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Gay Marriage Vote Debated
New York/JTA — Orthodox leaders corn-
mended and Reform leaders condemned
the New York State Senate's vote to defeat
a measure legalizing same-sex marriage.
Agudath Israel of America and the Orthodox
Union lauded the 38-24 vote against the bill
on Dec. 2.
"While we must always respect all individ-
uals as created b'tzelem Elokim, in the image
of God, Jewish teaching clearly opposes
homosexual conduct and the legal recogni-
tion of such relationships as being akin to
traditional marriage the Orthodox Union
said in a statement.
The OU also said it must "respectfully
repudiate those who misquote or misap-
propriate Jewish law or thought in support of
this legislation:'
Agudah noted the work its members did
in advocating against the measure. "When
our community comes together to respond
to challenges, good things happen': said
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zweibel, the group's
executive vice president.
New York Reform leaders were disheart-
ened by the vote.
"This backward step is a deeply disap-
pointing delay on the road to equality and
a vote that is on the wrong side of history':
said Rabbi Marc Gruber and Honey Heller,
co-chairs of the Reform Jewish Voice of New
York State, in a statement.
"We know well that civil marriage can
exist in harmony with respect for a diversity
of religious beliefs on the issue of same-sex
marriage they said. "Although the Reform
Movement celebrates and supports the reli-
gious sanctification of same-sex marriages,
we respect the view of those faith traditions
that hold differing views on this issue. That is
why it is essential that civil marriage laws are
not rooted in theology, but in the principle of
equal rights."
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32 December 10 • 2009
EU Strengthens RA.?
Jerusalem/JTA — A classified report recom-
mends that the European Union take steps
to strengthen the Palestinian Authority in
Jerusalem.
The report drafted by European consuls
in east Jerusalem and Ramallah criticizes
Israeli policy in eastern Jerusalem and calls
on the European Union to protest it, reported
Ha'aretz which obtained a copy of the secret
report.
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Rothstein Pleads Not Guilty
Ft. Lauderdale/JTA — Scott Rothstein, the
disbarred South Florida lawyer accused of
running a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, has
pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges of wire
fraud and conspiracy.
Rothstein entered his plea to U.S.
Magistrate Judge Robin Rosenberg in federal
court in Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 2, according
to reports.
According to prosecutors, Rothstein's
scheme started in 2005 to finance his 70-
person law firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler
PA. Investigators believe that he had a num-
ber of co-conspirators, who helped propagate
the fraud and to lure more unsuspecting
investors.
As part of the scheme, Rothstein told
investors that they could buy stakes in pend-
ing class action lawsuits and collect money
when they were settled.
His victims have already sued TD Bank,
where Rothstein and his co-conspirators
held more than 30 accounts.
Jerusalem Documentary Set
Jerusalem/JTA — Dreamworks Studios will
produce a documentary series at Jerusalem's
Shaare Zedek Medical Center.
The six-hour series, which will be made
in cooperation with the Tel Aviv-based TTV
Productions, is designed to showcase the
social, political and cultural nuances that
have long defined Jerusalem through the
eyes of the hospital.
The documentary, which will profile doc-
tors and nurses in the hospital and follow six
American doctors working at the hospital is
scheduled to be released in 2011.
Phil Rosenthal, the creator/executive pro-
ducer of the hit television series Everybody
Loves Raymond, will write the script, the
hospital said. The documentary also will
be written and produced by screenwriter
Jeremy Garelick, who recently wrote the hit
comedy The Hangover, and veteran Israeli
producer Zafrir Kochanovsky.
"Jerusalem is a place that demands to be
explored through the medium of documen-
tary filmmaking and we believe that medi-
cine is a perfect conduit to do so',' Rosenthal
said. "Shaare Zedek Medical Center has
played a pivotal role in this city's modern
development and it offers filmmakers a
unique vantage to tell Jerusalem's story:'
Michigan Region hosted National
Christian Leadership Conference for
Israel National Director David Blewett,
left, to speak in its Education Series
before 100 people on Dec. 2 at Adat
Shalom Synagogue, Farmington Hills.
He spoke on Christian views of the
State of Israel "and brought us an
insightful view of the current public
policies passed at the general assem-
blies of many Christian denomina-
tions," said Pamela Lippitt, local ZOA
executive director. "Attendees were
urged to write to the Presbyterian
Church (USA) in advance of its 2010
Assembly where it will be discussing a new Middle East statement." Blewett has
led more than 20 Christian tours of Israel. He is the former executive director
of the Southfield-based Ecumenical Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies and
was vice president of Michigan's Holocaust Education Coalition. He is on the
Advisory Council of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel.