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Friday April 20, 2007

Letters

Objectionable?

Rabbi Amy Eilberg was angry in 1985 when it was suggested that one day gays might receive Conservative ordination. Now, according to her April 6 local voice column, she’s discovered the “scientific literature on sexual orientation” and the fact that people practicing homosexuality had suffered as the result of societal disapproval of their actions.

I trust she’ll contain her anger at any current suggestion that her movement may yet sanction not only homosexual unions but multi-partner ones and “open marriages,” as well as other Jewishly objectionable arrangements.

Human beings are capable of embracing a wide variety of practices and “paraphilias” that society may one day come to sanction. If what people do and society accepts constitute a religious movement’s definition of what is proper, that movement is not a guide but a follower.

The essence of Judaism, however, is what our ancestors declared as one at Sinai, that we Jews accept the laws of the Torah, even when they may not reflect our personal or societal sensibilities.

As we approach the yearly re-experience of that eternal covenant, we do well to ponder the fact that while societal mores come and go and shift with the times, the Torah is eternal.

Rabbi Avi Shafran | New York City
director of public affairs, Agudath Israel of America

No ‘blind loyalty’

The Republican Jewish Coalition is building support for Israel among fellow Republicans and the general Jewish community. We are very concerned about the leadership of Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Last summer Pelosi withdrew her sponsorship of House Resolution 921 supporting Israel under assault from Hezbollah terror. The far left, the dominant influence in Democrat politics, intimidated her.

Pelosi, for the first time in American history, is trying to assert a second U.S. foreign policy. The prime minister of Israel rebuked this unprecedented intrusion into the domain of the executive branch for misstatements about Israeli policy toward Syria. The Washington Post, a liberal publication, labeled her foolish for allowing herself to be used by Middle East dictators. She foolishly pushed through legislation that tells our enemies when we will withdraw our troops from Iraq, in effect surrendering to the Islamofascists.

Finally, Pelosi will also not allow the U.S. to move away from Middle East oil. She does not want the Bush administration to receive credit. We urge her to support the DRIVE Act, a bipartisan effort to promote fuel choices for American energy security.

We invite all open-minded Jewish Americans to stop their blind loyalty to the Democrat party.

Ken Wornick, Norman Epstein, Howard Epstein | San Francisco
Northern California chapter, RJC

Legitimacy lent?

Regarding “The road to Damascus is a road to peace” (April 6 j.), by Dan Pine, although Nancy Pelosi certainly had the best of intentions when she went to meet with Bashar al-Assad, much more than that is required if one is to be “a player in Middle East politics.”

Syria is a leading sponsor of Islamic terrorism, and, despite repeated lip service to the ideal of peace, has done nothing to reduce its generous support of murder.

There is no magic bullet for dealing with oppressive, murderous dictators such as Assad. However, logic and experience show clearly that paying a friendly social call only lends the dictators legitimacy while doing nothing to reduce their deadly aggression. 

Julie Sager | San Francisco
Zionist Organization of America

No influence?

I have my doubts if Nancy Pelosi and her entourage’s trip (including Rep. Tom Lantos, who I admired) will influence Bashar Assad to break off his relationship with Iran and the terrorists.

One can’t blame Assad when he knows which side his bread is buttered on. Iran is a powerful force in the area, and convincing enough though Assad and Iran’s religious beliefs would clash at other times.

Nothing of consequence will come of Pelosi’s trip. I believe it was strictly a political move that should have waited for if and when the Democrats are in power.

What worries me no end is that Barak Obama (as my son reminded me of his middle name: Hussein) should ever become president of the USA. I don’t remember any influential black ever being on the side of the Jewish state. I do pray to be wrong in all of my stated assumptions.

Gershon Evan | San Francisco

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