Forward.com

Troubles Mount for Effort To Rescue Temple ArtifactsIsraeli archaeologists are threatening to pull the plug on a historic effort to rescue invaluable artifacts from Judaism’s ancient First and Second Temples because the project has run out of money.Organizers and supporters of the rescue project are blaming the Israeli government for failing to fund the initiative, which marks the first time in…Read more

A Few Sour Notes Emerge Amid Cheers For New PopeAfter the death of Pope John Paul II, many interfaith experts lamented that there would never again be a pontiff forged by a personal confrontation with the Holocaust.They were dead wrong.In tapping Joseph Ratzinger to be the 265th pope since the advent of Christianity two millennia ago, his 115 fellow cardinals selected a German raised in Bavaria…Read more

Extremists Set To Mark MilestonesAmerican extremist groups are preparing to celebrate a series of notorious anniversaries next week, prompting concerns about increased efforts to recruit a new generation into the numerous white supremacist and anti-government organizations operating across the country.The planned celebrations center on two dates: April 19, the day in 1993…Read more

Roman Rabbi Mentioned in Pope’s WillIn a surprise twist being described as a message from beyond the grave, Pope John Paul II mentioned the “rabbi of Rome” in his will — one of only two living people to be singled out.Elio Toaff, the former chief rabbi of Rome referred to in the will, said his inclusion should be taken as a signal to future popes to continue John…Read more

Interfaith Leaders Ponder Future of Jewish-Catholic TiesWith the passing of Pope John Paul II, Jewish and Catholic interfaith leaders are voicing concern that future pontiffs could fail to carry on his groundbreaking efforts to deepen relations with the Jewish people.“We know [John Paul’s] teachings while he was alive,” said Rabbi James Rudin, senior interreligious adviser at the American…Read more