Debra Nussbaum Cohen writes from New York for Haaretz and is a contributing editor at The Forward. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and New York magazine. She also authored "Celebrating Your New Jewish Daughter: Creating Jewish Ways to Welcome Baby Girls into the Covenant" (Jewish Lights).
Though the issue of secular studies in ultra-Orthodox has long been a hot button issue in Israel, it has only recently become an issue in America, with NYC serving as its key battleground. Even those calling for change say the new guidelines may be a step too far
As anti-Semitic attacks against Jews spike in United States, speakers warn that the threat is very real and comes from both the far left and right
Unique aspects of Haredi culture have led to an anti-vaxxer movement developing in the community. As senior rabbis issue contradictory rulings, medical experts are using informal gatherings to try to spread the word about the importance of vaccinations
With his sidecurls and young family of three, Shulem Lemmer is not your average musician - but Universal believes the Hasidic singer can be the next big thing - and he even has his rabbi's blessing
Jewish organizations have been ramping up security protocols for more than 15 years, but will now have to balance safety factors with a desire to be welcoming
From interfaith events in San Francisco to community vigils in New York City, Jews and non-Jews alike come together to remember those slain in synagogue shooting
As the focus on Roe v. Wade increases with the looming addition of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, many volunteers say they are motivated by Jewish values and attitudes toward abortion, which differ from those of conservative Christianity
Bringing Jews and Muslims together is much harder now than it was even a few years ago, says one nonprofit leader. But despite the obstacles, organizations in the field promise to keep the multifaith
Some 2,000 Jewish households were devastated by Hurricane Harvey – but more than half have still not returned to their homes, with surprising donations from Israeli government and Azerbaijanis working to help
Rally attended by 5,000 gets wide backing from progressive Jewish groups, despite key organizer Linda Sarsour's controversial standing
About 40 activists attend first ‘Moral Mincha’ on Monday, angered by organization’s recent support of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. ‘We aren’t in the business of selling our souls to be the court Jews of this administration,’ says one participant
Israeli Jews back Netanyahu’s snubbing of Jewish-American views on conflict with Palestinians, religious pluralism. But support from U.S. Jews still seen as essential
Founded to fight anti-Semitism and racism, the Anti-Defamation League has absorbed criticism before. But the vicious tone of recent attacks - and their radically different political origins - are new
Jewish activists were protesting anniversary of group that organizes 10-day trips to Israel for Diaspora Jews and trying to hand out symbolic 'return the birthright' tickets
Move follows scandal involving leading member of movement and renowned anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan: ‘It made it difficult for us to identify with that enterprise,’ admits one school principal
Rabbi Everett Gendler has protested alongside Martin Luther King and the Dalai Lama, and calls MLK a very savvy field general who was great on strategy. The rabbi himself says he learned about protest from the American Friends Service Committee
One observer says the blacklist is ‘colossally stupid’ and ‘counterproductive political theater’
Thousands celebrate after kosher meatpacker's 27-year sentence for financial fraud is commuted, with many Haredim labeling it a Hanukkah miracle
The celebratory event will host Trump supporters from the Jewish community, who feel the President has fulfilled a major promise by calling Jerusalem Israel's capital and promising once again to move the U.S. Embassy to the city
Pope Francis expresses 'deep concern' while evangelical Liberty Council congratulates Trump on keeping his promise
Clinton: ‘Empathy should not only be at the center of our individual lives and our spiritual lives, but it should be at the center of our public life’
Back in 1992 the congregation was so small that Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum was its first paid staffer. Now it's so popular it has to hold High Holiday services at the Javits Center
In the fallout of Tzipi Hotovely's remarks on U.S. Jews, American college students say they wished 'she spent more time talking to us instead of lecturing'
The village of Kiryas Joel, 50 miles from New York City, is seceding from the town of Monroe, unless champions of the separation of church and state put a stop to it
IfNotNow launches 'You Never Told Me' campaign, calling on Jewish educational groups to inform students about Israel's policies and to include the Palestinian narrative
There have been spikes in the first quarter and after August’s white nationalist rally in Charlottesville
Some say Marcus is 'a champion' for the civil rights of Jewish students on campus. But critics allege that by conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, Marcus stifles free speech
The new Netflix documentary 'One of Us' follows three Americans who leave their ultra-Orthodox past behind. Haaretz meets two of them to discover the challenges they faced in their efforts to forge new lives
The scribe work by Julie Seltzer was also crowdfunded and now rests in a chapel with links to George Washington and the first responders after 9/11
Jews in Texas and around the world are stepping forward offering money, supplies and time for those most impacted by Harvey