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MOSCOW (JTA) — A Russian anti-Semitic organization is again publicly lashing out at Jews.

Russian police clashed with members of the anti-Semitic group Pamyat when they staged two protests last week outside branches of the Moscow-based Alfa Bank.

Pamyat members dressed in black military uniforms shouted anti-Semitic slogans against the bank, which is headed by two Jews.

Pamyat spokesman Alexander Potkin asserted that Alfa, which is headed by Pyotr Aven and Mikhail Fridman, have used "Jewish contacts in the government" to further the bank's interests "at the expense of the Russian people."

Bank officials declined to respond to the allegations.

Palestinians enlist help of Jewish judge

SYDNEY (JTA) — An Australian Jew will help the Palestinians rearrange their legal system.

The unusual pairing was created after an Australian legal group, which is headed by a prominent Jewish figure, Justice Marcus Einfeld, was appointed last week by the Palestinian Authority to overhaul its judicial system.

Australian International Legal Resources Inc., which was established four years ago, has had links with the Palestinian Authority since Einfeld visited the Middle East in 1995.

The group has already helped draft guidelines for the operations of the Palestinian legislative council.

Polish Catholic Church declares Judaism day

ROME (JTA) — The Polish Catholic Church has designated Jan. 17 as an annual "Day of Judaism" in Polish churches.

The day will be dedicated to interfaith dialogue and to teaching Polish Catholics about Judaism.

The initiative, slated to involve all Roman Catholic dioceses in the country, follows the example of the Italian Catholic Church, which declared Jan. 17 an annual Day of Judaism in Italy several years ago.