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University Stops Closing School for Christian and Jewish Holidays American Center for Law and Justice The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, today urged the president of New York's Stony Brook University to reverse a troubling decision that ends a long-standing practice of closing school in observance of major Christian and Jewish holidays. The ACLJ calls the move "an unnecessary, ill-advised change that demonstrates hostility to members of all religious faiths." "This schedule change demonstrates hostility toward religion and departs from the American tradition of the government accommodation of religious practices," said Jordan Sekulow, Executive...

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, comes at a turbulent time for Israel. Israelis are observing Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the High Holy Days and a time of reflection and prayer. There are 10 days of repentance leading up to the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. The New Year comes at a time of political uncertainty in Israel, as the Palestinians seek recognition of an independent state at the United Nations. Many Israelis, like these people on the streets of Jerusalem, are skeptical about the prospects for peace. This unidentified man...

From crispy rice to chickpea dumplings, Persian Jewish cuisine offers new and different ways to celebrate the New Year When American Jews usher in Rosh Hashanah next week, most will dip an apple in honey for a sweet new year. Some will eat a date, and others will display a bowl of pomegranates on the table. But when Persian-American Jews sit down to celebrate, their tables will be laden with an abundance of symbolic foods. In fact, they call the Rosh Hashanah meal a Seder, and the Aramaic blessings they recite follow a particular order. Cookbook author Reyna Simnegar, whose...

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama issued his traditional Rosh Hashana video greeting on Tuesday, wishing the Jewish people a year of peace and reiterating his administration's "commitment to the State of Israel." "As the High Holidays begin, we look back on all the moments during the past year that gave us reason to hope. Around the world, a new generation is reaching for their universal rights. Here in the United States, we’ve responded to our challenges by focusing on the things that really matter – friendship, family, and community," he says in his video greeting. "But this last year...

Jews around the world gathered on Sunday for first-ever global Shofar FlashMob hosted by Art Kibbutz NYC, the newly-launched international artist community. The event was meant to give the Jewish tradition of sounding the Shofar daily during the Hebrew month of Elul a 21st century post-modern twist. The Shofar, traditionally made from a ram’s horn, was used in Biblical times for many purposes, including announcing the new month, to herald the commencement of the festivals and in battle. Besides being sounded during Elul, the Shofar is also sounded on Rosh Hashanah and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. There are...

I remember when I first started studying Torah I was so overwhelmed with the information and wisdom that HaShem was giving me that I gave little thought to the High Holy days of the Jews. That’s right, the Jews. That’s what I thought they were and after leaving the Messianic movement I thought that I had infringed on their territory. Many Jewish had actually told me I was infringing on their Judaism. So naturally I took that to mean don’t do the High Holy Days. As I grew in my knowledge of Torah, including the High Holy days I began...

As Jewish families gather to celebrate the New Year and a new beginning marking the Day of Creation, I want to join them in praying for a good and sweet year ahead. This day marks the beginning of a period of reflection and repentance. It is a time to remember our responsibilities to our families, our communities, our country, and our world. This is also a time to remember who we are as Americans and our responsibilities to help our friends and allies as they seek peace and security. The people of Israel have overcome so many challenges, taken...

With Rosh Hashanah fast on its way (Sept. 8, for those who didn't know), a number of Messianic blogs (like Derek's) have already delved into Psalm 27, which is traditionally canted during the month of Elul. The Just Jewish blog actually has links to some songs based on Psalm 27. Since part of the purpose of this website is to chronicle the prophetic significance of the yearly cycle of Appointed Times, I would be remiss if I didn't do the same. This is one of the many psalms that David composed while he was under attack. David here follows his...

In a Rosh Hashanah greeting to Jews the world over, U.S. President Barack Obama called for the rejection of "the impulse to harden ourselves to others' suffering," urging empathy and "compassion to those in need." The first African-American president also called for resistance to "prejudice, intolerance and indifference" and for a strong stance against what he described as "the scourge of anti-Semitism, which is still prevalent in far too many corners of our world." Obama also expressed the desire to "work to achieve lasting peace and security for the state of Israel, so that the Jewish state is fully accepted...

It's high noon for the high holidays. Fearing jihadists will attack synagogues during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a group of badass rabbis has developed a program to turn your average shul-goer into a lean, mean fighting machine. The group, which calls itself the International Security Coalition of Clergy, was founded by Rabbi Gary Moscowitz, who boasts a black belt in karate, teaches martial arts and was an NYPD cop for nine years. He's teaching others basic and advanced fighting moves -- how to take down a terrorist by the neck, how to use a table as cover from gunfire...

http://whoshalllive.com/video.html

Presidential Message: Rosh Hashanah, 5768 White House News I send greetings to those around the world celebrating Rosh Hashanah. The sound of the Shofar heralds the beginning of a new year and a time of remembrance and renewal for the Jewish people. During these holy days, men and women are called to reflect on their faith and to honor the blessings of creation. The enduring traditions of Rosh Hashanah remind us of the deep values of faith and family that strengthen our Nation and help guide us each day. As Jewish people around the world come together to celebrate Rosh...

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A group of about 100 people in Central Florida claim they were harassed by deputies during a Rosh Hashanah prayer service that ended with an arrest. The group was celebrating the Jewish New Year at an off-campus house near the University of Central Florida Wednesday night when deputies were called to the house. Officers said neighbors complained that cars were parked illegally on lawns. (snip) "We were about five minutes into praying and all of the sudden a cop shows up at the door and basically tells us we have to move all of our cars," witness...

Police Minister Supports Police in Western Wall Shofar Incident 15:13 Oct 25, '06 / 3 Cheshvan 5767 by Hillel Fendel The Knesset held a mini-debate Wednesday morning on the arrest of a young man for blowing a shofar at the Western Wall this past Rosh HaShanah. Several Knesset Members of the National Union party had submitted a Knesset query to Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, who oversees the police department, regarding the arrest. The basic thrust of all the queries, to which Dichter responded today, was: "How can it be that in a Jewish state, a man is arrested in...

Shades of the 1920's: A Jewish man was hauled off to the Old City police station in the middle of prayer for sounding the shofar during Rosh HaShanah services at the area known as the Kotel HaKatan. The incident occurred around 7:30 in the morning, at the northern-most section of the accessible Western Wall - a little-known area called the Kotel HaKatan, the Small Wall. It is considered to have extra sanctity, as it stands opposite the presumed spot of the Holy of Holies of the Beit HaMikdash. Yesterday morning (Sunday), a group of some 10 men and two women...

Wishing everyone at Free Republic a happy and sweet (Jewish) New Year, Jews and non-Jews, peace, wealth and happiness. G-D Bless you all, and please post your New Year's wishes, pictures and recipes here. With love, from Alouette

With Rosh Hashanah upon us, inaugurating 10 days of repentance dedicated to freeing ourselves of negative personal habits, it seems an appropriate time to ask if fundamentalist Islam can be freed from its most bloody and aggressive tendencies. Is the enmity between many Muslims and the West destined to remain a feature of world history until the end? That question lies behind much of the debate about the defensive war President Bush is waging against Islamist terrorism. Bush invaded Iraq as a step toward democratizing the Arab Middle East. According to neoconservative thinking, that’s also a step toward securing our...