Judaism

December: Celebrations and Dilemmas, 2002

December 25, 2002

Source: The Washington Times

On December 25, 2002 The Washington Times reported that "the D.C. Jewish Community Center was bustling yesterday as dozens of volunteers wrapped gifts and cooked meals in preparation for their annual Christmas charity event. 'This is very much in keeping with Tikun Olam, the Jewish tradition of repairing the world,' said William Kreisberg, president of center, in the 1500 block of 16th Street NW. 'December 25th is a perfect day for us to do this. It's not a holiday for us, so we can go into the community and bring cheer to...

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"D" Report Card for Preserving Civil Liberties

December 24, 2002

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=1849

On December 24, 2002 the Religion News Service reported that "a coalition of progressive religious leaders has given the nation's political leaders poor grades for the war on terrorism, including a grade of 'D' for preserving civil liberties... The Progressive Religious Partnership's recent 'Spiritual and Ethical Report Card' was...

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INS Detains Hundreds of Muslim and Middle Eastern Immigrants in California

December 24, 2002

Source: JTA

On December 24, 2002 JTA reported that "ten Iranian Jews holding Israeli citizenship have been released on bail after being detained by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service for several days... The 10 men, together with an unknown number of other Iranian Jews and hundreds of Muslims, were arrested under the USA Patriot Act, which mandates the registration of boys and men from five Muslim countries who are in the United States on temporary visas... The registration is part of a U.S. attempt to track Middle Eastern men living in the...

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More Muslims than Jews or Orthodox Christians in Chicago

December 20, 2002

Source: The Chicago Sun-Times

http://www.suntimes.com/output/religion/cst-nws-relbriefs20.html

On December 20, 2002 The Chicago Sun-Times reported that "new population figures for religious communities in the Chicago area show there are more Muslims living in the area than Jews or Orthodox Christians... The figures, from the National Conference for Community and Justice, are based on statistics submitted to the organization by various religious communities...

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INS Detains Hundreds of Muslim and Middle Eastern Immigrants in California

December 20, 2002

Source: Anti-Defamation League

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/CvlRt_32/4214_32.asp

On December 20, 2002, the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group, issued a press release "express[ing] concern regarding the detention and alleged mistreatment of Middle Eastern men and boys in Los Angeles by federal immigration officials. The League urged the Immigration and Naturalization Service to ensure compliance with civil rights laws and to disclose the procedures used in...

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Liberman's Possible Presidential Run

December 20, 2002

Source: The Jerusalem Post

On December 20, 2002 The Jerusalem Post reported that "for Lieberman, the 2000 race illustrated that being Jewish - and observant - was not an impediment to seeking the nation's second-highest office. The Gore-Lieberman ticket won half a million more votes than the Bush-Cheney ticket. There were no outward displays of anti-Semitism. And a sluggish Gore, when he selected Lieberman in August 2000, got a huge boost from the Connecticut senator. The US may indeed have been ready for a Jewish vice president in 2000. A 1999 Gallup...

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Religious Groups Speak Out Against War with Iraq: Dec. 2002

December 19, 2002

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=1843

On December 19, 2002 the Religion News Service reported that "about a dozen religious leaders met with Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, on Wednesday (Dec. 18) for a briefing on the war against terrorism... Clergy participants described the two-hour gathering as a 'good exchange' during which Pentagon officials updated them on their efforts in Afghanistan and...

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Update: Menorah in Cincinnati's Downtown Plaza

December 17, 2002

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.fac.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=17318

On December 17, 2002 The Associated Press reported that "the Supreme Court yesterday refused to weigh in on a dispute between the city of Cincinnati and a Jewish organization over the display of a menorah in a downtown plaza... The Court refused to hear the city's arguments that it should be allowed to stop all private groups from using Fountain Square during the holidays. The...

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Islamic Society of Central Florida Urges Unity

December 16, 2002

Source: Orlando Sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-locrally15121502dec15.story

On December 16, 2002 the Orlando Sentinel reported that "Central Florida Muslims welcomed leaders from top Islamic groups across the country to join them... They heard each other's frustrations, shared perspectives and vowed to unify to end discrimination against Florida Muslims. Now, they hope to unite blacks, Christians, Hispanics and...

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Supreme Court Debates Constitutionality of Banning Cross-Burning

December 12, 2002

Source: The Washington Post

On December 12, 2002 The Washington Post reported that "yesterday's Supreme Court oral argument over Virginia's law banning cross-burning produced an intense discussion of whether the Constitution permits states to prohibit political symbols that strike fear in the hearts of many citizens... The court's only African American, Thomas broke his customary silence during oral argument to drive home the point that the history of cross burning as a symbol of Ku Klux Klan hatred and violence toward blacks, Jews and Catholics makes...

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December: Celebrations and Dilemmas, 2002

December 12, 2002

Source: Catholic League

[catholicleague.org/research/decceleb.htm]

On December 12, 2002 Catholic League reported that "December presents public schools with the opportunity of acknowledging the diverse religious beliefs of their students while avoiding the kind of divisiveness that some activist organizations foster by misinterpreting the constitutional mandate regarding freedom of religion. Teachers, administrators and parents should try to promote greater understanding and tolerance among students of different traditions...

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Wicca in American Universities

December 12, 2002

Source: Fox News Channel

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,72791,00.html

On December 12, 2002 the Fox News Channel reported that "members of Syracuse University's Pagan Society lighted candles in the campus chapel, while curious students signed up for a new class on witchcraft. And at the University of Arizona and Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, believers can be excused from class on Wiccan holidays... 'There is a cultural shift with college students identifying...

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Interfaith Families

December 12, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

On December 12, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "with Hanukkah over by almost a week and Christmas still nearly two weeks away, interfaith families have the rare luxury of putting away the menorah before putting up the tree. That's a big deal. Three weeks' breathing room between the holidays can do a lot to minimize confusion in the minds of young children... For parents, the bonus is not only that you can disentangle the two holidays and deal with each one individually, but also that you have time to reflect on what you...

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