Israelis prepare for second national lockdown to prevent spread of COVID-19

By Marcy Oster

(JTA) – Israelis are preparing for a second nationwide lockdown set to start on Friday even as government officials are suggesting that some of the specifics could change.

The new lockdown represents a full concession that the country’s efforts to bring the COVID-19 pand…

How risky are High Holiday activities during COVID-19?

By Shira Hanau

(JTA) – When Passover arrived just a few weeks after the pandemic set in earlier this year, it was clear that seders with families and friends would not be happening.

Five months later, as Jews around the world prepare for the High Holidays, calculating risk has become muc…

Rabbi Sacks on cancel culture, morality and Israel’s missed opportunities

By Laura E. Adkins

(JTA) – Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of Great Britain, has written dozens of books about religion and politics – but he also believes that mixing the two leads to “terrible politics and even worse religion.”

It’s a tough line to toe, especially …

Israel remains off-limits to most during the pandemic

Can Diaspora Jews visit Israel during the COVID-19 crisis? The rules keep changing.

By Sam Sokol

JERUSALEM (JTA) – Like many French Jews, Agnes Mimoun used to take her ability to freely travel to Israel for granted. Getting here was as easy as booking a ticket online and grabbing a cab t…

Israel and United Arab Emirates agree to normalization

Diplomatic breakthrough: Israel suspends West Bank annexation and United Arab Emirates agrees to normalization

By Josefin Dolsten

(JTA) – In a diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are normalizing ties.

As part of a peace deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Tru…