Abandon Oslo?
President Bush was right to note that the U.S.-Israel alliance is based on “a shared belief in the power of human freedom” (“Sunrises and rainbows for Bush in Israel,” Jan. 11). It is curious, then, that he is intent on conferring statehood on Mahmoud Abbas, a career terrorist leader whose subjects suffer from honor killings, repression of journalists, and a leadership that prefers rockets to flour.
The Oslo process has produced an experimental political entity that holds dear the very antithesis of the human freedom that Americans and Israelis so value. This experiment in terrorism and anarchy cannot be scrapped too soon.
Julie Sager | Los Angeles
Zionist Organization of America
More English, please
I heartily agree with William Schwartz’s letter of Jan. 4 suggesting that more English be used in Reform services. It is interesting to note that more than 150 years ago the Bavarian Jews who founded Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco insisted that more English be used in the services.
Having attended a Reform Sunday school for nine years (which included post-confirmation) I learned so much — the wonderful history of Judaism, the holidays, the prayers, famous Hebrew songs, all of the prayers (in Hebrew). We learned about other faiths and even visited some churches. It was great to attend services in English with Hebrew prayers. Now I cannot understand the Hebrew services.
With the background I felt secure in correcting my history teacher who stated that the Jews killed Christ but that was ages ago but we can learn from the past.
Rita Breslaver Stock | San Mateo
Support, not censure
Thank you for Joe Eskenazi’s positive coverage of the JCRC Consensus Statement on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process (Dec. 21). As a member of the JCRC’s Middle East Policy Committee and a contributor to the dissenting opinion, I want to clarify that in no way does the dissent “chide” Israel. Rather, it (1) supports Israel taking more steps toward peace and (2) highlights the diversity of opinion within the Bay Area Jewish community.
The purpose is not to censure, but to promote a sustainable peace for Israel and its neighbors and to expand the inclusiveness of the organized Jewish community.
Mady Shumofsky | Oakland
Not far enough
While it is commendable that the president of the Islamic Society of North America vowed to combat Holocaust denial in the Muslim world (“Muslim leader addresses biennial,” Dec. 21), I am not sure if that is really going far enough. Nor do I think that comparing “hateful images of Muslims in the media” is a proper analogy for the “dehumanization of Jews by the Nazi propaganda machine that paved the way for the Holocaust.”
Perhaps a mention by Ingrid Mattson of hateful images of Jews and Israelis, such as a Star of David superimposed on the Third Reich flag in Saudi Arabia, would have been a better comparison, especially since present-day Arab and Muslim media frequently portrays Jews and Israelis as Nazis. Maybe she could also have vowed to combat anti-Semitism in schools in Muslim countries, where children are still being taught that Jews are apes and pigs.
It is good that ISNA is addressing the denial of history in Islamic countries. However, it would be even better if they would also take steps to address ongoing denial that many in the Muslim world still hate Jews simply because they are Jewish, and that many are presently calling for the destruction of Israel simply because they identify Israel as a Jewish state.
Cindy Ross | Fairfax
‘Spellbinding’ music
It was an evening of hope and fun when Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco recently hosted the Jewish a cappella group of Yale University students, Magevet. The young people added their spirit and songs to our regular recent Friday night service and a spellbinding performance at our congregational potluck. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to host one of the 20 members for three nights.
There are about 15 a cappella groups at Yale. As Jews, we are fortunate that one of them is Jewish. These undergraduate students engaged in the creation and performance of beautiful Jewish music including Israeli, American pop, Yiddish, Renaissance and ancient world selections at nursing homes, community centers and synagogues during their two-week visit, despite our terrible weather.
Magevet is self-supporting. If you purchase one of their CDs you will definitely be enjoying the past, present and future with a better sense of hope knowing these talented young people out and about.
You may order a CD by calling (972) 869-7766 or visiting www.magevet.com; or contact Aviva Hicks at Congregation Sherith Israel: (415) 346-1720 ext. 24 or email ahicks@sherithisrael.org.
Marianne Bennett Budin | San Francisco
CopyrightJ, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California