The Orthodox Union, which certifies as Kosher more than 400,000 products, includes a long discourse on toothpaste on its web site. Though most dentifrices contain glycerin, an animal product that is “unquestionably” non-kosher, it’s not completely clear whether they’re treyf; the OU quotes some complicated rabbinical rulings involving flavor and usage of the product. “If…
An unusually emotional moment at the Orthodox Union’s annual Senate luncheon Tuesday. Among those stopping by to greet the OU activists, who spent two days in Washington for the group’s leadership mission, was the new senator from New York Kirsten Gillibrand. As she took to the podium, Gillibrand began talking about her recent trip to…
A booklet that alleges that the Vatican is in cahoots with Hezbollah was published by a branch of the Orthodox Union and was, until recently, being distributed to Israeli solders. Haaretz is reporting that the booklet — purported to be narrated by a Hezbollah leader who converted to Judaism, changed his name to Avi, and…
Republican presidential nominee John McCain plans to host a conference call with Jewish leaders across the country Sunday morning. The so-called tele-town hall meeting with Jewish leaders, McCain’s second such call since August, will include the participation of U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman. The independent Democrat who has been campaigning for the Republican ticket in battleground…
Orthodox Jews represent an estimated 10 percent to 11 percent of the American Jewish population. They also represent the fastest growing segment of the American Jewish community and overwhelmingly vote for Republican presidential candidates. They still often vote for Democratic House and Senate candidates. That wasn’t always the case. Orthodox Jews used to be more…
Rosh Hashanah is more than a week away, but Barack Obama drew upon the High Holy Days themes of renewal and rededication in a conference call with more than 900 rabbis. “I know that for rabbis this is the busiest time of the year as you prepare for the High Holy Days,” the Democratic presidential…
When Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb took the reins at the Orthodox Union in 2002, observers took note of the fact that the new executive vice-president of the centrist congregational umbrella group was fond of wearing a black hat of the sort popular in more religiously right-leaning precincts. Now that Weinreb is wrapping up his tenure,…
It took only three weeks, but finally PM Olmert’s office responded to the Orthodox Union’s letter voicing the group’s concern over talk about dividing Jerusalem. Olmert’s letter promises that the “issue of Jerusalem is currently not under negotiations with the Palestinians” and that in any future settlement, the PM will “strengthen the Jewish character of…
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