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Dallas Muslims and Jews grow
closer
A young assistant Rabbi at Temple
Shalom (peace) in Dallas has become
a force to bring together Jews and Muslims in
that city. Jeremy Schneider has been busy standing
against "Islamophobia" and telling
Jews "We
must learn what Islam truly stands for, not
from politicians, not from e-mail forwards,
and not from the media, but from Muslims themselves
by engaging in dialogue."
A UT grad, Rabbi Schneider traces
his passion for interfaith efforts to growing
up in the predominantly liberal Christian suburbs
of Houston. He launched right into interfaith
work soon after joining the staff at Temple
Shalom in 2006. Rabbi Schneider will be honored
Jan. 10 by the National
Peace Foundation for his interfaith
work, including a class on Islam at Temple Shalom.
Tx cities make their "wish
lists"
Across the state, local elected
officials are putting together their "wish
list" of projects they would like to see
during the next year - if only funding was available.
These cities hope that the new Obama Administration
will provide assistance towards local infrastructure
and economic development.
San Antonio wants to plant
200,000 trees and provide for environmental
restoration of the San Antonio Rivers
southern reach. In Austin, officials have a
plan
to create their own "river walk" along
Waller Creek. Arlington wants
to expand trails and parks, among other
projects. Del Rio wants
more public housing . Fort Worth is
looking at
new fire stations and libraries. Laredo
wants youth
recreation centers. Let's hope that
Santa makes their wishes come true in the coming
year.
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War resisters need holiday support
While many Texans will enjoy
the holidays with friends and family, PFC Tony
Anderson, PFC
Robin Long, and Pvt. Daniel Sandate
will be spending the New
Year in military prison. Anderson and
Long were jailed for 14 and 15 months respectively
for their refusal to deploy to Iraq. Sandate
was sentenced to 8 months in military prison
after going AWOL when his repeated attempts
to receive mental health care for his PTSD were
denied.
Benji
Lewis and SPC
Blake Ivey are publicly taking bold
stands against the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan
and could face eventual court martial. SPC Andre
Shepherd is the first U.S. soldier to seek asylum
in Germany after refusing to deploy to Iraq.
All could use cards or letters
to let them know they haven't been forgotten
for their courage to resist:
Anthony Michael Anderson
PO Box 305
Fort Sill, OK 73503-5305
Robin Long
PO Box 452136
San Diego, CA 92145-2136
Benji Lewis, Blake Ivey, and Daniel
Sandate c/o Courage to Resist
484 Lake Park Ave #41
Oakland, CA 94610
Andre Shepherd
c/o Military Counseling Network (MCN)
Hauptstrasse 1, D-69245 Bammental
Germany
($.94 USPS postage required)
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