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February 1, 2002/19 Shevat 5762, Vol. 54, No. 20
Letters to the EditorFebruary 1, 2002
Truth may hurtEditor:I am writing in response to Sandor Shuch's criticism on Bill Straus', (regional director of the Anti-Defamation League) comment, "there are some ... in the (Jewish) community who are bigoted" (Letters to the editor, Jewish News, Jan. 25). My first comment is, if the truth hurts, so be it. Bill Straus was not being anti-Semitic; he was being honest and truthful. The letter implies that all Muslims are Arabs and that all Arab press, therefore all Muslim press, blackens the character of all Jews in an effort to destroy Israel. Not all Muslims are Arabs. To say otherwise is a racist generalization. Our own Jewish community had the same kind of unfriendly opposition in Scottsdale, when we were applying for a permit to build our new Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Meyer Turken Phoenix Federations give JDC supportEditor:I would like to commend you on your feature story ("Israel symbolizes safe haven," Jewish News, Jan. 11) on the current state of affairs facing the Jewish community of Argentina. As the economy nears collapse, Jews have found themselves in an increasingly distressed situation. In your article, you mention both the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, which is assisting by providing emergency relief, and the Jewish Agency, which is assisting those in the process of making aliyah. Both of these organizations are substantially funded by contributions made to local Jewish federations including our own in Phoenix. Particularly in times of crisis, having the capacity to provide urgent care quickly is an important advantage of the federation system. This is one of the many ways that your campaign support is put to good use. Arthur B. Paikowsky Executive Vice President Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Rephrase monthly questionsEditor:Since the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix has veered to the right on the Israel/Arab conflict, even the monthly questions for readers are phrased so that the answer is preordained. The question asking if Arafat is genuinely seeking peace can only have a negative reply from most people, Likud as well as Labor adherents. More fair and relevant questions might be: "Do you think Sharon can lead Israel to peace?" Or "Should Israel continue on a peace mission with the Arabs or seek to totally separate itself from Palestine?" Or perhaps "Do you think that 'collateral' damage to innocent Arabs is driving many into the camps of the terrorists?" Let there be room for reasonable discussion and disagreement rather than questions with predictable answers. Irv Feller Mesa
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