Michelle Boorstein
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michelleboorstein.bsky.social
Michelle Boorstein
@michelleboorstein.bsky.social
curious religion reporter. cockapoo-obsessed. I have questions.
In major shift, Mormon Church lowers mission age for women to 18.
Experts say the change will impact education, marriage, child-rearing trends in the LDS Church

www.washingtonpost.com/religion/202...
In major shift, Mormon Church lowers mission age for women to 18
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said women who are 18 years old can now participate in its mission work worldwide, a shift 15 years coming.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
“We live in a tough time” - women cheering for students, federal workers, anyone just randomly exiting subway in DC this morn
November 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols

The Guard has been reworking its policies to align with the administration’s changing tolerances for hazing, harassment within the U.S. military. By
@taracopp.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
NEW PROJECT: The rate of homicides has plummeted nationwide and, in 2025, is trending toward its lowest level in decades. @washingtonpost.com reporters take you to five cities that help explain why

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/inter...
These five cities help explain why homicide rates are down across the U.S.
Homicides are down nearly 20 percent this year in 52 of America’s largest cities, a decline that spans both red states and blue states.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Trump defends Saudi Crown Prince MBS over the killing of Washington Post columnist, saying “things happen.” Gives chummy welcome to man who approved the dismemberment of a journalist.

"You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that."

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing
The de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are approaching a high point.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
"Anger destroys you..division destroys us. We must find what brings us together" -- Avinatan Or, one of the last Israeli hostages freed, speaking to major N American Jewish conference @jfederations.bsky.social

He said he focused on three things:
_ This too shall pass
_ Patience
_ Let it be
November 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM
The US Catholic bishops spoke out against Trump's immigration crackdown -- without naming him. Longtime church expert @thomasreesesj.bsky.social lays out theories of why

religionnews.com/2025/11/13/c...
Catholic bishops decry treatment of migrants without mentioning Trump
(RNS) — The bishops sent words of solidarity and comfort to the migrants without condemning those responsible for rounding them up and deporting them.
religionnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Michelle Boorstein
"The viral success of the TikTok campaign, he said, reflects how for many, trying to reconcile different interpretations of Christianity — one more about managing behavior and the other more about service — hits at an emotional nerve."
November 13, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Michelle Boorstein
NEW: With SNAP benefits paused, one TikToker started calling churches and asking if they'd help with a can of baby formula.

Most said no. Then their responses went viral.

from me and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social

wapo.st/4oJywOk
This pastor fell for a TikTok stunt and sparked a debate on Christian charity
An influencer’s test of churches went viral, rewarding the generous and shaming the stingy.
wapo.st
November 13, 2025 at 6:53 PM
This pastor fell for a TikTok stunt and sparked a debate on Christian charity.

Fascinating reporting with me and @tatumhunter.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
This pastor fell for a TikTok stunt and sparked a debate on Christian charity
An influencer’s test of churches went viral, rewarding the generous and shaming the stingy
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
MORE: There have been many individual Catholic bishop statements about immigration enforcement but no one collective statement/vote. Today the bishops will vote on a rare "special message" on the topic -- it needs 2/3 to pass and the draft is not public. Watch here for updates
NEW: US Catholic bishops just took their first step since Trump returned to act collectively in support of immigrants. The new program “You Are Not Alone" lays out ways for Catholics across the country to provide direct aid & solidarity to immigrants.

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
Catholic bishops launch new program in defense of migrants
At their first business meeting since the Trump administration crackdown began, church leaders resolved to combat the fear they detect among their adherents.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:26 PM
NEW: US Catholic bishops just took their first step since Trump returned to act collectively in support of immigrants. The new program “You Are Not Alone" lays out ways for Catholics across the country to provide direct aid & solidarity to immigrants.

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
Catholic bishops launch new program in defense of migrants
At their first business meeting since the Trump administration crackdown began, church leaders resolved to combat the fear they detect among their adherents.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
For an organization that spent millions over decades on a single issue, the response to real terror in our streets and government-driven deprivation of basic needs has been embarrassingly inadequate.
What does it mean to be a US Catholic today?
www.ncronline.org/opinion/edit...
What is American Catholicism in this moment of political crisis?
U.S. bishops have spent untold millions to influence national politics on abortion, but their response to real terror in our streets and government-driven deprivation of basic needs has been embarrass...
www.ncronline.org
November 11, 2025 at 3:12 AM
The Washington Post Got 21,000 Emails After It Didn’t Endorse. I Read Them All.
Reading and editing letters gave me a theory about what is wrong with America — and how it could be fixed.

