Purim Guide for the Perplexed 2023 – explainerPurim is a Jewish national liberation holiday – just like Passover and Chanukah - which highlights optimism and the transition of the Jewish people from subjugation to liberty. March 6, 2023
In time for Purim: Inscription bearing name of King Ahasuerus’s father found in IsraelPersian King Darius the Great’s name was found on a 2,500-year-old potsherd in Tel Lachish. March 1, 2023
Israeli Chief Rabbi: Earthquake rescue teams should work through Jewish SabbathChief Rabbi David Lau invokes 'pikuach nefesh' to override Sabbath prohibitions, urges Israeli rescue teams in Turkey to continue operations on Jewish holy day. February 10, 2023
Israeli Embassy and Indian Jews mark Tu B’Shevat holiday with ancient ceremonyIsrael’s embassy in India marked the holiday of Tu B’Shevat with a festive Malida ceremony on Monday. February 6, 2023
Jewish prayer item can help prevent heart attacks – studyMen - and women - who wear phylacteries, called tefillin, while praying, also have a better chance of mitigating heart injury if they do have an attack. January 24, 2023
Lab-grown meat is kosher, Israel’s Chief Rabbi rules'Cultured meat' created in labs from cow cells is kosher, is not considered 'meat' for purposes of Jewish law, says Israeli Chief Rabbi David Lau. January 21, 2023
Technology proves existence of ancient Kingdom of IsraelThe full text of the Mesha Stele’s glorification of a Moabite victory over the “House of David” was discovered through the use of a computer imaging technique. January 19, 2023
WATCH: Former Israeli Supreme Court chief justice dons tefillinAharon Barak, former chief justice of Israel's Supreme Court who led the judicial revolution of the 1990s, meets with haredi journalist Aryeh Ehrlich, and puts on tefillin. January 13, 2023
Large cache of Holocaust-era Judaica discovered during renovation work in LodzSome 400 objects, including menorahs, kiddush cups and silver-plated cutlery had been stashed underground by their Jewish owners, who never returned for them. January 10, 2023
Orthodox woman who married Muslim man ‘by mistake’ obtains divorce – or was he actually Jewish?The Orthodox woman discovered her husband's Muslim identity only after the marriage. January 8, 2023
Israel’s Ofra Haza makes Rolling Stone’s list of top 200 singers of all timeKnown as 'the Israeli Madonna,' Ofra Haza was an international hit by the 1980s and famously sang on the Prince of Egypt movie soundtrack. January 4, 2023
PRESIDENT HERZOG: ‘On a menorah with eight candles, there is room for us all’On Monday, the first day of Chanukah, Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent holiday greetings to Jews around the world, stressing that "we are all being asked to recall what keeps us whole and committed to our ow... December 19, 2022
Israeli cast in Morocco performs first Hebrew play in Arab countryAs ties warm with Israel, Hebrew play written by Israel's fifth president performed in Morocco. December 13, 2022
Walmart yanks ‘chic’ scarves mimicking Jewish prayer shawl from eCommerce siteWalmart's eCommerce site sparks controversy for selling replica of holy Jewish prayer object as a towel. November 30, 2022
Leonard Cohen’s IDF tour during Yom Kippur war to become TV series'I came to raise their spirits, and they raised mine,' Cohen said while performing for troops in the desert. November 29, 2022
Thanksgiving reaffirms the 400-year-old US-Israel connection, says former ambassadorIn honor of this year's Thanksgiving holiday, Yoram Ettinger explains the centuries-old bond between America and the Jewish state. November 24, 2022
WATCH: Hasidic superstar stays grounded – how does he do it?'It doesn't overtake my entire life," 33-year-old hasidic rock star Shulem Lemmer discusses his lifestyle and his successful career. November 7, 2022
WATCH: Festive Sukkot celebration in HebronThousands of Jews celebrated the Sukkot festival outside of the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in the Judean city of Hebron - the first Jewish capital city - on Wednesday. October 13, 2022
WATCH: Tens of Thousands gather for Priestly Blessing at Western WallThis year, worshippers are also marking the end of the 'shmita', the year during which agricultural land lay fallow. October 12, 2022
WATCH: Thousands attend Yom Kippur service in Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff SquareThousands of people packed Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Square for the final Yom Kippur service, called Ne'ilah, ad the blowing of the shofar on Wednesday. October 5, 2022
Japan and the Jews: Israeli exhibit explores Jewish history from Japanese perspectiveMuseum general director Yotam Yakir, whose parents survived the Holocaust, said the exhibit holds deep personal meaning for him. September 28, 2022
WATCH: Jewish New Year Greetings from Israeli President HerzogIn honor of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year 5783, President Isaac Herzog has released a festive greeting to Jewish communities around the world. September 25, 2022
Sign of the messiah? Five red heifers, eligible for ‘purification,’ arrive in IsraelA Christian evangelical farmer donated the cows, which rabbis ruled as eligible for a biblical purification rite that allows service in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. September 20, 2022
WATCH: Jews visit Temple Mount en masse on Tisha b’AvAs of 9 a.m. Sunday morning, over 1,000 Jews had visited the Temple Mount since the day began. Hundreds more are seen standing in line waiting for their turn. August 7, 2022
‘American Jews think they are Christians without Jesus,’ says professor'For many Jews in the U.S., to be a Jew means to uphold the Golden Rule and embrace the BDS paradigm of Jewish identity: Bagels, davening and Seinfeld.' August 4, 2022
‘Evidence of our connection’: Rare discovery at ancient Jewish site in Samaria'There is nothing more exciting than realizing with our eyes how we are continuing the lives of our ancestors here', said Yisrael Gantz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council. August 2, 2022
Chabad in Israel suing Russia, trying to block Jerusalem property transferThe new appeal to Israel follows the Moscow government’s demand that it regain ownership of properties in Jerusalem built by Russia in the 19th century. July 26, 2022
WATCH: Ben Shapiro, why don’t you move to Israel? Will you run for president?Ben Shapiro addressed thousands in Tel Aviv Wednesday evening, where journalist Amit Segal asked him why he doesn't move to the Jewish state. July 21, 2022
The historic significance of the 17th of Tammuz – today’s Hebrew dateThere's a common denominator among the five specific events which happened on this date. July 17, 2022
Polish man who rescued Jews during the Holocaust dies at 102He was also involved in the Polish underground that resisted the German occupation of Poland throughout the war. June 22, 2022
Famed Italian tenor Bocelli visits Western Wall after Tel Aviv concertBocelli reportedly told Netanyahu that while he currently resides in Tuscany, Italy, if he could move anywhere in the world, it would be Israel. June 12, 2022
CNN anchor Jake Tapper says he gave Zelensky matzah for PassoverWhen asked if he has a 'message of freedom' for Ukrainian Jews for Passover, Zelensky answered: 'I believe the way we fight for freedom is the most important message.' June 9, 2022
Cheesecake, dairy, coffee and the evolution of a holidayShavuot wasn’t always a dairy-heavy all-nighter. June 2, 2022
Israel mourns passing of Uri Zohar, movie star who became ultra-Orthodox rabbi'Rabbi Uri Zohar was one of the greatest creators in Israel and a cornerstone of Israeli culture,' said Minister of Culture and Sports Hilli Tropper. June 2, 2022
Eight fun facts about Shavuot festival in Israel, coming this weekendIsraelis eat cheesecake, have water fights, show off their agriculture and study Torah on this most wonderful and easygoing of holidays. June 1, 2022
1,800-year-old grave of convert to Judaism discovered, relevant to upcoming festivalThe archaeological find times well with the upcoming Shavuot holiday that celebrates one of Judaism’s most famous converts, Ruth the Moabite. June 1, 2022
Nothing new: Jerusalem flag march a tradition since ancient timesAlthough today marching through the Old City gates is considered a nationalistic and “provocative” act, it has existed as a monthly rite since ancient times. May 29, 2022
‘Frozen in time’: 2,100-year-old agricultural farmstead uncovered in GalileeThe site was likely abandoned suddenly due to impending danger. May 25, 2022
Israeli hit ‘Girl from Oslo’ ranks #4 on NetflixCollaboration between Netflix and Israeli cable TV company Hot is a thriller about two Israelis and their Norwegian friend who get kidnapped by ISIS. May 22, 2022
Museum exhibit dates Jewish presence in Greece to 4th century BCE'The Jewish community is an integral part of Greek identity, a fact that has been too often denied for centuries,' says Greece’s Chief Rabbi Gabriel Negrin. May 22, 2022
