BOSTON – One hundred years to the day of the nomination of Louis D. Brandeis to the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg paid tribute to the first Jewish justice at a program at the university that bears his name. At Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, on Thursday, Ginsburg, who is Jewish, told a…
The Orthodox conversation over the Supreme Court’s gay marriage decision reminds me why I am Modern Chassidish and not Modern Orthodox. There are many differences between these two streams, but the defining distinction is this: their views differ greatly over the role of Halacha (Jewish law) in religious life. The Modern Orthodox Jew experiences the…
(JTA) — How often do you get the opportunity to pack “109 years,” #LoveWins and the rainbow colors into 140 characters? That’s how the American Jewish Committee celebrated the Supreme Court ruling Friday extending marriage rights to gays throughout the United States. “For 109 years AJC has stood for liberty and human rights,” its tweet said….
If you’re like me, then you’re in the mood to celebrate the , which makes it legal for same-sex couples to marry in all 50 states. And if, also like me, you have a sweet-tooth, then may I suggest a pint of ice cream? Luckily, Ben & Jerry’s have read our minds, and have honorarily…
Who better to rule on a case called Kimble vs. Marvel Entertainment than a die-hard Marvel fan? Enter Elena Kagan, Supreme Court Justice by day, friendly neighborhood Spider-man defender by night. The case involved an inventor, Stephen Kimble, inventor of a Spider-Man web-shooting toy (licensed to Marvel) who claimed that a 51-year-old legal precedent was…
Getty Images Today’s ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Woods’ right to deny employees contraception coverage is a disaster both for women and religious minorities. Essentially the decision says that “closely-held” corporations – 90% of American businesses – can choose to exempt employees from contraception coverage, and only contraception coverage. The decision created…
Prayer outside the U.S. Supreme Court / Getty Images “For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful, amen.” For ten years I attended a Church of England school and, for every set meal during that time, a version of this grace was said. Although there was a notable minority…
In this week’s Reporters Roundtable podcast, host Josh Nathan-Kazis is joined by Forward contributing editor Jay Michaelson to discuss why the recent Supreme Court decisions are mixed blessings. Then, Liam Hoare calls in to discuss his recent report on the Jews of Kosovo. Finally, Johnna Kaplan tells the fascinating story of why a town in…
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