Weekend Plug-in 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com.

(ANALYSIS) It’s Friday the 13th, and I’m your Weekend Plug-in columnist.

I’m not at all superstitious about today’s date. But I’m totally shameless, so look for two of my own stories in today’s roundup of the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Let’s jump right in!

What To Know: The Big Story

Think hostility or prejudice toward Jews is fading in America? Think again.

“Classical fascist” antisemitic views are widespread in the U.S., according to a new survey by the Anti-Defamation League. Religion writer Michelle Boorstein details the findings for The Washington Post.

At the same time, rising antisemitism in the U.S. is seeping into the workplace, Bloomberg’s Arianne Cohen reports.

“It’s not just high-profile incidents,” Cohen’s story notes. “Jewish workers say they’re experiencing more overt discrimination.”

Hostage anniversary: Sunday marks one year since the FBI gunned down a pistol-wielding captor at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.

“Let’s be blunt: We’re healing. We’re not healed,” Jeff Cohen — who was taken hostage along with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and two others — told me in an interview for The Associated Press.

More: The Washington Times’ Mark A. Kellner delves deeper into the Colleyville anniversary, while The Washington Post’s Danielle Paquette profiles a Chicago street artist who painted a mural of Kanye West — and then heard from a rabbi.

Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads

1. Controversial prayers: A sacred Jerusalem site has become a flashpoint with Israel’s rightward shift, The Wall Street Journal’s Shayndi Raice and Aaron Boxerman report.

Jewish activists are “gaining more support for praying at the Temple Mount, called the Noble Sanctuary by Muslims, who have controlled the site for centuries,” according to the Journal.

With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu back in power, read more on how ultra-Orthodox parties are charting Israel’s future, via The New York Times’ Isabel Kershner.

2. Influential pastor: James Meeks bid a tearful farewell this week after 38 years at Salem Baptist Church in Chicago.

Religion News Service’s prolific Bob Smietana — whose byline appears atop other stories this week on Christian nationalism and Southern Baptist sex abuse — provides a colorful, compelling account of Meeks’ final Sunday in the pulpit.

3. The Church of Harry: In a memoir filled with TMI, what didn’t Prince Harry say much about?

In a fascinating think piece for Tablet, Maggie Phillips connects the lack of religion in Harry’s book to the waning influence of the Church of England and — in America — the Episcopal Church.

More Top Reads

The Associated Press’ Giovanna Dell’Orto reports from Norway on a Norway-Russia kids event lighting up Orthodox Christmas. … Politico’s Alice Miranda Ollstein and Lauren Gardner highlight the "next frontier in the abortion wars: Your local CVS.” … At Juicy Ecumenism, Mark Tooley reflects on “Post-Denominational America.” … An Oklahoma inmate was executed after gaining last-minute approval for his spiritual adviser to join him in the death chamber, AP’s Sean Murphy reports. … For Christianity Today, Ken Chitwood explains why a new Bible translation has sparked debate in largely secular Norway. … Finally, America’s Michael O’Loughlin goes inside — but not literally — President Joe Biden’s car ride with El Paso, Texas, Bishop Mark Seitz along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Inside The Godbeat

Catholic News Service closed at the end of 2022, except for its Rome bureau.

That remaining bureau has a new correspondent: Justin S. McLellan. He was welcomed to his new role by Christopher White, who covers the Vatican for the National Catholic Reporter.

Charging Station: ICYMI

Here is where you can catch up on recent news and opinions from ReligionUnplugged.com.

Evangelical publishing is still going strong in post-communist Romania, which gained its independence in 1989.

Michael Ray Smith explores the trend for ReligionUnplugged.com.

The Final Plug

I spent this past weekend in Chicago, covering a unity service in English, Korean and Spanish at the Northwest Church of Christ.

Since I already warned you about my shameless plugs, please check out my Christian Chronicle story with photos by the amazing Audrey Jackson.

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the weekend.

Bobby Ross Jr. writes the Weekend Plug-in column for ReligionUnplugged.com and serves as editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle. A former religion writer for The Associated Press and The Oklahoman, Ross has reported from all 50 states and 18 nations. He has covered religion since 1999.