News Brief

Texas Prison Must Serve Inmate Kosher Meals, Court Says

01/02/2013 | JNS

A U.S. federal appeal court ruled that a Jewish man incarcerated in Texas must receive kosher meals in prison in a case revolving around the 2000 Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which forbids the government from restricting religious rights of institutionalized individuals.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that Max Moussazadeh, 35, is a practicing Orthodox Jew and that the state of Texas infringed on his religious beliefs by denying his request for kosher meals.

Judaica Fight Pits Touro Synagogue Against Shearith Israel

01/02/2013 | Staff Report

Two of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States are battling over a pair of silver Torah ornaments, according to a published report.

Sixteenth Street Shul Wins Stay In Eviction Fight

12/26/2012 | Staff Report

Members of the Sixteenth Street Synagogue in Manhattan’s Flatiron District have won a temporary stay of an eviction order that would have had them vacating the premises by Jan. 7.

The congregation said it will now seek to be recognized as a co-owner of the building.

The parties will appear in court the following day to argue before a state Supreme Court judge whether the stay will be continued or denied.

Jewish Groups Remember Sen. Inouye

12/18/2012 | JNS

Jewish groups on Monday mourned the passing of nine-term U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) at age 88, reflecting on what they called his legacy as one of the most pro-Israel legislators in Washington.

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) recalled that Inouye’s appreciation for Israel began when he sold Israel Bonds in Hawaii in 1951, and his co-sponsorship of resolutions condemning Hezbollah and Hamas, supporting Israel’s right of self-defense, and urging President Barack Obama to oppose the Palestinians’ unilateral declaration of statehood at the United Nations.

Columbia Program Director Removes Anti-Israel Facebook Post

12/18/2012 | JTA

A photo and text calling an Israeli soldier a “terrorist” and “killer” were removed from the Facebook page of a Columbia University program director.

Maryam Zohny, program director of the university’s Center for Palestine Studies, removed the post from her personal Facebook wall after the Anti-Defamation League sent a letter to Columbia University President Lee Bollinger, expressing concern about the post.

Lew Cites YU Abuse As ‘Despicable’ In Address

12/18/2012

Jacob Lew, the White House chief of staff, discussed allegations of past sexual abuse at Yeshiva University’s affiliated high school in his speech to the university’s annual Chanukah convocation.