L'Shana Tovah, chaverim!
San Diego Jewish World
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 Vol. 1, No. 135

   Wednesday Afternoon, September 12, 2007
 
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San Diego Jewish World is a publication of The Harrison Enterprises of San Diego, co-owned by Donald & Nancy Harrison.
 


 

 L'shana Tovah!

Nancy and I would like to extend our best wishes for  a happy, healthy and prosperous Jewish New Year to the San Diego Jewish community and to readers throughout the country and the world who have visited this website. 

We share the prayer that the New Year bring peace and reconciliation to all of God's peoples, and that we all soon can rev up our "swords-into-plowshares machines" with only one-time use necessary.

To any and all who we have offended in the course of putting out this newspaper, in the tradition of our people, we sincerely apologize and ask your forgiveness.

Donald H. Harrison
 

(Please click on headline below to jump to the story)

Israel and Middle East

Yad Vashem wins Prince of Asturias Award for Concord; ceremony Oct. 26

Judy Lash Balint: How we celebrate Rosh Hashanah in Jerusalem

Shoshana Bryen: Speculation deepens that Israel struck terrorist-related target in Syria raid

Israel's military celebrates its heroes in 2nd Lebanon War

Mizrahi to retire as head of Israel's
National Security Council in November



ZOA urges Israel to investigate 'illegal Palestinian housing'

Iraq Debate

Boxer invokes memory of two Op-Ed writing soldiers to call for Iraq change

Europe

TV talk host Eva Herman sacked in Germany for pro-Nazi comment

Five soccer fans face prison terms for inciting anti-Semitism during match

Australia

EJAJ Supports Terror Listing

New Package to Benefit Survivors

Jews respond to Darfur Crisis

United States of America

Oregon civil case evolving into a court fight over circumcision

ADL condemns 'noose' used for racial intimidation at U Maryland

Democratic chairman Howard Dean sends Rosh Hashanah greetings

NJDC urges Stevens removal from Senate Appropriations Committee

Features

Jewish Grapevine
 

Greater San Diego County

JFS schedules child-rearing workshops

Sports

Joe Naiman: SDJA drubbed 58-14, but coach is proud of squad's first 11-man outing.


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Oregon civil case becomes court battle over circumcision

SALEM, Oregon—The American Jewish Committee this week filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon defending a custodial parent's right to enable his son to undergo ritual circumcision.

"AJC firmly believes that denying the right of ritual circumcision is a clear violation of the Free Exercise clause, which has always allowed parents to take into account religious interests when determining what is best for their children," said Jeffrey Sinensky, AJC's general counsel.

The case, Boldt v. Boldt, concerns a custodial father who, after converting to Judaism, wished to have his son circumcised. The boy's mother opposes the circumcision, and has been supported by anti-circumcision proponents who are using this case as an opportunity to advocate for the abolition of all circumcision, including those performed on newborns. This would directly affect the ancient Jewish tradition of circumcising males when they are 8 days old.

"Male circumcision is precisely the type of religious and medical decision that is squarely within the rights of a custodial parent, and discretion to make that decision has been granted by Oregon law and by constitutional right to the custodial parent," states the brief.  

The brief was filed jointly by AJC, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Congress, and the Union of Orthodox

The preceding was provided by the American Jewish Committee


ADL condemns 'noose' used for racial intimidation at U Maryland

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemned the reported incident in which a noose was hung on a tree at the University of Maryland at College Park’s campus.

ADL also applauded University President Dan Mote for taking quick and decisive measures to issue a statement and conduct a full investigation.  The noose was hung between the Stamp Student Union and the Nyumburu Cultural Center.

“We condemn this expression of bigotry and intolerance, and commend the President’s Office and University Police for their forceful response,” said Rachel Werner, ADL Assistant Regional Director.

Hate crime statutes have been adopted by 45 states.  Many of those laws are based on a model statute crafted by ADL, which has long been in the forefront of national and state efforts to deter and counteract hate-motivated criminal activity.
 

RAC seeks answers on federal prison policy on religious books

WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release) -- Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, on Tuesday called on Harley G. Lapin, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to “publish the standards being used in the Standardized Chapel Library Project, as well as the names of those religious leaders with whom it is consulting.”  According to recent press reports, under the auspices of that project, hundreds of religious texts are being removed from federal prisons.   

“Recent press reports, including a front page story in yesterday’s New York Times, raise a raft of complicated constitutional issues,” Saperstein wrote.  “We recognize, of course, that there may be more to the BOP’s actions than the press reports indicate, and are, therefore, writing to seek further information.

“Although we certainly recognize the need to maintain order within our nation’s prisons, it appears from the press reports that in pursuit of that legitimate goal the Bureau has greatly, and unnecessarily, reduced prisoner’s access to religious texts.  The inability of the prisoners to have access to their choice of religious literature may inhibit their ability to exercise their rights to freely practice their religions.

“The restrictions and/or guidelines that have been dictating what religious literature is available to prisoners have been publicized, but do not seem to be published.  I urge the Bureau of Prisons to publish the standards being used in the Standardized Chapel Library Project, as well as the names of those religious leaders with whom it is consulting. In a country that values discourse and democracy, rules with such a wide-spread impact should be subject to public scrutiny. 

“I encourage the Bureau to submit their restrictions and/or guidelines for public review before continuing to follow them and to contemplate whether or not continuing the Standardized Chapel Library Project truly respects the rights of federal prisoners.”

The preceding was provided by the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism

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