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NEW YORK (JTA) — The Forward's largest individual financial supporter is pulling out as an owner of the paper.

The move by Michael Steinhardt, who has invested millions of dollars in the national Jewish weekly, came after editor Seth Lipsky submitted his forced resignation effective May 25. Lipsky apparently quit over ideological differences between himself and the Forward Association, which is part owner of the paper.

Steinhardt, a hedge-fund-manager-turned-philanthropist, said he will still support some of the paper's projects in the Jewish community.

American named an Israeli war hero

NEW YORK (JTA) — A U.S. soldier who was the first American volunteer to receive a commendation for bravery during Israel's 1948 War for Independence has been named an Israeli war hero.

Harry Kay, also known as Zvi Ben-Ami Krivitsky, received the honor at a ceremony earlier this month in New York.

He used knowledge gleaned as a U.S. marine to train Israeli military leaders in tank warfare. He received his first commendation from then-Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion after losing an eye and half of his platoon in more than three days of fighting.

Center to train police, teachers in tolerance

LOS ANGELES (JTA) — The Simon Wiesenthal Center plans to open a $5 million tolerance training center in New York early next year to help police and teachers better understand the diverse ethnic and religious populations they serve.

In Los Angeles, the Wiesenthal Center has trained about 40,000 law enforcement officers and 20,000 educators since 1995.

First lady avoids potential minefield

NEW YORK (JTA) — First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton has withdrawn as honorary chairwoman of a charity dinner organized by an Arab-American group after learning that the organization refused to invite representatives of the Israeli Embassy.

The Jewish vote is believed to be critical for Clinton in her bid against New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for a New York Senate seat.