Now Playing Synopsis: A family crisis puts a young woman in a difficult position in this drama from Israeli filmmaker Rama Burshtein. Esther (Renana Raz) is the daughter of an Orthodox Rabbi who follows her father's faith, and she and her husband Yochay (Yiftach Klein) are happy to soon be welcoming their first child into the world. Joy turns to sorrow when Esther dies in childbirth; Yochay is devastated, and despite their own heartache, her mother Rivka (Irit Sheleg) and younger sister Shira (Hadas Yaron) step forward to help the widower look after his newborn son. Esther's father Rabbi Aharon (Chaim Sharir) counsels Yochay that it would be best for him and his young son if he remarried as soon as he feels capable, but finding a fit mother is no simple task. Rivka comes up with what she feels is a perfect solution -- an arranged marriage between Yochay and Shira, who has already grown fond of the baby. Yochay isn't sure he's comfortable with wedding his sister-in-law, and Shira feels no better about it, preferring to save herself for a virgin like herself, but the demands of her family may weigh more strongly than her own desires. Lemale et ha'chalal (aka Fill the Void) received its American premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi Cast: Hadas Yaron, Yiftach Klein, Irith Sheleg, Chaim Sharir, Razia Israeli Movie Details Play Trailer Movie Review

...Opposition remains overwhelming among Orthodox Jews, however. The American Jewish Committee poll also shows a majority of Jews want rabbis to conduct interfaith weddings, even if Christian clergy participate. While 68 percent disagree that the non-Jewish partner...

...have we lost? What have we learned? What do we tell our children?'' The ritual has inspirational quotes from the Bible, rabbis and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. It concludes with the traditional Hebrew mealtime prayer of thanks. ------ On the...

Opens Friday, Dec 7, 2012 Synopsis: A rabbi in 1930s Algeria is shocked when his cat gains the power of speech, and begins offering scathing criticisms of religion and social mores while lusting after his owner's adolescent daughter. Based on the graphic novel by Joann Sfar. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi Cast: François Morel, Maurice Bénichou, Hafsia Herzi, Francois Damiens, Mathieu Amalric, Jean-Pierre Kalfon, Fellag Sheik, Marguerite Abouet, Sava Lolov Movie Details Movie Review

...Church (Disciples of Christ) to retire early Religious leaders urge parishioners to rally against slots Railroad asks for rabbis help after tank car derailment Keep shuffling the pieces when dealing with problem growing areas Speeds all relative at...

...opposes any decision on homosexuality this year Evangelist Luis Palau hosts a beach party for Fort Lauderdale collegians Rabbis of Reform Judaism select first woman president Russian court legalizes textbook critical of Jews Mississippi university...

...Muslim holiday In a cloister in Israel, nuns pray for Jews to be Jews Same-sex unions at issue during meeting of Reform rabbis SUVs face more stringent emission standards Western GOP lawmakers get on the land protection bandwagon Comments or...

...Evangelical advocacy group consolidates offices in Washington Eugene holds 'meditation fest' on anniversary of Dalai Lama visit Rabbis' human rights group stresses moral obligations of Israel Allergy sufferers can cultivate gardens that aren't to be sneezed...

...female cantors.) Their job description is broadening. Today's full-time cantors are expected to perform most tasks that rabbis do except preaching and they occasionally do that as well. Most need to be increasingly adept with folk, pop and soft rock...

...point is actually an ancient tradition, a device employed by rabbis nearly 2,000 years ago who wrote commentary on the Bible...history have taken the Exodus story as their own,'' said Rabbi Naomi Levy, who is teaching a course on the musical at the...