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Critical Regional, National and International News from ADL

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Where ADL Stands on the Issues

ADL Opposes Denver Preschool Tax Increase (Initiative 1A) on Church/State Grounds

Citing serious concerns about the violation of the principle of separation of church and state, ADL opposes Denver's Initiative 1A, which would raise sales taxes to fund tuition credits for preschool education. Although preschool education is vital for our children's success in school, ADL believes this initiative is a good idea that has been taken too far. To read "ADL Position Paper Opposing the Denver Preschool Program (DPP) Ballot Initiative," which outlines ADL's concerns about the initiative, click here or visit www.ADL.org/Denver.

ADL urges you to vote against Denver Initiative 1A and to share ADL's position paper with your friends.  

In the News: "It's a church-state conflict," Op-Ed by ADL's Bruce H. DeBoskey, The Denver Post

"Questions dog preschool plan," The Denver Post

"Hick's 'Preschool Matters' facing test," Rocky Mountain News

"Preschool Tax Sees Opposition," The Denver Post

Ed Stein's "Denver Square" Cartoon in the Rocky Mountain News on October 30, 2006

For non-partisan information about all of the 2006 Colorado Ballot Issues, click here, or visit www.fairvotecolorado.org.

ADL's 2006 "Society of Fellows" Donor Luncheon on Nov. 14

The Denver Post's Editor Gregory L. Moore on "Covering Israel: An Editor's View"

and

ADL to Honor Richard "Dick" L. Robinson with 2006 Distinguished Community Service Award

ADL's 2006 "Society of Fellows" Donor Luncheon will be on Tuesday, November 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton.

Black Journalists (NAJB), is a former NAJB Board member, and was named Journalist of the Year by NAJB's New England Region in 1996. In 2004, he was elected to the Pulitzer Prize Board.

Edward "Eddie" A. Robinson is the luncheon's Honorary Chair and the luncheon's Co-Chairs are ADL Board members Fred Davine and Sheryl Goodman. ADL's Annual Campaign Chairs are Board members James Cohen, Kenneth Gurrentz, and Laura Merage, and ADL's Development Co-Chairs are Andrea Shpall and Karen Steinhauser.

ADL donors who have given $500 or more in the 2006 campaign are invited to attend the lunch at no charge, and can bring a guest for $50. To RSVP or for more information, contact Michelle at 303-830-7177 or mstevenson@ADL.org.

ADL Brings Anti-Bias Education Preschool Program to HEA, Rodef Shalom

On October 23, the Anti-Defamation League trained 30 staff members from two Jewish preschools, Congregation Rodef Shalom and the Hebrew Educational Alliance, in an ADL anti-bias education program for preschoolers.

"Our staff absolutely loved it," said Karen Kirk, director of Hebrew Educational Alliance's preschool. "Everyone was thoroughly engaged and it was surprising to learn how quickly children can be influenced by adults and television."

Research shows that about 85 percent of the brain develops between ages 3 and 5 and that impressions and ideas formed between ages 2 and 4 are lasting. One study found that almost 50 percent of children had racial biases by age 6.

In an effort to address the concerns raised by this research, ADL created the Miller Early Childhood Initiative to teach preschoolers the value of accepting and respecting differences while preventing them from embracing actions and beliefs that foster hate. The Initiative also teaches educators, caregivers and family members how to encourage children to not only respect, but to embrace differences and resist bigotry in all forms.

Through a partnership with Sesame Workshop, the Initiative trains educators, caregivers and family members how to use "Bias-Free Foundations" guidebooks and resource materials that feature beloved Sesame Street characters including Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird.

"The training involved a lot of soul searching and touched on areas that are difficult to discuss - such as prejudice and bias," said Suzi Malman, director of Rodef Shalom's preschool.

At HEA, Kirk said, "Our staff learned that we really do have a lot of diversity in our school. There are different levels of Jewish faith and practice, as well as students who have no Jewish affiliation.

