Bomb threats target US synagogues during Rosh Hashanah, but few interruptions reported

September 18, 2023

By PHILISSA CRAMER

(JTA) — Police investigated bomb threats at a number of synagogues across the United States during the two days of Rosh Hashanah, as a wave of threats that have interrupted congregations for months continued into the High...

Person in the Parsha: Willling to change

September 15, 2023

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“WILLING TO CHANGE

Sometimes even the corniest of old jokes has a profound lesson to teach us.

“How many psychologists does it take to change a light...

Joe Biden to rabbis facing security threats, on Rosh Hashanah call: ‘I have your back’

September 15, 2023

By RON KAMPEAS

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Speaking after dozens of synagogues were targeted by false bombs threats, President Joe Biden offered rabbis assurances ahead of the High Holidays that he is committed to Jewish security.

“This month, as you attend...

In a first, Volodymyr Zelensky met with Chabad rabbis ahead of Rosh Hashanah

September 15, 2023

By JACKIE HAJDENBERG

(JTA) — Volodymyr Zelensky met with 32 Chabad emissaries and rabbis Thursday night ahead of Rosh Hashanah, marking the Jewish president of Ukraine’s first official meeting with Jewish leaders since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Also in...

At Rosh Hashanah reception, Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris talk about putting antisemitism plan ‘into action’

September 13, 2023

By RON KAMPEAS

WASHINGTON (JTA) — A Rosh Hashanah celebration at Vice President Kamala Harris’s official residence was a celebration of American Jewish success that included a reminder of the threats Jews still face.

Douglas Emhoff, the second gentleman, began...

How roving rabbis help the few Jews of rural Australia celebrate Rosh Hashanah

September 13, 2023

By NOMI KALTMANN

MELBOURNE (JTA) — Ruth Hannah has lived in the Australian coastal town of Mallacoota for more than 30 years. The 72-year-old daughter of Holocaust survivors knows of only one other Jewish person in her town, which has...

Tens of thousands of Jews flock to Uman for Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage despite another year of wartime warnings

September 13, 2023

By GABE FRIEDMAN

(JTA) — The U.S., Israeli and Ukrainian governments have all called it an extremely dangerous voyage into the heart of an ongoing war.

But despite the warnings, tens of thousands of Jewish men and boys are expected...

Person in the Parsha: Nitzavim-Vayeilech

September 08, 2023

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“WILLING TO CHANGE”

Sometimes even the corniest of old jokes has a profound lesson to teach us.

“How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?”

In case you haven’t already...

High Holiday services are set to return this year — with a new eternal flame — to a Texas synagogue damaged in a 2021 arson

September 07, 2023

By JACKIE HAJDENBERG

(JTA) — A portion of the stained glass that survived the 2021 arson of an Austin, Texas synagogue has been rebuilt into a three-dimensional eternal flame that will be installed in the social hall of the synagogue’s...

For cancer patients, the High Holidays can bring some unique challenges

September 07, 2023

By LARRY LUXNER

At the height of the pandemic in August 2020, Fran Guzy, a retired schoolteacher living in Oradell, New Jersey, was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

A month later, she had a lumpectomy to remove her malignant tumor. Then...