The Forward

Orthodox Woman Runs for L.A. City Council

2008-05-05T16:37:00

Growing up in New Haven, Conn., just across the street from Senator Joe Lieberman, Adeena Bleich never thought it was out of the ordinary for an Orthodox Jew to run for political office. Now, the 30-year-old West Coast transplant is herself running for office in Los Angeles, angling to become the city’s first Orthodox Jewish city councilor.

Methodists Reject Divestment Resolutions

2008-05-06T11:10:00

After nine days of meetings, The United Methodist Church rejected five proposed resolutions urging divestment from companies doing business with Israel.

Organizers of Bible Quiz in Israel Get Question of Their Own: ‘Who is a Jew?’

2008-05-06T17:35:00

The organizers of Israel’s annual state-run Bible Quiz are used to asking tough questions. But as this year’s contest approached, the tables were turned as they were forced to answer one: Who is a Jew?

Expectations Low for Bush Visit to Israel

2008-05-08T17:28:00

An unfolding corruption investigation against Israel’s prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has lowered already limited expectations for President Bush’s upcoming trip to the Jewish state. On May 14, Bush will embark on his second trip this year to Israel, where he will attend events marking the 60th anniversary of its independence.

Movie on Holocaust Funds Draws Fire

2008-05-08T17:29:00

An Israeli television program broadcast on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day has drawn the main organization that distributes Holocaust restitution funds into ongoing battles about the financial condition of Israeli Holocaust survivors.

With McCain’s Spot on the Ticket Secure, Jewish GOPers Jockey To Win His Favor

2008-05-08T17:33:00

As the Republican Party coalesces behind presidential contender John McCain, Jewish bigwigs in the party are vying for influence in the campaign.

Proposed Olympic Boycott Sparks Debate Among Jewish Groups

2008-05-08T17:36:00

Jewish organizations are fighting over a proposed boycott of the upcoming Beijing Olympics, due in part to a concern that the campaign could harm Israel’s relationship with China.

Israeli Diamond Magnate’s Business Unwelcome in Dubai

2008-05-08T17:37:00

Last month, Israeli diamond magnate Lev Leviev announced plans to open two eponymous jewelry stores in Dubai, but steps taken by officials in the emirate seem to indicate that Leviev’s business is not welcome there.

Think Tank Aims To Infuse Jewish Mainstream With Dashes of Color

2008-05-08T17:38:00

Go to almost any Jewish conference and you’ll likely find the ethnic makeup to be largely, and unsurprisingly, white.

Wearing Identity on Its Sleeve, German Far Right Gets a Makeover

2008-05-08T17:39:00

An otherwise quiet block in central Berlin has been rocked in recent months by paint bombs, broken windows and protests.

Rabbinical Court Puts Thousands Of Converts in Legal Limbo

2008-05-08T17:40:00

More than 40,000 Israelis who were converted to Judaism in the past decade by the state’s official conversion courts may find their conversions annulled — rendering them non-Jewish in the eyes of the law — following a ruling last week by Israel’s Supreme Rabbinical Court.

Plan to House Two N.Y. Shuls Erupts Into Feud

2008-05-08T17:42:00

Plans to establish a downtown Manhattan outpost of the famously insular Brooklyn Syrian Jewish community are falling victim to an intra-community business deal gone bad — a mess that has sparked controversy within Brooklyn’s Sephardic community and embroiled a storied Ashkenazic congregation as well.

Israeli Police Probe Allegations That New York Charity Funneled Funds to Olmert-Tied Entity

2008-05-08T17:43:00

A Jerusalem foundation with a fundraising arm based in the suburban home of a Long Island businessman is being probed in Israel in a corruption investigation that is threatening to bring down Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Investigators are looking into allegations that The New Jerusalem Foundation and Morris (Moshe) Talansky, who heads its American fundraising efforts, served as a conduit for fund transfers to interests tied to Olmert.