Jewish Communities

Jewish journalist kidnapped and murdered in Johannesburg

Steven Gruzd, 53, a senior journalist and researcher, and a well-known figure in Johannesburg's Jewish community, was kidnapped and murdered on Saturday in the city center.

Wave of antisemitism in Europe:

Army to secure Jewish institutions following antisemitic attacks

Following the attack at the synagogue in Liège and a series of antisemitic incidents across Europe, Belgium’s Interior and Defense Ministers announced army will take part in securing Jewish institutions, in cooperation with the federal police.

In the midst of the war:

German parliament hosted 150 rabbis from across Europe

Berlin’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal: “The Bundestag’s hosting of European rabbis is a clear statement of Germany’s support for the Jewish people."

Israel to deliver 117 mobile generators to Jews in Ukraine

Israel to deliver 117 mobile generators to the Kyiv region, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told Rabbi Meir Stambler in a call marking four years since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Historic building returned to Crimea's Jews

Talmud Torah building in Simferopol, Crimea, returned to local Jewish community after Russian President Vladimir Putin's intervention.

A Rabbi’s vision for Jewish community in San Antonio

Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg describes the strength, diversity, and responsibility of Jewish life in San Antonio and how smaller communities foster connection.

High security alert in Venezuelan Jewish community

The Jewish community in Caracas is keeping a low profile for fear of a flare-up, following US bombings and the governmental crisis. Security around Jewish institutions has been increased.

Jewish man arrested by government officials in Damascus

Salim Hamdani was arrested a few days ago by Al-Asharah's regime, who claimed that the reason for his arrest is illegal trade in antiquities.

Captivity survivors

'We stand with the Jewish community, you stood with us'

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed solidarity with the Australian Jewish community following the deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.

Iran:

Jewish MP warns community to avoid Israeli social media content

Iranian Jewish MP Dr. Homayoun Sameyeh urges community members to delete comments, likes, and memberships linked to Israeli accounts, warning that such activity has drawn scrutiny from security agencies and could lead to legal consequences.

Ukraine:

Rise in number of killed Jews

The number of Jewish soldiers killed in battle increased compared to previous years, many Jewish institutions have been hit by Russian missiles, and the number of recruited Jews has increased.

Mass anti-Israel demonstration causes fear among Australian Jews

Close to 100,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators took part in a rally in Sydney that displayed antisemitic elements. Participants chanted slogans against Jews and Israel.

UK:

Report paints troubling picture of spread of antisemitism

Report underscores inconsistent law enforcement regarding hate crimes against Jews, failure to recognize antisemitism as a form of racism, leading to insufficiently firm responses.

How Movers in Dallas Are Assisting Communities with Relocations

Relocating is rarely simple, but it often involves a unique set of needs for Jewish families and individuals.

Outrage in Antwerp:

Police raid mohels' homes, confiscate knives

Police confiscated all circumcision knives, demand to receive names of boys whom they circumcised in the past year.

Survey:

Europe facing antisemitism crisis, survey reveals

New European Jewish Association's survey reveals dramatic rise in antisemitism across Europe, with Gaza conflict and media coverage cited as major catalysts, calls on governments to take immediate action to protect Jewish communities.

Proud in my kippah:

Jewish teen with royals at national VE Day service

Jewish Teen Sam Rose-Isaacs represents Jewish community at historic VE Day ceremony, 'Proud to be British. Proud to be Jewish. And proud to be part of a generation that remembers history and carries it forward.'

Ukraine:

Soldiers on front lines to receive small matzahs

Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine completes complex logistical operation to distribute Passover kits to hundreds of Jewish soldiers serving on the front lines.

Azerbaijan:

Jewish singer to represent Muslim country in Eurovision

Azerbaijan, despite pressure from neighboring Iran and Turkey, is a Muslim country that maintains a warm and sympathetic attitude towards its Jewish residents and Israel.

London:

Jews afraid to attend synagogue due to anti-Israel protest

Leaders of the London Jewish community call on the police to keep a pro-Palestinian demonstration, planned to take place on Saturday only 500 meters from the Central Synagogue, at a safe distance.

Azerbaijan:

Distinguished rabbi joins Global Jewish Council

'I am honored to represent a country with a Shiite Muslim majority where everyone supports Israel,' says, Rabbi Isayev of Azerbaijan’s Sephardic community, a representative to the Global Jewish Council.

War in Ukraine:

Body of Jewish soldier located after more than six months

More than six months after his sudden disappearance in the Ukraine war, the body of soldier David Strauber was located.

Rabbis visit a Muslim town entirely populated by Jews

In advance of the international climate conference in Azerbaijan, rabbis and community leaders visited the Jewish community in Baku and the Jewish town of the Quba region.

October 7th:

A moving event in a Muslim country

Jewish school in Baku, Azerbaijan, holds moving event honoring the memory of the October 7th massacre victims.

Zambia's Jewish community:

A tiny population influential beyond its numbers

Zambia, once home to a thriving Jewish community, now has just 11 Jews left. A railway museum in Zambia offers a clue to the African country’s rich Jewish history.

Jewish community in Egypt:

'Jewish community will not celebrate Hanukkah at the synagogue'

Cairo Jewish community decided not to celebrate Hanukkah at the synagogue, due to increased display of antisemitism since beginning of war.

