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Editor's note:
Back in 2021, Washington-based AP photographer Jacquelyn Martin won a promise of financial support from AP’s Religion Team for a promising-sounding feature story about a sleepaway summer camp in California for young Jews of color. From afar, Martin established close connections with the camp management, and arranged an in-depth visit, but had to cancel her trip at the last minute after coming down with COVID. Same thing in 2022: she again had to postpone her trip due to another bout with COVID. Neither she nor the Religion Team leaders wanted to give up, and finally the trip came about this summer. The result: a heartwarming, visually stunning text/photos/video portrayal of the camp and its tight-knit community of campers and staff – who opened their hearts to Martin. The campers – most of them Black – spoke movingly about how they often felt like outliers at home, and savored the camp as a haven for solidarity and acceptance.
Religion News
Pastor indicted alongside Trump in Georgia election meddling case
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod pastor is charged with attempting to influence witnesses and conspiring to solicit false statements and writings, all as part of an effort to influence an election worker. By Jack Jenkins/Religion News Service
Legal experts question judge’s order telling Southwest lawyers to get religious-liberty training
A federal judge has set off a debate among legal scholars by ordering lawyers for Southwest Airlines to undergo “religious-liberty training” by a conservative Christian legal group. By David Koenig/The Associated Press
Some Russian Orthodox priests are publicly opposing their leader's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and they're suffering the consequences, including removal from their ministries. By Kostya Manenkov/The Associated Press
Israel may uproot an ancient mosaic near the Armageddon site. Where it could go next sparks outcry
An ancient Holy Land mosaic inscribed with an early reference to Jesus as God is at the center of a controversy that has riled archaeologists. Should the centuries-old decorated floor, located near the prophesied site of Armageddon, be uprooted and loaned to a U.S. museum that has been criticized for past acquisition practices? By Ilan Ben Zion/The Associated Press
An advocate for secular education among Haredi Jews discovers journalism
Naftuli Moster became convinced there needs to be an independent news outlet that holds Haredi leaders and institutions — and especially the rabbinic establishments — accountable. By Yonat Shimron/Religion News Service
Commentary and Analysis
The region of Maui has been revered by its Indigenous peoples as a sacred place for generations. It is believed to be the home of Kihawahine, a woman who transformed into a goddess. By Rosalyn R. LaPier for The Conversation
With modern borders drawn up by colonial powers, some African governments have turned to religion to try to forge national unity since independence. By Nicolette Manglos-Weber for The Conversation
Many Hindus, Buddhists and people who follow the shamanic religion of Bon undertake a pilgrimage each year to northern Nepal to look for Shaligrams, believed to be a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. By Holly Walters for The Conversation
We’re not done covering the basics of anti-racism in America. Even some Black people are confused. By Andre Henry/Religion News Service
A person carries a statue of San Cayetano as she lines up to enter the Church of San Cayetano, the Catholic patron Saint of work, on his feast day in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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