Judaism & Culture

Sound of building fills Israel’s night sky as Jews turn to Sukkot building ahead of festive holiday

Traditionally, Jews immediately begin to build their sukkahs after breaking their fast, in preparation for the next holiday in the Jewish calendar which begins Sunday night.

October 10, 2019

Ancient Jewish manuscripts showcased online by British Library

The online collection features sacred texts of 9 different faiths

September 26, 2019

Israeli baseball is going to the Olympics for first time in history

Israel takes first place in the Baseball Europe/Africa qualifying event, booking its first-ever appearance in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

September 22, 2019

HBO series ‘Our Boys,’ branded anti-Semitic by Netanyahu, doesn’t violate law, Israel broadcast council says

Israeli broadcast council says it has no reason to interfere with a TV series branded 'anti-Semitic' by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

September 3, 2019

High court nixes separate seating by gender, angering Orthodox Israelis

After first claiming victory, the haredi community warned that religious rights are being endangered by the top legal arbiter in the country.

August 15, 2019

WATCH: NBA star takes his Jewish pride as seriously as his basketball

Basketball superstar Omri Casspi, who played for the NBA for 10 years in the U.S., says it was a wonderful experience but he's happy to come "home" to Maccabi and represent Israel.

August 14, 2019

DNA finds Hungary to have highest percentage of citizens with Jewish ethnicity

DNA testing found that Hungary has the highest percentage of citizens of Ashkenazic Jewish extraction outside of Israel.

August 14, 2019

Religious Zionist leader: Netanyahu will pay at polls for deriding those who seek Torah state

The religious Zionist leader blasted the prime minister, who told a visiting congressional delegation that the idea of a state run according to Jewish law is 'total nonsense.'

August 8, 2019

Religious Zionists cry ‘media lynch’ for wanting Israeli state run by Jewish law

The transportation minister hit back at critics after a speech in which he said he would like a state run by Jewish law.

August 6, 2019

Raising a Torah scroll as part of prayers for the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz at the Western Wall

Jews fast, begin mourning period for Temple’s destruction

The annual three-week mourning period concludes with another fast on the ninth day of the month of Av, when the destruction itself is mourned.

July 21, 2019

Supermodel Naomi Campbell praises Lubavitcher Rebbe on 25th anniversary of his death

Supermodel Naomi Campbell wrote an extended accolade of the Lubavitcher Rebbe on her Instagram account.

July 9, 2019

DNA shows that the Philistines, arch-enemy of the Israelites, came from Europe

DNA remains extracted from 10 individuals buried in Ashkelon display molecular links showing 'an affinity with European-related populations,' say researchers.

July 4, 2019

Anti-Semitism drives ‘Wonder Woman’ to flaunt her pride in being Israeli

Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot said she receives many anti-Semitic messages.

July 1, 2019

WATCH: A deeper look into the text of the Passover Haggadah

An Israeli artist published a new Haggadah, using a blend of traditional graphics and abstract painting to make the story come alive, bringing light and hope.

April 22, 2019

Sharon Maymon, Jaime Ray Newman, Guy Nattiv

WATCH: Israeli director Guy Nattiv takes home the Oscar

Nattiv said he was inspired by his grandparents, who survived the Holocaust.

February 25, 2019

Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold visits Western Wall

WATCH: Beverly Hills mayor goes on underground Western Wall tour

Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold, in Israel as part of the 33rd International Mayors' Conference in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, was impressed by the archaeological and historical finds during an underground tour of the Western Wall.

February 24, 2019

Israel’s president: ‘There’s nothing more Jewish than disagreement’

'There is nothing more Jewish than pointed disagreement. And there is nothing more democratic than pointed disagreement,' Rivlin told a Bible-study gathering ahead of elections.

February 18, 2019

Arik Einstein, Dafna Armoni, Shalom Hanoch

Israel national library’s new music app rises to top of the charts

Feel like listening to a good old Arik Einstein song or discovering music from the next superstar? Shiri offers everything from Sasha Argov to Zohar Argov.

