USA

Civil rights attorney forms group to help Jews on campuses

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Former Staff Director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Kenneth L. Marcus, announced the launch of independent Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. www.brandeiscenter.com Marcus, director of the new center, is founding the Washington-based organization to combat campus anti-Semitism through civil rights litigation, legal research, and public […]

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USA

Romney and Obama both struggle with religious issues

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The confluence of Barack Obama ‘s problem with contraception and Mitt Romney’s candidacy reminds me of that often expressed sentiment that the United States is a “religion soaked” country. It leads western democracies–including Israel–for people who express a belief in God and pray on a regular basis. The existence of

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Ira Sharkansky, USA

Protecting the right to privacy has biblical precedents

 By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Most rabbinical students attribute omnipresence and omniscience as qualities befitting a Creator. Only God is called, “The Knower of Thoughts,” and “The Searcher of the human heart.” Rabbinical wisdom has long taught, “Always keep in mind these three things, and you will never come to the

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Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA

Jewish Federations say new tax policy could jeopardize charitable giving

WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – In response to the Administration’s Budget release on Monday that once again limits the value of tax deductions for charitable contributions, leaders from The Jewish Federations of North America — one of America’s largest philanthropies — released the following statements: William Daroff, vice president for public policy and director of the Washington

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USA

An open letter to Cal State University about anti-Semitism

 Dear President Welty, President Armstrong, President Hellenbrand, and Chancellor Reed: We are co-founders of the AMCHA Initiative, a grassroots organization representing thousands of members and supporters of the California Jewish community, who are united in their concern for the safety and well-being of Jewish students on college and university campuses across the state. We would

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USA

JFK’s extramarital sex not so important as his record — or lack of one

By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — It is hardly worth the energy to mention how monumentally uninteresting is the “shocking” new book by Mimi Alford, Once Upon A Secret, which will now briefly draw attention from the sordid, disagreeable primary presidential primary campaign and its flailing bitterness.   I’m not planning to read or

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USA

ACLU right to challenge U.S. targeting of American citizens overseas

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — Having to choose between siding with the Obama administration and siding with the ACLU is tough — but the ACLU wins this one. The ACLU sued the CIA for information about the deaths of Anwar al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old son, and Samir Khan in CIA/JSOC drone strikes in Pakistan. The

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Shoshana Bryen, USA

Adelson is a major right-wing factor in U.S., Israeli politics

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The New York Times describes Sheldon Adelson as a poor boy who made himself rich, not especially attracted to Jewish affairs or Israel until middle age, now a major contributor to things Jewish, American, and Israeli.   His most recent prominence comes from $10 million contributed by him and his

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Ira Sharkansky, USA

Mandatory contraception provision may upend national health care law

By Bruce Kesler   ENCINITAS — The mandate by the Obama administration that contraception must be provided by religious hospitals even if contrary to their religious doctrine may influence the Supreme Court’s decisions on ObamaCare. On a fundamental level, the mandate exhibits the intrusiveness of Obamacare into aspects of private belief, its practice, and freedom

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USA

Filner’s ‘Freedom Rides’ a family response to seeing Nazi concentration camps

By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO –The celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has become a national day of service in many communities.  For Congregation Dor Hadash, a very activist congregation, it’s difficult to pick one cause.  The congregation creates an annual experience in song and action.  In announcing the program, Dr.

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USA

Former state senator remembers horrifying sound of MLK’s blood being scraped from balcony

By Rabbi Ben Kamin LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Although Georgia Davis Powers is 88 years old, she remains fit, feisty, vibrant, alert, creative, and determined to be remembered as more than a woman connected romantically to Martin Luther King, Jr.  The first time she ever visited Memphis was at his behest; she drove through a rainy night from

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USA