Call for Nominees for the 16t h Annual Berman Award This Week News Digest for Outstanding Professional Service created by Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Note To Dems: Back Off President , VN.,1WZWOYt. 'N'T.Mk'N'', T, KRMi}:INQX.. New York/JTA — A group of Jewish Democrats called on the Democratic presidential candidates to refrain from criticizing President Bush as long as he works to implement the road map for peace. The letter, organized by the Israel Policy Forum, is signed by Democratic backers such as actor Richard Dreyfuss, fund-raiser Lynne Wasserman and the president of the American Jewish World Service, Ruth Messinger. Only if the Bush administration makes the Middle East a low priority should the candidates speak out, the let- ter says. Germany Will Preserve Sites Deadline for Nominations: • k June 13, 2003 k•KW10, Presentation Date: August 20,2003 •at a reception of the Jewish Federation Board of Governors Visit us online: www.thisisfederation.org Wedding And Party Specialists Flowers For All Occasions New York/JTA — The United States and Germany have entered into a formal pact to preserve sites of historical signifi- cance, including those relating to the Holocaust. The joint declaration, signed at the White House, also affirms both coun- tries' commitment to preserving the cul- tural heritage of ethnic and religious groups in the country and to prevent discrimination. Court To Hear Religious Aid Case Washington/JTA — The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that some observers say could blur the.consti- tutional separation between church and state. The high court agreed Monday to take a case that would determine whether it is discriminatory to deny state scholarship funds to students who attend theology programs at Christian schools. Marc Stern, a lawyer for the American Jewish Congress, says that if the appeals court ruling is affirmed, religious schools would receive state funds as easily as pri- vate, nonreligious schools. The case is likely to be heard in the fall. G Bomb Thrown At Paris Mosque OF NATURE STATE T FLOWERS Paris/JTA — A man apparently angry over a French Muslim leader's conciliato- ry statements toward Jews attacked Paris' Grand Mosque. (248) 559-5424 (888) 202-4466 Fax: (248) 559-5426 29115 Greenfield, Southfield, MI 48076 5/23 2003 12 V 634370 The man threw a gasoline bomb at the mosque Sunday before breaking into a car parked near the mosque and fleeing the scene. According to testimony gathered by mosque rector Datil Boubakeur, the man, who was in his early 30s, may have been angry that Boubakeur has spoken out against attacks on Jewish targets in France, and that he issued a statement condemning the May 16 bombings in Morocco. Ari Fleischer Will Resign Washington/JTA — White House spokesman Ari Fleischer will resign in July. Fleischer, one of the senior Jewish officials in the Bush White House, announced Monday that he will leave to pursue a job in the private sector. Fries With Your Money? New York/JTA — Several Jewish groups are among 24 recipients of money from a $10 million settlement with McDonald's over its use of animal fat in french fries and hash browns labeled veg- etarian. Hillel and the Star-K organization each will get $300,000, the Jewish Community Centers Association will get $200,000, the Orthodox Union will get $150,000 and CLAL National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership will get $50,000. Another $6 million will go to vegetarian organizations, $2 million to Hindu or Sikh groups and some for groups that work for child nutrition. In all, 10 percent of the money is slat- ed to be used to promote awareness of kashrut, a U.S. judge ruled Monday. The case, which was decided last year, stemmed from several lawsuits filed against McDonald's for mislabeling its french fries. Al Qaida Urges Attacks On Jews Washington/JTA — Muslims should attack "Crusaders and Jews," an Al Qaida leader said on a new audiotape aired by Al-Jazeera. "The crusaders and the Jews only understand the language of murder, bloodshed and of the burning towers," the man said on the tape, aired Wednesday on the Qatari-based net- work. Analysts say the man may be Ayman