Jewish atheism and Jewish theism in America

By Roger Price
Published on April 12, 2013

Tzohar rabbinical group to start secular-friendly brit milah program

Published on July 10, 2012

The Tzohar rabbinical organization, which helps to involve non-religious couples and their families in religious wedding ceremonies, is introducing a brit milah program.

Secular Yeshiva holds Socratic-style seminars

By Ryan Torok
Published on January 18, 2012

For the second year in row, local Yiddish learning organization Arbeter Ring (Workmen’s Circle) will offer Secular Yeshiva, a bimonthly course with Socratic-style seminars, focused on “history and basic ideas of secular Jewishness,” “critical examination of Tanakh and post-biblical literature,” “Jewish calendar and holidays” and more.

Tim Tebow Infiltrates the Secular Cathedral of Sport

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Published on January 10, 2012

The Secular Bar Mitzvah

By Annie Korzen
Published on August 22, 2011

A long time ago, in a kibbutz far away . . .

Published on November 19, 2008

Yoav was my kibbutz brother, secular and an ardent Zionist. He had an encyclopedic mind that could recite in detail kibbutz history, lore and socialist ideology. Today, Yoav is an equally intense, knowledgeable and ideological Charedi guy living in the Midwest. He recently offered to pay me money for introducing him to the woman he married more than 25 years ago.

Diverse trio running for mayor in troubled Jerusalem

By Dina Kraft
Published on October 23, 2008

It sounds like the beginning of a joke: A rabbi, a Russian oligarch and a high-tech millionaire are running for mayor of Jerusalem. Except there's no punch line, just each of them offering up himself as salvation for the hallowed capital's many troubles.

Friendship and freedom at Adat Chaverim

By Tom Tugend
Published on September 25, 2008

Adat Chaverim is a small congregation of secular, Humanistic Jews, whose brochure proposes that "reason rather than faith is the source of truth, and human intelligence and experience are capable of guiding our lives."

No healing the world here—Humanistic Jews are ‘building’  the world

By Tom Tugend
Published on September 25, 2008

"Religion is not primarily about faith in God; it is about community, identity, heritage and being of service to others," he said. "We Humanists must also do more to meet these needs, rather than complain about what others believe.

World Jewry should have no veto on Jerusalem’s fate

By Alan Dershowitz
Published on January 24, 2008

While every Jew in the world (along with every other person) certainly has the right to express an opinion about how the Jerusalem issue should be resolved, the State of Israel alone should make that important decision, since it involves the security of the state and its people.

Solar panels, radio station keep Jewish camps current

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on January 24, 2008

It was a given that Benjy Rabin, 9, would spend part of his summers at Camp Ramah as soon as he was old enough. His father is a Ramah alum, and so are his older brother and sister.

‘Non-Jewish’ Jews endure challenges living in Israel

By Dina Kraft
Published on January 3, 2008

In Israel, the "non-Jewish Jews," as some Israelis call them, are everywhere. They drive buses, teach university classes, patrol in army jeeps and follow the latest Israeli reality TV shows as avidly as their Jewish counterparts. For these people -- mostly immigrants from the former Soviet Union who are not Jews according to Israeli law -- the question of where they fit into the Jewish state remains unanswered nearly two decades after they began coming to Israel.

Laughing for Unity

By David Suissa
Published on July 12, 2007

A friend sent me an e-mail telling me I "can't miss" this Jerusalem rabbi's one-man show Sunday night at Beth Jacob Congregation. I opened the e-mail a few minutes before show time, so, on a whim, I ran over to catch "The Four Faces of Israel," starring Rabbi Benji Levene. After two hours of Benji, my head was spinning.

Film: Unorthodox premiere launches Orthodox ‘A Light for Greytowers’

By Celia Soudry
Published on January 10, 2007

It's a sight you wouldn't expect on the Paramount Studios lot. Women gathered with their daughters on a recent Saturday night outside of the Sherry Lansing Theater to see a film. And there were no men in sight.

