Judaism & Culture

‘One of our greatest supporters’ – Israel to honor Ben Shapiro on Independence Day

Israeli minister announces that Daily Wire cofounder Ben Shapiro has been selected for the annual torch lighting ceremony in Jerusalem marking the anniversary of Israel's establishment.

April 21, 2025

We made a Passover seder in captivity, gained respect of Muslim guards, says former hostage

IDF observer Liri Albag surprised her fellow abductee Agam Berger with a home-made Haggadah, bringing her to tears.

April 10, 2025

Scientists getting closer to proving Turkish site as Noah’s ark

Soil samples near Mt. Ararat show differences in a boat-shaped ground formation that point to the presence of rotting wood.

April 9, 2025

Ex-hostage who never prayed until after Oct 7, prays at Lubavitcher Rebbe’s grave

Sasha Troufanov, who was released in February, went with his partner, Sapir Cohen, also a former hostage.

April 3, 2025

Chuck Schumer rips ‘antisemitically anti-Israel’ United Nations

Democratic Senate Minority Leader blasts far-left accusations of genocide in the Gaza Strip, says he has 'no faith' in the United Nations, calling the organization 'antisemitic.'

March 17, 2025

Birthright Israel trips linked to lower rates of intermarriage, greater Jewish identification across generations

New study finds that participants in the 10-day Birthright Israel trips were not only less likely to marry out but also more likely to pass Jewish traditions on to their children.

March 10, 2025

US Jewish groups spar over Huckabee’s confirmation as ambassador to Israel

Reform Jewish group expresses concern over Huckabee's nomination as US Ambassador to Israel, citing his opposition to Palestinian statehood and his Evangelical Christian beliefs - drawing rebuttal from Orthodox Jewish leaders and sharp criticism from American Zionist group.

February 25, 2025

Freed hostage puts on tefillin for the first time

A day after being returned to Israel, ex-hostage Alexandre 'Sasha' Troufanov celebrates his release by donning tefillin for the first time in his life.

February 16, 2025

Orthodox rabbis slam Reform Jews over transgenderism and Trump’s executive order

Executive order by President Trump rejecting transgenderism in favor of biological sex for all federal policies related to gender sparks debate between Orthodox rabbis in the US and their Reform counterparts.

January 24, 2025

Gal Gadot needed brain surgery while eight months pregnant

The Israeli mega-star wrote of her experience almost a year after the fact in order to raise awareness about her condition, called CVT.

December 30, 2024

Ukrainian president lights Hanukkah candles under fire as Russia carries out Christmas attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lights Hanukkah candles to mark the first night of the festival, using a menorah presented to him by Argentinian President Javier Milei.

December 26, 2024

Archaeologists find Jewish empire where Putin claims Russian-Christian roots

The team also unearthed a tall ceramic vessel bearing a Hebrew seal reading 'God: Justice,' dated to the ninth or tenth century.

December 23, 2024

New York City names street after the Lubavitcher Rebbe

New York City Council lauds the late leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch hasidic dynasty, honoring him by renaming a Brooklyn street 'Lubavitcher Rebbe Way.'

December 22, 2024

Prestigious music hall cancels Hasidic concert over singer’s support for Israel

'Stunned by the news' - Prestigious London music hall cancels pro-Israel event headlined by Hasidic singer, citing 'security concerns.'

December 17, 2024

Hasidic pop singer signs up for IDF’s new ultra-Orthodox combat brigade

Scion of a Hasidic dynasty who embraced a career in popular music announces his plans to join the Israeli military, enlisting in the new ultra-Orthodox combat brigade.

November 5, 2024

Over 150 NY Marathon runners show solidarity with Israeli hostages

The 'Run for their Lives' group wore t-shirts with pictures of five who were marathon runners themselves.

November 4, 2024

Jewish man severely wounded in Brooklyn stabbing attack as perpetrator remains at large

Antisemitic incidents accounted for a striking 65 percent of all felony hate crime incidents in New York City last year.

October 30, 2024

Ivanka Trump shares holiday message for Sukkot

Former president and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's daughter shares a special Sukkot holiday message.

October 20, 2024

16th century Hebrew Bible stolen by Nazis returned to its owners

The Di Gara Text was discovered after being put up for sale on a rare books-dealing site.

October 15, 2024

‘We love you’ – NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal shares Hebrew-filled message for survivors of October 7th invasion

Former basketball star Shaquille O'Neal offers his support to survivors of the October 7th invasion and bereaved relatives of victims.

August 20, 2024

Orthodox and secular Israeli parties mulling alliance to bar Jews from the Temple Mount- report

Coalition and Opposition parties reportedly considering temporary alliance to push bill banning Jews from the Temple Mount, after government minister visited the holy site.

August 14, 2024

Defying Netanyahu, Israeli minister prays on Temple Mount

Israel's National Security Minister prays on Temple Mount during Tisha B'Av fast, declares his ministry permits Jewish prayer on the holy site, drawing rebuke from Prime Minister Netanyahu.

August 13, 2024

UK rabbi jailed for ‘illegal’ circumcision

London-based rabbi refused bail after being arrested in Dublin for performing 'illegal' circumcision on a Jewish boy.

August 2, 2024

‘We can win this war,’ Netanyahu tells Chabad rabbis

'The Lubavitcher rebbe called me the ambassador of the Jewish people,' Netanyahu tells Chabad emissaries, says Israel is 'winning the war' against Hamas.

July 11, 2024

For the first time ever, Israel has no chief rabbis

Both of Israel's chief rabbis step down at end of their 10-year terms with no successors appointed, leaving the rabbinate without top leadership.

July 4, 2024

Thousands attend Kosherpalooza food festival in a show of ‘Jewish unity and pride’

In the middle of the Meadowlands Expo Center, Kosherpalooza organizers had set up an area where attendees could 'Hug a Chayal,' which is the Hebrew word for soldier.

June 2, 2024

Netanyahu marks Israel’s Memorial Day by donning tefillin

Israel's secular prime minister dons tefillin, sharing a photograph of himself with the ritual Jewish items on social media.

May 12, 2024

IDF soldier carries bloodstained WWII prayer shawl into battle in Gaza

Matan Peleg, chairman of the Zionist group Im Tirtzu, carries his great-grandfather's bloodstained prayer shawl, taken from battle against the Nazis, into Gaza.

May 8, 2024

Eden Golan prepares for Eurovision in Malmo under heavy security

The Israeli singer said the rehearsal atmosphere is one of 'good vibes,' even while security in Malmo has been increased to unprecedented levels.

May 7, 2024

Undeterred by Iranian attack, 122 Israeli orphans celebrate Bar Mitzvah together at Western Wall

Amid wars with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, mass Bar Mitzvah celebration held for 122 orphans in the Old City of Jerusalem.

April 17, 2024

Eurovision under fire again for allowing Israel’s participation

Israel revised its song entry twice due to criticism that some lyrics were 'political,' but many are protesting its very presence in the contest.

April 11, 2024

Yeshiva dean has first son at age 88

Ultra-Orthodox yeshiva celebrates birth of dean's first son at age 88.

March 11, 2024

Pearl Berg, the world’s oldest Jew, dies at 114 years old

She was born on Oct. 1, 1909, in Evansville, Indiana.

February 8, 2024

Ben Shapiro raps about his yarmulke, disses Woke Left in chart-topping rap song

The famed conservative Jewish commentator who panned rap years ago joins singer MacDonald to take aim at the Woke Left.

January 30, 2024

‘Law and Order’ episode highlights tensions over Hamas-Israel war

The opening episode of the veteran TV show tried to portray both sides during a fictional murder case in what critics deemed an 'ambitious' effort.

January 22, 2024

NBA star shares message in Hebrew to Israeli actor wounded in Gaza

Washington Wizards forward shows off Hebrew message to wounded Fauda actor.

January 10, 2024

Mayim Bialik will no longer host Jeopardy

Mayim Bialik was absent from the show for several months which sparked speculation about whether she would be returning.

December 17, 2023

‘Global shortage of tefillin, mezuzahs,’ amid ‘Jewish awakening of the soul,’ Chabad says

More than 86% of Chabad centers have seen increases in attendance and a 98.6% increase in personal daily practices relating to Judaism.

November 9, 2023

WATCH: Jewish Major League Baseball players call on fans to stand with Israel

Jewish baseball players join together to call on fans to support Israel and unite against antisemitism.

