Diaspora

Famed writer Philip Roth didn’t play nice

Good literature is supposed to rattle your cage. Roth’s fiction discomfited us, and for that reason he is worth celebrating.

1st Polish writer to win Man Booker prize writes on Jewish-Polish themes

Best-selling author Olga Tokarczuk wins 2018 award for "Flights" but came under attack in 2014 for "The Book of Jacob."

Protest in Philadelphia over orchestra’s performances in Israel

Activists had been protesting outside nearly all of the orchestra’s Kimmel concerts for the last several weeks ahead of the orchestra’s visit to Israel.

German students ban BDS on campus at Gutenberg University

Gutenberg University's student council voted to classify the boycott, divestment, sanctions campaign targeting Israel as antisemitic.

Hasidic volunteers kicked out of a major New York hospital

The hospital now bans all non-family-members and friends from patient floors.

UK Jewish Leaders: Livingstone resignation doesn’t absolve Labour Party

Livingstone, who has a long history of hostile sentiment to the State of Israel, resigned on Monday from the Labour Party because of the accelerating disciplinary process against him.

Sapling from Anne Frank’s tree twice cut down in Holland park

The sapling from Waalwijk, a town located 70 miles south of the Dutch capital, was planted from a cutting of a chestnut tree which Anne Frank wrote about in her diary.

Israeli envoy to attend NY Israel anniversary event despite security ban

High-level officials have been warned by security personnel not to attend the event due to heightened security concerns.

Fire erupts by Ukrainian rabbi's grave - Israeli paramedics first on scene

The fire originated in a building block near the grave of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.

German bank enables group to boycott Israel Embassy sponsorship of event

After BDS groups mounted a campaign against Israel’s sponsorship of the Pop Cultural festival in August 2017, musicians from Egypt, Syria and Tunisia withdrew from the event.

Germany's AfD confirms politicians exchanged antisemitic, racist texts in group chat

The party has reportedly disciplined the members involved in the WhatsApp group.

German daily drops cartoonist after 'antisemitic' Netanyahu drawing

Holding a rocket with the Star of David on it in one hand and a microphone in the other, Netanyahu is shown in the cartoon saying: "Next year in Jerusalem."

‘Big Bang Theory’ star Mayim Bialik gives keynote address at JCT gala

The 42-year-old Jewish actress, who plays neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS primetime sitcom and is herself a neuroscientist, was also awarded the Yael Heroine of Israel Award.

Bridging the Israel-Diaspora gap: Inclusion through compromise

Yeshiva University’s president explains how the Israel-Diaspora gap can be bridged.

American TV veteran Jackie Hoffman to play Yente – in Yiddish

The musical will began its eight-week run at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City in July as a production of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene.

French oil giant to pull out of Iran amid showdown over U.S. sanctions

Total’s move is likely to rattle European governments and the European Commission, which warned Trump against acting to punish their businesses operating in Iran.

Antisemitism czar slams German cartoon as 'Nazi propaganda'

The cartoon shows Netanyahu celebrating on the Eurovision song stage in Netta's attire while holding a missile which has a Star of David on it.

French lawmakers criticize Edelstein over Gaza, Syria attacks

“If I were a resident of Gaza I would have had just one desire: to join those confronting the Israeli soldiers because my dignity as a human being would be calling me to that border."

The Tower of London and the Jews

The story of how an old fortress, palace and place of law, torture and incarceration was also a place of refuge for British Jews.

S. Africa Jews: Ambassador recall a 'double-standard'

“The South African government’s decision to withdraw the South African ambassador from Israel is outrageous and displays gross double-standards against the Jewish state."

J Street decries ‘use of force against unarmed protesters’ on Gaza border

The organization also censured the timing of the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, saying that it was motivated by right-wing political concerns in both America and Israel.

Ukrainian mayor, diplomat caught in antisemitic rhetoric

One Ukrainian mayor had quite a lot to say about "the Jews."

Reform leader ‘alarmed, concerned and profoundly saddened’ by Gaza deaths

Jacobs also praised the opening of the embassy Monday while calling for renewed efforts to reach Israeli-Palestinian peace.

George Soros foundations' office to pull out of Hungary

"The government of Hungary has denigrated and misrepresented our work and repressed civil society for the sake of political gain."

U.S. Jewish groups laud Trump's 'courageous' embassy move

“The opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem is a historic milestone 2,000 years in the making,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.