Miscellaneous News of Interest

Sorry but I don't have time to do news roundups anymore. But here are some random stories that I think will be of interest:

• Inside information about the concert ban in The Jewish Star: link
• R. Alan Haber argues that a new guide for egalitarian minyanim is not up to halakhic par: Jerusalem Post
• American, Israeli rabbis reach conversion deal: JTA, Jerusalem Post, RCA announcement
• A new survey finds that over 25% of Americans leave their birth religions, although becoming unaffiliated is counted as leaving a religion: NY Times
• Prof. Ariel Toaff backs down from blood libel: JTA
• The Rabbinic Association of Poland re-established: Arutz Sheva
• Non-Orthodox and non-denominational rabbis, check out the chart of ordination numbers: JTA
• One of the most famous and most successful actuaries in the country is convicted of fraud: Hartford Courant

New issue of The Commentator (link):

• Ashkenized?
• Einstein Not Discriminating Against YU, Dean Says
• Dean Sets Up Task Force To Examine Grade Inflation
• Security Systems to be Bolstered in Light of Recent Campus Tragedies
• Administrators, Students Look to Improve Shabbat on Campus
• CJF Launches Israel Guide
• Campus News
• American Jewish Committee Polls Jews on Politics
• Yeshiva Students Transform Community through Tutoring
• Editorials
  • Beggars Can't Be Choosers
  • Letters to the Editor
  • The Economics of Selling Yourself Short
  • The Unforgettables
• Opinion
  • Of Biblical Importance
  • On Shark Bones
  • Holding Doors
  • Good Will Hunting
  • Chanukah Concert Postponed Due to Threat
• A Very Great Rebel