WATCH: Thousands of Jews gather in Hebron for special Shabbat Thousands of Jews from around Israel gathered in the ancient city of Hebron to celebrate the reading of the Torah portion 'Chayei Sarah' October 31, 2021
Youth discover hidden archaeological treasures in Biblical heartland 'There is no nation that gets to come home after 2,000 years, discover its deepest roots and build a future out of them.' October 26, 2021
Torah learning to continue at full force in Israel. Here’s why The yeshivas had been warned that sharp budget cuts were likely under the new unity government. October 26, 2021
EXPOSED: Christian family in US acting as Jews outed as secret missionaries The Dawson family called themselves the Isaacsons, with the father performing Jewish rites in many communities that are now invalidated. October 21, 2021
First-time find: Second Temple-era signet stone found in Jerusalem Until now there have only been written descriptions of the plant, in the Bible, Talmud and history books. October 21, 2021
Tens of thousands of runners to trek through Jerusalem’s 3,000-year-old history The run tells the story of Jerusalem’s 3,000-year existence, with landmarks ranging from the Old City walls, the seat of Israel’s presidency, the Israel Museum and the Supreme Court. October 19, 2021
Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers blast minister’s proposal for civil marriages While Matan Kahana says he seeks religious compromise to foster unity in Israel, Orthodox politicians slam the idea as endangering the Jewish nature of the state. October 7, 2021
Have archaeologists uncovered the remains of Noah’s Ark? Dimensions match biblical description 'This is not what you would expect to see if this site is just a solid block of rock or an accumulation of random debris from a mudflow,' said one researcher. October 3, 2021
‘Cosmic airburst’ destroyed Sodom, consistent with bible, new evidence suggests 'The description in Genesis of the destruction of an urban center in the Dead Sea area is consistent with having been an eyewitness account of a cosmic airburst,' researchers concluded. October 1, 2021
Jewish-born man returns to Judaism after years as a Muslim 'A.' weeps after Beer Sheva rabbinical court accepts his petition returning to the fold. September 30, 2021
Religious and secular Israeli teens find common ground Be a Mensch Foundation works to bridge the wide secular-religious divide in Israel through youth dialog. September 23, 2021
WATCH: Thousands gather at Western Wall for priestly blessing on Sukkot The event, which takes place each year in the interim days of Passover and Sukkot with tens of thousands present, including tourists, was scaled down on Wednesday due to coronavirus restrictions. September 22, 2021
WATCH: Israelis celebrate Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur and Sukkot Sukkot, a Jewish holiday that celebrates the gathering of harvest and commemorates the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, is a weeklong holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur. September 20, 2021
Pope Francis is wrong: The laws of the Torah do give life, says leading rabbi Each Torah law, or 'mitzvah,' is the practical and concrete expression of an otherwise abstract idea about how to live a moral and virtuous life. September 17, 2021
WATCH: Yom Kippur War taught ‘how much our nation is dependent on God’ Rabbi Uri Pilichowski, educator and political commentator, explains the significance of the Yom Kippur fasting day to the Jewish people worldwide. September 15, 2021
WATCH: Israeli President Isaac Herzog wishes happy new year to Jewish world – his ‘extended family’ Israeli President Isaac Herzog has released a special greeting in honor of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, wishing Jewish diaspora 'a year of health and of coming together.' September 5, 2021
Hasidic leader orders followers to stay home during Jewish holidays due to Covid surge in Israel Grand Rabbi Baruch Meir Yaakov Shochet has argued that by failing to comply with COVID restrictions, large sectors of Israel's ultra-Orthodox community have been ignoring the “foundational” Jewish principle of saving lives. August 31, 2021
WATCH: How is Jerusalem’s Western Wall Plaza preparing to host holiday crowds? As the Jewish High Holidays begin, thousands of worshippers are expected to visit the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem. August 27, 2021
WATCH: What did archaeologists unearth in the ruins of this synagogue destroyed by Nazis? The Great Synagogue of Vilna had been destroyed by the Nazis and bulldozed by the Soviets. August 27, 2021
Israeli astronaut to take ancient Jewish coin from Bar Kochba revolt to space The 1,900-year-old coin was minted during the second Jewish revolt against the Romans, also known as the Bar Kochba revolt. By JNS Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe has chosen to bring an ancient Jewish coin... August 21, 2021