February 17, 2019

Adam Neumann, co-founder and CEO of WeWork

WeWork’s Adam Neumann says observing Jewish Sabbath keeps his ego in check

The CEO of NY-headquartered real estate company WeWork shared spiritual wisdoms during a keynote speech at a UJA Federation event.

January 27, 2019

WATCH: Jewish folklore comes to US theaters

“The Golem,” a horror film based on Jewish folklore, will be released in select theaters in the U.S. and on Blu-Ray/DVD on February 5.

January 27, 2019

Israeli film, Jewish stars and composers among 2019 Oscar nominees

This year's Academy Award nominees included works by Jewish and Israeli artists.

January 23, 2019

Who knew? Hebrew could be the basis for many English and European words

'Hebrew is a much older language as well, so it makes sense the roots of words go back before Latin or Greek,' a linguistics buff theorized.

January 1, 2019

Israeli orchestra plays to warm applause in Morocco

The Israeli Andalusian Orchestra played to a full house and warm applause in Morocco at one of the country's most prestigious music festivals.

December 30, 2018

Israel to celebrate Hebrew’s revival in special day

Hebrew Language Day is 'an excellent opportunity to advance reading among students and the young generation,' says Education Minister Naftali Bennett.

December 26, 2018

New study: Who is the typical Israeli Jew today?

A new study classifies the majority in Israel today as 'Jewish Israelis,' largely considered to be traditional Jews.

December 23, 2018

Opinion: American Jewry’s Chanukah hypocrisy?

A 'New York Times' column misunderstands the nature of the conflict that the Festival of Lights commemorates.

December 4, 2018

(Antiquities Theft Prevention Unit, Israel Antiquities Authority)

Ancient, rare stone mask uncovered in Israel

A fascinating and rare 9,000-year-old stone mask that dates to the Neolithic period sheds new light on ancient life in the Holy Land.

November 28, 2018

Israeli-built Phoenician ship replica sets sail for Cyprus

An Israeli-built replica of a 2,400-year-old ship is at sea on its way to Cyprus.

November 26, 2018

Ancient synagogue of Naburiya near Safed

WATCH: Jewish life in the Galilee after the first Jewish-Roman War

Tour guide Yizhar Hass explains the history of the Galilee region, home to some of the most remarkable Jewish sites from the first century.

November 11, 2018

$Israeli DJ and producer Zafrir Ifrach. (screenshot)$

WATCH: Gaza Belt Israeli DJ responds to rockets with hit songs

Sderot native DJ Zafrir Ifrach is a rising star in the world of electronic music, cooking up dance floor hits even as rocket sirens pierce the air outside his spaceship-like studio in Israel's south.

October 29, 2018

WATCH: 5 Dead Sea fragments found to be forged

The Museum of the Bible in Washington is removing five Dead Sea scroll fragments that were proven to be modern forgeries.

October 25, 2018

Joint Israel-US Chanukah stamp unveiled in Jerusalem

'Today’s joint stamp issue is a symbol of the shared values and the cultural affinity between the U.S. and Israel,' Friedman stated.

October 18, 2018

Playwright Arthur Miller and actress wife Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe’s Jewish prayer book up for auction

Want to pray like Marilyn Monroe? Now you can!

October 16, 2018

Israeli named BBC Philharmonic chief conductor

Omer Meir Wellber, 36, also is principal guest conductor at Semperoper Dresden and music director of Ra’anana Symphonette Orchestra in Israel.

October 15, 2018

This daily Jewish ritual may prevent heart attacks

Wearing tefillin improves your heart function and may even save your life, a new study shows.

October 14, 2018

Second Temple-era Jerusalem inscription stuns archaeologists

A unique stone inscription dating back to the Second Temple period with Jerusalem spelled in full was recently uncovered in the Israeli capital.

October 9, 2018

Iran’s Ayatollah exploits Olympian Aly Raisman for hijab propaganda

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exploited Jewish Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman’s testimony about having been sexually assaulted for hijab propaganda video.

October 7, 2018

Israeli kidney donations triple due to Orthodox Jewish donors

The number of annual live kidney transplants in Israel has nearly tripled since 2010. New research says the growth is due to Orthodox donors.

September 17, 2018

WATCH: Why do we read the Book of Jonah on Yom Kippur?

Bar-Ilan University Professor Raanan Eichler discusses why the Book of Jonah was chosen as one of the readings at services on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

September 17, 2018

Brazil museum fire: Ancient Torah scrolls removed ahead of time

Brazil National Museum's famed centuries-old Torah scrolls were removed before the disastrous fire.

September 6, 2018

Virtual reality tour brings biblical-era Jerusalem to life

The virtual reality guide offers visitors to Jerusalem a chance to 'enjoy the present and take a look back to the past,' said Tower of David Museum director Eilat Lieber.

September 5, 2018

WATCH: Jerusalem artifacts dating back 1000s of years reinforce Jewish claim to city

A City of David Foundation director brought to New York artifacts from Jerusalem dating back thousands of years and explains why these findings matter so much today.

July 26, 2018

On Tisha b’Av, annual day of mourning, tens of thousands pack Western Wall plaza

On Tisha B’av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, Jews mourn the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem that were destroyed.

July 22, 2018

Israeli Broadway show wins almost every major Tony Award

'The Band’s Visit' wins 10 honors, including Best Musical, Best Actor and Actress and Best Book and Score.

June 11, 2018

Philip Roth, fearless and celebrated Jewish author, dies at 85

Philip Roth, the prize-winning novelist and a prominent writer of the Jewish American experience, died at age 85.

May 23, 2018

Israeli archaeologists discover millennia-old evidence of ‘blood vengeance’

Israeli scientists exposed the earliest evidence of blood vengeance in ancient times.

May 16, 2018

NASA tech reveals hidden script in Dead Sea Scrolls fragments

Did Dead Sea Scrolls researchers discover a previously unknown manuscript?

May 2, 2018

Students discover ancient menorah-adorned lamp while preparing Independence Day surprise

Israeli students preparing a gift for the state discovered an ancient precursor of Israel's national symbol.

April 16, 2018

20 percent of Central, Eastern Europeans do not accept Jews as fellow citizens

A Pew Research Center survey of 18 countries finds that Jews are not wanted as neighbors or family members.

April 4, 2018

WATCH: 100,000 attend priestly blessing at Western Wall

Ambassador Friedman was among hundreds who recited the 'priestly blessing' at the biannual ceremony at the Western Wall.

April 2, 2018

IDF mobilizes for massive task of prepping for Passover

Everyone in the IDF pitches in to do their part in a holiday that is about liberation.

March 27, 2018

‘Freedom Coins’ from Jewish revolt against Rome found near Temple Mount

Ancient coins bearing the inscriptions 'For the Freedom of Zion' and to 'For the Redemption of Zion were discovered at the base of the Temple Mount.

March 27, 2018

WATCH: Everyday life in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighborhood

The book 'Mea Shearim - The Streets' captures life in Mea Shearim, home to a close-knit community of ultra-Orthodox Jews.

March 27, 2018

WATCH: US Ambassador Friedman bakes matzah, extends ‘Happy Passover’ greetings

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedmann baked matzah in Kfar Chabad, Israel and wished the whole world 'Happy Passover.'

March 26, 2018

WATCH: Unraveling the secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls

An Israeli group is analyzing the famous Dead Sea Scrolls with great care. Find out what's involved in revealing the secrets of the ancient texts.

March 20, 2018

Jerusalem exhibit at UN shows ancient Jewish ties, despite UN ‘disclaimer’

The UN posted a disclaimer at the entrance to its Jerusalem exhibit, saying its content does not represent the world body's views.

March 11, 2018

Israel Library puts George Washington Thumb Bible online

A rare miniature Washington 'thumb bible', one of less than a dozen existing copies, is now accessible to the public.

February 19, 2018

Rare multicolored Roman-era mosaic exposed in Israel

Israeli archeologists have uncovered a rare, multicolored mosaic dating to the Roman period in Caesarea, the ancient seat of power.

February 8, 2018

First Temple-era structure, rare silver coin found in Jerusalem dig

Israeli archaeologists uncovered impressive and unique finds on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

January 31, 2018

WATCH: Netanyahu and Putin visit Jewish Museum in Moscow

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center in Moscow.

January 29, 2018

Judaism & Culture

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