4. Record-Breaking Funding and Policy Action Government and institutional support to protect Jewish communities has reached unprecedented levels:Increased Security Grants: The federal government successfully increased the Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding to help synagogues, day schools, and community centers upgrade their physical security.Corporate Accountability: Organizations like the ADL have successfully audited major corporate entities. This includes tech and gaming giants like Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive, pushing them to tighten hate speech algorithms to block online extremism at the source.

Ojike Uzoma @Xtopher_Uzo · Jun 22 ON ALTAR GIRLS I don't really fancy the idea of altar girls, but it doesn't matter. The Church permits it, and that's what matters. Historically, altar serving has always had a close connection to the priesthood. For many priests today, their first experience of serving the Church was as altar servers. Some of my friends who served at the altar when we were young are priests today. That is why I think altar serving is best reserved for boys. It naturally creates a path that can inspire and nurture priestly vocations. In my opinion, that is one of the strongest reasons for maintaining an all-male altar service. This is not because women are less important in the Church. Far from it. Women contribute immensely to the life of the Church in countless ways. For instance, they can serve as lectors, catechists, choir members, sacristans, church wardens, and many other roles. That said, the Church permits female altar servers. The Church has spoken on the matter, and individual Catholics do not have the authority to overturn that decision simply because they prefer a different practice. So while my personal preference is for an all-boys altar service, I accept the Church's discipline and submit my judgment to the Church. Catholics are free to have preferences, but we are not free to place our preferences above the Church.

Hundreds of Black Christian Leaders Arrive in Israel Stand for Israel | November 4, 2026 Pastors Delegation - Western Wall_28.Photo: Buksa Digital Ltd. The Unfinished Business Pilgrimage is an initiative established by the Black Christian Leaders Council on Israel Relations that will bring 500 representatives to Israel to visit biblical sites, meet with victims of the October 7, 2023, attacks, and show their support for the Holy Land and the Jewish people. The pilgrimage also honors Martin Luther King Jr.’s planned trip to Israel in the late 1960s, which never took place because of his assassination. The Times of Israel reports that hundreds of representatives have already arrived, with more expected later this week. There is a “mountain of support rising from the Black church,” says Pastor Michael A. Stevens, Sr. The leaders of the pilgrimage present gifts to victims of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, massacre, including freed hostage Elkana Bohbot; Hila Abir, whose brother Lotan was murdered at the Nova music festival; and Daniel Lischinsky, whose son Yaron was murdered alongside his fiancée Sarah Milgrim at an Israeli embassy event in Washington, DC. Ther rest of the participants arrive tomorrow, and will visit biblical sites across the country, as well as the site of the Nova massacre. Steven says that Jewish and Black Americans had a tradition of coming together to “establish what was right, and to set the tone for the nation and for the world.” “If anyone should stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, it ought to be African Americans, it ought to be Africans,” he continues. Stevens also says the mission’s main objectives are to raise awareness of rising anti-Semitism around the world and build bridges between Black Christian leaders and the Jewish people. The Fellowship is proud to be part of this mission, with Senior Director of Outreach Pastor Roger Cheeks having helped establish the Black Christian Leaders Council on Israel Relations earlier this year. Meanwhile, both the U.S. and Israel are experiencing political developments following their respective elections. In the U.S., the Democratic Party gained control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the midterm elections. In Israel, President Isaac Herzog has received the results and begun consultations to determine who will receive the mandate to form the next government. He also reiterated the importance of avoiding a second election.