What the shofar’s ancient sound means on Rosh Hashanah

For American Jews divided over Israel, Yom Kippur is a test of families and community

(RNS and NPR) — According to an AP-NORC poll, four in 10 American Jewish adults say they've disagreed with a family member over Israel, and three in 10 said they stopped talking to someone over it. 

How Jewish mindfulness meditation became a mainstay in High Holiday services and beyond

(RNS) — The practice of sitting in silence, paying attention to the breath and focusing on the present moment has become pervasive across all the Jewish religious movements.

When DNA tests find skeletons in your family’s closet, these researchers want to know about it

(RNS) — DNA testing has upended some families by finding living relatives we never knew we had. Two Latter-day Saint researchers want to study how people cope with such revelations.

This Yom Kippur, I’ll say a prayer for my teachers

(RNS) — Your teachers deserve your memory and your blessing. A Yom Kippur message.

The Hindu god Ganesh turns macho and martial in Indian festivities

MUMBAI, India (RNS) — The cute and chubby elephant-headed god has evolved in some festival depictions.