JCPA: Public Prayer Decision Erodes Bill of Rights

May 05, 2014: JCPA:    Public Prayer Decision Erodes Bill of Rights

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Public Prayer Decision Erodes Bill of Rights

Washington, DC - Today’s Supreme Court decision allowing sectarian prayer before public meetings was an erosion of the Bill of Rights and its protections, said the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. The case, Town of Greece v. Susan Galloway and Linda Stephens, was narrowly decided by a vote of 5-4 in favor of the town’s right to open public meetings with a prayer. The JCPA joined an amicus brief with the American Jewish Committee in opposition to the Town and in support of existing precedents regarding separation of religion and state. 

“A guiding principle in our democracy is that no group or individual feels that the government prefers one religion over another.  The First Amendment protections are intended to ensure just that. Beginning our public meetings with a sectarian prayer can make some feel excluded. It is not the way to achieve a strong, dynamic, and inclusive union,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow. “We believe strongly in the importance of each us being free to worship and practice our own religion as we choose. That freedom contributes to our success as a diverse nation. But one should not have to participate in another’s religious practice in order to take part in civic activities.” 

“We are very disappointed in this decision which diminishes The Bill of Rights and erodes 60 years of understanding of the Establishment Clause,” said JCPA Chair Susan W. Turnbull. “The Court today opened the gates to reconsidering years of legal precedents and court decisions. We are concerned that this could mark a turn towards more religion in the public arena which could discourage the participation of minority groups.”

 

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Jewish Federation statement on Israel Independence Day, 2014

Happy 66th Birthday, Israel!   Jewish Federation congratulates the people of Israel on Israel Independence Day, 2014   With its establishment on May 14, 1948 [5 Iyar, 5708] the State of Israel began a new chapter in the history of the Jewish people.  Accompanied by both jubilation and adversity, the birth of Israel 66 years ago opened the doors to Jews worldwide to come and live in a democratic and Jewish nation state, a state in which all citizens would be protected, as promised within Israel's proclamation of independence, with access to freedoms unparalleled in the Middle East.   Here is that portion of the proclamation that serves to guarantee those vital promises:   THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.    From its tenuous beginnings, Israel, which is about 1/5th the size of Iowa, has grown remarkably.   With more immigrants per capita than any other country in the world, Israel's population now exceeds 8 million people, 20% of whom are its Arab citizens.  It has become a country in which need has necessitated innovation, and innovation has spurred invention.  Whether in the fields of medicine, agriculture, water reclamation, or computer technology, Israel continues to find new ways to improve the quality of life for its citizens and has shared its advances with the world.  In terms of saving lives, the Israelis are very often the first to send medical personnel to countries ravaged by natural disasters, and the Israeli hospitals are second to none in extending their services on a humanitarian basis, often providing assistance to wounded and ailing people from hostile neighboring countries.   On this Israel Independence Day, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the people of Israel, the democracy it is and the Jewish homeland.  We ask that all Americans join us in wishing it continued prosperity, ingenuity, vibrancy, strength, and most of all, for the sake of all its citizens, lasting security and peace. ----   This statement was issued May 6, 2014 on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines by the Jewish Community Relations Commission.   Comments may be sent to jcrc@dmjfed.org.

 

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May 20: Webinar on teaching the Holocaust-themed illustrated novel, Maus

The Iowa Council on Holocaust Education invites teachers and administrators to participate in a webinar about

Art Spiegelman’s novel, Maus.  University of Northern Iowa professors Stephen Gaies and Harry Brod, both of whom who have extensive experience in teaching the work, will share insights about this impactful piece of literature, the first illustrated novel to win a Pulitzer Prize.

 

The webinar, which is free of charge, will be offered Tuesday, May 20, 2014 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

 

Those interested should register for the webinar at  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9027565866598998530

For additional information contact gaies@uni.edu