Shorts: U.S.

Thursday, May 28, 2009 | by

Bakersfield teachers file suit

Two Jewish public school teachers in Bakersfield, including one who is a rabbi, have alleged religious discrimination in a federal lawsuit.

Rabbi Bruce Neal alleged that he was forced to take off his yarmulke, and that he and fellow teacher Jean Bornstein were criticized for their kosher diet, religious clothing and observance of Jewish holidays, ABC-TV in Bakersfield reported.

“They have been singled out as Jewish teachers,” attorney Alan Reinach told the station. “They were shunned, excluded, treated like non-persons because they’re Jewish.”

Both teachers at Orangewood Elementary School also claim they were denied promotions because they were Jewish. — jta

Report: Arrow missile gets funds

The United States will fully fund the development and production of the Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Israel was worried that cuts to the U.S. defense budget could jeopardize funding for the joint U.S.-Israel project, but the Post reported that U.S. officials told Israel of its decision last week during a strategic dialogue between the two countries.

The annual dialogue was the first meeting of top Israeli defense officials with their counterparts in the Obama administration.

The Arrow 3 will be capable of intercepting missiles from longer distances and higher altitudes than the Arrow system now being used by the Israel Defense Forces. — jta