RELIGION HEADLINES MON 12-22

(SRN NEWS)-

(  )  Many Christians are celebrating a surge in movies and TV shows that honor faith.  Phil Wickham, a Grammy-nominated Christian recording artist who voices the character of David in an upcoming film, says it’s been gratifying to see the success of shows like “The Chosen” and “House of David.”  However, it’s too soon to tell whether there’s been a sea change in Hollywood or if it’s a short-term fad.  Fox Media’s marketing chief Jason Klarman says, “Hollywood usually follows money.”  He adds that Fox Nation has a packed slate of upcoming faith-based content, including Zachary Levi’s “David: King of Israel” docudrama.

(  )  America’s largest kosher certifying organizations are taking a closer look at beer, which has long been considered kosher by default.  Due to the proliferation of flavorings brought on by craft brewing and other industry changes, the rabbis who declare food products to be in line with Jewish dietary laws now say to check the label before drinking.  Rabbi Moshe Elefant of the Orthodox Union says “We’ve seen more than one situation in which some beers have dairy in them.  They add lactose, they add milk, so a beer could be dairy, which has very serious kosher ramifications.”  The certifying organizations are coming out with new guidance on beer.

(  )  One of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s appointees has resigned over social media posts she made that featured anti-Semitic tropes.  Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who was tapped to join the incoming administration, has expressed “deep regret” for the posts, which date back to 2011 and 2012.  The Anti-Defamation League first publicized the three tweets from Da Costa that included such phrases as “money-hungry Jews”.  She had been selected to lead Mamdani’s office of appointments, having worked in the office more than a decade ago and more recently held roles at a private communications firm and at Sotheby’s.

(  )  Young women who have grown emboldened in their conservative beliefs attended the annual conference held by Turning Point USA in large numbers over the weekend.  The organization was founded by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September.  The women don’t want to apologize for their traditional views on faith, marriage and family, and they draw inspiration from Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who now leads the political juggernaut that helped return President Trump to the White House. Turning Point’s efforts to appeal to young women are intended to bridge a gender divide that has challenged the Republican Party.