Modern Orthodox

Time for Israel’s non-kosher public to push back - opinion

Even the hint of a religious consumer boycott can shut entire markets. Deals collapse the moment the “non-kosher” is mentioned.

|ByDAN PERRY
REPRESENTATIVES OF the Chief Rabbinate of Israel cross Jaffa Street in Jerusalem as they deliver a kosher certificate to a local restaurant.
FORMER PRIME MINISTER Naftali Bennett addresses the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem on Tuesday.

Who does Israel belong to? Why Bennett’s model matters now - opinion

From public policy to bomb shelters, Israel faces a test of unity, fairness, and responsibility that will shape its future as a nation.

|BySHMUEL LEGESSE
Rabbi Rick and his family visit the kotel.

Nelech: inspiring the next generation of olim to make aliyah

In January 2026, Nelech, the only Orthodox program that almost fully integrates students into Israeli schools, will launch its pilot program with a cohort of 25 students from across the US.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
Participants gather at the third annual Smol Emuni conference at Heichal Shlomo, in Jerusalem, on Tuesday.

A growing religious voice for peace: Smol Emuni holds third annual conference in Jerusalem

Faith-based Left movement Smol Emuni drew nearly 1,000 people in Jerusalem to pray, learn, and call for peace, hostages’ release, and postwar rebuilding.

|ByHANNAH ROZENBLAT

Judaism and democracy - enemies or friends? - opinion

The time has come to abandon old rivalries in order to offer interpretations of Judaism consistent with democracy so that Israeli voters can vote for a Jewish and democratic state.

MAY 1, 2023ByHANAN ALEXANDER
A PROTESTER holds a sign that reads: ‘I want democracy,’ at a demonstration in Herzliya, earlier this year.

Jewish awakening in Tel Aviv: Freeing olim from Diaspora Judaism's cage

Whether inching toward a more Orthodox lifestyle or stepping away from it, most Jewish immigrants in Tel Aviv have moved to the city with a consciousness around their Jewish identity.

APRIL 26, 2023BySHANNA FULD
The Tel Aviv coastline as seen from above on April 26, 2023.

Hundreds set to gather for first World Orthodox Israel Congress

The three-day Congress, to be held in Jerusalem on April 26-28, will feature presentations and meetings from many of the leading figures in contemporary Orthodox Jewry.

APRIL 25, 2023ByZVIKA KLEIN
World Mizrachi members visit Vilnius for the 120-year anniversary of the birth of the religious Zionist movement.

Modern Orthodox rabbi: LGBTQ+ people can teach at yeshivas

Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, president and Rosh HaYeshiva of the Ohr Torah Stone network, knows that his paper may cause controversy.

MARCH 10, 2023ByZVIKA KLEIN
Religious LGBT community members at Jerusalem Pride 2019

What is behind the shidduch crisis among Modern Orthodox Jews? - opinion

Commonly cited reasons for the crisis in Modern Orthodox shidduch dating include religious dropout rate and not wanting to use a shadchan (matchmaker).

FEBRUARY 13, 2023ByMICHAEL J. SALAMON, NAOMI ROSENBACH
An illustrative photo of a Jewish wedding in front of the Mediterranean Sea.

Transgender woman who lost yeshiva job is excluded from YU-affiliated Orthodox synagogue

The Shenk Shul is housed at Yeshiva University, the Modern Orthodox flagship in New York City that was locked in battle with students over whether they could form an LBGTQ club.

JANUARY 11, 2023ByJACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA
Yeshiva University's Schottenstein Center, located at 560 West 185th Street. Inside the building is the Florence and Sol Shenk Synagogue and the Schottenstein Theatre.

More and more Orthodox women get nose jobs before arranged marriage dating

Plastic surgery has become a growing trend amongst Orthodox and Modern Orthodox young women before they start dating.

JANUARY 1, 2023ByZVIKA KLEIN
Plastic surgeon speaking to a patient

Orthodox Diaspora Jews, reach out to religious-Zionist Israeli leaders - opinion

It is about time that Orthodox and modern-Orthodox leaders and organizations invest in a relationship between Orthodox and right-wing American Jews and Israelis.

DECEMBER 28, 2022ByZVIKA KLEIN
American Jews [Illustrative]

Book urges Jews to think, act ethically - review

Eugene Korn makes a very strong case as to why the development of a systematic philosophy and practice of Jewish ethics is important for contemporary Jewry.

DECEMBER 17, 2022ByRON KRONISH
Author Eugene Korn

Are the Reform and Orthodox movements missing the point about Judaism? - opinion

Once a Jew, always a Jew, no matter the path you took to get there

NOVEMBER 16, 2022ByTROY O. FRITZHAND
MIKVEH in Efrat: The convert changes completely, declaring to be a new person altogether, keeping all the mitzvot. Just saying a bracha and jumping in the mikveh does not accomplish this sacred task, says the writer