FailedMessiah.com

Thugs: Haredim Take Over Ramapo School Board

This might be be the best reality TV you've ever seen.

Agudah Head: We Can No Longer Pretend Child Sexual Abuse Does Not Exist

When something is hidden, Rabbi David Zwiebel told the Agudah convention, it's up to God to deal with. But when something is revealed, it's up to us.

Squabble Over Old City Synagogue Linked To Haredi Power Grab, Critics Say

If the Vilna Gaon was right, on March 16, 2010, construction will begin on the third Temple. That day coincides with the third completion of the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter. 

Department of Circular Reasoning: Haredim Blame Secular Mayor For "Incitement" Against Haredim

After a summer laced with haredi riots and attacks on secular Jews – including the mayor – and Arabs, a haredi spokesman told reporters secular "incitement" began last week during the protest outside Intel, when secular counter-protestors wrote God's name on the street.

Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Speaks At Fundraiser For Convicted Haredi Baby Killer

Rabbi Dovid Schustal calls conviction a "blood libel," asks for donations to help the family and murderer.

Waiting, Hoping For Deportation

More than 24 former Agriprocessors workers find themselves in an unusual impasse: The government has ordered them deported, and many can't wait to leave. Yet they remain, waiting for the American legal system to give them the boot.

The Man Who Smuggled Himself Into Auschwitz

When millions would have done anything to get out, one remarkable British soldier smuggled himself into Auschwitz to witness the horror so he could tell others the truth.

Sholom Rubashkin: Saint – The Hagiography Continues

As the jury foreman was reading the verdict, Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin passed a note to his wife Leah. “I am [a servant of God] wherever I am, and whatever happens I remain [a servant of God].”

The Syrian Rabbi's "Shocked" Flock

Rabbi Saul J. Kassin, charged with money laundering in this summer’s epic federal sting, is the leader of the nation’s Syrian Jews. He has met with presidents, presided over countless weddings and hails from a rabbinical line dating to 15th-century Spain.

Haredim "End Silence" On Sex Abuse

A few months ago, a high-ranking rabbi and spiritual leader at the Beth Medrash Govoha yeshiva, Matisyahu Salomon, quietly closed a rabbinical court, a Bais Din, that handled many of Lakewood's sex abuse allegations.

Mouths Filled With Hatred

"Every [Christian cleric] who's been here for awhile, who dresses in robes in public, has a story to tell about being spat at [by haredim and National Religious Jews]."

Haredi Scam Steals Millions Of Shekels From Government

Haredi schools registered students from Edah Charedit schools as their own in order to cheat the government out of millions of shekels in subsidies.

Thousands Protest Haredi Violence In Jerusalem

The protesters marched from Paris Square to Zion Square in the Jerusalem city center under the banner: "Iran is here – we're sick of haredi violence."

Haredim To Police: "Zionists, You Caused The Holocaust"

Haredim blocked on way to Intel, also call police 'Nazis.'

Letter from Jerusalem: Give Haredim A Chance

Israeli society cannot continue dancing at both weddings: It cannot both hate the ultra-Orthodox for their separatism and not allow them to work.

Israel's Newest National Holiday

Something old becomes something new.

Letter from Jerusalem: Between Baalat Teshuva and Britney Spears

What is the great attraction of Orthodoxy? I brought my daughters up with all the right ideas. We always had gender equality in our community and in our synagogue. We raised them to be activists, committed to equal rights. I don’t understand why girls would turn their backs on this in favor of Orthodoxy.” 

Ben Brafman, Unnamed Rubashkin Attorney, Newspaper Editor Speculate On Rubashkin's Sentence

"Those who are concerned with justice will not be upset if the judge refuses to hand down a very long prison sentence. But those who are looking to destroy a man and his family will never be content."

Rubashkin "Didn’t Give A Damn About Anyone Or Anything — Except Making Money [His] Way."

"Sholom Rubashkin’s actions reflected an mind-boggling sense of imperial disregard for just about everything that ethical, law-abiding people hold as plain and simple rules of civic and financial engagement.”

Government Releases Undocumented Workers Held For Rubashkin Trial

Release means many will be deported in the coming weeks.

Cocaine Rabbi Cleared Of Distribution, Guilty Of Possession

Rabbi Baruch Chalomish held his head in his hands, head bowed, muttering to himself as he wiped tears from his eyes.

