Shorts: U.S.

Same-sex benefits OK with Orthodox group

new york (jta) | An Orthodox group says it's prepared to provide benefits to same-sex couples rather than forgo government funding.

An official at Agudath Israel of America said its social service arm will continue to apply for government grants from New York City if the City Council passes a law next month requiring government-funded groups to provide equal benefits for same-sex partners, the Forward reported.




Charges stick against alleged pie-thrower

new york (jta) | A U.S. judge declined to drop disorderly conduct charges against a Rutgers student who threw a pie in Natan Sharansky's face.

Sharansky was delivering a lecture as part of the Israel Inspires campaign, organized by Rutgers' Hillel, and Greenhouse reportedly attacked him to demonstrate displeasure with Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

Epstein told alleged pie-thrower Abe Greenhouse that if he wants to be a political activist, perhaps he might "study the life of Natan Anatoly Sharansky, a man who was involved in the human rights movement in the former Soviet Union."