"One of the best parts of the training was looking at how to deal with a situation of bias or prejudice that may occur in the classroom," she said. "It provided us with an opportunity to delve into the training materials and helped our teachers learn how to incorporate them into their classrooms."

A generous grant from the Daniel and Janet Mordecai Foundation allowed ADL to bring the Initiative to HEA and Rodef Shalom. For more information about the Initiative and ADL's other anti-bias education programs, please contact Paula at 303-830-7177 or pbrown@adl.org.

Jared Polis Receives ADL's Inaugural Boulder Community Builder Award

ADL Offers Government Officials, Teachers, Parents Guidelines for Handling "December Dilemma"

ADL has sent more than 700 letters to Colorado and Wyoming mayors, county commission chairs, and superintendents of public school districts with quick reference guides on how best to handle the upcoming "December Dilemma," when many different religious holidays are observed and it can be difficult for public officials to know the best way to respectfully and legally respect each one.

In addition to the online "December Dilemma" resources, the following guides can be received by calling ADL at 303-830-7177:

For Government Officials

● Quick Guide to Religious Displays

For Teachers

● The December Dilemma: Guidelines for Public Schools During the December Month: Religion in the Public Schools

● ABCs of Religion in Public Schools

For Jewish Parents

● Religious Issues in Your Child's Public School

ADL Co-Sponsors Kristallnacht: Remembrance & Art on Thursday November 9, 2006

In an effort to raise one's sense of identity and consciousness of current world issues, "50 Artists Seek Consciousness: Kristallnacht: Remembrance & Art" is a mixed media cultural program that will be held on Thursday, November 9 at 7:00 pm in the main sanctuary of BMH-BJ Congregation, 560 S. Monaco Pkwy. The event is presented by the Mizel Museum and tickets are $18.

The work of a diverse group of international, national, and local artists will provide testimony of the survival and continuity of Jewish life and culture.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 303-394-9993 ext. 4, email education2@mizelmuseum.org, or visit www.bmh-bj.org.

ADL's Chet Schwartz to receive Jack Shapiro Community Service Award

ADL Board member Chet Schwartz will receive the Jack Shapiro Community Service Award from Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) on Wednesday, December 6.

Schwartz will receive the award during the REEL HOPE Take 11 event at the United Artists Continental Theatre at 3635 S. Monaco Pkwy, which will include a special movie screening of a to-be-announced major Hollywood film and kosher box dinner.

REEL HOPE benefits the programs of Jewish Family Service and is presented in cooperation with Variety of Colorado, the children's charity with its roots in the entertainment industry. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased by calling JFS at 303-597-5000 ext. 340 or clicking here.

Applications for 2007 Robert B. Sturm Youth Leadership Mission Due Nov. 17

Applications for ADL's 2007 Robert B. Sturm Youth Leadership Mission are due on Friday, November 17.

Local businessman Robert B. Sturm underwrites ADL's mission that helps motivate high school students to fight prejudice in their lives, schools and communities by applying the lessons of the Holocaust to modern-day issues of bigotry. During the March 18-21, 2007, trip to Washington, DC, participants will tour the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and will visit other major sites in our nation's capitol.

After returning, the students will participate in a year-long program to develop a collective project that teaches their peers the value of diversity and the consequences of hatred.

Twenty teens from Colorado will be selected for the 2007 Mission. For an application or additional information, contact Debbie at 303-830-7177 or dcole@ADL.org.

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Mark your calendar now for this exciting 2006 ADL event:

November 14, 2006 - ADL's 2006 "Society of Fellows" Donor Luncheon

What: ADL recognizes donors of $500 or more for their support of the Mountain States Regional Office

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton

Keynote Speaker:  Gregory L. Moore, Editor of The Denver Post, "Covering Israel: An Editor's View"

Special Honoree: Richard "Dick" L. Robinson will receive ADL's Distinguished Community Service Award

Info: Michelle at 303-830-7177 or mstevenson@ADL.org.

Since 1913: "To stop the defamation of the Jewish people ... to secure justice and fair treatment to all."