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With unconventional ways, Moscow rabbi seeks to boost Jewish life

Moscow businessman Dmitry Agarunov, left, and Rabbi Yosef Hersonski enjoying the Khamovniki Jewish community's Chanukah celebration in December 2009. (Khamovniki Jewish community)

With Torah lessons for bank executives, online social networking and personal charisma, one Moscow rabbi is trying some unconventional ways to draw Russian professionals and businessmen to Jewish life. Read more »

British Jews weigh fight after court ruling on 'Who is a Jew'

A British Supreme Court ruling that regulates admission requirements for Jewish schools is being seen across the Jewish denominational spectrum as government interference in a matter of religion. The question of how to react has left British Jewry bitterly divided. Read more »

Jewish Agency: Russia nixes St. Petersburg meeting The Jewish Agency for Israel has canceled plans to hold its upcoming board meetings in St. Petersburg over concerns that the Russian government would not allow the gathering to take place. Read more »

Editors' Picks Idea #4: Orthodox Feminist Day Schools (The Sisterhood) While feminism has transformed Orthodoxy over the past three decades, the changes it has brought to home and synagogue life have failed to find parallel expression in Orthodox schools, writes Elana Sztokman, who lectures in education and gender at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies. In her "28 Days, 28 Ideas" post on The Sisterhood, a Forward blog, Sztokman proposes "a new school model that reflects the values that imbue partnership synagogues around the world: K-12 coeducational Orthodox feminist day schools that are fully committed to Orthodox life and fully committed to feminism and social justice." J Street, Effi Eitam and Hillel (Jewish Exponent, Jewish Chronicle, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) J Street is holding a kickoff event Thursday at the Hillel building at the University of Pennsylvania, and Effi Eitam spoke Wednesday at the Hillel Jewish University Center. Both events are sparking plenty of controversy. The silver lining of Eichmann (Ha'aretz) Tom Segev argues for teaching Israeli students about the Eichmann trial, saying it had several important impacts, including unifying the Jewish people. ADL honors Susan G. Komen for the Cure (Palm Beach Daily News) The ADL is honoring Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. Brinker helped lead her organization's efforts to make sure Israelis were able to attend a conference in Egypt and is planning a similar event to be held in Israel. Sephardic film fest opens (N.Y. Jewish Week, Gotham Girl, Huffington Post) An Ethiopian Jewish rapper and a pair of Moroccan crime families dealing with tragedy are among the films showcased at the Sephardic Film Festival, which opens Thursday in New York City. Breaking News Former Israeli lawmaker Naomi Chazan's visit to Australia was canceled following allegations that the organization she heads helped provide information for the Goldstone report. President Obama cited the American Jewish World Service among groups that exemplify "God's grace, and the compassion and decency of the American people." The number of anti-Semitic incidents in France in 2009 nearly doubled over the previous year, according to a new report. An Israeli organization has set up a provisional school in Haiti. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's youngest child won the Jerusalem district's Bible Quiz. Snow piled up on the Golan Heights and in the Galilee, and dusted Jerusalem as rain, hail and strong winds swept the rest of Israel. Israel's minister of Diaspora affairs proposed a government-level task force to address a crisis he says is brewing between Israel and the Diaspora over pluralism. The iPhone application featuring a collection of speeches by Benito Mussolini has been withdrawn following legal threats and protests by Jewish groups. Jerusalem's mayor said he would evacuate a Jewish building in eastern Jerusalem and also raze 200 Palestinian homes. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman challenged what he called "blatant threats" by Syria against his country.