Talia Lavin Twitter Email RSS

is JTA's editorial assistant. She was a Fulbright scholar in Ukraine. Her poetry and nonfiction writing have been published in Tuesday Magazine, the Gamut, The Birch, Tablet, The Starry Night Review and elsewhere. Follow her on Twitter at @chick_in_kiev.

Latest

• Ukraine Jews hunkering down amid turmoil

  February 25, 2014 12:25pm

  With their country undergoing political upheaval, the Jewish community in Ukraine upgrades its security and looks with uncertainty toward the future.

• Looking at Kiev, through blood and fire

  February 19, 2014 5:17pm

  After spending last year living in Kiev, the author describes feelings of painful powerlessness in the current crisis.

• When a handshake is more than just a handshake

  February 19, 2014 10:52am

  An Orthodox Jewish candidate for European Parliament is drawing ire for refusing to shake hands with women.

• In Hebrew immersion day camps, summer fun augmented with learning

  February 19, 2014 10:47am

  The growing trend of Hebrew-immersion day camps offer children a chance to learn Hebrew while engaging in summer fun.

• 50 shades of Abe Foxman

  February 10, 2014 8:36pm

  In honor of the Anti-Defamation League chief’s impending retirement, here are 50 shades of Abraham Foxman’s disapproval.

• Schindler’s free skate

  February 10, 2014 1:23pm

  When Julia Lipnitskaia, a 15-year-old Russian skater, used music from “Schindler’s List” to skate towards the Olympic gold, reactions were mixed.

• To Russia, with trepidation: Tales from the Wild East

  February 6, 2014 5:49pm

  Journalists of the world have found a lot lacking in Sochi. An American Russophile ponders her own travel nightmares–and why she’d go back in a heartbeat.

• Woody Allen’s many confessions haven’t prepared us for the worst accusation yet

  February 3, 2014 5:43pm

  In light of Dylan Farrow’s renewed accusation that Woody Allen molested her as a child, his iconic public persona has been called into question.

• Menachem Stark, slumlord or saint? Depends who you ask

  January 9, 2014 5:01pm

  While New York newspapers scrutinized the business practices of a slain Hasidic developer, the haredi Orthodox press celebrated his virtues.

• 5 ways to turn women away from Aish.com (UPDATED)

  January 8, 2014 3:10pm

  Aish HaTorah’s website has some dating advice for women — don’t argue, don’t tout your accomplishments, don’t pursue men, don’t share too much personal information, dress nicely and wear makeup.