WATCH: Lag B’Omer celebrations marked by joy and sorrowA year after 45 people were killed in the worst civil disaster in Israeli history, and thousands returned to Mount Meron for the Lag B'Omer festival. May 19, 2022
Stoudemire leaves Brooklyn Nets after 2 years, citing Shabbat observance'Not working on Friday night and Saturdays is difficult for anyone to grow in a coaching space because coaching is such a grind and requires you to be there full-time,' Stoudemire said. May 19, 2022
Jews worldwide to celebrate mystical spring holiday of Lag B’OmerThe reason for the plague that ended on Lag b'Omer almost 2,000 years ago was a lack of respect for one another among the students of Rabbi Akiva. May 18, 2022
NBA star Ray Allen in Samaria: ‘An amazing story here, part of history’In recent years Allen has been active in promoting Holocaust education and helping raise funds for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. May 12, 2022
Israel’s ‘Toy’ among most popular Eurovision songs everIsrael’s most recent win at the global music event is the seventh most-viewed entry on YouTube, unfortunately unaccompanied by the country’s previous hits. May 2, 2022
New Holocaust center on IDF base designed to inspire young Israeli soldiersTimed to coincide with Yom Hashoah, the Yad Vashem Educational Center for Holocaust Remembrance, opened at the Ariel Sharon Israel Defense Forces’ training campus in the Negev Desert. April 28, 2022
Lovestruck Muslim converts to Judaism after pretending to be Jewish to marry ‘amazing’ womanIn Israel now for the first time, Eliyah (Ali) Hawila says a genealogical search found that he is also Jewish by ancestry. April 25, 2022
EXPLAINER: Jewish pilgrim tells why he visits Temple MountJewish worshiper Gideon Ariel explains why he and hundreds of others ascended the Temple Mount on Monday, during the Passover festival. April 18, 2022
White House focuses on Ukraine war, anti-Semitism in virtual SederWhite House Jewish Liaison Chanan Weissman served as master of ceremonies and led a type of order modeled on the Seder,. April 17, 2022
WATCH: Israel’s UN envoy hosts early Passover seder, teaches Jewish history'We remember the original text, which teaches that the Land of Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people,' Erdan stated. April 12, 2022
World’s biggest matzah displayed at President Herzog’s residence in JerusalemThe special matzah was baked by some 20 employees and required custom changes to the production line to suit its gigantic proportions. April 10, 2022
15 fun food facts you need to know this PassoverFrom butter on matzah to unusual sandwiches and cookies you should keep out of your mouth, this is what you need to know about food this holiday. April 7, 2022
Yiddish poet undergoing revival in war-torn UkraineNow that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has fixed the west’s attention upon that country, Gofshtein may well find a new audience. April 6, 2022
WATCH: Missionary leader prioritizes evangelizing Jews ‘in person’, targets ‘young, secular Israelis’'This year we are prioritizing, in person – I say, in person – evangelism of Jewish People...and young secular Israelis.' April 5, 2022
Culinary queens put Negev Desert hospitality on the mapMeet Shula Knafo, who immigrated from Casablanca at age 6 and raised a family in Yeruham, where she hosts visitors with her sumptuous ethnic dishes. April 5, 2022
Passover food fight? Health minister, coalition chair spar over hospital dietHealth minister says bread should be allowed into hospitals on Passover; coalition chair says, 'not on my watch.' April 4, 2022
Meet Mia Raskin: Sabbath-observing college basketball playerAlone on a snowy Friday night, the sophomore made dinner for 15 of her teammates. 'It was really special how interested they were.' April 3, 2022
Jerusalem’s elite 2,600 years ago added unusual ingredient to wines'The wine, perhaps, is not a big surprise, but the fact that it is seasoned with vanilla is amazing,' the excavators claim. March 30, 2022
Egyptian authorities confiscate valuable Jewish archives in CairoThe antiquities authority threw the material into dozens of sacks and drove away over the objections of the Jewish community. March 27, 2022
WATCH: Israelis suffering from PTSD have special Purim partyPurim festivities begin Wednesday evening, and IDF veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder lean on each other for support and celebration. March 16, 2022
