JTA Europe/FSU

Continuity is theme in Russia inauguration

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The inauguration of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was marked by the theme of continuity with Valdimir Putin, under whom Jewish life in the country became more secure and freer.

Pro-divestment group gains access to U.N. parley

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Despite vows to prevent another Durban-like attack on Israel, officials planning a new racism conference granted credentials to a Palestinian "anti-apartheid" organization.

Saving Europe's cemeteries and memories

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Eckehart Ruthenberg, a non-German Jew, for two decades has been "adopting" forgotten cemeteries to preserve the names of Jewish families. And he's not alone in the effort.

Israel critics prepare for 60th

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

As governments, Jewish groups and Israeli embassies prepare to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday in Europe, a concomitant push is on among critics of Israel to demonstrate their viewpoints on the Jewish state.

Europe-Israel ties at high point

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

After the lows of the intifada years, ties between Europe and Israel have grown stronger thanks to new E.U. members, Europe's recent experiences with Islamic terrorism and Israel's moves toward disengagement from the Palestinians.

Arabs ease up on Israel at Durban II prep

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Arab and Muslim states, running the risk of driving out more Western nations if they exploit Israel, take a relatively tame approach at a forum preparing for next year's U.N. racism conference.

Getting ex-Nazis to talk

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

As the perpetrators of the Holocaust die out, historians, Germans and children of ex-Nazis push to record their accounts of the Holocaust.

Russia eyes greater Mideast role

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Russia is seeking a greater role in Middle East peacemaking, as a recent visit to Moscow by the Palestinian Authority president makes clear. But Israel isn't interested in abandoning its main ally, the United States, as Mideast mediator.

Belgian Palestinian festival irks Jews

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Belgian Jewish leaders are upset by the content of a government-sponsored Palestinian cultural festival that includes posters comparing Israel's military to Hitler.

Limmud FSU comes into its own

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The Limmud grassroots Jewish learning extravaganza is coming into its own in the former Soviet Union, becoming self-sustaining and spreading in the region.

New effort launched to gather survivor testimonials

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Pulitzer Prize-winning Holocaust historian Saul Friedlander is joining with the Claims Conference to herald a new initiative to collect firsthand testimonials before the last survivors have passed on.

Jewish program helps Georgia's refugees

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A Jewish-run job-placement program for internal refugees in the Republic of Georgia has proven so successful that it is being expanded to include Jews.

Russia's klezmer revival

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

An annual klezmer festival in Moscow helps revive interest in Jewish music and culture in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Seder Italian style

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Finding guests and Passover foods may be hard to find in a region with few Jews, but this informal seder in Italy connects to the tradition and recalls fond memories.

New St. Petersburg shul promotes Pesach

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

With a new synagogue in a district of St. Petersburg that is home to 20,000 Jews, many of the city's Jews are preparing to taste matzah for the first time this Passover.

Op-Ed: Swiss err on Iran, Israel

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Recent Swiss actions are out of step with the West's determination to confront Iran and commitment to the security of Israel, Abraham Foxman writes.

U.S.: Some Israel criticism is anti-Semitic

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The Bush administration has taken the groundbreaking step of identifying some virulent criticism of Israel as anti-Semitism, as it warns that anti-Jewish attitudes and incidents are on the rise worldwide.

Muslims, Jews in Russia mend fences

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

After an awkward two-week silence following harshly anti-Israel remarks by a Muslim leader in Russia, the country's Council of Muftis mended fences with Russian Jews.

Israelis in London prefer their own

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Israeli-born Jews living in Britain have little interest in their current community, preferring instead their native identity.

Belarus seeks Iran ties

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Shunned by the West and facing an energy crunch after a reduction in aid from Russia, Belarus is looking to Iran and the Middle East for its energy needs and, possibly, new alliances.