Faith groups seek out founding documents in bid to rescue democracy (RNS) — The Faith250 initiative has 209 Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations signed up to study 'America’s sacred texts' as a kind of search-and-rescue mission into the country’s moral foundatio...

Faith250 is a national initiative designed to help congregations reflect on their shared values amid democratic backsliding. religionnews.com/2026/04/20/a...

These US Jews wanted to show solidarity with Palestinians. Israel deported them. (RNS) — At least a dozen US Jews motivated by Jewish values to engage in pro-Palestine activism have been deported from Israel over the past year. Dozens of others have had their digital entry passes ...

At least a dozen US Jews motivated by Jewish values to engage in pro-Palestine activism have been deported from Israel over the past year. religionnews.com/2026/04/13/t...

Iranian Duke scholar: War will increase religious fundamentalism around the world DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — Mohsen Kadivar, an Iranian dissident who teaches Islam at Duke University, is as critical about what the Iran war is doing to American democracy as he is of the Islamic Republic.

Mohsen Kadivar follows the war in Iran with a growing sense of déjà vu. The Duke professor supported the 1979 revolution that ushered in the Islamic Republic, hoping it would bring about a more just society. Now he sees the U.S. going through its own convolutions. religionnews.com/2026/03/25/d...

With most new refugees barred, synagogues turn to serving those already here DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — Over the past five years, Judea Reform Congregation has helped resettle 13 refugee families from such countries as Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela. Volunteers are...

No new refugees will be welcomed at Judea Reform Congregation’s annual Refugee Shabbat commemoration this weekend. But that doesn’t mean the congregation has stopped caring for refugees. religionnews.com/2026/03/11/r...

Forbidden love finds a way in new memoir about Israeli-Palestinian couple A Jewish human rights lawyer living in Israel fell in love with one of her clients — a Palestinian Muslim living under occupation.

Israelis and Palestinians often think of themselves as enemies. One couple became lovers. religionnews.com/2026/03/06/f...

A Palestinian American talks to Tucker Carlson about how US evangelicals misunderstand Israel Fares Abraham worries that Palestinian Christian communities across the Middle East, but especially in the West Bank, are in danger of disappearing.

Fares Abraham, a Palestinian evangelical, agreed to be interviewed by Tucker Carlson to issue a warning: Israel is squeezing out Christians from the Holy Land. religionnews.com/2026/02/26/a...

Amid ICE raids, Minneapolis rabbi and pastor show solidarity in action The partnership includes joint worship — and a $1 million fundraising drive for Minneapolis families affected by the siege.

A rabbi and pastor in Minneapolis have moved beyond protests. Over the past few weeks, they’ve held two joint prayer services. They are writing a play together. And now they’re jointly raising $1 million. religionnews.com/2026/02/16/b...

140 rabbis train in Washington on how to resist authoritarian governments, ICE (RNS) — The convening will train rabbis on practical tools for non-violent resistance — both to disrupt systems with tactics such as boycotts and strikes, and to create alternative processes to help v...

A 3-day convening in Washington, DC will train rabbis to disrupt systems with tactics such as boycotts and strikes, and also to create alternative mutual aid to help vulnerable populations under threat: religionnews.com/2026/02/09/r...

He couldn't save a toddler, so he started a vast humanitarian project to save other Gazan children DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — A 53-year-old Kuwaiti-born and US-trained doctor is the unlikely visionary who has won the support of Israeli authorities for a sprawling new philanthropic enterprise in the Gaza ...

Dr. David Hasan, a Duke University neurosurgeon, has a recurring dream. He is in a hospital in Gaza at the tail-end of 2023, treating a dying toddler. The toddler dies. But his memory has serves as a prompt — a calling — to to do more to save Gaza’s children. religionnews.com/2026/02/02/h...

