US Gets Its First Black Female Rabbi

Senator backed Medicare buy-in 3 months ago, and still should

(NEWSER) - “A hallmark of Judaism is disputation,” writes David Gibson, and it shows—Joe Lieberman is in a pitched battle with his home state coreligionists over health care reform. Rabbis from across Connecticut, in tones both dulcet and shrill, are lobbying the senator to drop his opposition to anything that sounds remotely public, while he contends that his decisions are based on the greater good. But is he reading his Torah correctly? More»

Gender-neutral book took 20 years to develop

(NEWSER) - After 20 years of development, Reform Judaism's new prayer book hits the shuls in about a month with a gender-neutral text that eliminates references to God as "He." The new prayer book, "Mishkan T’filah," is intended to offer something for everyone, from those who prefer all-Hebrew services to those who might not even believe God exists, the Times reports. More»

And it thinks it has found evidence that it's on the right track

(NEWSER) - All it took was a prophecy. That was enough to launch Shefa Yamim, an Israeli mining firm that has spent more than a decade combing the hills and valleys around Haifa for diamonds, something no one ever expected to find in Israel. "It's a mission," CEO Avi Taub tells Reuters . "We're talking about divine providence." Taub, an Orthodox Jew, founded the company based on a remark that renowned Brooklyn rabbi Menachem Schneerson made back in 1988. More»

Get your Christianity in a Cincinnati church parking lot

(NEWSER) - No time for church, but still want to observe Ash Wednesday today? A Cincinnati church has the answer for its harried faithful: A drive-thru. The Mt. Healthy Methodist Church will today offer up ashes and a blessing in its parking lot between 5 and 6pm, reports the Enquirer , and you don't even have to get out of your car. "We have two entrances and one exit,” says a reverend. “So we should be able to do this fairly quickly.” But you can't get fries with that, and the ash isn't totally free: Participants must take a church brochure and a Lent booklet. “It’s a drive-thru,” says the reverend. “Not a drive-by.” More»

Drew Barrymore, converting to Judaism, is the latest

(NEWSER) - Drew Barrymore is getting married , but first she's—reportedly—converting to Judaism, the religion fiance Will Kopelman practices. She follows the tradition of these seven other celebrity spouses (or not-quite-spouses) who did the same thing, notes The Frisky :

• Isla Fisher: Converted to Judaism for Sacha Baron Cohen.
• Jesus Luz: Started following Kabbalah for Madonna.