It can be hard to figure out the differences between the main branches of Judaism - many Jews don’t quite know. The big three are Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. They’re not quite denominations, the way Christianity has say, the Catholic, Lutheran and Episcopal churches. They’re more like movements, which have come up with different ways of reconciling the traditions of the past with the realities of the present. A historian and two rabbis explain.

 

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, orthodox rabbi and author of "Kosher Jesus"

 

Pamela Nadell, Director of the Jewish Studies Program at American University of and author of "Conservative Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary and Sourcebook"

 

Rabbi Bruce Lustig, reform rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation

 

Since 2002, the New York Police Department has been secretly documenting where Muslims pray, eat, shop and work – from mosques and student groups to fried chicken joints and dollar stores. This February, The Associated Press obtained and released several official police reports that exclusively profile Muslims as possible threats to national security. Some question the legality of these investigations; others say it's a necessity in post-9/11 America.

 

Pictured: A section of Paterson, N.J., under surveillance by the NYPD, from files obtained by The AP. The description reads, "This is reportedly to be a Mosque that is attended by both Palestinian and Chechen worshipers."

 

Matt Apuzzo, investigative reporter for The Associated Press

 

It’s a line he now says he regrets, but still, Rick Santorum stands behind a recent interview for ABC News: "The idea that the church can have no influence....in the operation of the state is absolutely antithetical to the objectives and vision of our country.” He was responding directly to Kennedy’s famous 1960 speech on the separation of church and state. Only problem is, he got it wrong - Kennedy never said that.

 

Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State