October 20, 2023

‘My heart is breaking from these attacks’ – Hollywood celebrities come out in support of Israel

Celebrities from Seinfeld to Madonna lining up in support of Israel after Hamas invasion.

October 10, 2023

WATCH: The secrets of underground Jewish tombs in Rome revealed

Roman catacombs tell the story of Jewish life after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

October 4, 2023

WATCH: Tens of Thousands gather for Priestly Blessing at Western Wall

Thousands gathered at the Western Wall as heavy rains hit many parts of the country.

October 2, 2023

‘Cynical’: Israel slams UN vote to list Jericho as World Heritage Site in ‘Palestine’

'This is not only an insult to Jews, but also an insult to Christians around the world who admire the site for its biblical history,' writes Likud MK.

September 17, 2023

Co-pilot leads Uman bound passengers in song.

WATCH: Co-pilot sings with Jewish pilgrims enroute to Ukraine for Jewish New Year

Tens of thousands of Jews packed the Western Wall Plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem in the wee hours of Friday morning, ahead of Rosh Hashana, for 'selichot' prayers.

September 17, 2023

WATCH: Palestinians say al-Aqsa is in danger as over 50,000 pray at Western Wall on eve of Jewish New Year

Tens of thousands of Jews packed the Western Wall Plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem in the wee hours of Friday morning, ahead of Rosh Hashana, for 'selichot' prayers.

September 15, 2023

Netflix acquires rights to TV series on Israel’s Border Police

Eight-episode Israeli series stars Israeli singer Shlomi Shabat and comedian and actor Shalom Michaelshvili.

September 13, 2023

Lab-grown meat is kosher, declares Orthodox Union

Whether cultured-cell meat can be considered pareve and eaten with milk is a separate, and controversial, issue. By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News The largest kashruth certification agency in the worl...

September 11, 2023

Ancient Jewish city to be labeled a ‘Palestinian’ heritage site by UNESCO

'This is not only an insult to Jews, but also an insult to Christians around the world who admire the site for its biblical history,' writes Likud MK.

September 3, 2023

Helen Mirren: Israel must last forever

The acclaimed actress has been a lover of the Jewish state for years.

August 31, 2023

Saddam Hussein’s Jewish treasures: Professor reveals details about archive

'We knew they were gathering intelligence about Israel, but we had no idea there was a distinct division for Jews,' says professor.

August 28, 2023

‘Jewface’ controversy: Star’s fake nose defended by family of late composer

The children of film's subject say complaints are 'disingenuous attempts to bring a successful person down a notch.'

August 17, 2023

2,000-year-old synagogue, one of world’s oldest, discovered in Russia

The synagogue appears to have stood during the era of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

August 16, 2023

Gal Gadot – It’s time for a female Jason Bourne

The actress who played Wonder Woman wants to take spy thrillers to the next level, with female leads.

August 9, 2023

Saudi Arabia, other ME countries, delay Barbie opening over LGBT themes

The film may not be screened at all in countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, or Egypt, since edits to LGBT themes are unlikely to be accepted by the studio.

August 6, 2023

Pee-wee Herman’s father was founding member of Israeli Air Force

Deceased actor Paul Reubens, who created the iconic character, is inextricably linked to Israel’s fight for independence through his father, pilot Milton Rubenfeld, who flew with Ezer Weizman.

August 2, 2023

Explainer: Tisha b’Av, the saddest day on the Hebrew calendar, begins Wednesday evening

Tonight begins the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, marking the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the beginning of the millenia of suffering endured by the 'wandering Jew.'

July 26, 2023

Israel’s soccer squad going to the Olympics for the first time since 1976

The blue-and-whites were assured a place even before their semifinal game in the European Championships on Wednesday.

July 4, 2023

Gal Gadot becomes first Israeli actor to receive a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

The Wonder Woman of the 21st century is the first Israeli actress to receive the honor.

June 27, 2023

Popular comedian, opening act for Seinfeld, always brings his ‘tefillin’ along

Stand-up comedian Mark Schiff, a religious Jew, also writes articles inspiring readers with traditional values. By World Israel News Staff Veteran stand-up comedian Mark Schiff, an observant Jew, has not...

June 27, 2023

Oceangate CEO’s wife descended from famous Jewish Titanic passengers

Wendy Rush is a great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, who perished on the Titanic.

June 22, 2023

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