B’nai Brith’s new chief visits L.A.; ‘Messenger’ unites local readers

Published on December 7, 2006

Briefs

Trading in happy meals for real happiness

By Rocky Salomon
Published on November 2, 2006

Living a life of dual identity is no simple task. On one hand, my peers and I are told to live up to the expectations of being Modern Orthodox teens, but on the other side of the spectrum we are tempted by the culture of the secular world on an everyday basis.

‘Secular Yeshiva’ answers young Israelis’ questions

By Dina Kraft
Published on October 26, 2006

The goal is to give young, secular Israelis an education that will show them that they too have a rich culture to tap into and explore.

Faith and Season

By Rob Eshman
Published on October 5, 2006

It is easy to read the headlines and conclude that if religion would just go away, all would be well. But humans are hard-wired for belief.

A Jew,  a Catholic and a film crew walk into a born-again summer camp

By Jean Oppenheimer
Published on September 28, 2006

"Jesus Camp," a documentary about a summer program at which evangelical children are taught to "take back America for Christ."

Public Reactions Are Strong to A Personal Journey

By Orit Arfa
Published on August 31, 2006

Los Angeles photographer Naomi Solomon capped off her informal summer presentation series "Settlers: A Photographic Journey of the Life and Disengagement of the Jews Living in Gaza" at Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hills last week, drawing more than 150 people.

More Jewish Parents Picking Secular Path to Camp

By Julie G Fax
Published on August 10, 2006

"Our images of Jewish camping are formed by people who are heavy Jewish campers, but there are lots of people who are light Jewish campers and campers at non-Jewish camps, and this study accessed their views on Jewish camping," Steven M. Cohen, the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion sociologist who authored the study, told The Jewish Journal. "I think we learned that there are diverse incentives and obstacles to participation in Jewish camping."

Matchmaker, Matchmaker Make Me a Donation Match

By Chanan Tigay
Published on July 27, 2006

A longtime Jewish organizational professional and fundraiser, Hyman last year launched the Center for Entrepreneurial Jewish Philanthropy (CEJP) to support and advise philanthropists who are considering major gifts to Jewish and Israel-related causes.

Latin American Jews Create L.A. Oasis

By Roberto Loiederman
Published on June 8, 2006

Imagine that you live in Latin America and you're Jewish. Typically, you and your family would belong to a full-service Jewish club with cultural, recreational, educational and athletic activities for all ages. The club is reasonably priced, promotes Jewish identity in a secular manner and is the backbone of your social life.

Modern Orthodoxy’s Marriage Crisis

By Alana Newhouse
Published on June 8, 2006

Hard-to-marry-off children have been worrying parents since Genesis, when Leah, her eyes tender from the sadness of being unwanted, took part in a hoax to trick Jacob -- her younger, prettier sister's suitor -- into marrying her.

A Step Into Secular

By Sue Fishkoff
Published on January 26, 2006

Chaim is -- or was -- a Skver Chasid, born and raised in the ultra-Orthodox enclave of New Square, N.Y. His world until recently was Torah, family and a close-knit community.

But now he's entering the secular world.

The Married Charedi and Me

By Orit Arfa
Published on December 22, 2005

I met Oren after watching "Kol Nidrei," a new play by Israeli playwright Yehoshua Sobol. The play is about Charedi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews who lead double lives -- as Bnei Brak yeshiva bochers by day and Tel Aviv bar-hoppers by Friday night.

An Ode to Parents and Other Strangers

By David Finnigan
Published on September 15, 2005

When Paul Reiser co-created and starred in the 1990s hit sitcom, "Mad About You," -- about a secular Jew married to a Christian -- he helped spur a new trend in TV comedy: the cute but neurotic Jewish leading man.

Pullout Seen Really as West Bank Issue

By Tom Tugend
Published on August 11, 2005

The Gaza withdrawal in itself plays only a small part in the current face-off between settlers and the Israeli government.

An Oleh Love Story

By Jonathan Udren
Published on June 2, 2005

Inherently, I knew I would end up marrying a woman with a similar worldview. But only recently, after becoming engaged to an idealistic high school English teacher named Dena Stein, do I realize how our similarities, the big ones as well as the seemingly minute ones, make all the difference.

