Jewish groups collect over $30 million for Katrina relief
new orleans (jta) | Major Jewish organizations have raised over $30 million to house, feed, educate and relocate thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The biggest chunk of money has come from the United Jewish Communities, which represents 155 Jewish federations and 400 independent communities across North America. As of Dec. 13, UJC said it had collected $25.5 million in Katrina disaster relief, of which $7.9 million already has been allocated to Jewish and non-Jewish hurricane victims.
The American Jewish Committee also has been active. In mid-December, the group’s executive director, David Harris, visited New Orleans to present a total of $575,000 in hurricane relief funds to four institutions.
In addition, the Union for Reform Judaism, which represents over 900 Reform congregations, has raised $3.4 million in general hurricane relief.
Historical group sells paintings, perhaps illegally
new york (jta) | The American Jewish Historical Society’s sale of historical paintings could bring legal repercussions to the already financially ailing institution.
The New York Jewish Week reported that the sale of the paintings could be illegal under New York law if the proceeds are used for operating expenses.
Kenneth Bialkin, AJHS chairman, said that for five years he had wanted to sell the six paintings that belonged to the Franks, a prominent colonial Jewish family.
“They’re no Rembrandts,” he said, adding, “We also needed money.”
It is believed that the Walton family, owners of Wal-Mart, purchased the paintings and intends to display them in a museum being constructed in the company’s headquarters in Arkansas.
Supreme Court won’t hear religion case
washington (jta) | The U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition from the American Jewish Congress to review a decision allowing Americorps teachers to teach religion in religious schools.
The court did not act on the organization’s petition this week, essentially denying them a Supreme Court review, after a federal appeals court ruled last year on behalf of the Corporation for National Service, which oversees Americorps, because the government was not using the money to promote religion.
AJCongress said a $4,725 payment in financial aid to teachers in religious schools violates the separation of church and state.
“Our request presented important questions on church-state law, and we believe that the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia allowing the corporation, an agency of the United States, to fund teachers of religion in religious schools, was rendered in the face of other Supreme Court rulings prohibiting such subsidies,” said Marc Stern, AJCongress’ legal counsel.
NYC deli closing
new york (ap) | One of the most famous delis in New York City may have served its last corned beef on rye.
Jack Lebewohl, the owner of the 2nd Avenue Deli, said he closed the restaurant last week after a lease dispute with the building’s new owners.
The deli has been a landmark in the Lower East Side ever since it opened in 1954.
Lebewohl said the restaurant needs to undergo major renovations to comply with Board of Health regulations and he couldn’t justify the added investment without a more affordable long-term lease.