Sacred Nation
For more than a century, a synagogue known as the ‘Carnegie Hall of Brooklyn’ has been home to the US’ greatest cantors
New York, among other cities around the globe, has been the epicenter of virtuosic cantorial performance of Jewish liturgy through melody. Now, there is an attempt to revive the practice.
In wartime Ukraine, Jews embrace their Ukrainian-Jewish identity
Last week, Jewish communities worldwide celebrated Purim, a joyous holiday that includes dressing up in costume, giving charity, and exchanging gifts. In Ukraine, this was the third Purim Jews have celebrated since Russia’s full-scale invasion. With each year, the Jewish community feels more pride in their Ukrainian identity.
Many Argentine Catholics pray for long-awaited papal visit
On this day 12 years ago, Pope Francis became the first pope from Latin America. Since then, in all of his travels around the world, he has never gone back to visit his home country, Argentina. Now, Pope Francis is facing health issues and has been hospitalized since Feb. 14. His followers in Argentina are praying for his recovery — and hoping that he will finally come back on a papal visit.
How a former gang member in Japan found a new path through Christianity
Tatsuya Shindo was once a member of the yakuza, a Japanese organized crime gang. His arm-length tattoos are a sure sign of his past life. Shindo also served time in prison. But now, he’s a 53-year-old Christian pastor who spends time with other former prisoners in a society where redemption and getting a second chance are not easy.
What South America’s largest Buddhist temple says about the religion’s growing influence in Brazil
When it opened in 1992 on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil, the Zu Lai temple was the first of its kind in the region. After a major expansion, it now occupies more than 100,000 square feet and is the largest tourist attraction in the city of Cotia.