Judaism

Israel's Chief Rabbi Advocates for China to Recognize Judaism

June 13, 2006

Source: IsraelNN.com

[israelnn.com/news.php3?id=105322]

On June 13, 2006 IsraelNN.com reported, "Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel and Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, urged China to extend official state recognition to Judaism. As of now, the Chinese state officially recognizes Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Taoism and Islam. In addition, the rabbi called upon China to restore a Shanghai synagogue, Ohel Rachel, which is currently used for government offices. Rabbi Amar said, 'I have come here to strengthen the...

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Castro Valley High School Holds 6th Annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service

June 12, 2006

Source: The Argus

[insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3927184]

On June 12, 2006 The Argus reported, "Before Elsa Castillo participated in the school's Challenge Day this year, she wasn't too comfortable sharing her personal life with a complete stranger — especially at school. But after that day — an interpersonal program designed to help students share with their peers things about their families, cultures and personal lives — her eyes were opened to a brave new world. 'After that day, they weren't strangers anymore,'...

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Interfaith Peacemaking Project Launched in Pasadena

June 10, 2006

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-beliefs10jun10,1,533523.story

On June 10, 2006 the Los Angeles Times reported, "The buttoned-down Episcopalian minister was the first to stand up and introduce himself. Then came a Jew wearing a yarmulke. Then a Palestinian Christian attired in black clericals. Next, a Muslim cloaked in an aqua hijab.

On and on they went, 50 people representing three faiths, their clothing a...

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Diverse Group of Religious Leaders and Organizations Protests Torture

June 8, 2006

Source: Click On Detroit

Wire Service: AP

[clickondetroit.com/news/9340398/detail.html]

On June 8, 2006 the Associated Press reported, "American evangelical, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim leaders are calling for an end to U.S. policies that allow torture of prisoners. Clergy signing the statement of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture include the Rev. Rick Warren, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the Rev. Ted Haggard and Rabbi David Saperstein. Other signers include former...

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Interfaith Peace Walk Held in North Philly

June 5, 2006

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

[philly.com/mld/philly/news/14741624.htm]

On June 5, 2006 The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, "By appearance, by culture and by religion, the differences among the 300 people in sneakers gathered yesterday outside a North Philadelphia mosque were clear-cut. As they prepared to walk more than three miles to promote peace, however, they were reminded of their Scripture-based similarities - an instruction to pursue love and justice. 'The truth is not what we see with our eyes and hear with...

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Opinion: "Indonesia's City of Soul Mourns" by Irfan Yusuf

May 30, 2006

Source: alt.muslim

[altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=P1718_0_24_0]

On May 30, 2006 alt.muslim published a piece by Irfan Yusuf, a lawyer, writer and occasional lecturer based in Sydney, Australia: "If you wish to discover the real spirit of Indonesia, you need to look beyond the beaches and nightclubs of Bali. You also have to look beyond the traffic jams of Jakarta or the art deco conference halls of Bandung. Indonesia's real cultural and spiritual heart is Jogja. Like their Aussie neighbours in the global village, Indonesians...

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Non-Christian Schools Face Obstacles in Joining Texas Association for Private Schools

May 29, 2006

Source: The Dallas Morning News

[dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/highschools/topstories/stories/053006dnspotappssider.122c6391.html]

On May 29, 2006 The Dallas Morning News reported, "TAPPS is open to schools of all faiths, though most of its members are Christian schools. But Jewish and Islamic schools have faced barriers to belonging. When an Islamic school in Houston applied for membership in 2004, Edd Burleson, TAPPS' executive director, discouraged the school in a letter suggesting that its students would not fit...

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Dalai Lama to Represent Buddhism at European Commission Interfaith Meeting in Brussels

May 29, 2006

Source: Phayul.com

[phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=12708]

On May 29, 2006 Phayul.com reported, "The Dalai Lama will represent Buddhism at an interfaith discussion in Brussels tomorrow. Representatives from various faiths will meet in Brussels to participate in a discussion on 'fundamental rights and mutual respect.' Federal Chancellor Schussel, the President in office of the European Council, and Commission President Barroso will interact with leading representatives of world faiths during the discussion that is scheduled...

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Interfaith Gathering in Flint to Focus on Hunger

May 26, 2006

Source: The Flint Journal

[mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-36/114865510484350.xml&coll=5]

On May 26, 2006 The Flint Journal reported, "The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan says fighting hunger is often a matter of faith. So at the food bank's prompting, representatives of several faiths will gather next month in Flint at First Presbyterian Church, 746 S. Saginaw St., for an interfaith service of prayer, song and dance. Recipients of food distributed by religious groups also will attend, to tell about the...

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Opinion: "How One School District Found Religion" by Emile Lester and Patrick S. Roberts

May 22, 2006

Source: USA Today

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20060522/cm_usatoday/howoneschooldistrictfoundreligion

On May 22, 2006 USA Today published an opinion piece by religion professors Emile Lester and Patrick S. Roberts: "In 2000, the religiously diverse community [of Modesto in Northern California] took a risk and, in an almost unheard-of undertaking for a public school district, offered a required course on world religions and...

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Interfaith Meeting in Swansea to Promote Peaceful Societies

May 21, 2006

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/5000986.stm

On May 21, 2006 BBC News reported, "Organisers of a conference bringing together religious and community leaders in Swansea say they hope to increase understanding among faiths. The public have been invited to Sunday's event, which will include addresses from representatives of six major faiths and an open debate. The meeting has been promoted with the motto 'Love for all, hatred for none.'...

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Interfaith Habitat for Humanity House Dedicated in Toledo

May 20, 2006

Source: The Blade

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20060520&Category=NEWS10&ArtNo=605200322&SectionCat=&Template=printart

On May 20, 2006 The Blade reported, "Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sufis, B'hais, and more will join together in celebration tomorrow of something that members of these diverse faiths have in common: the...

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Iran Considers Religious Clothing Law

May 20, 2006

Source: cnews

Wire Service: AP

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Features/2006/05/20/1589977-ap.html

On May 20, 2006 the Associated Press reported, "A draft law being considered by Iran's parliament encourages the wearing of Islamic clothing to protect the country's Muslim identity, according to a copy of the bill obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday.

The 13-article bill, which received preliminary approval a week...

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Progressives at Washington Conference Seek to Inspire Spiritual Activism

May 19, 2006

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/191/story_19179.html

On May 19, 2006 Religion News Service reported, "After wandering the political desert for nearly 40 years, organizers of a 'Spiritual Activism' conference here [in Washington D.C.] this week said that the religious left is taking tentative steps toward the Promised Land. 'We're talking about first, baby steps here,' said Rabbi Michael Lerner, head of the Network of Spiritual Progressives...

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