Jesse Orine - Page 69 of 199

Israeli journalist criticizes West Bank ‘apartheid’ at Berlin film festival ceremony marked by Gaza war protests

February 26, 2024February 26, 2024Jesse Orine

BERLIN (JR) — An Israeli journalist says he has been receiving death threats after winning two major prizes at the Berlinale International Film Festival for his documentary about Israel’s expulsion of Palestinians from their West Bank villages. The prizes were awarded during the film festival’s closing ceremony, during which multiple filmmakers — including a Jewish […]

‘The Ally,’ a timely new play about Israel, antisemitism and campus culture, opens in NYC

February 26, 2024February 26, 2024Jesse Orine

(New York Jewish Week) — “My feelings about Israel are the reasonable ones,” says Asaf Sternheim, an adjunct writing professor at an unnamed university who is the protagonist in a buzzy new play opening in New York this week. Speaking to his wife, Asaf — played by Jewish actor and “How I Met Your Mother” star […]

2 years into war, major Jewish fundraising for Ukraine has slowed to a trickle

February 25, 2024February 25, 2024Jesse Orine

(JR) — As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, nearly all funds raised by Jewish federations for humanitarian relief in Ukraine have run out, according to Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America. After distributing $96 million in aid such as relocation expenses, food, and medical care over the […]

As Ukraine war enters Year 3, Odessa Jewish Children’s Home struggles with new challenges

February 25, 2024February 26, 2024Jesse Orine

When Rabbi Avraham Wolff leaves the Mishpacha Children’s Home in Odessa, Ukraine, most evenings, he whispers a silent prayer. He prays that the 120 children for whom his organization cares will be able to sleep through the night, uninterrupted by air raid sirens and a race to the bomb shelter. He prays that the food, […]

As Ukraine war enters Year 3, Odessa Jewish Children’s Home struggles with new challenges

February 25, 2024February 29, 2024Jesse Orine

When Rabbi Avraham Wolff leaves the Mishpacha Children’s Home in Odessa, Ukraine, most evenings, he whispers a silent prayer. He prays that the 120 children for whom his organization cares will be able to sleep through the night, uninterrupted by air raid sirens and a race to the bomb shelter. He prays that the food, […]

Ontario women’s event that canceled Jewish speaker over IDF service is itself canceled

February 23, 2024February 23, 2024Jesse Orine

(JR) — A Canadian International Women’s Day event that drew attention for canceling its keynote speaker over her past Israeli military service has itself now been canceled. “Circumstances beyond our control” led to the cancelation of the event in Peterborough, Ontario, that had been planned by INSPIRE, a women’s empowerment organization, the group told kawarthaNOW, […]

‘Golda,’ biopic about Israeli leader at war, wins top prize from Cinema for Peace Foundation

February 23, 2024February 23, 2024Jesse Orine

BERLIN ((JR)) – Israeli director Guy Nattiv and British actor Helen Mirren have received a Dove Award from the Cinema for Peace Foundation for their joint work in the 2023 biopic, “Golda,” in which Mirren stars as Golda Meir, the fourth prime minister of Israel. The film focuses on Meir’s role during the Yom Kippur […]

For Ukraine’s Jews, the work is not yet done — even as the crisis rages into its third year

February 22, 2024February 22, 2024Jesse Orine

(JR) — As we mark the grim second anniversary of the Ukraine conflict this Shabbat, I’m reminded of a haunting melody I heard in the city of Poltava last month. I was standing before Sonia Bunina, a plucky 17-year-old, when she opened her mouth to sing when an air raid siren rang out. I flinched. […]

Argentina’s Jewish umbrella group condemns Milei’s decision to shutter country’s anti-discrimination office

February 22, 2024February 23, 2024Jesse Orine

BUENOS AIRES (JR) — Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, is shuttering the country’s anti-discrimination office, eliciting rare criticism from Jewish leaders who have so far expressed optimism about the right-wing politician’s leadership. “Discrimination in Argentina is a problem suffered by various groups. That is why the DAIA, together with other organizations, promoted the creation of […]

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine inadvertently sparks a Jewish renaissance — in Armenia

February 22, 2024February 22, 2024Jesse Orine

YEREVAN, Armenia (JR) — It’s just after sunset on a chilly February evening as Mama Jan begins filling up with customers. The cozy little café, located on Alexander Speniaryan Street — one block from Yerevan’s Freedom Square — lures passersby with its traditional khashlama (Armenian meat stew), dolma (stuffed grape leaves) and grappa (homemade brandy). […]