Judaism

Jerusalem highlights: January 30-February 5

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

Ginat Rice in Jerusalem.
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What honoring our parents teaches us about faith, logic, and Judaism

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar with Indian Ambassador J.P. Singh.

Grapevine, January 30, 2026: Closing a circle

Shabbat candles

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US


Parashat Vayigash: A shoulder of tears

 Though the formal verse of 'Shema, Israel' would only be inscribed later in Torah, Jacob sensed its truth centuries earlier.

Joseph meeting his father, Jacob, in the desert, at the frontier of Egypt. Painting by Jean-Antoine Julien de Parme (1736 - 1799).

Parashat Vayigash: Sharp emotional transitions

The Torah describes the emotional upheaval, the sharp transition from deep sorrow to astonishment and joy, when Jacob discovers that Joseph is alive and even holds a senior position in Egypt.

'The Recognition of Joseph by his Brothers,’ by Peter von Cornelius, 1817.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

Shabbat candles

One in four Israeli Jews celebrate or consider celebrating Christmas - poll

The poll reflects the wider cultural presence of Christmas in Israeli public spaces, including markets, decorations, and seasonal events.

People attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the New Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, on December 14, 2025.

The day everything changed for Jewish Australians - opinion

The Bondi Beach attack on December 14 changed everything for Jewish Australians, revealing hate, heroism, and choices that shape their future.

An aerial view of emergency personnel working at the scene of a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, December 14, 2025, in this screen grab from a video.

Beyond the Headlines: In memory of Rabbi Eli Schlanger - opinion

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

A rabbi performs the Havdalah ceremony while Margaret Beazley, governor of New South Wales, holds the Havdalah candle, during a tribute for the victims of a mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, December 20, 2025.

Death penalty debate: Jewish reverence for life vs Ben-Gvir’s cheapening of life - opinion

In degrading terrorists and criminals, Itamar Ben-Gvir is trashing Jewish religious values and cheapening everybody’s life.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attends a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset on December 8, 2025.

Enduring Israeli-Palestinian peace impossible without religious faith leaders - opinion

Without faith leaders who take responsibility to stop the harm done in religion’s name and actively champion human rights, there will be no moral foundation for peace to endure.

Participants are seen at the day-long conference organized by Rabbis for Human Rights and the Interfaith Forum for Human Rights, in Jerusalem.

Christian, Jewish, other holidays in the West are being hijacked by Islamist terror - opinion

Regrettably, as long as Western societies continue to placate, mollify, and coddle such pressures, this trajectory will only intensify.

A rabbi performs the Havdalah ceremony while Margaret Beazley, governor of New South Wales, holds the Havdalah candle, during a tribute for the victims of a mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, December 20, 2025.

Hatred of Jews so often fixates on the Land of Israel - opinion

Hatred of Jews has taken many forms, but it has always returned to one target: the Jewish people’s bond to the Land of Israel.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carry a banner during a protest against the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship in the port of Piraeus near Athens, Greece, June 12, 2025.