Barbra Streisand is set to receive an honorary doctorate of philosophy from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The legendary Jewish songstress will be granted the honor while in Israel to perform at Shimon Peres’s Israeli Presidential Conference. “Barbra Streisand’s transcendent talent is matched by her passionate concern for equality and opportunity for people of every gender and background,” said Hebrew University President Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson. “Equally important, her …More

Meet the only Jewish MP in the Muslim world. [Arutz Sheva] Tens of thousands of Hungarians gathered yesterday to protest rising anti-Semitism. [JPost] Thousands are stranded in Israel as an airstrike continues. [Times of Israel] Rumors are mounting that France will soon name Hezbollah a terrorist group. [Times of Israel] Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to China. [Algemeiner] An Iranian has been arrested in Burgas for monitoring a Chabad. [JPost] Babs answers readers questions for the Times. [NYT] …More

Barbra Streisand will perform two Tel Aviv concerts in Israel in addition to her appearance at the 90th birthday celebration for President Shimon Peres. The concerts will take place June 15 and 16 at Tel Aviv's Bloomfield Stadium, Israel media reported. On June 18, Streisand will perform at the opening ceremony of the Israeli Presidential Conference, which will mark Peres' milestone birthday. Streisand has visited Israel many times, and is a strong supporter of the Jewish State, but has never performed …More

Barbra Streisand is scheduled to sing at a celebration for Israeli President Shimon Peres’ 90th birthday, marking the legendary musician’s first performance in the Jewish state. Streisand will appear before an expected crowd of 4,500 for Peres’ annual Israeli Presidential Conference on June 18, which will also serve as a tribute for the leader’s milestone birthday. Streisand, a vocal supporter of Israel, has traveled to the Jewish state several times, but has never performed, despite …More

Jewish groups announce new Sandy relief. [JPost] Shimon Peres meets with Jewish and Muslim leaders in France. [Arutz Sheva] Barbra Streisand will perform at Peres' 90th birthday, her first performance in Israel. [Times of Israel] Venezuelan with Jewish roots announces his presidency bid. [Times of Israel] The interviewer who tried to educate anti-Semitic, pro-Hitler Dutch youths has gone into hiding after receiving death threats. [Arutz Sheva] An Irish cabinet minister will arrive this week in Israel, …More

Los Angeles is by nature the most celebrity conscious city on the planet. Houses of worship are, of course, supposed to be above such matters. Still, the unvarnished truth is that, as chronicled by historian Neal Gabler and others, Los Angeles's Jewish houses of worship and the entertainment business have grown up together. Famous, rich and powerful people want to pray, too. Below are a few of the places where they do just that. Temple Israel of Hollywood: This deceptively modest looking synagogue, located …More

Who knew the man behind the Brooklyn homecomings of Jay-Z and Barbra Streisand had a thing for heimische melodies? Bruce Ratner, the developer and majority owner of the Barclays Center arena in Brooklyn, which opened last September with a Jay-Z show and hosted borough native Streisand a month later, holds a special place in his heart for cantorial music. “My parents are both from Eastern European descent, so that type of Jewish music is in my blood,” Ratner told JTA. “I grew up going to my …More

Veteran entertainer Barbra Streisand will return to the Academy Awards to sing at the show for the first time in 36 years. The star last graced the Oscars stage in 1977, the same year she won Best Original Song for "Evergreen" from "A Star Is Born." Now she is set to thrill audiences once more during the 2013 ceremony in Los Angeles. Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said, "In an evening that celebrates the artistry of movies and music, how could the telecast be complete without Barbra Streisand? We are …More

Move over “Twilight,” there are some Jews in the running for this year’s Golden Raspberry Awards. Nominations for the 33rd Annual Razzies came out this week, filled with all of the usual contenders. The entire “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” cast has taken a beating, earning nominations in every single category for the awards ceremony nobody wants to be a part of. But some of the Tribe’s most beloved actors have gernered themselves some knocks as well, and we felt it …More

Despite being a little older, singer/actor Barbra Streisand still has the attitude of a younger woman. Despite agreeing to star in the film “Guilt Trip,” Babs refused to actually drive cross-country for a realistic touch to the movie. Instead, she opted for filming in and around California. The veteran entertainer recently admitted she was hesitant to sign up for the leading role of Joyce Brewster after so many years away from the big screen, but she had no regrets about her decision once she …More

Rahm Emmanuel blasts the NRA and calls for new gun laws. [Reuters] A collection of lost Jewish tombstones is recovered in Greece. [ABC] In 2012, the UN General Assembly passed 26 country-specific resolutions--22 were against Israel. [Algemeiner] Cuban Jewish leaders bring Alan Gross latkes behind bars. [Fox] Brisket: the holy grail of Jewish food. [Forward] An iconic kosher market in San Francisco is closing. [JWeekly] Lena Dunham is TIME's Coolest Person of the Year. [TIME] Kvelling and kvetching with …More

From one Jewish diva to another, Hanukkah gifts rarely get better, or more self-promoting, than the present Barbra Streisand sent Lea Michele. Michele was surprised to receive a package in the mail from the original yenta and was pleasantly shocked when she saw what it contained. Posting pictures to her Twitter account, the singer/actress revealed that Streisand had gifted her with a signed poster from the veteran’s “Back to Brooklyn” tour. Michele exclaimed, “Just got this in the …More