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August 17, 2001/Av 28, 5761, Vol. 53, No.45
Letters to the EditorAugust 17, 2001
Barenboim presumptuousEditor:Pauline Dubkin Yearwood of the Chicago Jewish News writes in "Decision to play Wagner in Israel sparks debate" (Jewish News, Aug. 3) the following about the controversy over Daniel Berenboim's playing Richard Wagner in Israel: "Many say they can see arguments on both sides of the issue." Briefly stated, Berenboim had agreed to leave Wagner's music off the program and then, he played the prelude to Tristan and Isolde as an encore. I feel that both parties missed the fundamental point, which I see as personal opinions being forced on others in the names of self-righteous causes. In this case, it was a crusade for Wagner's music. Even for the sake of artistic freedom, an opinion, forced on others, is still intolerance. Berenboim's encore was pre-planned and the deception deliberate. Just like Hitler at the Nuremberg Reichstag in 1935, he had a surprise for them. I find it presumptuous. Martin I. Selling Phoenix Tithe, make rebate mootEditor:In Barry Cohen's column about the tax credit, "Finding a better use of our rebate" (Jewish News, Aug. 3), he recommends that we give our tax refund to charity. While I agree that is a nice sentiment, I disagree that the rebate somehow steals from the poor to provide extra benefits to the wealthy. If one tithed on gross income as the Torah commands, then this tax rebate would be a true rebate, that is tax and tithe free, as each of us would have already paid both. If one then gave that additional money to charity, it would be a great mitzvah. It is my belief that charity, giving of time and money, should be a daily act, whether the government gives me a rebate or not. Harris Weisman Scottsdale 'Virtual' neighborhoodsEditor:The excellent article by Beth Olson, "Who is teaching our children?" (Jewish News, Aug. 3), speaks to the most important issue of educating our children. Our excellent day schools, including four elementary schools and two high schools, and the availability of the state scholarship funds provide wonderful choices for families to enrich the lives of their children and their families academically and Jewishly. Day schools provide a strong knowledge base, an opportunity for extensive individual attention, foster a strong sense of identity and connect the student and family to the Jewish people. Our day schools provide "virtual" Jewish neighborhoods of friends and connections in our valley of disparate and distanced homes. They are the setting in which our future leaders are being trained. Elaine Schreiber, Chairwoman, The Day School Consortium Phoenix |
