Jewish Groups Fear Impact From Anti-Sharia Laws

JTA reported last week that Jewish organizations are concerned that anti-Sharia laws being proposed in many states will also impact the ability of Jewish litigants to resolve disputes according to halacha-- Jewish religious law. Recently a number of arbitrations from Jewish religious courts (bet din) have been taken to civil courts for enforcement. Of particular concern to Jewish groups are proposals in Nebraska and South Dakota that do not refer explicitly to sharia, but instead reference "religious codes" more generally. A letter to state legislatures urging them to reject anti-sharia legislation has been spearheaded by Jewish groups and has been signed onto by various civil liberties and religious organizations.