NEWS OF THE WEEK
President Obama welcomed Jewish leaders and staff to the White House this week for the annual White House Hanukkah party. On display was a menorah from a synagogue in New York that had been badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Outside … More
The Supreme Court announced Friday (December 7) that it will take up same-sex marriage, hearing cases stemming from California’s Proposition 8 voter-approved ban on gay marriage and from New York’s challenge to the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage … More
Members of Congress came together this week for the annual lighting of the Capital Christmas tree, although they were deadlocked on several divisive matters. Religious groups continued advocating for action on the fiscal cliff and other issues. A coalition of … More
Jewish groups are divided over Israel’s plans to construct new settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The controversial announcement came a day after the United Nations voted last week to recognize Palestine as a non-member state. The Union … More
In a letter released by the Vatican this week, Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules for charities that identify themselves as Catholic. Benedict instructed such groups to “follow Catholic principles in their activity.” They are also barred from accepting money … More
Celebrated musician Dave Brubeck died Wednesday (December 5). He was 91 years old, a day short of 92. In 2009, Brubeck spoke about his religious influences with Bob Faw for Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly. Known primarily as a jazz musician, … More
The Vatican provided more information this week on Pope Benedict XVI’s new Twitter account. Benedict will have the user name @pontifex, which means “pope” or “bridge-builder” in Latin. He’ll be tweeting in eight languages, although not Latin for now. His … More
Buddhists mark Bodhi Day (December 8), when they believe the Buddha attained enlightenment and reached a state of nirvana. According to tradition, he did so while sitting under a bodhi tree. Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of lights, begins this weekend … More
As Congress and the president struggle to reach an agreement on taxes and federal spending, religious leaders gathered on Capitol Hill to once again urge lawmakers to protect anti-poverty programs. The interfaith group called cuts to those programs immoral. Sister … More
Palestinians celebrated this week after the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to recognize Palestine as a nonmember observer state. Many Jewish groups denounced the UN action saying it undermines future peace negotiations with Israel. Some US Christian and Muslim … More
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