Works of Renewal and Celebration

By Sandee Brawarsky
Published on September 16, 2004

At present, the tradition or writing hanhagot continues. At the back are two neo-Chasidic hanhagot, by Hillel Zeitlin, a writer and martyr of the Warsaw Ghetto, and Arthur Green, a contemporary scholar and theologian, who is the author's mentor.

Secular Connection

By Evan Marc Katz
Published on September 9, 2004

I fell in love with a brilliant, attractive and witty Filipina woman last year. She was a fallen Catholic, didn't accept Jesus as her savior and was totally cool with raising kids Jewish.

A Day on the Bimah Changes Everything

By Michael Jackman
Published on August 12, 2004

No, you didn't have to leave New York to discover Jewish observance, but something had to plant the desire. In my case, it was my bar mitzvah.

Your Letters

Published on August 5, 2004

Your Letters

Robbo to Sing at Center Gala

By Stefanee Freedman
Published on August 5, 2004

Robb Zelonky is scheduled to appear in Irvine after a two-month tour of California, bringing a special show with songs tailored to Jewish culture. He has also produced four secular CDs.

‘L-Words’ in a J World

By David Finnigan
Published on March 25, 2004

Joan Nestle is one of many Jewish lesbian writers with work catalogued at ONE, an archive similar to New York's Lesbian Herstory Archive, which Nestle co-founded in 1973.

Jews’ Long History in Turkey

By Yigal Schleifer
Published on November 20, 2003

The Jewish presence in Turkey usually is dated to 1492, when the Ottoman emperor Beyazit II welcomed Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition to his territory. In fact, though, Jewish life in the area has been traced back to at least the fourth century B.C.E.

Your Letters

Published on July 3, 2003

Your Letters

A Costly Win

By Leslie Susser
Published on February 27, 2003

Since the start of Israel's election campaign last October, the flamboyant leader of the secular-rights Shinui Party had been promising a secular revolution in Israel.

This week Yosef "Tommy" Lapid seemed to have a golden opportunity to fulfill his promises when Shinui -- which became Israel's third largest party after the Jan. 28 elections -- agreed to join Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new Likud-led government.

Challenge Begins for Shinui

By Leslie Susser
Published on January 30, 2003

After Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the biggest winner in Israel's election would appear to be Yosef "Tommy" Lapid, head of the staunchly secular
Shinui Party.

The Shinui Stance

By Eric Silver
Published on January 23, 2003

Tommy Lapid, who has made a second career hammering the ultra-Orthodox, says he didn't go into Israeli politics in order to become a government minister. But the outspoken, 71-year-old veteran journalist is suddenly warming to the prospect.

Preaching Tolerance

By Ronald J. Nessim
Published on November 1, 2001

Can religious leaders be devout but not fanatic? Can fervent belief and tolerance coexist? Such questions are hardly academic these days: the results of religious fanaticism now consume headlines, and lives. One set of reassuring answers can be found in the life of Rabbi Benzion Uziel. Uziel served as the Sephardic chief rabbi of Palestine and then the State of Israel from 1939 until his death in 1953.

In "Loving Truth and Peace: The Grand Religious Worldview of Rabbi Benzion Uziel" (Jason Aronson, Inc., $30) author and rabbi Marc Angel tells the story of this remarkable man.

Hollywood Mitzvahs

By Mike Levy
Published on May 3, 2001

When one person helps another person, it's a mitzvah. When 1,500 people from 30 different organizations join together to help out in over 50 volunteering projects, it's Temple Israel of Hollywood's (TIOH) Mitzvah Day.

Thoughts on the Lieberman Selection.

By Rabbi Dov Fischer
Published on August 17, 2000

As a centrist observant Jew working in the secular professions, I am particularly struck by Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore's selection of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman as his vice-presidential running mate for the November 2000 elections.

One People: Religious Christians and Jews?

By Judy Gruen
Published on October 16, 1997

Most of the mainstream secular Jewish organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Congress would like us to think so. But a recent gathering in Washington proved that a grass-roots movement is taking hold among Jews -- not only the Orthodox -- whose views are economically,politically and socially more in line with members of the Christian Coalition than with either the ADL or the AJC.