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April 28, 2011

Wanted: U.S. claimants of Holocaust-era assets in prestate Israel

In Israel, restituting Holocaust-era assets isn’t just about getting European countries, banks and insurance companies to pay up. It’s also about finding the rightful heirs of thousands of prestate assets in Israel whose original Jewish owners perished during the Holocaust. These include dormant bank accounts, real estate, bonds and other assets purchased by European Jews before the war in prestate Israel either out of Zionist impulse or financial consideration.

Jewish federations see a slight dip in fundraising

North American Jewish federations generated nearly $2.5 billion for program needs in 2010, according to their umbrella group. The Jewish Federations of North America raised about $925 million last year in its 157 federated and 300 network communities, down from the 2009 campaign totals of $938 million. JFNA spokespeople attributed the dip to the continued economic downturn. In 2008, the annual campaign raised $1.04 billion.

Reform cites Giffords shooting in urging clip ban

The Reform movement cited the attack that seriously wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others in urging Congress to ban high-capacity ammunition clips. \”The clips can hold 30, 50 or even 100 rounds, enabling shooters to cause serious casualties before needing to reload,\” read the letter that Rabbi David Saperstein, the director of the movement\’s Religious Action Center, sent to all members of Congress.

Guest not: Britain takes back Syria’s wedding invite

Britain rescinded an invitation to the royal wedding to Syria\’s ambassador because of Syrian government attacks on anti-government protesters. The invitation was withdrawn Thursday, the day before the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, according to reports, citing Britain\’s Foreign Office.

San Francisco circumcision ban likely for November ballot

A proposal to ban circumcision in San Francisco looks likely for the November ballot. A group opposed to male circumcision told Reuters that it had collected more than enough signatures on petitions to qualify their proposal for the Nov. 8 vote this fall.

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More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.