Roundup of world Jewish news

From Disraeli’s lovechild to Righteous Italian Catholics, we bring you the latest in Jewish news from around the world – dated 17 June.

United States

The world’s oldest Jew has died in New York at the age of 113. Evelyn Kozak, a great-great grandmother, was the world’s seventh oldest person. She was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1899, one of nine children from a family that fled anti-Semitic pogroms in Russia in the 1880s.

Poland

The president of the Jewish community of Poznan has been recognised by the European Parliament in its annual European Citizens’ Prize. Alicja Kobus, a social activist who promotes dialogue and cooperation among ethnic and religious groups, also promotes Jewish culture in Poland.

The Vatican

An Italian Catholic journalist who saved Jews during WWII has been put forward for sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church. Odoardo Focherini established a rescue network and arranged false papers to help dozens flee to Switzerland. Arrested in March 1944, he died months later at a Nazi camp.

New Zealand

A family from Auckland have revealed that they are descended from Benjamin Disraeli’s secret lovechild. In a book called Disraeli’s Daughter, the family recount how Catherine Styles – who left London from Australia after marrying in 1888 – was mentioned in letters to Lord Rothschild.

France

A senior rabbi from Paris has said that Israel’s laws banning the import of goose liver could jeopardise kosher slaughter in Europe. Rabbi Yirmiyahu Cohen said: ‘Imagine how it will look if Israel is the first to ban the import of goose liver, which was an issue raised by these animal welfare groups.’

India

India’s first Centre for Jewish and Israel Studies is set to open in August after a series of international seminars were held earlier this year in Kolkata and New Delhi. Jews have lived in India for up to two millennia, but until now the study has not been an officially-recognised academic discipline.