Ever wanted to research your surname, burial records, and/or family history, but the cost was prohibitive? Here are 12 free resources specifically related to Jewish ancestry. The JewishGen Family finder (#5) is my favorite, with over 400,000 entries!
Consumed by drug and alcohol addictions, heavily tattooed, and dedicated to a rock ‘n roll lifestyle—not exactly the description of a typical Jewish lady, which makes sense because singer Amy Winehouse was anything but average!
Her unconventional life will be on display at the Jewish Museum in London starting in March. Photos, personal possessions, and a family tree will be included.
Because she died so young (only 27!), it’s hard not to imagine who she would’ve become and what kind of music she would’ve continued to create. Though she had a short lifetime, her musical impact was strong and her style is still being copied today. (Seriously who could forget her trademark bouffant hairstyle, red lips, and black eye make up?)
While she obviously wasn’t an observant Jew, she was nonetheless proud of her heritage and has a unique Jewish legacy.
Pathetic, perplexing, and a downright disgrace: that’s my reaction to a news story about a group of 10 Ultra-Orthodox men who caused complete chaos on a flight traveling from Tel Aviv to London on Monday.
Blocking the aisle, repeatedly pushing the call button, refusing to take their seats, and harassing stewards eventually led to them being escorted off the plane by police. What sparked such wild behavior, you may be asking?
The men refused to sit beside women. Seriously, that’s the great “offense” that “made” them misbehave.
Such terrible conduct is not only inappropriate, it’s a potential hazard to everyone on board, and I fully support their removal. What I find so sad and strange is that anyone who do such a pointless thing.
With so many airlines competing for business, it makes sense that they cater to customers wishes. Offering reasonable accommodations for religious groups, such as providing an in-flight kosher meal, is standard practice. But there’s a big difference between being a person of faith and an extremist.
This kind of nonsense has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with fear, hatred, and a sense of entitlement. Anyone who buys a commercial airline ticket knows that they can’t chose their seatmate. If these men are so offended by the mere presence of women, they can rent a private jet.
The secular world does not—and should not—conform to the whims of extremists. Public transportation is for everyone to use, not just a select group of lunatics.
Some goods news for once: A group of European Jewish youngsters recently traveled to Hungary to mark the 120th anniversary of the World Zionist Congress. Seeing these boys and girls proudly displaying an Israeli flag and supporting their beliefs in public is just wonderful!
With all of the gloom and doom talk about Millennials turning their backs on religion in droves and terrible predictions about the Jewish community disappearing in the future, this is living proof to me that young people do care about Judaism/Zionism, that they do want to be affiliated, and we simply need to make a stronger effort concerning outreach. Organizations like World Bnei Akiva are doing an excellent job and should be applauded.
