Ra’anana rabbis condemn attack on Reform synagogue

Published on April 18, 2011

Some 14 Orthodox rabbis and public figures from Ra'anana signed a letter condemning an attack on a Reform synagogue in the central Israel city. Ra'anana Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Peretz was among those who signed the letter, which was released Sunday. The World Union for Progressive Judaism also condemned the April 14 attack, the third time the Raanan Synagogue has been vandalized in the past year.

First newly built Reform synagogue since WWII dedicated in Germany

Published on February 22, 2011

Germany's first newly built Reform synagogue since World War II was dedicated during ceremonies in the city of Hameln. The building was constructed on the site of the former synagogue destroyed on the night of Nov. 9, 1938 in the Kristallnacht pogrom against Jews, their property and institutions.

Spectator - How Sweet She Is

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on June 16, 2005

At the beginning of her risqué comic monologue, "Sugar Happens," Rachel Bailit struts onstage wearing a tight black corset, a skimpy skirt, garters, thigh-highs and an attitude.

"I know what you're thinking: Big boobs ... big lips. Bimbo. Starlet. Slut," she says. "But don't judge me; you don't really know me. I'm just a nice Jewish girl from Needham, Mass."

While laundering her costume at her rent-controlled Santa Monica apartment recently, the cheery actress says she intends her introduction to confront the bimbo stereotype and to declare, "I'm a lot more than that."

Chasen Forging New Path at Leo Baeck

By David Finnigan
Published on January 15, 2004

When Rabbi Kenneth Chasen came to the Leo Baeck Temple for a final interview with the search committee in the spring of 2002, he put together a sample Shabbat service for about 40 people. During the service, congregation president Robin Bernstein closed her eyes and smiled. A feeling of peace came over her and she said that she knew that this was "our rabbi."