World news roundup: Israeli-Arab peace concert in Argentina
The latest Jewish news from around the globe
- Argentina
Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim performed a free outdoor ‘peace concert’ in Argentina, where he grew up, with an orchestra featuring Israeli and Arab musicians. ‘The musicians have relatives on both sides, killing each other, but despite this they have not cancelled their participation,’ he said. ‘This is a gesture for peace.’
- United States
Organisers of the new ‘Naughty Jewish Boys Calendar,’ in which American Jewish men pose with little or no clothing, say interest in the project has had interest from both men and women. With two versions in production – regular and extra-naughty – those behind the idea say what started as a joke quickly ‘went viral’.
- Thailand
Three Jewish boys competing in the World Debating Championships in Thailand have received threats after posting a photo of themselves wearing the Palestinian headscarf, the keffiyeh. The students, from South Africa, said it was ‘to show our opposition to the human rights violations against the people of Palestine.’
- South Africa
A Chasidic rabbi accused of sexually abusing girls in Israel has escaped arrest in Johannesburg and Orthodox bundled him into a backroom as police moved in on a prayer meeting. Rabbi Eliezer Berland, the leader of Breslov’s Shuvu Banim sect, fled Israel two years ago and has been on the run ever since.
- United States
A 5ft 10in Jewish woman with purple hair who converted from Catholicism has won a $20,000 cookery competition with a pork dish, despite being unable to try it. Tanya Solomon, known in San Francisco as the ‘kosher queen,’ first became interested in Judaism and kashrut after working as a nanny for a Jewish family.
- Brazil
A Brazilian billionaire preacher has inaugurated a $300 million Sao Paulo church designed to replicate the Temple of Solomon. The 11-story building is twice the size of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue and is complete with stone from Israel, huge indoor menorahs and a helipad for its founder, Edir Macedo.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