Thousands show their respect for Buddhist monks on a Walk for Peace APEX, N.C. (RNS) — Judging from the crowds who lined up for miles on the side of the road to greet them and hand them flowers, oranges and bottled water, the simple act of walking for peace sparked no...

One bystander said the monks' goal of peace “emits a kind of a vibration, which is magnetic.” religionnews.com/2026/01/23/t...

US rabbis head to Minneapolis to join protests to counter ICE raids (RNS) — At least 100 rabbis and other Jewish leaders are expected in Minneapolis on Thursday and Friday (Jan. 22-23) for massive coordinated action by clergy in response to violent Minneapolis ICE rai...

Immigration is a resonant theme of Jewish life in the U.S. So it’s no surprise about 100 rabbis are headed for Minneapolis to protest the ICE raids there. religionnews.com/2026/01/21/t...

'Holding Liat' documents a more complicated reality behind the Oct. 7 hostage crisis (RNS) — The documentary offers a nuanced portrayal of an American-Israeli family whose adult daughter was kidnapped from her home on a kibbutz near the Gaza Strip.

“Holding Liat,” a documentary about the hostage taking and eventual release of Liat Beinin Atzili, is a portrait of an American-Israeli family struggling with a complicated feelings about the assault on Gaza. religionnews.com/2026/01/14/h...

Suspect in Jackson synagogue fire confesses; congregation determined to rebuild (RNS) — Stephen Spencer Pittman was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive.

Members of Jackson, Miss.' Beth Israel Congregation are determined to go ahead with an adult bat mitzvah this coming weekend. They don’t know yet where it will be after their synagogue was set on fire. religionnews.com/2026/01/12/j...

As the sing, one participant holds a sign that reads “Jesus was an immigrant, stop ICE.”

People drive by honking in support, prompting cheers.

Israel's ban on humanitarian relief groups will severely impact aid to besieged strip, letter warns (RNS) — Israel’s decision to deny registrations to 37 aid groups comes at a perilous time for Palestinians in the occupied territories and especially in Gaza.

“Humanitarian access is not optional, conditional, or political,” say 53 international humanitarian aid groups in response to Israel’s new protocols denying three dozen groups permission to work in Gaza. religionnews.com/2026/01/02/i...

Can evangelical faith in Israel survive MAGA and the Gaza war? Israel is betting millions on it (RNS) — Conservatives have long seen supporting Israel as an act of faith. Now, critics such as Tucker Carlson say Christian Zionism is a heresy, while more progressive Christian voices denounce Israe...

Evangelicals have long seen supporting Israel as an act of faith. Now, critics such as Tucker Carlson say Christian Zionism is a heresy, while centrist evangelicals denounce Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. religionnews.com/2025/12/23/c...

'An alien in the house of God': Canterbury's gay dean wrestles with inaction on LGBTQ+ rights (RNS) — Ahead of a vote in the Church of England's House of Bishops on same-sex marriage, David Monteith feels the church has given up on its commitment to reconciliation.

Despite his important caretaking role for the Church of England’s most iconic institution, Dean David Monteith feels in many ways like an alien. religionnews.com/2025/12/16/a...

Undeterred by Sydney attack, Chabad defiantly celebrates Hanukkah around the world (RNS) — Chabad, the international Hasidic Jewish movement that held the Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration, often bears the brunt of antisemitic attacks. That's because in the Jewish world, it is boldly...

It’s no surprise the massacre in Sydney took place at a Chabad event. Chabad has become the face of Judaism around the world, and no more so than at Hanukkah. religionnews.com/2025/12/15/u...

UK Christians challenge Christmas rally organized by far-right provocateur (RNS) — The Church of England has countered with posters at bus stops and other locations that say ‘Christ has always been in Christmas’ and ‘Outsiders welcome.’

The British anti-migrant agitator Tommy Robinson has a called for a rally on Saturday titled, “Putting the Christ Back in Christmas.” Protestant groups across the UK quickly came together to protest. religionnews.com/2025/12/09/u...

