U.S. Report

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The Supreme Court declined to hear a case opposing a law allowing a moment of silence in public schools. In July, a federal appeals court upheld Virginia's moment of silence law, ruling that a minute of meditation in public schools does not violate the First Amendment's ban on state-sponsored religion.

Many Jewish groups oppose moments of silence in public schools as a violation of the separation of church and state. Orthodox Jewish groups, however, generally support state-mandated moments of silence.

The high court also refused to hear a case of an employee who was fired after praying with co-workers and giving them Bibles.

FBI hate-crime stats show 3.5 percent rise

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Hate crimes in the United States increased by 3.5 percent in 2000, according to the FBI's annual hate crimes statistics report.

Some 13.7 percent of all 8,152 hate crimes reported were directed at either Jews or Jewish institutions. These made up 80 percent of all religion-based crimes last year in the United States, according to the report, issued Oct. 24.

The Anti-Defamation League said, "This high level of violence and vandalism directed against Jews is another reminder that violent anti-Semitism remains a significant problem in America."

Gambling bill wins; Orthodox lose big

NEW YORK (JTA) -- A fervently religious group is disappointed by a New York bill that will expand legal gambling.

Recently passed by the state legislature, the bill permits new casinos in the Catskill Mountains, where many Orthodox Jews spend their summers.

"As Orthodox Jews, we see casino gambling, and many of the social trappings that often accompany it, as entirely incompatible with the values we hold dear," said Chaim Zwiebel, Agudath Israel of America's executive vice president for government and public affairs.