How Jewish law is adapting to In Vitro Fertilization
Plus a Holocaust Remembrance Day panel and Bosnian Jews waiting for restitution
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
As women around the world have increased their use of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to preserve their fertility, so too have Orthodox Jewish women. In our top story today, Australian correspondent Nomi Kaltmann reports on the IVF treatment for Orthodox Jewish women and how Mashgichim, Jewish law supervisors, are part of the process.
Last week Kimberly Winston wrote about Jewish heritage in Bosnia, which was largely destroyed during the Holocaust and after the end of World War II. Valuable properties — homes, commercial buildings, places of worship and burial sites — were taken by Nazis or the Yugoslavian communist government that succeeded them, and haven’t been returned to Jewish hands in over 70 years.
Also don’t miss the ReligionUnplugged panel from Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, featuring Colleyville’s Congregation Beth Israel co-founder Anna Salton Eisen and her son Aaron, who have written memoirs about Holocaust survivors in their family; Pulitzer-winning AP reporter Peter Smith who reported on the Tree of Life synagogue mass shooting; our veteran reporter and Weekend Plug-In columnist Bobby Ross Jr; and our managing editor Meagan Clark. They discussed the recent Colleyville hostage event, rising antisemitism and more. Watch the recording here:
In our opinion section, don’t miss this thoughtful piece from The Media Project board member and Islam expert Paul Marshall unpacking a Pew Research report on international blasphemy laws. While he says the report is useful and detailed, he calls to mind two important caveats necessary to understand blasphemy laws and hate speech laws around the world today.
See you next week! If you like what you read, share this with your family and friends.
How Orthodox Jewish Law Is Adapting To In Vitro Fertilization
NFL Standout Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp Furthers Faith And Football Family Legacy by Luke Kerley
(ANALYSIS) Cooper Kupp is a well-known name across football who helped punch the Rams’ ticket to the NFC championship in 2022. But above all, what’s most noticeable is Kupp’s character and Christian faith.
Decades After War, Bosnian Jews Who Lost Homes, Synagogues Still Await Restitution by Kimberly Winston
Today, more than 70 years after World War II and as the world marks the 18th annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day — 30 years after both the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the end of the Bosnian War — Bosnian Jews are still awaiting restitution for long-gone homes, commercial buildings, places of worship and burial sites.
These Ugandan Clergy Are Marrying Multiple Women by John Semakula
Several prominent Ugandan pastors’ marriages have recently shattered in the public eye, causing many of Uganda’s 34 million Christians to express concerns about the state of marriage in their country. In most of the scandals, male pastors are abandoning their spouses after many years for young women in their congregations.
In Mitch Albom’s New Novel ‘The Stranger In The Lifeboat,’ Faith Saves Lives by Jillian Cheney
(REVIEW) What would you do if you encountered God, seemingly the same as any other man, and He offered to save your life as long as you believed in Him? Would you believe? What would it take? These are the questions at the core of Mitch Albom’s new novel, “The Stranger in the Lifeboat.”
Nashville's Rabbit Room Offers Community For Christian Artists, Writers And Musicians by Kim Roberts
In an increasingly divided culture, even within the church, the Rabbit Room was created to build and nourish stronger Christ-centered communities by cultivating stories, music and art. It was founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter and author Andrew Peterson after he visited Oxford, England, and was inspired by the stories of the Inklings.
From A Penitentiary Romance To Renewed Wedding Vows by Mikaela Wegner
After the commission minister left, Tonya and Charles sat at a table and exchanged their vows to each other. For the remaining three hours of the visit, the newlyweds talked about all the things they wanted to do one day when he got out. He had 18 years left of his sentence.
Opinion
'We Have To Stop Hate': Why It's Important To Remember The Holocaust
In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights coverage of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and presents a special panel discussion. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column early on Fridays for only $5 a month. Click the button below to subscribe!
Pew Survey On Blasphemy Laws Must Be Supplemented With Ground Realities by Paul Marshall
Is America Really Threatened By Civil War? What Is Religion's Role In These Tensions? by Richard Ostling
Do Athletes Have A Moral Duty To Protest Chinese Authoritarianism? How About Elon Musk? by Ira Rifkin
We Must Respond To The Worsening Global Refugee Crisis by Ewelina U. Ochab
Pope Benedict Faulted Over Sex Abuse Claims: New Report Is Just One Chapter In His – And Catholic Church’s – Fraught Record by David Gibson
Led By Afghanistan, Global Christian Persecution Reaches Highest Level In 30 Years by Ewelina U. Ochab
Is It Immoral To Watch The Winter Olympics Given China’s Humanitarian Violations? by Clemente Lisi
How Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories Contributed To The Recent Hostage-Taking At The Texas Synagogue by Jonathan D. Sarna
Is America As Divided As Ever And Are Christians Making It Worse? by Richard Ostling
Forced To Have Virtual And Drive-By Funerals, Grieving Families Struggle With Closure by Natasha Mikles
Don’t miss our latest podcast
How Jesuits are Helping Refugees Find Stability in India
Delhi, India-based Jesuit Refugee Services work with refugees from Afghanistan and Myanmar. Like many refugee communities, they face extreme anti-immigrant discrimination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many have spiraled into deeper poverty. Jesuit Refugee Services started a women's tailoring group to help the refugees find income and safety. With earnings trickling in from hand-stitched masks, clothes and decorations, these refugee women are finally achieving some stability. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
In case you missed it
Editorial picks from our archives
This Innovative Christian Homeless Shelter Is Rising To California's Housing Challenge by Liza Vandenboom Ashley
(ANALYSIS) The data is in: Christianity is aging, younger generations are having fewer children, and without a great influx of new members, thousands of churches will close over the next few decades. But smaller religious groups in the U.S. — like Hindus and Muslims — have younger members who are having more kids.
‘American Underdog’ Shows Writing Is Still Faith-Based Films’ Kryptonite by Joseph Holmes
(REVIEW) “American Underdog” is arguably the best shot movie and worst written movie by Christian filmmakers the Erwin Brothers, prompting one to ask if faith-based films will ever overcome their bad writing problem.
Thanks again for reading!
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