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November 16, 2001/Kislev 1, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 10
Letters to the EditorNovember 16, 2001
Dialogue commendedDear Editor:Jewish News' story "Bridge to understanding: Muslims and Jews foster a grassroots community" (Nov. 9) inspired us. You reassure us that, especially after Sept. 11, there is growing dialogue, participation and successes in cities across the land. We are part of a 9-year-old Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group - Jews, Muslims and Christians; Holocaust survivors and 20th-generation Palestinians - preparing for our 114th meeting. In our San Francisco Bay Area, all eight dialogues continue. Five new groups just came to life in San Diego. You are in the company of people reaching out to one another in San Antonio; Nashville, Tenn.; Tucson; Philadelphia; Eugene, Ore.; Brooklyn and Manhattan, N.Y., and other U.S. cities where sustained activity has grown. Most people are moving toward one another, not away. The story of your Phoenix dialogue is exemplary (due to) their understanding of this process that begins with compassionate listening and respects diverse views of life. Dialogue groups are being born across the land. This is the greatness of America. Lionel Traubman, DDS, MSD Elizabeth Traubman, BA, MSW San Mateo, Calif. Call for balanced reportingDear Editor:The article regarding the lecture given by Rabbi Uri Regev, "Reform leader compares Orthodox to terrorists," (Jewish News, Oct. 26) was certainly newsworthy, but it showed a lack of complete reporting. A full story would have reflected the language and issues that Regev was responding to. Many in the Orthodox community were quick to condemn Regev's remarks and demand his resignation. Why have those who called for Regev's resignation not called for the resignation of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Shas' spiritual leader, when he declared in his weekly radio address referring to Reform women: "Not like these evil ones. These Reform women who (put on a tallit) demonstrate against Judaism." He continued sarcastically: "They keep all the mitzvot, the only one lacking is tallit. Wrap them in tallit and bury them." (Oct. 16 as quoted by Y-net). This is not the first time Yosef has made such comments. I hope that in the future your paper attempts to provide a better balance of reporting on such comments, and more importantly, I hope the Orthodox leadership will monitor their own house before they condemn Regev for raising important issues without calling for murder. Rabbi Andrew Straus Temple Emanuel of Tempe 'Voices' rings trueDear Editor:I appreciated the guest article "Real Jewish life is not without its risks" (Jewish News, Nov. 9) by Dave Sherman, encouraging members of our Jewish community to visit Israel as a demonstration of support and solidarity. The quote from Rabbi Danny Gordis was especially apt. I agree that living a "real Jewish life is not without risks." I expressed a similar sentiment in my Kol Nidre sermon earlier this fall, when I said, "I am quite sure that Israelis probably feel more abandoned by us American Jews than frightened by terrorists." I urged congregants to join me in showing support for Israel with our feet as well as our voices and opinions. I am trying to defy the odds and lead a 10-day solidarity mission in February for members of my temple and community. Rabbi Maynard Bell Temple Solel Paradise Valley
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