Watch more of our interview with Rabbi Hara Person, executive editor of the new "Mishkan Hanefesh" Jewish prayer book for the High Holidays.

Source: Rabbi Hara Person Extended Interview | September 11, 2015 | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly | PBS

A contemplative order in New Jersey, where sisters live in cloister and practice a life of prayer, is attracting eager, college-educated women.

Source: Bucking a Trend, Some Millennials Are Seeking a Nun’s Life - The New York Times

Ms. Lerman was a difficult writer to categorize, but she had a feminist bent, a Jewish sensibility and a taste for ribaldry.

Source: Rhoda Lerman, Writer Who Defied Labels, Dies at 79 - The New York Times

Pope Francis is giving all priests a window of discretion to forgive women who have had abortions. The window is during the upcoming holy year, which will begin in December.

Source: Pope Francis Announces Window To Forgive Women Who Had Abortions : NPR

SALT LAKE CITY – Installing three women to high-level leadership councils could have far-reaching consequences in a denomination led exclusively by men.

Source: Mormon women salute historic step, envision even greater strides toward equity - Religion News Service

After the church posted an essay about the founder’s polygamy last year, Leslie O. Peterson spent three months painting portraits of his 34 wives.

Source: Mormon Leader Joseph Smith’s 34 Wives Inspire Utah Artist

An online culture that blends youthful rebellion with radical religiosity helped draw popular, high-achieving friends to Syria.

Source: Jihad and Girl Power: How ISIS Lured 3 London Teenagers - The New York Times

Rukmini Callimachi discusses how she worked to tell the stories of Yazidi women and girls held as sex slaves by the Islamic State.

Source: Kidnapping and Sex Slavery: Covering ISIS’ Religious Justification for Rape - The New York Times

Mona Eltahawy says as a female in Saudi Arabia you have two options: "To lose your mind or become a feminist." Rafia Zakaria says it's crucial to reclaim the identity of the modern Muslim woman.

Source: Muslim Feminists Rewrite Boundaries On The Street And At Home : NPR

An appellate court had secretly commuted the death sentences of four men, dropped charges against some and reduced sentences against many others.

Source: Afghan Panel to Call for Retrial in Death of Farkhunda, a Female Scholar - The New York Times

A former professor at Northwest Christian University in Oregon is suing the school for allegedly firing her for being pregnant and unmarried, violating the faith-based values of the institution. She says it's discrimination.

Source: Professor Sues Religious University After Allegedly Being Fired For Getting Pregnant : NPR

The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/31/world/middleeast/attack-on-gay-pride-parade-shakes-israels-self-image-as-bastion-of-tolerance.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/world/europe/muslims-in-moscow-work-to-break-a-stereotype.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss