Mr. Yigal, 54, is a quiet African-American from Tennessee who says he converted to Judaism in 2000, adopted an Israeli-sounding name and moved to Binghamton in 2005 to buy an inexpensive house near a synagogue.

WSJ: After Tragedy, City Suffers Second Trauma Over Victims' Fund

There is huge incongruity between the sophistication of so many American Jews in so many disciplines and their ignorance of Judaism.

ECONOMIST: Judaism in the diaspora: A buffet to suit all tastes | The