RNS Morning Report: Israeli rabbinate under scrutiny as religious issues threaten government’s wartime unity

Top Stories Israeli rabbinate under scrutiny as religious issues threaten government’s wartime unity (RNS) — A complaint against the rabbinate's control of who is deemed Jewish comes as cracks are beginning to show in the sense of unity fostered by Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7.   Southern Baptists elect Jeff Iorg to lead Executive Committee (RNS) — Iorg is best known for his long and steady leadership at Gateway Seminary in California. His election ends a two-and-a-half-year-long search for a new Executive Committee leader.   African spiritualities are attracting Black Americans as a source of pride and identity (RNS) — Ancestral veneration, Haitian Vodou, Brazilian Candomblé, Cuban Santería and Ifá have gained attention among Black adults, who see it as an occasion to reconnect with their heritage and celebrate their Blackness.   Can you be a feminist and a Catholic? A theologian argues it’s harder than ever. VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a post #MeToo and #ChurchToo world, Catholic feminists struggle to find reasons to stay.   Unitarian Universalists’ Boston headquarters hosts temporary overflow shelter (RNS) — Amid an urgent need to shelter Massachusetts' growing migrant population, the UUA opened a vacant floor of its South Boston headquarters. RNS Opinion God loves you. Deal with it. The Jewish eroticism that hides in almost plain sight.   ‘The Ally’: The cost of not being angry (RNS) — A play that enables audiences to listen in on topics about which no one is able to speak courteously. ICYMI Sen. Schumer called for Israel’s new elections. American Jews fractured. (RNS) — The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said in its statement that it was 'distressed' by Sen. Schumer's speech. Then a group of Jewish organizations revolted against the statement.   Charlie Dates counters John MacArthur’s declaration that MLK ‘was not a Christian’ (RNS) — In an open letter, the Chicago pastor compares the California pastor to King opponents George Wallace and J. Edgar Hoover, calling MacArthur 'them in postmodern dress.' In Other News ‘Women should be outraged’: Lawmakers urge Supreme Court to restore abortion pill restrictions Landmark report calls for removal of LGBTQ+ discrimination exemptions for Australia’s religious schools   Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. RNS is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend