Newly discovered documents at Vatican City’s Pontifical Biblical Institute may shed some light on what happened to many Roman Jews during the Nazi occupation in WW2. The documents contain the names of 3,200 Jews whose lives Catholics protected during the occupation. Rome’s Jewish community organisation has verified the listed Jews’ identities. Researchers from the Pontifical Read more
Several summers ago, my younger son and I went to Berlin. For me, the most meaningful experience of my time in that city was the morning that we visited the campus of Humboldt University. That was the location of the infamous book burnings by the Nazis in 1933. We spent a few moments at the Read more
To be raised among the ancient biblical myths was to live in a world that melded the material, spiritual, and imaginative. Rich with poetic metaphor, these stories have stimulated the imaginations and moral consciousness of the Jewish people for thousands of years. In traditional Jewish culture, myth once served many functions. The rituals commemorating the Read more
Jewish community leaders joined Muslim officials in Christchurch on Wednesday, to hand over 1.1 million dollars raised for the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks. The Jewish community has asked that some of the donated money is used for interfaith activities to foster a greater connection between the Jewish and Muslim communities. “Our faith has Read more
A rash of fires that police say were intentionally set at Jewish community centers in Chicago and around Boston last week has left Jewish groups feeling vulnerable. At the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Arlington, Mass., where Rabbi Avi Bukiet and his family live about 20 minutes outside of Boston, firefighters were called to Read more
An international Jewish education charity has signed a deal with Pope Francis to extend a programme that brings children from different societies, cultures and religions together. World ORT announced that it had shook hands on an extension to the pontiff’s Scholas World Youth Encounter, which will allow a huge “youth encounter” to take place in Read more
Two opposition MPs have visited an Auckland mosque to protest against the mosque’s public support of Hezbollah. Members of the Islamic Ahlulbayt Foundation’s Pakuranga mosque demonstrated in Aotea Square in support of the Lebanon group. Chris Finlayson and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown told mosque members of their concern at the support. Mr Finlayson says Hezbollah Read more
Antisemitism isn’t the business of Jews, it’s everyone’s business. So says a manifesto denouncing “a new antisemitism marked by Islamist radicalisation.” The manifesto has been signed by over 300 French dignitaries and stars. The manifesto was drafted by Philippe Val, a former editor at Charlie Hebdo, after a number of Jewish murders. It says the Read more
This year, Jews and Muslims have been invited to join in the German Karneval celebrations in Germany. Traditionally, in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, Catholic cities in Germany hold huge street celebrations. Parades and parties provide revellers with a last binge of drinking, dancing and singing before the 40 days of fasting in Read more
Jerusalem was formally recognised by the United States (US) as the capital of Israel on Wednesday. At the same time, President Trump announced plans to eventually relocate the US Embassy to the holy city. Pope Francis responded to the change in US policy, saying he wants the “status quo” to remain. He says he is Read more