Judaism

Steve Witkoff's grandson born on 15th anniversary of son Andrew's death

Andrew Witkoff died of an opioid overdose in 2011 at age 22. Steve Witkoff previously spoke about the loss at a conference on the opioid epidemic organized by Melania Trump.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026; illustrative.
Congregants of an Igbo synagogue gather to pray

Rediscovering an ancient gift: What Nigerian Jews taught me about the meaning of Shabbat - opinion

ADELHEID AND Edmond James de Rothschild visit British Mandate Palestine, 1914.

This week in Jewish history: Moses ascends Mount Sinai, a massacre shakes Hebron

An AI-generated political cartoon.

The question is not ‘Bibi: Yes or no?’ but the answer is, ‘Which Israel?’ - opinion


Parashat Shoftim: Wholehearted – and well

“Wholeheartedness is greater than wisdom, but great wisdom is required of a Jew before he reaches the level of ‘You shall be wholehearted with the Lord your God.’” - Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz.

SORCERERS, MAGICIANS, diviners: The Torah rejects them all.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

Shabbat candles

Nirim is thriving, but Oct. 7 still haunts its present – opinion

A proud father watches his daughter actualize her decision, made in hiding during some of the worst hours of Hamas’s massacre, to capture Nirim’s life in art on a weekly basis

A photograph from the ‘Seeing Home’ exhibition at Kibbutz Nirim.

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community feels misunderstood. Here’s why - opinion

If haredim see that they are treated with understanding, respect, and sensitivity, they will more readily change and adapt in the service of the greater good

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) people in Tel Aviv in June.

Beyond the Headlines: Have you heard Elkana Levi’s speech? - opinion

Elkana did not gloss over the pain or the difficulty. He spoke about friends who had been killed, and about his darkest moments.

Elkana Levi giving a speech on gratitude.

Before the High Holidays, the Jewish people must look inward - opinion

With Yom Kippur fast approaching, now is the time for Jews to look inward and ask how one can do better to support one's own nation and peoplehood.

‘MESIRUT NEFESH’: Willingness to give up comfort, time, money, and personal interests for a greater value.

How a Connecticut Torah scroll traveled 50 years, and thousands of miles, to make aliyah - opinion

A closing Connecticut synagogue, a chance Facebook connection, and a retired rabbi helped a Torah scroll dedicated to a young boy complete its journey to Jerusalem.

The sefer torah.

Parashat Re'eh: The tyranny of ‘one’ truth

An age of prophecy should have been an age of clarity. If God spoke directly to humanity, the path forward ought to have been unmistakable.

It takes courage to reject someone who has demonstrated extraordinary gifts.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

Shabbat candles

Parashat Re'eh: The choice to choose

Even those who observe Jewish tradition have areas of choice that they have already conquered, while their struggles lie elsewhere, each person according to their own level and circumstances.

A person is obligated to identify where their own 'point of choice' lies.