SDJW staff report
Two departments of the federal government and Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) of Harrogate, Tennessee, have reached a settlement in a case in which Jewish medical students have complained of discrimination, it was reported by the Brandeis Center for Human Rights under Law.
The medical students complained that LMU routinely ignored or denied their requests for excused absences for religious holidays such as for the upcoming Yom Kippur but permits religious absences for Christian students.
Under the settlement with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, LMU must change its absence policy, educate faculty, staff and students about the new protections, and reverse penalties previously imposed on Jewish students who were denied religious accommodations.
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has endorsed a hate crime investigation into recent vandalism at Temple Har Shalom in Park City, Utah.
From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Muslim organization stated: “We unequivocally condemn this act of vandalism targeting Temple Har Shalom in Park City. Houses of worship must remain safe havens where communities can gather and practice their faith without fear, intimidation, or hostility. We stand in full solidarity with our Jewish neighbors in Utah and across the country against antisemitism and all forms of religious bigotry. We urge law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, bring those responsible to justice, and apply appropriate hate crime enhancements.”
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San Diego Jewish World staff report