JTA Jewish Life

ORTs settle name dispute

2009-07-09T14:12:00-05:00

Two operators of Jewish vocational schools settled a lawsuit over which can use the ORT name for fund raising in the United States.

Maverick researcher Gary Tobin, 59, reached out to Jews of color

Ben Harris — 2009-07-07T18:09:00-05:00

There are probably few students of American Jewry equally comfortable arguing for more aggressive efforts to grow Jewish numbers through conversion as they are assailing the hostility toward Israel of reflexively liberal academics. But Gary Tobin, who died late Monday at 59 after a long illness, was just that sort of thinker.

Gary Tobin, Jewish researcher, dies at 59

2009-07-07T15:01:00-05:00

Gary Tobin, a prominent Jewish researcher who challenged conventional Jewish wisdom, has died.

New rules have Diaspora converts waiting on Israel

Dina Kraft — 2009-07-07T14:11:00-05:00

New Israeli regulations that make it more difficult for converts from the Diaspora to obtain Israeli citizenship constitute the latest chapter in the long-running battle over who is a Jew -- a question that repeatedly has strained Diaspora-Israel relations.

Olympics hero Lezak finally opts for Maccabiah

Marc Brodsky — 2009-07-06T19:20:00-05:00

For Jason Lezak, choosing the Maccabiah Games over the World Championships came down to more than what happens in the water.

Field hockey family affair

Marc Brodsky — 2009-07-06T17:09:00-05:00

Mim Chappell-Eber and Ariel Aber, mother and daughter, bring unique perspectives to the field as coach and player, and as black Jews.

Pearl makes it from Knoxville to Ramat Gan

Marc Brodsky — 2009-07-06T17:04:00-05:00

University of Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl’s credentials finally caught up with his desire to lead the U.S. men’s open basketball team at the Maccabiah Games. He's part of a 900-member U.S. contingent heading to the 18th Games this month featuring some 8,000 athletes from more than 60 countries.

Survivors’ grandkids kickin’ it for U.S. soccer

Marc Brodsky — 2009-07-06T16:49:00-05:00

As the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, sister and brother soccer standouts Tracy and Josh Bienenfeld may take a little added pride from suburban Philadelphia to the 18th Maccabiah Games.

N.Y. federation campaign falls 11 percent

2009-07-06T14:21:00-05:00

The country’s largest Jewish federation announced that its 2008-09 fund-raising campaign dropped 11.5 percent from the previous year.

Aussie bowler continuing legacy of his late father

Dan Goldberg — 2009-07-06T14:15:00-05:00

When Australian tenpin bowler Josh Small marches into Ramat Gan Stadium for the July 13 opening ceremony of the 18th World Maccabiah Games, he will be completing a journey his father started at the ill-fated Games in 1997.