals rift between denominations

By Rachel Heller
Published on November 13, 2008

Jewish voices had joined both sides of the bitter and costly Proposition 8 debate leading up to Election Day. Reform and Conservative leaders largely condemned the stripping of civil rights from a fellow minority population, while Orthodox officials praised constitutional protection for the biblical definition of marriage.

California Jewish Voters Guide: Views on state and local issues split on party lines

By Tom Tugend
Published on October 30, 2008

The presidential race makes the headlines, but there's lots of emotion, energy and money left for the 12 statewide propositions on the California ballot. As in McCain-Obama contest, Jewish voters are sharply split between the Democratic/liberal majority and the Republican/conservative minority.

McCain campaign to L.A. Times: Release Obama-Khalidi tape [VIDEO]

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on October 30, 2008

John McCain and his vice presidential running mate continued Wednesday to accuse the Los Angeles Times of protecting Barack Obama by not releasing the video of 2003 celebration Obama attended for a Palestinian-American scholar and critic of Israel. The newspaper has refused to make the tape public because of a promise made to the source who provided it.

It’s their turn

By David Suissa
Published on October 29, 2008

If we conservatives believe in fairness, it's only fair that Democrats should get their turn at the wheel. We've had our turn for eight long years -- and we should fess up to the obvious: America has veered off course, and it's a lot worse off today than it was eight years ago