www.notus.org/perspectives...
The Washington Post Got 21,000 Emails After It Didn't Endorse. I Read Them All.
Reading and editing letters gave me a theory about what is wrong with America — and how it could be fixed.
www.notus.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Traditional media never took the Christian Right seriously, argues longtime investigative religion reporter Sarah Posner

Trump has been propelled to power by a radical religious movement that is a minority in America

talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/tradi...
Traditional Media Never Took the Christian Right Seriously
Back in the early 2000s, when we were outraged by the excesses...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:40 PM
EXCLUSIVE: The secretive donor circle that lifted Vance is now re-writing MAGA’s future:
Chris Buskirk put tech elites at the power center of Trump’s DC. His efforts are grounded in the belief that an “aristocracy” is needed to move the country forward.

www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
The secretive donor circle that lifted JD Vance is now re-writing MAGA’s future
Chris Buskirk put tech elites in power in Trump’s Washington. His efforts are grounded in a controversial theory — an ‘aristocracy’ is needed to move the country forward.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
NEW POLL: Majorities of Americans say Trump is not committed to protecting freedom of speech, ensuring a fair criminal justice system or preserving free and fair elections.

They rank Democrats higher than Trump on protecting the freedom of religion

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Poll finds most Americans doubt Trump’s commitment to free speech, fair justice
The American people also don’t seem to know quite what to make of the criminal cases against two of Trump’s perceived opponents.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Michelle Boorstein
Forty-two million people — roughly 1 in 8 Americans — could see cuts or delays to food assistance as soon as Saturday if the government shutdown continues.

Many SNAP recipients are children, elderly or adults with disabilities.
Who receives SNAP? Food aid for 1 in 8 Americans is threatened in November.
A look into the Americans who could be affected by the delay of SNAP food assistance during the government shutdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I am “appalled, offended and disgusted that he and Heritage would stand with Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes as somehow being acceptable spokespeople within the conservative movement" - leader of the GOP Jewish Coalition, on close White House ally, Heritage

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Heritage Foundation head defends Tucker Carlson for hosting white nationalist with antisemitic views
The president of a prominent Republican-aligned think tank defended conservative media personality Tucker Carlson after he hosted a conversation with a far-right activist known for pushing white natio...
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Head of DC's Catholic cathedral, where most are young adults, says his congregants are really in fear over the govt shutdown and many lost paychecks.

"It's not their problem, it's our problem...we have to look beyond the spiritual" to help them

cbn.com/news/politic...
DC-Area Churches Walk with Congregants Hit by the Shutdown as Financial Uncertainty Hits Home
More than half a million federal furloughed employees will miss their first full paychecks this week due to the governme
cbn.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Reposted by Michelle Boorstein
Jewish family sues NYC’s Met Museum over ‘secretly trafficked’ Nazi-looted van Gogh

www.thejc.com/news/usa/jew...
Jewish family sues NYC’s Met Museum over ‘secretly trafficked’ Nazi-looted van Gogh - The Jewish Chronicle
The oil painting, called ‘Olive Picking’, was left behind when the Stern family fled Germany in the 1930s
www.thejc.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Michelle Boorstein
As AI videos and images spread across the internet, tech companies have developed a plan to prevent mass confusion.

But tests by The Post on eight major social platforms found that only one of them added a warning to an uploaded AI video.
Analysis | We uploaded a fake video to 8 social apps. Only one told users it wasn’t real.
Facebook, TikTok and other major platforms do not use a tech industry standard touted as a way to flag fake content, tests using AI-generated videos found.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:00 AM
BLOCKBUSTER @washingtonpost.com
report on misconduct charges against two leaders in a key part of conservative Protestantism: the Anglican Church in North America 1/3

www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
U.S. Anglican Church archbishop accused of sexual misconduct, abuse of power
An attempted kiss, cash payments and other allegations roil the Anglican Church in North America.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Michelle Boorstein
Most Jewish Americans feel at least "somewhat safe" in the U.S., but fewer than 1 in 5 feel "very safe."
(@michelleboorstein.bsky.social @sfcpoll.bsky.social @emgusk.bsky.social, Washington Post)
More, via Opinion Today:
opiniontoday.substack.com/p/251016-top...
October 16, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Reposted by Michelle Boorstein
About 7 in 10 U.S. Jews disapprove of President Trump's job performance.
(@michelleboorstein.bsky.social @sfcpoll.bsky.social @emgusk.bsky.social, Washington Post)
More, via Opinion Today:
opiniontoday.substack.com/p/251016-top...
October 16, 2025 at 10:50 PM