Hasidic radicals bellow down Tel Aviv's streets

    Hasidic radicals bellow down Tel Aviv’s streets

    The monotonous din of traffic permeated the air on Tel Aviv’s Sheinkin Street on a recent Friday afternoon, when, suddenly, a large white cargo van whipped around the corner, blasting music from a pair of huge roof-mounted loudspeakers. A few people walking on the crowded sidewalks stopped to stare as five bearded young men wearing white-knit, tassel-topped yarmulkes leaped out, dancing to the thud of electronic bass beats.

    Continue Reading

    Pasta for Shabbat: Israel's Italian Jewish community

    Pasta for Shabbat: Israel’s Italian Jewish community

    The synagogue at 27 Hillel Street, in the heart of Jerusalem, is no ordinary synagogue. It is the fulcrum of Israel’s unique Italian Jewish community. The Italian-Jewish identity is a complicated one: sometimes painful and contradictory, and always with a special Italian flair. But recently, the Italian synagogue was given an ultimatum, one that could threaten this vibrant community.

    Continue Reading

    Torn between two worlds and an uncertain future

    Torn between two worlds and an uncertain future

    Armenians have lived in Jerusalem for more than a millennium but war and emigration have taken a toll on this ancient Christian community.

    Continue Reading

    The downside of social media

    The downside of social media

    The March 15 Palestinian youth quickly learned to use Facebook and Twitter to organize their movement. They are now learning to tackle the “evils” of social media.

    Continue Reading

    Nonviolent resistance in the Holy Land

    Nonviolent resistance in the Holy Land

    In a region riddled with violence and an urge to settle the score as opposed to forgive and make peace, there are still many people and groups who advocate for nonviolence.

    Continue Reading

    Abortion issue heats up in the Holy Land

    Abortion issue heats up in the Holy Land

    When Mali Aharon became pregnant in 2005, she stood, figuratively speaking, at the same way station her parents had, paralyzed by fear. She was broke, alone and didn’t know what to do. But as an Israeli, she had options.

    Continue Reading