‘A sign of faith’ in Jewish German life: University of Potsdam opens city’s first synagogue since the Holocaust “We are sending out an important sign of faith in the future of Jewish life in Germany.” August 19, 2021
Christian missionary ramps up outreach to Israeli Jews in northern cities Andrew Lewis previously gained notoriety in Israel for mailing a copy of the New Testament to every member of the Knesset. August 11, 2021
WATCH: Missing section of First Temple-era city wall of Jerusalem revealed Just ahead of Tisha b’Av – the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, when Jews mourn the destruction of the First and Second Temples – archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of the city wall. July 14, 2021
UNCOVERED: 2000-year-old coins attest to Jewish life in ancient Israel A Bar-Ilan University archaeological team discovered two coins in the Binyamin region of Samaria, dating back to the Second Temple era and the Bar Kokhba Revolt against the Romans. July 14, 2021
WATCH: Former Latin American celebrity finds new purpose in Judaism Former telenovela star Sarah Mintz has changed her life completely, having converted to Judaism and living in Israel as an Orthodox Jewish fashion and lifestyle influencer. July 13, 2021
‘Publishing industry increasingly hostile to Jews and Israel,’ says Canadian-Israeli author 'It’s become absolutely shrill,' said author Gila Green. 'The word Israel becomes a trigger word.' July 4, 2021
Lapid places Mezuzah at new Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi Foreign Minister Yair Lapid placed a Mezuzah Tuesday on the doorpost of the Israeli embassy in the United Arab Emirates, and a rabbi recited the traditional blessing. June 29, 2021
WATCH: How do Jews and Israel fit into a postmodern world? 'We are living in a post-morality world that is influencing every aspect of our life…and we have to deal with it,”' particularly when it comes to education, says Dr. Ronen Shoval of the Argaman Institute, an Israeli think tank. June 26, 2021
After 16 years, Jewish woman ‘trapped’ in marriage freed in precedent-setting international court battle The husband’s recalcitrance was directed by his father, a wealthy and influential figure in the ultra-Orthodox community. June 9, 2021
FBI helps NYPD address spike in anti-Semitic attacks Some 26 anti-Semitic hate crimes took place from May 2 to May 23, two days before Israel and Hamas in Gaza agreed to a ceasefire. June 2, 2021
HIP SET: Gripping crime novel is ‘a love poem to Tel Aviv’ 'We have a chance to write books showing Israel as a real place...a place not defined by the Arab-Israeli conflict, where real people live real lives, in stories that still must, by their character and context, take place in Eretz Israel.' May 30, 2021
WATCH: 200,000 attend Lag b’Omer festivities in northern Israel, despite pandemic warnings Despite concerns about the Indian variant of the coronavirus, 200,000 people from across the country attended Lag b’Omer festivities on Mount Meron in the northern Galilee. April 29, 2021
Yeshiva student, 17, wins Israel’s annual International Bible Quiz on Independence Day The contest was clinched with the question, 'Who was the first woman to cry?' April 15, 2021
Helen Mirren to portray Golda Meir in new film on Yom Kippur War The screenplay focuses on the challenges that the 1973 war presented to Israel’s 'Iron Lady.' April 8, 2021
Rabbis group pushes back on effort to link Orthodox with left-wing social trends 'Orthodoxy is not a marketing brand that one can cavalierly adopt, but depicts solid and unwavering commitment to Halacha and Mesorah (Jewish Law and Torah Tradition).' December 15, 2020
First public Jewish wedding in the UAE attracts curious spectators Dozens of onlookers in traditional Arab garb showed that this was no ordinary Orthodox Jewish celebration. December 2, 2020
WATCH: David Friedman delivers Thanksgiving greetings from US Embassy in Jerusalem 'Giving thanks is a value that unites us all,' US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said in a Thanksgiving message to Americans of all backgrounds and religions. November 26, 2020
WATCH: All Jews encouraged to adopt Ethiopian-Israeli holiday of Sigd Israel’s deputy public security minister says that all Jews should be celebrating the Ethiopian holiday of Sigd. November 17, 2020
WATCH: Israeli actor in hit TV series ‘Valley of Tears’ is ‘neurotic’ like his character Shahar Tavoch discusses the background to the HBO-acquired hit TV series, says he can definitely relate to his character: 'We're the same person.' November 15, 2020
Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi: Wig-wearing is ‘idolatrous’ Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel slams practice of wig wearing as idolatrous and immodest. October 26, 2020
Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg’s lace collar to be part of permanent exhibit at Tel Aviv museum The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg donated her signature neckwear to the Museum of the Jewish People. September 27, 2020
Shana Tova: Disney Channel celebrities extend Jewish New Year greetings In this cute video, Disney Channel stars discuss the traditions surrounding Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, and extend a hearty Shana Tova to their Jewish fans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vsQEpphE8c... September 18, 2020
Thousands of hasidim stuck in inter-border no-man’s land after disregarding Ukraine closure Wanting to pray at the grave of the Breslov leader on Rosh Hashana, they ignored Kiev’s August declaration that borders would be closed due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. September 16, 2020
‘Netflix haredi-style’: Israel’s ultra-religious set up their own home entertainment in wake of corona With live shows impossible due to the pandemic, one company came up with an idea of a way to bring kosher culture into the homes of the ultra-Orthodox. September 7, 2020
NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire converts to Judaism 'It’s official,' Stoudemire said on Instagram. August 27, 2020
WATCH: Ukraine bans annual pilgrimage of ultra-Orthodox Jews to grave of hasidic leader in Uman Every year on Rosh Hashana, thousands travel to Uman to pray at the grave of Rabbi Nachman, but this year Ukraine is banning their entry due to Covid-19. August 21, 2020
Israeli pop star invited by member of Dubai royal family to perform in UAE A member of the royal Dubai family sent the performer a personal invitation over the weekend. August 16, 2020
Alan Dershowitz: The Rabbi Steinsaltz I knew 'I wish today’s differences in world views could be discussed in a similar manner,' Dershowitz said about a debate he had with Rabbi Steinsaltz. August 10, 2020
Scientists discover Earth’s magnetic field on 9th of Av, 586 BCE The destruction of Jerusalem, dated 9th of Av 586 BCE, can serve as an exceptional chronological anchor for archaeomagnetic dating – accurate down to a single day. August 9, 2020
One of Judaism’s great commentators, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, dies at age 83 He wrote as many as 60 books on an array of topics, including commentaries on the Talmud, the Torah, Jewish mysticism, Chassidism and Jewish philosophy. August 7, 2020
Soccer star David Beckham’s son planning ‘Jewish wedding’ 'When they started talking about their future, Brooklyn agreed to a Jewish wedding,' a source said. July 19, 2020
Women Torah scholars can take Jewish law exams, Supreme Court finds The Supreme Court found that preventing women from taking Jewish law accreditation exams is discriminatory. July 5, 2020
Sharp-eyed Israeli first grader finds rare 3500-year-old tablet Imri Elya saw the object lying on the ground at Tel Jemmeh while on a family excursion. May 25, 2020
WATCH: Stirring rendition of ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ Australian musicians Ben Adler and Paul Khodor put together a beautiful rendition of Jerusalem of Gold, which WIN is proud to share. May 25, 2020
Split in haredi leadership? Fears lead rabbis to issue joint statement on coronavirus Rabbis’ representatives issue joint statement after haredi party’s newspaper refuses to print letter instructing the reopening of the sector’s schools. April 23, 2020
WATCH: Leaders of 4 faiths hold first joint prayer in Jerusalem The chief rabbis of Israel were joined in Jerusalem by Christian, Islamic, and Druze religious leaders, who offered prayers together to end the coronavirus pandemic and eliminate hatred throughout the world. April 22, 2020
Rabbis group warns IDF: Leftists seek to dilute Holocaust message Torat Halechima says the Education Corps is 'damaging the IDF' by allowing lessons that universalize the Holocaust. April 20, 2020
US Amb. Friedman joins Passover priestly blessing at Western Wall American Ambassador David Friedman, an observant Jew, one of select few to offer the priestly blessing at holy site in Jerusalem's Old City. April 12, 2020
Happy Passover: ‘Festival of freedom’ marks birth of Jewish nation Jews mark week-long Passover holiday with traditions and symbolism inspired by the biblical exodus from slavery to freedom. April 8, 2020
Israel’s chief rabbis sell nation’s bread to Arab businessman in traditional ceremony Rabbis sign over hundreds of millions worth of goods to a non-Jew for 20,000 shekels in annual traditional ceremony; sale to be reversed after the Passover festival. April 7, 2020
