"As currently formulated the plan would displace thousands of current residents, many of whom are longstanding renters and business owners. Why not instead focus efforts to create new housing on strategically selected commercial lots with a mixed-use approach?" the letter suggests.

The rabbis -- Robert Saks, rabbi emeritus of D.C.'s Bet Mischpachah; Doug Heifetz of Oseh Shalom in Laurel; Ari Israel of University of Maryland Hillel; and Steve Weisman of Temple Solel in Bowie -- also "enthusiastically support the commitment to small business preservation" in the draft plan.

Hungarian lawmakers

reject Holocaust denial law

Hungary's lawmakers have rejected constitutional amendments to make Holocaust denial a punishable offense.

Some local Jewish community leaders believe that last week's vote secured the first parliamentary victory for Jobbik, a rapidly rising local neo-Nazi movement widely predicted to win several seats in the national elections due within a year.

The proposals, put forth by the ruling socialist caretaker government, attracted fewer than half the votes needed to adopt a constitutional amendment.

The frequently populist, ultra-conservative Fidesz opposition party rejected the proposals along with the neoliberal Free Democrats, the erstwhile coalition partners of the socialists.

The Association of Hungarian Jewish Religious Communities, or Mazsihisz -- the country's largest Jewish organization -- has not issued an official comment. However, a commentary published on the Mazsihisz Web site by Tamas Palmai, an intellectual writing in his personal capacity, says many believe that Fidesz turned down the reforms for fear of provoking the wrath of Jobbik.

Holocaust denial is outlawed in many countries that, like Hungary, were occupied by the Nazis during World War II. The Hungarian government's attempt at introducing the legislation that failed was made in response to provocations by neo-Nazis at Buda Castle that marred the last Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Colorado paper rues

'Jewish descent' use

A Colorado newspaper editor has apologized for an article featuring a description of a burglary suspect that some deemed anti-Semitic.

The Vail Daily article described the suspect in a house break-in, in Edwards, Colo., as being "of Jewish or Eastern European descent," drawing its conclusion from a description provided by a witness characterizing the man as having "dark hair, large nose, pierced ears, narrow face and eyes that were close together."

After a number of complaints, managing editor Matt Zalaznick, who is Jewish, posted a statement on June 24 deploring the use of the phrase "of Jewish descent" and stressing the inappropriateness of employing a religious descriptor in what was intended to be an aid in apprehending the suspect.

Zalaznick promised to maintain a higher level of sensitivity in the Vail Daily in regards to the use of ethnic descriptions.

Empire launches

organic poultry line

Empire Kosher poultry is launching lines of organic and antibiotic-free poultry.

The Pennsylvania company announced last week that it is ready to roll out both lines nationally.

"As we've seen demand for ABF and organic products grow in the non-kosher world, we decided to enter these markets with kosher products," CEO Greg Rosenbaum said in a statement.

ABF designates poultry that is not injected with any antibiotics or hormones. Organic chicken also adheres to ABF standards, as well as Department of Agriculture standards for organic poultry.

Empire also announced last week that new equipment design would enable the company to increase its peak production volume from 350,000 chickens per week to nearly 800,000.

Jewish inmate

gets yarmulke back

A Jewish inmate at the San Francisco County Jail will be permitted to have his yarmulke back.

Duane Allen Hoffman, 48, who is awaiting trial for theft and fraud, has won a federal lawsuit alleging religious discrimination.

Hoffman, who is Orthodox, was allowed to wear his yarmulke in jail after his May 2008 arrest, but sheriffs took it away in April, claiming a razor could be hidden under it, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

In his handwritten lawsuit filed April 23, Hoffman pointed out that Catholic inmates are permitted rosaries, and African American inmates may wear mesh "wave caps." He claimed jail officials took away his yarmulke as punishment after he asked for a prayer shawl.

Describing himself to reporters as a "gentleman thief," Hoffman wove a colorful account of his life as the only child of wealthy Connecticut parents, a former code-breaker for the U.S. military, and a high-rolling gay playboy arrested for identity theft numerous times in Europe and the United States. No part of his story could be confirmed.

Hoffman suffers from HIV and is in a wheelchair.

He faces up to 50 years in prison for using stolen credit cards to pay hotel bills and buy luxury goods from Neiman Marcus.

Historian named to Smith Judaics chair at GWU

Historian Jenna Weissman Joselit has been named the Charles E. Smith Chair in Judaic Studies at George Washington University Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

This fall, she will join the Judaic studies program and the department of history, teaching American Jewish history and continuing her research on a number of projects, including the study of America's relationship to the Ten Commandments.

Weissman Joselit comes to GWU from Princeton University, where she taught modern Judaic studies and American studies.

A historian of everyday life, she specializes in the history and culture of America's Jews and in U.S. cultural history from the late 19th century through the 1950s.

-- by Aaron Leibel with reports from JTA News and Features and other sources