Civic

Local Los Angeles Groups Celebrate Thanksgiving in Unique Ways

November 22, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 22, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "thirteen-year-old Kevin Rosenberg and his classmates at Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School assembled 32 gift baskets Tuesday, complete with turkey and trimmings, dessert, flowers, cards and a can opener. The baskets were delivered to Jewish Family Service's Family Violence Project, which will give them to victims of domestic violence...Heschel Day School is among many nonprofit organizations around the San Fernando Valley that are serving disadvantaged residents this holiday...

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Native Americans in Washington Pray for Those Suffering

November 21, 2000

Source: The Washington Post

On November 21, 2000, The Washington Post wrote: "Uh-oh. Indians on the Mall for Thanksgiving. Yep: the other guys from that 1621 banquet, front and center in the nation's capital, and all the inconvenient truths they represent. There they are, in three tepees by the Washington Monument. A family. Just a single Omaha family and some friends. You just know they're not commemorating that nice first Thanksgiving meal, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians of Patuxet sat down together. No, they'll be commemorating that pesky...

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Islamic Philanthropy Helps to Stop Plans for Closing Local Free Clinic in Los Angeles

November 20, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 20, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "In a milestone for Muslim philanthropy, an emergency appeal to save the only free medical clinic in South-Central Los Angeles netted more than $ 284,000, ensuring the facility's survival for another year, community leaders said Sunday. A fund-raiser Saturday night brought out an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 people, whose contributions will give the University Muslim Medical Assn. clinic on Florence Avenue a respite from closure while organizers seek grants and other...

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California Art Show Reveals State's Religious History

November 19, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 19, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that one local exhibition, "'Made in California: Art, Image and Identity, 1900-2000,' at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, traces the uninhibited history of religions, cults and spiritual beliefs that took root here during the past century. Religion is only one of many themes in the show, which focuses on art and culture. But spiritual references offer a lesson in how California artists relate to the sacred...'The most interesting thing about religion in California is that it...

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Native Americans and Environmentalists Struggle Over Traditional Ceremony

November 19, 2000

Source: The New York Times

On November 19, 2000, The New York Times reported that "LONG after their military defeat in the 19th century, American Indian tribes remain a world apart. Considered separate governments, Indian reservations are exempt from most state laws, like taxes on cigarettes, and can allow gambling, even if the surrounding state bans it. Practitioners of one Indian religion can legally use peyote, a cactus containing an illegal hallucinogen. Indian burial sites are protected by a 1990 special act of Congress. Devils Tower National Monument...

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Muslim-Run Free Clinic in Los Angeles Falls Short of Necessary Funds

November 18, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 18, 2000, The Los Angeles Times reported that "It began as an audacious vision by a handful of idealistic Muslim medical students: move Islam out of the insular immigrant communities and take the religion's charitable ideals into the streets. Four years and 14,000 patients later, the UMMA clinic on Florence Avenue has drawn widespread attention as the only free medical clinic in South-Central Los Angeles and the nation's first major Muslim foray into health care for the poor. In this spotless clinic festooned with...

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Regulation Curbing Creche in Boston Sparks Debate

November 15, 2000

Source: The Boston Globe

On November 15, 2000, the Boston Globe reported that "A Knights of Columbus council is suing the town of Lexington for refusing to allow it to put a Nativity scene on the town's historic Battle Green. In a suit scheduled to be filed today in federal court, the Catholic religious group accuses the town of unconstitutionally limiting religious expression by preventing a creche from being placed in a public area...Jeanne Krieger, chairwoman of Lexington's Board of Selectmen, said the new regulation was passed only to preserve the...

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Holiday Displays Banned in the Workplace

November 10, 2000

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On November 10, 2000, the St. Petersburg Times reported that "Employees have been directed to eliminate all workplace holiday displays, decorations and celebrations. That means no Christmas trees, figures of Santa Claus or any item with a 'religious holiday connotation.' The new rules, which came as a surprise to the city administrator and chief assistant city attorney, are isolated to the Police Department. And the mandate has sparked a firestorm. Officers and employees are asking: If a Christmas tree can go up in the city's...

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School District Considers Changing Holiday Names on Calendar

November 10, 2000

Source: The Baltimore Sun

On November 10, 2000, The Baltimore Sun reported that "Recognizing the school system's growing diversity, the Howard County Board of Education will consider renaming religious holidays on the yearly school calendar to eliminate all nonsecular references. At last night's board meeting, school district spokeswoman Patti Caplan recommended the board move to a 'purely secular calendar' by calling holiday periods - such as Christmas, Easter, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur - 'board-approved' holidays...But Sandra H. French, the board...

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New City Ordinance Regulates Religious Displays in Omaha

November 9, 2000

Source: Omaha World-Herald

On November 9, 2000, the Omaha World-Herald reported that "the Papillion City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve an ordinance that would regulate the holiday displays in the [city] park...The new ordinance requires residents to apply for a permit between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30. All requests must designate a Papillion resident as caretaker for the decoration, which can be displayed from Nov. 15 through Jan. 3 and fit inside a 20-foot-by-20-foot space...One of the factors prompting the council action was a letter from...

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Seattle School District Restricts Holiday Decorations

November 7, 2000

Source: The Seattle Times

On November 7, 2000, The Seattle Times reported that "The Kent School District recently modified its holiday-observance guidelines to become more sensitive to the growing diversity of religious and cultural beliefs in its schools. But some parents and community members are accusing the state's fourth-largest school district of turning into the Grinch who stole Christmas. The district was flooded with dozens of phone calls and e-mails last week about its new restrictions on winter holiday decorations and activities. Critics said the...

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ACLU and Local Residents Debate Symbolism of Local Cross

November 5, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 5, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that a 66 year old cross is the subject of debate between local citizens and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The cross, situated in the Mojave National Preserve, was erected in honor of WWI veterans. Today, the ACLU contends that it is a violation of the 1st amendment to allow it to remain on federal land. Many local citizens, however, say that the cross is about more than religion. In fact, it serves as a meeting place for residents for Easter sunrise services,...

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