In January of 1943, Irma Lauscher, a teacher at the Theresienstadt concentration camp in Czechoslovakia, smuggled a tree into the camp so that the Jewish children imprisoned by the Nazis could celebrate Tu B’Shevat in a secret ceremony. The children used their water rations to nurture the sapling. 

(JTA) — Israel will lift its COVID-related travel ban on visitors from the United States, United Kingdom and several other countries for the first time since restrictions were put in place in November.

The North Carolina Council on the Holocaust is pleased to report the passage of the Holocaust Education Act. The Holocaust Act was part of the composite $25.9 billion state budget passed by both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly and signed by Governor Cooper in November.

(JTA) — Israel announced Monday that it would reduce its restrictions on travel that were first put in place in November to delay the spread of the Omicron variant, but visitors from the United States are still barred from entering.

This year’s Main Event kicks off Federation’s 2022 Annual Campaign with a milestone goal of $5 million. Co-chairs Ana Bonnheim and Lindsay Muns are excited to announce that they will welcome Nancy Spielberg as our featured speaker on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Please join us in person at Temple Israel or virtually as Nancy helps us celebrate the influence of Federation through personal anecdotes using stories of her own experiences.

(JTA) — Israel will likely begin administering a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine to seniors, immunocompromised people, and healthcare workers in an effort to stem the spread of the Omicron variant. The move was recommended Tuesday by the panel of experts advising Israel’s government on the coronavirus pandemic. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had been hinting at the possibility of a fourth shot and embraced the recommendation in a statement Tuesday.

(JTA) — Israel’s Health Ministry has recommended barring Israelis from traveling to the United States due to the outbreak of the Omicron coronavirus variant there.Over a dozen staff members of the Israeli Consulate in New York have tested positive, according to The Times of Israel.

(JTA) — The Golden Globes won’t be televised, but there will be Jewish honorees — among them two directors at different stages of their directing careers. After numerous controversies have rattled the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — from a “culture of corruption” to not a single Black member — NBC decided it will not be airing the annual film and television awards show this year, and its future is unclear. But the association went ahead with announcing nominations Monday and plans to name winners Jan. 9. Here’s what you need to know about the Jewish nominees for the 2022 Golden Globes.

Jewish Family Services (JFS) is thrilled to announce the first-ever honorees for Live, Laugh, Give 2022. “This year we have the esteemed pleasure of recognizing Kevin Levine and Louis Sinkoe for their many contributions to JFS, the Jewish community, and the Greater Charlotte community,” said Howard Olshansky, JFS executive director.

Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn By Shira Hanau, November 14, 2021 (JTA) A watercolor painting by Vincent Van Gogh that was stolen by the Nazis from its Jewish owner during…