News

Conference explores steamier side of shtetl life

Jane Charney — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:53:09 GMT

A performance of "dirty Yiddish songs" kicked off "Sex and the Shtetl," a three day exploration of sexual mores and practices in the prewar Yiddish world sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies at Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union. Life in

Crime, plus politics, propelling Jews out of Venezuela

Jane Charney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:59:41 GMT

Community fears general sense of insecurity

New book profiles Jewish refugees who returned to Nazi Germany as U.S. soldiers during WWII

Jane Charney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:29:10 GMT

Chicagoan Walter Reed was among a handful of Jewish children from Germany who found refuge in the U.S. during the Nazi era, only to return as GIs to fight in World War II. The others included Henry Kissinger, a future secretary

Scholar provides insight into Iran

Avi Janssen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:17:34 GMT

'Iran is not only at a crossroads internationally, but also in a moment of severe internal crisis.'

The fears of our family in Turkey

Aaron Cohen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:57:42 GMT

The government appears to be building better relations with Islamic neighbors on the back of a strategy of de-legitimization of Israel, fueling—inadvertently or not—a resurgent anti-Semitism.

Tablet: What the use of Yiddish phrases can tell us about contemporary American Jewry

Jane Charney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:58 GMT

A third of Jewish Americans who did not grow up in New York have nonetheless been told that they sound like they’re from that city. Sixty eight percent of Reform Jews pronounce the word for the annual Jewish harvest festival

Mumbai investigators focus on 2 men charged in Chicago

Jane Charney — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:28:40 GMT

Indian authorities are investigating whether two men recently arrested in Chicago on terrorism charges had a role in last November's attacks in Mumbai that killed 165 people, Indian government officials said, according to The Washington Post. David Coleman Headley, 49, who was

‘Sunday Night Live’

Avi Janssen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:51:35 GMT

YLD’s Big Event featuring ‘SNL’ star Andy Samberg draws record crowd.

Sharansky: 'If you’re not willing to die for anything, you’re not living for anything meaningful'

Jane Charney — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:47:11 GMT

Former Israeli politician and author Natan Sharansky called for a strong Jewish identity and universal human rights at a speech at Ida Noyes Monday, reports the University of Chicago Maroon. Attended by about 250 students, faculty, and community members, the event

Visa issues lead to a shortage of religious staffers

Jane Charney — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:14:32 GMT

A pathway used by many Jewish institutions to bring foreign religious and educational workers into the United States is tightening due to increased scrutiny from immigration authorities, writes Nathan Guttman in The Forward. The temporary work visas for the religious professionals program

Author remembers childhood on Division Street

Kathleen Evans — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:39:31 GMT

Growing up on West Division Street in the 40s & 50s, Ken Green followed the neighborhood rules.

Physician’s novel pays tribute to Croatian Jews

Kathleen Evans — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:34:55 GMT

Personal experience in World War II fictionalized in new book.

‘American Moses’:

Kathleen Evans — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:28:01 GMT

Chicago native’s novel tells a modern tale of a journey to the ‘Promised Land’.

New chairman brings knowledge of the world, vision to JCRC post

Kathleen Evans — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:30:48 GMT

Lee Miller knows that strong advocacy depends on relationships.

PJ Library launches in Chicago

Avi Janssen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:23:38 GMT

Some of the best things in life are free.