USA

Eye-opening Elderhostel course examined history of Crypto Jews in New Mexico

By Janis Colton CHEVY CHASE, Maryland– Over the past few years, I had glimpses of the world of Sephardic Jewish history that streamed from the period of the Inquisition, but no real knowledge about these Jewish ancestors. Finally, this past summer (July 2009), my husband Bob, another couple and I signed up for an Elderhostel

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USA

Young actor to shave head for role and cancer victims

BEFORE—Joey Landwehr and Daniel Myers with hair intact; both plan to shave their heads to aid cancer victims. ______________________________________________________________ By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Daniel Myers, a junior at High Tech High School, always took pride in his hair, which at one point he wore in what some called a Jewfro.  As an actor with

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Donald H. Harrison, USA

Israeli commentary on Obama increasingly views him in Palestinian camp

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There has been a worrisome shift in Israeli commentary on President Obama’s efforts to force peace between Israel and Palestine.   A prominent emphasis had focused on the President’s naivete, what one called a “childish” assumption that his engagement could bring the parties to positions they had not taken on their own.  

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Christian legal group tells 'rules' for Christmas in schools

SAN DIEGO–The Rutherford Institute, a Charlottesville, Virginia-based-group which defends Christian religious practices in First Amendment cases, has issued “The Twelve Rules of Christmas” opining for Christians what kind of Christmas activities U.S. courts have found to be legal. Because church and state issues frequently affect the Jewish community, San Diego Jewish World  here reprints the “rules” as a

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USA

Anti-gun group seeks ban on Belgian weapon used by Nidal Hasan

WASHINGTON, DC–In a letter sent Thursday to the White House, America’s six national gun violence prevention (GVP) organizations–the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Violence Policy Center, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Freedom States Alliance, Legal Community Against Violence, and States United to Prevent Gun Violence–as well as 21 state and regional GVP groups strongly

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USA

Senate committee begins Ft. Hood massacre probe

  WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release) – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (Independent, Connecticut), and Ranking Member Susan Collins (Republican, Maine) Thursday opened their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder of 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, with testimony from witnesses expert in the military, Islamist extremism and self-radicalization, and federal intelligence collection

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USA

Minnesota man charged with aiding terrorists in Somalia

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–A federal indictment against Omer Abdi Mohamed, age 24, was unsealed on Thursday, following the Minneapolis man’s arrest and initial appearance in court. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on Tuesday of this week, charges Mohamed, also known as “Brother Omer” and “Galeyr,” with conspiracy to provide material support to

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USA

ACLU, Americans United demand public school graduation ceremonies be moved from Cathedral

ENFIELD, Connecticut (Press Release) – The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Connecticut and Americans United for Separation of Church and State on Wednesday demanded that school officials in Enfield stop holding high school graduation ceremonies at a Christian church and instead hold them at any of a number of secular locations available in the

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USA

Protect woman's right to abortion in health bill —Saperstein

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release)– Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, recently sent a letter to the full Senate in support of comprehensive health insurance reform legislation that protects women’s reproductive health. The full text of Rabbi Saperstein’s letter follows: Dear Senator: On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose

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USA

Sanctions against Iran may come 'within weeks' —Obama

SEOUL, South Korea (WJC)–United States President Barack Obama has warned Iran of the consequences of its rejection of the proposed package on uranium enrichment. Obama said a new measures against Iran could be agreed within “within weeks”. Obama said at a press conference with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul: “Iran has taken weeks

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USA

Is President Obama the new George McGovern?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Remember George McGovern? His clone is sitting in the Oval Office.   The 2008 campaign differed in several ways from 1972 that explain Obama’s victory. His speaking ability excels that of other politicians, including McGovern. Obama was running against a ticket with an intellectually handicapped vice presidential candidate, whereas McGovern was embarrassed

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA