Judaism

Author of Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths Urges Interfaith Dialogue

October 19, 2002

Source: The Washington Post

On October 19, 2002 The Washington Post reported that "two recent meetings in Washington -- one hosted by Muslims and the other by a Jewish congregation -- illustrate the heightened interest in exploring theological issues generated by the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. The gathering was the first of 100 interfaith 'Abraham Summits' planned for Nov. 8 to 24 in communities across the country in connection with [Bruce Feiler's new book, Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths]. The book examines the man revered...

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Heifer International Holds Interfaith Prayer

October 18, 2002

Source: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

On October 18, 2002 The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that "about 150 civic leaders, architects and the charity's employees gathered on weedy industrial land on the eastern edge of Little Rock. Their heads bowed, they prayed Jewish, Muslim and Christian prayers and blessed the roughly 27 acres that bulldozers will begin transforming next year... For Heifer International, a Little Rock-based world relief organization, the blessing marked the first time the organization publicly acknowledged that its...

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Court Upholds Ruling: No Sectarian Prayers at Government Agencies

October 18, 2002

Source: The Press Enterprise

On October 18, 2002 The Press Enterprise reported that "Lake Elsinore's City Council [CA] recently decreed that all mention of religious figures, including Jesus Christ and Allah, be deleted from their meeting's opening invocation. The prayers may acknowledge a supreme being, but not by name. On the other side of the debate are the cities of San Bernardino and Temecula [CA], which also invite local clergy to open their meetings. Neither city is willing to tell a pastor how to pray."

Interfaith Volunteers Sew Lap Quilts for Houston Elderly

October 17, 2002

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On October 17, 2002 The Houston Chronicle reported that "dozens of volunteers from a variety of faiths gathered Sunday at a West Houston mosque to sew lap quilts for the elderly. Hunched over sewing machines, or cutting and pinning fabric, Muslims labored alongside Jews and Christians as part of a two-day, citywide effort by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston to break down religious barriers by engaging in simple acts of charity and finding a common thread of humanity."

Debates Over Hanging Ten Commandments Plaque in Altoona's Municipal Building

October 15, 2002

Source: The Associated Press

On October 15, 2002 The Associated Press reported that "a plaque displaying the Ten Commandments no longer hangs in Altoona's [PA] municipal building, and some council members who want to put it back on display are running into opposition. Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Atheists Inc. argue that displaying the religious text in a government building is a clear violation of the separation of church and state and would offend some people. Altoona city officials say the plaque deserves to...

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Religious Diversity in Queens, New York

October 15, 2002

Source: The Village Voice

On October 15, 2002 The Village Voice reported that "Flushing is no longer 'the valley of ashes' that Fitzgerald described. The former cultural void brims with residents from over 30 countries. An afternoon's stroll will expose you to cultures of Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Heralded as the birthplace of religious freedom, Flushing teems with Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews, and Christians."

Civic and Religious Leaders Prepare for Donovan Jackson Beating Case

October 14, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

On October 14, 2002 Los Angeles Times reported that "the trial of the two police officers accused in the Donovan Jackson beating case won't start for weeks or even months. But in Inglewood, civic leaders are feverishly organizing for the day a verdict is reached... Worried that an unpopular outcome could prompt violence in a mostly minority city that has begun to lift itself out of a years-long economic slump, members of the Inglewood Peace...

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Controversy Over Somali Muslim Immigrant Communities in Small N.E. Town

October 14, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

On October 14, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "a year ago, a coalition of religious charities told Holyoke [Mass.] Mayor Michael Sullivan they were seeking nearly $1 million in federal funds to relocate as many as 60 Somali Muslim families over the next three years to this city, one of the state's poorest. Holyoke seemed the perfect fit, the charities said, because of affordable housing, entry-level jobs, and the city's long tradition of absorbing newcomers. Sullivan agreed, but advised the coalition to find more money...

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Larchmont, Virginia's Cultural Diversity

October 13, 2002

Source: The Virginian-Pilot

On October 13, 2002 The Virginian-Pilot reported that "Larchmont has the highest concentration of foreign-born residents of any neighborhood in Hampton Roads, according to new figures from the 2000 census... it is a hodgepodge of religions: Christian and Muslim and Jewish and Hindu and Buddhist."

Debate about Organ Donations

October 12, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

On October 12, 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported that "the questions of when death begins and when donated organs may be used have raised a thicket of moral issues... The Catholic Church and Islamic groups see such acts as charity. Among Jews, a debate rages. Rabbis from opposing camps continue to vociferously debate when death begins-- at the cessation of neurological functions, known as brain death, or when the heart and respiratory systems fail. The definition is key to organ donations, because doctors using heart-lung...

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Christians Disagree Over Evangelism

October 12, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

On October 12, 2002 Los Angeles Times reported that "the World Evangelical Alliance is taking issue with an August report from U.S. Catholic bishops that opposes efforts to target Jews for conversion. The evangelical organization, an alliance of 120 national and regional church fellowships and 75 nondenominational ministries, has reaffirmed and reissued a declaration defending Jewish evangelism that was written in 1989 by 16 theologians from nine nations."

Non-Denominational Jewish Community Center in Salt Lake City

October 12, 2002

Source: The Deseret News

On October 12, 2002 The Deseret News reported that "the Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center [in Salt Lake City] is unusual because its membership is about two-thirds non-Jewish, making it one of the highest such ratios in the nation. While the center will offer patrons an indirect exposure to and limited education about Jewish culture and religion... The center is intended to reflect Judaism's strong family-oriented values. Jewish restrictions on the eating of pork and shell fish are evident in the offerings at the center's...

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Cordial Interfaith Session: Free of Politics

October 12, 2002

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On October 12, 2002 St. Petersburg Times reported that "a cordial interfaith session [was] organized by the [B'nai Israel of St. Petersburg] synagogue's adult studies program. The occasion was studiously free of politics, steering clear of Israel, the Palestinians and other contentious issues. Barry Augenbraun, a member of Congregation B'nai Israel and an active member of the Jewish community, said he was not disappointed that Israel was not discussed."

Portland Man Allegedly Supporting Al-Qaida Reveals Planned Attack on American Jews

October 12, 2002

Source: Associated Press

On October 12, 2002 the Associated Press reported on the case of October Lewis and her ex-husband Jeffrey Leon Battle. "Both have been charged with conspiring to wage war against the United States...    Battle also told an FBI informant he wanted to shoot Jews in America, a federal prosecutor alleged at a detention hearing Friday before Judge Ancer Haggerty, who ordered Lewis held in jail until her trial... Battle, Lewis and four others were indicted in Portland last week on charges of conspiring to wage war against U.S. forces in...

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Jewish Students Install Torah in Boston College

October 12, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

On October 12, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "Boston College's Jewish community was largely invisible as recently as the mid-90s. But with the revival of a Jewish student activities group, the creation of a multifaith worship center and the establishment two years ago of the Center for Jewish-Christian learning, Jewish students no longer have to leave campus to embrace their faith. In a ceremony yesterday that in a way marked a crowning achievement of the college's Jewish community, the school welcomed the Torah, and installed...

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