Israel’s parliament approves laws to enshrine exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military service

Appeal renews legal fight over Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church pastor

(RNS) — Plaintiffs filed a brief July 9 requesting that the election of the Rev. Kevin R. Johnson as the church's senior pastor be set aside so a new election can be held, in an attempt to appeal a 2025 court decision.

More about Jesus, less about coffee: Seven LDS Church trends, according to data

(RNS) — Are temples and adoring the prophet replacing the family and the Word of Wisdom as the most salient Mormon identity markers?

American Jews face a Democratic Party rethinking unconditional Israel support

(RNS) — A growing number of Democrats, and a growing number of American Jews, no longer want the U.S. to issue Israel a blank check.

Why ‘kapo’ should never be used as a political insult against other Jews

(RNS) — To use a word soaked in the blood and suffering of our martyrs and then to Velcro it onto a living Jew, whose worst crime is disagreeing with you, is not argument. It is moral violence.

Kenyan court dismisses Rastafari case seeking to legalize marijuana

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Justice Bahati Mwamuye said Kenya’s laws prohibiting the cultivation and use of marijuana do not violate Rastafarians’ right to freedom of religion.