Judaism news stories on Newser

8 Celebs Who Switched Religions ... for Love

Evann Gastaldo — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:32:37 CST

Drew Barrymore is getting married , but first she's—reportedly—converting to Judaism, the religion fiance Will Kopelman practices. She follows the tradition of these seven other celebrity spouses (or not-quite-spouses) who did the same thing, notes The Frisky : Isla Fisher : Converted to Judaism for Sacha Baron Cohen. Jesus Luz : Started...

Rabbis' Wives Advise: 'Don't Date Non-Jews'

John Johnson — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:06:53 CST

A letter in Israel signed by 30 rabbis' wives offers clear-cut dating advice to young Jewish women: Stay away from "non-Jews," and especially Arab men. "There are no few Arab workers who use a Hebrew name," warns the letter, as recounted by AOL News . "Yusuf turns into Yossi, Samir turns...

Israeli Rabbi Blesses Spies' 'Honeytrap' Sex

Rob Quinn — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:20:40 CDT

It's kosher for women working for Israel's spy agency to trade sex for national security, according to an Israeli rabbi. Rabbi Ari Shvat's study concluded that so-called "honeytrap" sting missions, which have repeatedly been used by Mossad, don't violate Jewish law, ABC reports. The rabbi noted that similar missions can...

Why I Allowed My Sons' 'Brutal' Circumcisions

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:58:27 CDT

Taffy Brodesser-Akner believes that circumcision is “brutal” mutilation. So why did she subject her sons, and herself, to the traditional Jewish bris—even as she suffered “self-loathing” for what she was putting them through? She traces her Jewish upbringing, denouncement of religion, and eventual return to the faith in a...

Bishop: Vatican Abuse Uproar a 'Zionist Attack'

Jane Yager — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:03:00 CDT

Jews are fanning the flames of the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal, an elderly Italian bishop has allegedly claimed—and American Jewish groups aren't too happy about it. A Catholic website quotes Giacomo Babini, 81, as saying the "powerful and refined" nature of criticism of the church suggests a "Zionist...

White House Renews Seder Tradition

M. Morris — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:37:33 CDT

Among the families around the world gathering tomorrow to celebrate the beginning of Passover with a dinner, or seder, will be a high-profile group: the Obamas. The White House seder tradition started on the campaign trail in 2008, when then-senator Barack Obama surprised three staffers by showing up for their...

Israeli Nationalists Beg Refaeli to Dump DiCaprio

Rob Quinn — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:51:05 CST

Rumors that wedding bells may soon be ringing for Leonardo DiCaprio and Israeli model Bar Refaeli have rung alarm bells for ultra-nationalists in her homeland. The head of a group that aims to "rescue" women from marriages to non-Jews has written to Rafaeli, pleading with her to ditch the actor...

Jewish 'Lost Tribe' Found in Africa

Rob Quinn — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:00:00 CST

An African tribe's claim to be descended from Jews who fled the Holy Land 2,500 years ago has been backed up by DNA testing. The Lemba, who live in South Africa and Zimbabwe, are largely Christian or Muslim, but they practice many Jewish traditions, including wearing skullcaps, eschewing pork,...

43% of Americans Report Bias Against Muslims

Kevin Spak — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:00:00 CST

A whopping 43% of Americans report at least “a little” bias against Muslims, and a majority, 53%, have an unfavorable view of the religion, according to a Gallup poll released today. That makes Islam far and away the most reviled religion in the country; Only 18% reported some prejudice against...