Why Are So Many Jews Atheists Or Agnostics? It's Their Stupidity, Stupid

The real cause of overwhelming Jewish atheistic tendencies seems to be a tragic ignorance of Judaism’s most profound teachings and ideas and therefore a juvenile understanding of the Jewish idea of a monotheistic God.

Pro-Rubashkin Signs Further Divide Postville

[UPDATED] Rubashkin's face superimposed on an American flag angers some.

Rubashkin Appeals Bail Denial

Attorneys for Sholom Rubashkin asked the court to impose additional conditions to ensure he does not flee before his still-undetermined sentencing date.

Rabbis Tell WBA Champ Boxing Is Against Jewish Law

"When you're in the ring after five rounds, going on 12, it's very spiritual, and I'm saying my own little prayers throughout the fight, 'Please, God, protect me.'"

Letter from Miami: Postville Raid A Waste

The exemplary message to employers: It's OK to abuse human beings, so long as you don't lie to the bank.

Letter from Tel Aviv: Israel At The Edge Of The Abyss

The solution is not for the ultra-Orthodox to stop being ultra-Orthodox, but rather for them to start working and serving in the army – to integrate into mainstream society.

Healthcare and Jewish Law, Part 2

Is there a communal mandate for healthcare?

Haredim Demand Modesty Patrols To Monitor Arab Workers

Flirting with a Jewish woman can get an Arab worker fired – or beaten.

Judge Says "Starving Mother" Did Not Violate Arrest Conditions

But ruling does not deal with previous violations.

RCA Bans Chabad Messianist Rabbis

13 years after first opposing Chabad messianism, the Modern Orthodox rabbinical group finally takes a step to make that ruling have a concrete impact.

Drug Dealing Haredi Rabbi "Victim Of A Racial Stereotype," Defense Claims

"The Crown is resorting to a very crude racial stereotype. You've got a wealthy Jew and an impoverished Muslim, and the Jew has to be financing the Muslim."

Postcard from The Netherlands: Old Rubashkin Meat Sold Retail By Chabad in Holland

The meat carries a label stating it was "first frozen in 2007" and produced in Ecuador.

Clergy: Government Wrong For Dropping Rubashkin Immigration Charges

We will "investigate and pursue all constructive options and legal recourse." Rubashkin "exploited and mistreated" undocumented workers "so extensively."

Letter from Jerusalem: Intel Inside? Prove It

The Hebrew version of Intel is the real reason for this country. You can have Shabbes in Teaneck.

Haredim Block Church, Mosque At Ben Gurion Airport

The new terminal included both a church and a mosque, but they never were built.

Do You Have Information That Could Help With The Prosecution Of This Case?

Do you have information about Baruch Lebovits?

Jews Face "Uncertain Future" In Postville, Bemoan Lost Rubashkin Largesse

"The generosity of the Rubashkins had created a company town atmosphere within the Orthodox Jewish community."

Haredim Riot At Intel

[UPDATED] Haredim call police "Nazis," spit, throw rocks. Riot led by Edah Charedit head Rabbi Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss.

RUBASHKIN DENIED BAIL

Details…

Rubashkin Bail Decision

I just spoke with the Clerk of the Court…

Rubashkin Wants Acquittal, New Trial

The motion contends there was insufficient evidence to sustain the conviction on the bank fraud, money laundering and other charges.

Knesset Committee Calls For Firing Of Rabbis Who Do Not Recognize IDF Rabbis' Conversions

Haredi rabbis and MKs were not present at the debate, though they were invited to participate.

Postville Church Leaders React To Rubashkin Dismissals

"We see there is a complete lack of justice…"

Rubashkin Trial Witnesses Want To Go Home

Undocumented workers held in "immigration limbo" since raid.

RUBASHKIN ATTORNEY: "He's Presumed Innocent, The Court Has Now Dismissed These Charges – He Is Indeed Innocent"

Guy Cook explains why Rubashkin is "innocent."

Haredi "Starving Mother's" Children Flee Israel

3 of the children flew to England along with Rabbi Yoel Weiss under the directive of a leading rabbi without notifying the court or police, who fear she may flee, as well.

"Extremist" Haredim To Continue Intel Protests, Despite Reported Deal

Despite earlier reports, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv has not signed on to the ban on Shabbos protests.

Iowa Gives Agri Star $600,000 In Aid

Postville slaughterhouse also gets state tax credits.

BREAKING! Government Dismisses All Immigration Charges Against Rubashkin

UPDATED.