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, 2021Judaism & Culture
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
US group offers ‘The Unapologetic Zionist’s Haggadah’
'Our fervent hope is that through this unique compilation readers will be provided a respite from worries about coronavirus,' said the group's director.
April 6, 2020
Millions of eggs arriving in Israel to replenish critical Passover staple
The government announced last week that it will subsidize the import of eggs, which have been missing from most supermarkets for the last two weeks.
April 5, 2020
‘No more minyans’: Leading haredi rabbi rules out prayer groups of 10 during health crisis
Leader of ultra-Orthodox joins fight against the coronavirus as rate of illness soars in sector where quarantines are being considered.
March 30, 2020
MK defects from Lapid: ‘Gantz doing the right thing’
MK Tamano-Shata, formerly of Lapid’s Yesh Atid party, defects to Gantz’s Israeli Resilience party to join unity government.
March 29, 2020
Olympic dreams of 52 promising Israeli athletes put on hold
A record-setting 52 athletes, including Israel’s first baseball team, will have to wait until 2021 to compete due to pandemic.
March 26, 2020
Reports of rabbinic ‘ruling’ allowing Passover seder video-conference were inaccurate
Reports on a rabbinical ruling allegedly permitting computer use on Jewish holy days were not accurate, according to a subsequent investigation by an Israeli TV channel.
March 25, 2020
Coronavirus upends Jewish Sabbath, people pray from balconies
Although up to 10 men can pray together they must keep two meters apart.
March 22, 2020
‘A death blow’: Coronavirus brings curtain down on Israeli cultural life
With all theaters and live shows cancelled, professionals worry for their livelihood even as they understand the reason for the restrictions.
March 15, 2020
Amazon’s Nazi-hunters show should be nixed, says Holocaust foundation
Amazon’s first season of 'Hunters' was full of historical inaccuracies and can lead to more Holocaust denial, says foundation head.
March 15, 2020
Piano said to be made of wood from Holy Temple up for auction
The 220-year-old Siena Piano, now in Israel after many wanderings, is expected to sell for over $1 million.
March 6, 2020
Purim events canceled, games played to empty arenas as Israel’s coronavirus fears grow
Israeli authorities are not willing to take the risk of holding large public events during the current health crisis.
March 5, 2020
Quentin Tarantino and Daniella Pick bring an Israeli baby into the world
The daughter of legendary Israeli singer Tsvika Pick married the filmmaker in 2018.
February 23, 2020
IDF radio station apologizes for crack about military hero
Its satirical show made 'a mistake' in the way it referred to the prime minister’s brother, who died rescuing the hostages of Entebbe in 1976.
February 11, 2020
Israeli pop star puts career on hold to join IDF
Noa Kirel will sing for the troops instead of going on lucrative tours and acting on TV.
February 3, 2020
Israeli researchers find origins of literacy in ancient Samaria
'Over the course of the century and a half or two centuries that separate the two corpora, we observe the development…to a broad proliferation of literacy,' they conclude.
January 23, 2020
Ancient siege of Jerusalem remembered on Jewish fast day
The fast is one of four which relate in some way to the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
January 7, 2020
Polish president won’t attend Yad Vashem event unless given chance to ‘refute Putin’s lies’
Andrzej Duda says he will come to Yad Vashem only if he will be one of the speakers.
January 6, 2020
Rabbi proposes that robots should write Torah scrolls
Such an invention would revolutionize an entire industry in the religious Jewish world.
January 2, 2020