It’s been referred to as likely “the most important document in American Jewish history” but it hasn’t been on public display for nearly a decade.

It’s George Washington’s 1790 letter to “the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island” and it would most likely fetch millions of dollars at auction, but it’s tucked away in storage in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.

The Jewish Daily Forward has printed a fascinating article about the historic document and its adventures over the years.

In the letter, Washington underscores the importance of religious freedom for all, saying the newly-formed United States has a government “which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

Historians would like to see the letter on display — perhaps at the new national Jewish history museum in Philadelphia or at the Library of Congress.

Here’s a couple of other ideas. The letter would be a worthy addition to the National Archives building where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are on display. Or, it could become the crown jewel at the Newseum — a shrine to the First Amendment (which covers freedom of speech, the press and religion…)

It’s an ambitious — and expensive — undertaking. Traveling to 30 mosques in 30 states in one month. Total budget: $10,000.

Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq are two New York City-based Muslims who hope to launch a totally bodacious Ramadan Roadtrip.

And they’ve set up an account at kickstarter.com to solicit donations. If all goes as planned, they’ll travel to mosques from coast to coast, with additional trips to Alaska and Hawaii.

I had never heard of kickstarter.com before, but apparently it’s a web site that connects donors and artistic dreamers. The web site bills itself as “the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world.”

It’s quite a concept. This will be the second such undertaking. Ali and Tariq had a similar adventure during Ramadan 2010. (Click here for details about last year’s journey.)

Come hear our pastor
He’s not very good
but he’s short

(spotted at Clay City Christian Church in Clay City, Illinois).

The Culture of Life Foundation provides the answer here.

This line was dreamed up by somebody, presumably after tiring of complaints about typos in their church newsletter:

“We used to have a perfect editor, but he ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand of God.”

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori helped a Roman Catholic priest who had been accused of inappropriate contact with a minor in the 1980s to become a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada when she was its diocesan bishop.

While the priest, Bede Parry, was never charged with a crime, he was sent to a treatment center in New Mexico — Servants of the Paraclete — for three months following the alleged incident, according to the Kansas city Star.

In an interview with the Star Parry admitted inappropriate sexual encounters with two minors.

Edwards’ statement makes clear that Episcopal Church officials were aware of the allegation when Jefferts Schori welcomed him into the Episcopal Church priesthood. It’s unclear whether parishioners were also informed.

Current Nevada bishop Dan Edwards is stressing that the allegations have become public in a civil — not a criminal — legal proceeding and that the alleged misconduct involved a post-pubescent minor, not pre-pubescent minor.

In a statement posted on the diocese’s website, Edwards writes:

“An incident with a late adolescent, while certainly morally wrong, and unquestionably a matter for serious concern, does not indicate pedophilia.”

If Jefferts Schori offers any response, I’d like to post it. An Episcopal News Service story posted on her denomination’s home page indicated she has “not spoken publicly” about the matter.

It’s unclear whether the presiding bishop declined to answer questions about Father Parry or whether Episcopal News Service declined to ask her.

If you’ve got the cash, you can travel next February with former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee to the Promised Land. No, not New Hampshire. Jerusalem.

While other Republicans are treading the sacred, snow-covered streets of Manchester and Dixon Notch, Huckabee will be focusing on Jerusalem and its environs.

And there’s still room at the Inn — If you’ve got the money.

“Prices Per Person: $4,629.00 for Double Occupancy; $5,429.00 for Single Occupancy; Business Upgrade add $2,300.00. Credit Cards and PayPal are Accepted with an additional $150.00 fee.”

The website for the Huckabee Holy Land experience ishere.

Stops include the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on water and an empty tomb. (Not THE empty tomb — that place is covered by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. That’s the spot where Constantine’s mother believed Jesus had been buried. The Garden Tomb wasn’t purported to be Christ’s burial site until the late nineteenth century. )