Pope, Peres discuss ‘U.N. of religions’ at Vatican meeting

September 05, 2014

ROME (JTA) – Former Israeli President Shimon Peres met with Pope Francis at the Vatican and proposed a “U.N. of religions” to fight terrorism.

The Vatican said the pope and Peres held a “long” and “very cordial” discussion on Thursday.

RIP, Joan Rivers, you Jewess, you

September 04, 2014

By URIEL HEILMAN

As news of Joan Rivers’ passing ricocheted around the world Thursday, we took a moment to comb our archives for some of Rivers’ recent high points and low points:

2004: Rivers joins JDate.

2010: Rivers is among the...

Joan Rivers, TV and comedy trailblazer, dies at 81

September 04, 2014

(JTA) — Joan Rivers, who broke barriers for women in comedy and on television, has died.

Rivers, 81, died Thursday a week after being rushed to Manhattan’s Mount Sinai Hospital after her heart stopped during throat surgery at a clinic....

Israelis waving terrorist groups’ flags may face prosecution

September 04, 2014

(JNS.org) —  Israeli Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein on Wednesday instructed law enforcement agencies in Israel to file criminal charges against individuals waving terrorist groups’ flags in public.

The directive applies to flags representing Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic State, among other groups,...

Jewish ‘Fifth Beatle’ figures prominently in new book about band’s first U.S. tour

September 04, 2014

By TOM TUGEND

LOS ANGELES (JTA) — It was 6 a.m. on Aug. 19, 1964 when the phone rang in the Los Angeles apartment of Ivor Davis, the young West Coast correspondent for London’s Daily Express, circulation 4 million.

On...

Joan Rivers, on life support, moved from ICU

September 04, 2014

NEW YORK — Joan Rivers, who was brought out of her medically-induced coma, was moved yesterday to a private room, where she is “resting comfortably,” her daughter and spokesperson Melissa Rivers said.

The 81-year-old comedienne was rushed to Mt. Sinai...

Andrew Madoff, son of Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff, dies

September 04, 2014

NEW YORK (JTA) — Andrew Madoff, the younger son of jailed Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff, died of cancer in New York.

Madoff died Wednesday at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan of mantle cell lymphoma, according to his lawyer....

Jewish Museum of Belgium to reopen four months after fatal shootings

September 04, 2014

(JTA) — The Jewish Museum of Belgium will reopen fully to the public four months after four people were killed in a shooting attack there.

The Brussels museum in a statement on its website said it will reopen on Sept....

Hamas more popular among Palestinians than before war, poll finds

September 03, 2014

(JTA) — Hamas’ popularity has surged in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since its latest conflict with Israel, according to a new poll.

A Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey research poll released Tuesday showed that 61 percent of...

Beheaded journalist Steven Sotloff held Israeli citizenship

September 03, 2014

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Journalist Steven Sotloff, who was beheaded by the jihadist group ISIS, was a dual American-Israeli citizen and studied in Israel, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry cleared for publication Wednesday that Sotloff, 31, held Israeli citizenship....