Judaism

Rabbis' Call to Boycott Olympics Prompts Backlash

May 9, 2008

Author: Rachel Pomerance

Source: USA Today/Religion News Service

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-05-08-jewish-olympics_N.htm

A rabbinic call for Jews to boycott the Olympic Games in China has spawned a backlash by major American Jewish organizations.

The petition, signed by 194 American rabbis from across the religious spectrum, cited as its basis "China's support for the genocidal government of Sudan" the...

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No Joke! Stand-Up Comedians Battle Intolerance

May 7, 2008

Author: Ralph Dannheisser

Source: News Blaze

http://newsblaze.com/story/20080507071303tsop.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html

A Muslim, a Christian, a Jew, a Hindu and a Sikh walk into a hotel ballroom.

The opening line of a joke?

No, but in this case it was the start of a full evening of stand-up comedy aimed - its creators say - at easing religious tensions through laughter "and a healthy...

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Jewish Students in Plano Report Pressure to Pick Up New Testaments

May 2, 2008

Author: STACI HUPP

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/050308dnmetbiblefight.3780755.html

Some Plano students who are Jewish say they were pressured or taunted to pick up copies of the New Testament from school display tables during recent weeks.

Their parents have called for changes in district policies that allow outside groups to...

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Synagogue Vandalism Investigated as Hate Crime

May 1, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: KNSD-TV

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24396209/

The FBI and the San Diego Sheriff's Department are investigating what they're calling a hate crime at a local temple.

The sign on the Ner Tamid Synagogue in the 13000 block of Pomerado Road in Poway was spray-painted on Saturday night, officials said.

FBI agents and sheriff's detectives have labeled the vandalism a hate crime because of the numbers that are painted on...

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FBI to Investigate Parkland Synagogue Graffiti

May 1, 2008

Author: LARRY LIPMAN

Source: Palm Beach Post Staff

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2008/05/01/0501synagoguefbi.html

The FBI plans to investigate the painting of anti-Semitic graffiti at a synagogue in Parkland.

"We're going to open a case," and work with the Broward County Sheriff's Office, FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela said today.

Orihuela said it was standard practice...

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Rabbi Leads Interfaith Delegation to Iran

April 29, 2008

Author: Haviv Rettig

Source: JPost

http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/4779

For the first time, an American rabbi will be traveling to Iran Tuesday on a mission of interfaith dialogue and understanding.

Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, one of the early forces behind the Jewish Renewal movement in America, will co-lead a delegation of 21 peace activists to the Islamic Republic on a mission "to humanize the face of Iran, lest we end...

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Interfaith Org Holds Delegate Assembly

April 29, 2008

Author: Molly Ritvo

Source: The Jewish Advocate

http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/news/?content_id=4879

Standing before more than 300 leaders of different faiths at a Greater Boston Interfaith Organization action meeting, Massachusetts Secretary of Elder Affairs Michael Festa recently spoke about the importance of supporting the elderly population.

The assembly, which was held on April 8 at Temple Emanuel...

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John Levi Appointed Interfaith Professor at ACU

April 29, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: CathNews/Australian Jewish News

http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=6882

Interfaith pioneer Rabbi John Levi has been awarded a professorship at the Australian Catholic University (ACU).

The Australian Jewish News reports the Rabbi will use the position to "build even stronger bonds between the university and the Australian Jewish community".

"The appointment is a very sincere attempt by the Catholic...

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At Synagogue, Pope Reiterates Respect For Jews

April 24, 2008

Author: JOHN THAVIS

Source: The Georgia Bulletin/CNS

[georgiabulletin.org/local/2008/04/24/respect/]

In a brief, movingly simple visit to a New York synagogue, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his respect for the city’s Jewish community and encouraged the building of “bridges of friendship” between religions.

The encounter April 18 marked the first time a pope has visited a Jewish place of worship in the United States, and it came a day before the start of the Jewish Passover.

The pope said...

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Synagogue Burns In Miami Beach; Torah Missing

April 23, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: WTVJ-TV/msnbc

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24262839/

Authorities are investigating a fire at a Miami Beach synagogue where members said the torah was missing. The fire gutted Congregants of The Chabad Shul at Pine Tree Road and 24th Street at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. The devastation coincided with Passover, a holiday commemorating the Jews' liberation from slavery.

No one was inside the temple at the time of the fire. No one...

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Jewish Leader Revives Shanghai Synagogue

April 22, 2008

Author: Cara Anna

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Wire Service: AP

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0422/p04s01-woap.html

A glass was smashed, and a cheer went up.

After months of careful negotiations with the Chinese government, Shanghai's Jewish community celebrated a revival last month as a historic synagogue opened for its first wedding in about 60 years.

For decades, the practice of...

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"Life to the Full," a Commentary on the Life of Krister Stendahl by James Carroll

April 21, 2008

Author: James Carroll

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/04/21/life_to_the_full/

WHAT TO say when a beloved friend dies? Krister Stendahl - once the Harvard Divinity School dean, Lutheran Bishop of Sweden, distinguished theologian, husband and father, man of God - would not have been troubled by mere silence. Krister knew how the mysteries of...

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Creating Partnerships at Seder

April 20, 2008

Author: Ari B. Bloomekatz

Source: The Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-me-passover20apr20,1,6929899.story

The maror looked strange to immigrant rights activist Angelica Salas, and she wasn't sure how bitter the bitter herbs would be.

"But I actually really enjoyed it," Salas said, recalling how she dipped parsley into saltwater and made her first Hillel sandwich at her first Passover...

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