A group of Jewish and Muslim volunteers put their differences aside in the days leading up to Thanksgiving to work together to help those in need. While the tense political situation between Israel and Hamas still looms heavy in the minds of many, volunteers brought together by New York-based Foundation for Ethnic Understanding focused not on the fighting, but instead on helping to improve the lives of others and forging new friendships. “In this time of warfare it was a beautiful experience to see the two …More

The Mayerson Family Foundations is a Jewish trust set up in Cincinnati decades ago by a family looking to give back to the community. Since then, the foundation has grown to include multiple programs and grant initiatives, with three in particular making it easier for the Jewish community to connect: Access, Shalom Family and Fusion Family. Access is designed specifically for young Jewish adults who may or may not have an active Jewish life outside the program. Through Access, these young professionals attend …More

A Jewish woman is suing her synagogue for burying a black woman who was not Jewish in the interfaith section of its cemetery in a civil trial set to begin this week in New London, CT. Maria Balaban’s entire family is buried in the Colchester cemetery, which she claims is a strictly Jewish burial ground. She argues that the 2010 burial of Jamaican-born Juliet Steer in the interfaith section established in the Gillette Lane Cemetery broke the rules established by Congregation Ahavath Achim. The lawsuit …More

A party headed by Israeli journalist Yair Lapid could potentially form a coalition that would rival that of Netanyahu Likud. [Haaretz] Even though Matisyahu is clean shaven, he still has the energy and passion as when he wore a traditional Hasidic beard. [CNN] Amir Asor is teaching children advanced skills through guided play with legos. [Israel21c] Israeli startups are starting at a fast rate. Here is a list of 15 to watch out for. [BusinessInsider] A large group of rabbis, clerics and inams will travel in …More

A Jewish congressman has been backed by a Muslim politician in his fight to prohibit US cities from banning circumcision. Brad Sherman, a Californian Democrat, is set to introduce a bill to counter the San Francisco campaign to make circumcision illegal for underage males. Residents of the city will vote on that proposal in November, but Mr Sherman said such an issue was not in "the proper realm of cities". He said his proposed "Religious and Parental Rights Defense Act of 2011 would allow Jews and Muslims to …More