Following is an English version of the address given by Pope Benedict XVI at Tempio Maggiore in Rome, on 17 January 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to the Rome synagogue will take place in a "new atmosphere" in relations between Catholics and Jews, Cardinal Walter Kasper, the Vatican official in charge of religious relations with Judaism, has said. "We have a new atmosphere with Judaism even if there are difficulties,” he was quoted as telling reporters at a news conference in Rome.

The American Jewish World Service (AJWS) launched a campaign to collect donations following Tuesday's massive earthquake in Haiti, which registered a 7.0 on the Richter scale.

An FBI agent said he was fired because he is Jewish, saying he was unfairly under suspicion over lawful contacts with Israel and AIPAC officials.

A U.S. contractor held in Cuba since early December provided communications equipment to Cuba's Jewish community to help them access the internet and connect with world Jewry.

After the botched terror plot of the "Christmas underwear bomber," David Harris took to the Huffington Post to argue that the United States had something to learn from Israel's stellar record in airport security.

Jennifer Rubin, who generally blogs and writes for Commentary about the perceived dangers of the Obama administration, has a story in this month’s issue headlined “Why Jews Hate Sarah Palin.” The piece drew a swift rejoinder from former Bush administration aide David Frum, who rejected Rubin’s sympathetic take on the GOP presidential hopeful and argued that Jews would hardly be alone in not liking Palin.

The American Jewish World Service, already active in relief activities in the east African nation, announced last Friday the Urgent LGBT Uganda Fund, using the acronym for Lesbian-Gay-Transgender-Bisexual.

Italian Jews issued a statement confirming that Pope Benedict XVI will visit the main Rome synagogue despite tensions over his decision to move Pope Pius XII closer to sainthood.

Citing religious discrimination, a diverse coalition of Jewish organizations is objecting to Switzerland's ban of minarets on local mosques.