News

Jewish Federation takes lead role in next phase of Haitian relief

Jane Charney — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:51:17 GMT

Joel Schatz The rescuers are gone, but the torrential rains that deluge Haiti each spring have come early. With more than a million people homeless, or sheltered only by plastic sheets, the risk of

U.S. citizen David Coleman Headley admits role in Mumbai attacks

Jane Charney — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:32:54 GMT

An American man who scouted targets for the deadly 2008 Mumbai terrorist strike pleaded guilty Thursday to a dozen criminal charges and agreed to help prosecutors and intelligence analysts probing other likely targets overseas, reports The Washington Post. David Coleman Headley, 49,

'Jean Therapy' offers discounts on jeans & genetic education

Jane Charney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:57:02 GMT

The Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders is offering a special 20% discount on designer jeans as customers learn how genes affect their jeans' fit. The April 22 event, kicking off a series of similar happenings, willt ake place at

A first look at the Simpsons' upcoming visit to Israel

Jane Charney — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:49:19 GMT

The first images from the upcoming episode of The Simpsons, in which the animated family visits Israel, were released this week after six months of buzz over the special show to be aired in the United States on March 28, reports

Joel Weinstein, funeral director to Chicago's Jewish community, dies at 84

Jane Charney — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:47:35 GMT

Joel A. Weinstein, a funeral director to the Chicago area Jewish community for more than 50 years, in the late 1950s used his many contacts to start a congregation for his faith in north suburban Lincolnwood, reports Chicago Tribune. Weinstein, 84, died

Conference Of Presidents leaders comment on U.S.-Israel relations

Aaron Cohen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:36:24 GMT

Progress in the peace process can only be made when there is no daylight between Israel and the United States when it comes to the security of Israel.

Israel History program benefactor visits JCC Camp Chi

Aaron Cohen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:44:43 GMT

The visitors interacted with the campers while they demonstrated team-building exercises developed around the Jewish values of leadership, teamwork, community, kindness, and courage.

Hurva Synagogue rededicated

Jane Charney — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:49:31 GMT

The rededication of an Old City synagogue took place without incident, reports the JTA. More than 3,000 Israeli police were deployed in Jerusalem on Monday for fear that the rededication of the restored Hurva Synagogue, located in the Jewish Quarter of the

New downtown Skokie store keeps history in print

Jane Charney — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:36:56 GMT

Bob's Newsstand at 4906 Oakton St. is a treasure trove of vintage newspapers and magazines, for as the owner says, "it's a place where print still lives," reports Mike Isaacs in the Skokie Review. Bob's Newsstand sells thousands of posters and flags from

Chicago director's documentary showcases Jewish Brigade's role in WWII

Jane Charney — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:52:13 GMT

Jewish Brigade veterans and members of the public packed a Tel Aviv University auditorium for a special screening of Chuck Olin’s award winning documentary In Their Own Hands. A subtle blend of Schindler’s List and The Dirty Dozen, Olin’s film

Western companies halt business with Iran

Jane Charney — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:35:55 GMT

Royal Dutch Shell PLC said Wednesday it is no longer selling gasoline to Iran, the latest oil company to make such a move during threats of tougher sanctions against the Islamic republic, reports The Wall Street Journal. Shell's move comes as

As governor releases state budget, Federation agencies, Illinois system of human services poised for tough cuts

Jane Charney — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:37:07 GMT

Federation agencies struggling in current economic climate

Tensions flare over proposed conversion law in Israel

Jane Charney — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:31:19 GMT

Israeli lawmakers are reviewing a bill that would allow current and former municipal rabbis to oversee conversions, which currently must go through the Chief Rabbinate, reports The Jerusalem Post. The bill, which is supported by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s Israel

Communications activist silenced in Cuban jail cell

Jane Charney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:00:36 GMT

Technology contractor Alan Gross, 60, of Potomac, Md., has been languishing for three months in a Cuban high security prison and his rare conversations are monitored by Cuban officials, reports the JTA's Ron Kampeas. Rubinstein was arrested Dec. 3 as he prepared

Children's author's new book a story of Israel

Jane Charney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:57:28 GMT

Lincolnwood children's author Charlotte Herman's latest family picture book, "First Rain," tells the story of a young girl who moves with her family to Israel known as "Aliyah" and the heartfelt separation with her beloved grandmother. Herman says ideas for new books