JDL SUES BURBANK OVER COUNCIL PRAYERS.Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer The chairman of the Jewish Defense League The Jewish Defense League (JDL) is a militant Jewish organization whose stated goal is to protect Jews from anti-Semitism.[1] Founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York City in 1968, its self-described purpose was to protect Hasidic Jews from harassment in Brooklyn, and to in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. filed a lawsuit Monday against the city of Burbank, seeking to prevent ministers from invoking the name of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ: see Jesus. Jesus Christ 40 days after Resurrection, ascended into heaven. [N.T.: Acts 1:1–11] See : Ascension Jesus Christ kind to the poor, forgiving to the sinful. [N.T. in prayers at City Council meetings. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, challenges a legal opinion from the Burbank city attorney, who found the prayer is legal. Defense League Chairman Irv Rubin Irv Rubin (April 12, 1945 – November 13, 2002) was chairman of the militant Jewish Defense League from 1985 to 2002. Rubin was born in Canada, but after experiencing widespread anti-Semitism in his home city of Montreal, he and his parents and sister moved to the neighborhood , a write-in candidate Noun 1. write-in candidate - a candidate for public office whose name does not appear on the ballot and so must be written on the ballot by the voters write-in campaigner, candidate, nominee - a politician who is running for public office for the 24th congressional district Noun 1. congressional district - a territorial division of a state; entitled to elect one member to the United States House of Representatives district, territorial dominion, territory, dominion - a region marked off for administrative or other purposes , said he attended the Nov. 23 council meeting to oppose expansion of Burbank Airport and was shocked when a Burbank Mormon minister invoked the name of Christ in a prayer. ``I don't want denominational prayers at City Council or in Congress,'' Rubin said during a news conference on the front steps of Los Angeles Superior Court. ``They could say, `our father' or `our creator.' I don't want Jewish prayers, Hindu prayers, Buddhist prayers or Christian prayers. This violates the First Amendment.'' Rosemead activist Roberto Alejandro Gandara also is named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. attorney Roger Jon Diamond, who is representing Rubin, said he was confident of victory in the case. He said he filed the lawsuit in state court because his research shows California's higher courts have not addressed this issue. City Attorney Dennis Barlow said a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allows the Nebraska Legislature to begin each session with prayer. The court ruled governmental bodies can have prayers, but can't dictate what is said in the prayers. ``The council has had the prayer for as long as I can remember,'' Burbank Mayor Stacey Murphy said. ``It doesn't offend me. I think it's a nice way to start a meeting. You get a little centered, a little spiritual. You take what you want from it.'' Jerry A. Jones, pastor of Burbank Community Church, said the lawsuit will go nowhere and Rubin is wasting his time. ``Prayer has always been a vital part of everything that this nation has stood for. Our founding fathers came to this country for religious freedom. Congress is opened every day with a prayer,'' he said. Aaron Levinson, a spokesman for the Anti-Defamation League Anti-Defamation League B’nai B’rith organization which fights anti-Semitism. [Am. Hist.: Wigoder, 33] See : Anti-Semitism , said the league is sending letters to several cities - including Burbank - that invoke the name of Christ during prayers. ``Many cities have nonsectarian invocations and while we don't necessarily feel those are protected under the First Amendment, when they become very sectarian in nature, that calls for action,'' Levinson said. |
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