Israel – Tax Authorities Targeting Kabbalists Who Give Blessings in Exchange for Donations
Israel - Israeli tax authorities are targeting rabbis and kabbalists who give blessings, sometimes in exchange for “donations”, the Israeli business paper Mamon has reported.
According to the paper...
Israel – Some Rabbis Working to Get Halachic Approval for Organ Donation
Israel - The Chief Rabbinate is currently in the midst of resolving the last halachic quandaries surrounding organ donation.
The debate was sparked following the approval of the Organ Donation Law ...
New York – White House Furious on Paterson’s Use of the Race Card
New York - President Obama's aides were so furious that Gov. Paterson dragged him into a rant about racism that they sent a message sharply criticizing the governor's comments just hours after he made...
Gaza City – Why Israeli Jew Uri Davis Joined Fatah to Save Palestine
Gaza City - Uri Davis is used to denunciations. A "traitor", "scum", "mentally unstable": those are just some of the condemnations that have been posted in the Israeli blogosphere in recent days. As t...
Sydney, Australia – London Beth Din Renders Decision in Rabbi vs Mizrachi Shul
Sydney, Australia - Rabbi Moshe Gutnick does not have life-long security of tenure at Sydney’s Mizrachi Synagogue…but can leave the cash-strapped congregation $800,000 richer.
The London Beth Din h...
Broklyn, NY – As Their Wives Stay In The Mountains The Orthodox Dining Program Kicks In
Brooklyn, NY - As in many New York neighborhoods, summer brings a demographic shift in Borough Park, a predominantly Hasidic section of Brooklyn. The playgrounds are quieter than usual and the familia...
Jerusalem – Israel’s Visa Rule: If You Visit Palestine, Stay There
Jerusalem - When Canadian businessman Sam Ismail brought his wife and five children to visit his brother's family in Ramallah last week, he planned to stay for 10 days and tour both Israel and the Pal...
Washington – Angry FBI Director Sends Thunder Letter To Judge Who Released Lockerbie Terrorist
Washington - FBI Director Robert Mueller thundered down on Scotland's justice minister for releasing the Lockerbie bomber, an act that "gives comfort to terrorists" all over the world.
Mueller sent...
Tripoli – Gadhafi Meets And Hugs With Lockerbie Bomber
Tripoli - Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi welcomed with a hug the only man convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people and praised Scotland's leaders for "their courageously right and...
Washington – Obama Addresses Muslims on Ramadan
Washington - In a video message to Muslims getting ready for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins Saturday in most of the Islamic world, US President Barack Obama on Friday cast US military...
Cape Town, South Africa – Thieves Break Into Cemetery Tahara Room
Cape Town, South Africa - Vandals have stripped the Tahara hall at the Muizenberg cemetery virtually bare - even making off with the burglar bars installed to protect it.
Sigmund Saffer, president of...
Orlando, FL – Governor: Prayer at Western Wall Has Spared Florida from Hurricanes
Orlando, FL - Gov. Charlie Crist believes in the power of prayer.
The governor told a group of real estate agents Friday that Florida has been hurricane free thanks to prayer notes he placed on the...
Deal, NJ – Corruption Tapes by Dwek May Not Be Slam Dunk for Feds
Deal, NJ - The success of New Jersey's recent corruption sweep figures to come down to how a jury interprets secretly taped conversations between a government informant and various public officials.
...
Albany, NY – Paterson: I’m Being Treated Unfairly Because I’m Black
Albany, NY - Gov. David Paterson played the race card in a big way today, suggesting he is facing tougher questions about his performance and political viability than the governors of most other strug...
Monsey, NY – Ramapo Orthodox Jewish Cop Files Discrimination Claim
Monsey, NY - The first orthodox female cop from Rockland county Baile Glauber has filed a discrimination complaint against the Ramapo Police Department and town officials.
According to The Journal ...
New York, NY – New Signals to Countdown Through Crosswalks
New York, NY - Some new signals popping up across the five boroughs are taking the guesswork out of crossing the street.
The Department of Transportation has installed 180 countdown crosswalk signa...
Tehran – Iran Cabinet Pick Wanted by Interpol For Role In Argentina Bombing
Tehran - The man nominated on Thursday to serve as Iran’s next defense minister is wanted by the international police agency, Interpol, in connection with the 1994 bombing of the Jewish community cent...
Mexico City – Mexico Decriminalizes Small-Scale Drug Possession
Mexico City - Mexico decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin on Friday — a move that prosecutors say makes sense even in the midst of the government's grueling battle against dru...
Newark, NJ – Inspirational: Nearly 100 Kids With Debilitating illnesses Head to Disney World By Mitzvah Team
Newark, NJ - Motty Katz's bar mitzvah is just a few days away, but today he undertook a different rite of passage: Taking a trip without his parents.
That's a major undertaking for Katz and the 86 ...
Jerusalem – Police Investigating Attack on Kotel Rabbi
Jerusalem - Police are investigating the last nights rock attack on Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitz of the Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem and other Holy Places. The rabbi was attacked by hareidi reli...