NEW YORK — Until confirmation finally came that the Chabad emissaries in Mumbai were among the more than 170 victims killed in this week’s terrorist attacks in India, Chabad Chasidim and emissaries the world over prayed for the best while fearing for the worst.

What makes this year’s Super Sunday different from other Super Sundays?

A national economic crisis that has donors tightening purse strings, for one, a new date and a new location for another.

JERUSALEM – Delivering a grim threat assessment for 2009, the Israeli National Security Council said that Israel in 2009 may well find itself alone facing Iran on the threshold of nuclear power, fighting rocket attacks on two fronts and without a Palestinian partner for a two-state solution.

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama’s “team of rivals” is turning into a collection well known to the Jewish community, which should comfort those who expressed apprehension about who the president-elect would appoint to his cabinet.

Obama is fulfilling pledges he made during a grueling election campaign by reaching out to notables in both parties with deep wells of experience.

Ehud Olmert has pledged to the Bush administration that he would pursue peace talks with the Palestinians until he leaves office.

NEW YORK – The weeks leading up to the inauguration of a new U.S. president can be heady times for those seeking the ear of the incoming administration. So it was no surprise that among Jewish groups, even those with opposing views saw an opportunity over the weekend to rally their members and stake their positions early.