Elul and Jewish pluralism

By Roberto Loiederman
Published on May 15, 2013

A typical study session for Elul, a pluralistic Israel-based beit midrash (house of study), doesn’t confine itself to a discussion of Abraham’s journey in Genesis.

Religious conflict in Beit Shemesh yields to fragile peace amid coexistence efforts

Published on February 14, 2013

Next to the Modern Orthodox Orot Banot girls school in Beit Shemesh, fresh mounds of dirt and a huge hole in the ground indicate the spot where a community center is being built.

Dr. Matthew Lefferman and Eric Weissman: Putting Sunday sports in play

By Ryan E. Smith
Published on January 3, 2013

Nowhere in the Torah does it say: “And on the seventh day, God played soccer.” Which is too bad for observant Jewish youths who would love to take advantage of the many local sports leagues that play on Saturdays.

Above-par d’var (Torah)

Published on December 19, 2012

It might be difficult for anyone in the 21st century to relate to the Leviticus story of how God killed Aaron’s sons for burning “strange fire” in His honor. It’s even tougher when you’re 12.

Moshava returns to Los Angeles

Published on December 12, 2012

It really bothered Jonathan Gerber, a 30-year-old financial adviser and resident of Pico-Robertson, that there was no Modern Orthodox sleep-away camp in Los Angeles.

Frum women find a place

Published on November 15, 2012

When “Rivky,” a Charedi, or ultra-Orthodox, woman with “a very large family” — she declined to say how large, fearful of tempting fate — opened a woman’s clothing shop in the basement of her Jerusalem home 40 years ago, advertising her business was easy.

Women’s Participation in Ritual: Time for a Paradigm Shift

By Rabbi Zev Farber
Published on October 15, 2012

Like ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’? You’ll love Judaism

By Danielle Berrin
Published on August 29, 2012

Dishonest Kiruv! The Building of Responsible Jewish Outreach Movements

By Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Published on June 6, 2012

Shalhevet hires outgoing head of Milken School

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on February 29, 2012

Jason Ablin, the outgoing head of Milken Community High School, has landed a new job at Shalhevet School, a 165-student Modern Orthodox Jewish day school in Los Angeles.

Desexualizing Public Space

By Rabbi Zev Farber
Published on February 7, 2012

5 comments on the exclusion of women and the denigration of Haredis

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on December 28, 2011

Baltimore’s Yeshivat Rambam day school announces closing

Published on May 9, 2011

A Baltimore Jewish day school will close at the end of this school year. Yeshivat Rambam, which opened about 20 years ago and taught according to the Modern Orthodox philosophy of Torah U'Maddah, or Torah and secular knowledge, will shut down in June, it announced in a statement Sunday night, the Baltimore Jewish Times reported.

Why more modern orthodox synagogues are taking Chabad Rabbis

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Published on March 30, 2011

The past few weeks I have seen a revolution. On a lecture tour that took me to Sydney, Australia and Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, I hardly found a major mainstream synagogue without a Chabad Rabbi. Shules that once swore they would not invite in Chabad are now attracting large numbers of new members under the helm of young and charismatic Chabad Rabbis. Many are the biggest Shules in their respective countries. In Sydney, Australia I spoke at Central Synagogue, where Rabbi Levi Wolf has transformed a synagogue on the decline into a renowned powerhouse; for Rabbi Benzion Milecki whose years at Southhead Synagogue have made it one of the most vibrant in the Southern Hemisphere; and for Rabbi Motti Feldman, creator of the vibrant Dover Heights community.

Mormon missionaries meet modern Judaism

By Amy Klein
Published on May 8, 2008

A group of Mormon missionaries came to Palos Verdes' Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to hear a lecture by Rabbi Isaac Jeret of Congregation Ner Tamid, located right next door to the church. Jeret was one of three rabbis to address the Mormon missionary groups in an attempt to build further understanding between the two religious groups.

On marrying out

By Amy Klein
Published on January 17, 2008

When I was 25, my Orthodox girlfriends and I discussed at what age, if we weren't married, we might sleep with someone. The question was deeper than its "Sex and the City" nature might sound (although those girls had made that decision a long time ago).

Am I Blind?

By David Suissa
Published on September 27, 2007

Does the American Jewish community take a "myopic" view of Israel? A local Jewish leader, known for his progressive views, believes that it does.

In defense of Madonna

By Lisa Frydman Barr
Published on September 27, 2007

Many of those holier-than-thous who are bad-mouthing Madonna were once themselves on the wrong side of the tracks before they rediscovered Judaisim