U.S. Report

SANTA BARBARA (JTA) -- Jewish leaders kicked the county's only Jewish Boy Scout troop out of the annual Santa Barbara Jewish Festival on Sunday because of the Scouts' policy barring gay members and troop leaders, the Santa Barbara News-Press reported.

The decision came after the county's largest synagogue, Congregation B'nai B'rith, threatened to withdraw from the festival if the troop was allowed to participate.

"Our ethics would not allow us to participate. Our goal was simply that the Jewish community should not extend invites to a group that discriminates," said Rabbi Rick Shapiro. "The Boy Scouts do a lot of wonderful things, but that is negated by this one thing. When that is addressed, we will support them again."