Like an actor standing behind a curtain, ready to perform, St. Mary le Strand is now in the process of revealing her latest act. religionnews.com/2025/12/05/a...

For ex-Haredi Jews, forgiveness may be a route to greater happiness, study finds (RNS) — Those who are able to forgive their former community, their family and themselves show greater psychological gains in well-being, resilience and growth.

Formerly Haredi Jews who were able to forgive their family and themselves show greater gains in well-being, resilience and growth, a new study finds. religionnews.com/2025/12/03/f...

How one conservative Christian family is pushing back against ICE A coalition of activists, everyday citizens and people of faith — including theologically conservative Christians — who have pooled resources and learned new technologies to mount an effort they say i...

Incredible story about one evangelical Chicago family's resistance to ICE, beautifully told by my colleague, @jackjenkins.me religionnews.com/2025/11/25/h...

Pro-Israel synagogue events prompt fiery protests LONDON (RNS) — Synagogues holding informational gatherings about immigration to Israel have become a flashpoint in New York and London.

Synagogues holding informational gatherings about immigration to Israel have drawn loud protests in New York and London. religionnews.com/2025/11/25/p...

New Jersey Episcopal diocese gives $1 million to treat Palestinian children (RNS) — Part of a little-used fund in the Diocese of New Jersey established 100 years ago to support medical care for children will now help Palestinian youth in Gaza.

"By offering this gift, we could make a real difference in the lives of children and youth and families in Gaza and elsewhere in the Palestinian territories," said Bishop Sally French. religionnews.com/2025/11/21/e...

How the UK's ancient stones are drawing renewed awareness of the sacred PENZANCE, England (RNS) — The United Kingdom is studded with megalithic formations dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze ages. Many are finding in them a portal to the sacred.

The U.K. is studded with megalithic formations dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze ages. Many are finding in them a portal to the sacred. religionnews.com/2025/11/21/h...

A monument to answered prayer begins to rise in a secularizing England COLESHILL, England (RNS) — A giant Möbius loop stretching nearly the size of a football field will feature digitally linked testimonies to answered prayer.

The largest Christian monument in England is now being built near Birmingham. Its central design is a Mobius strip: religionnews.com/2025/11/14/a...

'I was not the right kind of Jew,' says US Jewish teen deported from Israel (RNS) — Since its founding in 1948, Israel has welcomed American Jews and encouraged their immigration. Now certain Jews supporting Palestinians, like Leila Stillman-Utterman, are deported.

Leila Stillman-Utterback assumed she had a certain privilege working with Palestinians in the West Bank in their struggle against violent settlers who are threatening their lives and livelihoods. She was, after all, an American Jew. She was wrong. religionnews.com/2025/11/11/i...

Israel deports two US Jews who volunteered to help Palestinians pick olives (RNS) — Israel has ramped up deportations of foreigners involved in advocacy for Palestinians or demonstrations against the occupation, but the deportation of US Jews sets a precedent.

Two American Jews who were part of a Rabbis for Human Rights team helping West Bank Palestinians with the olive harvest were deported last week as Israel cracks down on anyone helping or advocating for Palestinians — including Jews. religionnews.com/2025/11/03/i...

Here’s what they actually thought: they’ll just go after the left wing Bad Jews (who aren’t really Jews so it’s ok) but we’re the Good Jews so it will be fine. joelhs.bsky.social/post/3m4gzansohs2a

Meet the New York rabbis planning to vote for Mamdani (RNS) – Mamdani’s defense of Palestinian liberation has alarmed many New York Jews. But some rabbis are enthusiastically embracing, and even campaigning for, the Muslim mayoral candidate.

Zohran Mamdani’s steadfast defense of Palestinian liberation has alarmed many New York Jews. But some rabbis are enthusiastically embracing, and even campaigning for, the Muslim mayoral candidate. religionnews.com/2025/10/30/t...