Watch Live:

Amudim Is Addressing Crisis in Jewish Communities Worldwide

Zvi Gluck of Amudim Amudim is Everywhere Donate Now: unitetoheal.com

The light of Rabbi L. Rabinowitz, past S. African Chief Rabbi

Continuing with the series of articles on foreign born rabbis who have served and become famous in South Africa.

Number of Jewish communities with security programs rises by 42%

Jewish communal security programs increase by 42% following LiveSecure launch.

Jewish communities bolster security amid growing threats

Amid higher threat levels, Jewish communities lean on $130 million initiative to bolster security.

Video series explores American Jewish communities through food

Ruderman Family Foundation’s new series cultivates ties between Israeli & US Jewry, with a culinary journey of American Jewish communities.

US antisemitism envoy travels to Argentina and Chile

Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt meets with local Jewish communities and gov officials about 'actionable strategies' to combat antisemitism.

Italian Jewish communities look to digitize 35,000 Jewish texts

New initiative aims to digitize 35,000 Jewish texts from 40 Italian libraries, within three years.

This Jewish community is still mourning its Surfside victims

Venezuela has one of the world’s most tight-knit Jewish communities. They are still mourning their Surfside victims.

First Jewish wedding held in Bahrain in 52 years

Association of Gulf Jewish communities facilitates ceremony as it continues to build Jewish life in the GCC.

Two French Jewish communities and mayor receive death threats

Letters sent to mayor and Jewish communities in southern France threatens terror attack against synagogues.

Watch historic event: Gulf ambassadors join Jewish communities

Ambassadors from three countries hold first joint Lag Ba'omer/ Iftar celebration with Jewish communities in the Gulf.

In Bosnia, Holocaust survivors at risk of dying from COVID-19

A Bosnian War prosecutor from Boston is trying to help Sarajevo’s Jews survive a brutal COVID-19 surge.

In Chicago, a synagogue's congregation worry for its future

Future in question for Chicago Loop Synagogue and its monumental stained-glass window.

In Northern Ireland, a Jewish community tries to avoid conflict

As it did decades ago, Northern Ireland’s Jewish community looks to weather the storm of violence on the streets of Belfast.

In Nevada, an Orthodox community quietly continues to grow

Henderson, Nev., has a growing Jewish population. Here’s what locals love about living Jewishly in the desert.

Uni of Connecticut to hold rally against campus Jew hatred

After anti-Semitic incidents over Passover weekend at UConn, rally held in support of Jewish students.

Historic first: Gulf Jewish communities commemorate Yom Hashoah

Young Muslims to participate in programming, visit Yad Vashem, and share their experiences learning about the Holocaust.

1st book about Jewish festivals for emerging Jewish communities

'Hands-On Jewish Holidays,' a book for communities discovering Jewish ancestry and wishing to reconnect to the traditions of their ancestors

'In 10 or 20 years there might not be a religious community'

The Jewish community in Newcastle, England, is shrinking. But it’s getting some unexpected help.

Gulf Jewish communities plan extensive Passover programming

In a record, 650 pounds of matzah are shipped to Gulf communities.

Jura Abaev, Tajikistan's last Jew, dead at 93

For centuries, Jews thrived in Khujand, Tajikistan. Now the city’s last Jew has died.

Is there a Black-Jewish cooperation in the United States?

People of the Pod: Lonnie Bunch on race relations; Isaac Herzog on Israel and the Diaspora.

'American Jews need to feel we're there for them'

'Instead of focusing on getting them to come live here, we need to make it easier for them to stay,' rabbi says.

Oporto community donates video proceeds to Israeli food bank

Jewish community in Oporto, Portugal, donates proceeds from video to help feed Israelis suffering from hunger during coronavirus outbreak.

Dubai Jewish community gets first shipment of kosher meat

Shipment of glatt kosher meat arrives in Dubai, in time for Shavuot holiday. 'Until now we were like partisans, now everything has changed.'

'Resilience' program for Jewish communities around the world

World Union of Orthodox Synagogues and Communities will offer online seminar in conjunction with qualified professionals from Israel.

'We are one family, we all stand together'

President Reuven Rivlin meets heads of communities from the US, Turkey, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and other countries.

NYU chaplain to be first chief rabbi in the United Arab Emirates

Rabbi says he aims to support establishment of permanent Jewish community in Dubai.

Mossad secures Jewish communities abroad

Mossad receives more than NIS 10 million from one government ministry to increase security for Jewish communities around world.

Rivlin: Improve relations with global Jewish community

Rivlin meets Israeli ambassadors from around the world, discusses importance of relations with the Jews of the world.

"Our diversity is our strength as a Jewish community”

Two leaders of Jewish Federations talk about opportunities and challenges as they look towards the future.

This Torah made its way from a dead community to a new continent

A Torah scroll makes its way from Iowa to Paraguay, telling a story about modern Judaism on its way.

One of Brazil's oldest synagogues to be rededicated

Sao Paulo congregation rededicates centennial synagogue 100 years after it first opened.

Historic Maine synagogue to be turned into high-end apartments

Communities bid farewell to two historic synagogues sold to developers planning to raze them, build high-end apartments.