October 11, 2002/Cheshvan 5 5763, Vol. 55, No. 7
Letters to the EditorOctober 11, 2002
'Apology' offeredEditor:It appears that I owe Carl Goldberg an apology. Last week, in his letter ("Wariness, not wishful thinking," Jewish News, Oct. 4), he pointed out that I have offered no evidence of a moderate Muslim majority. He then provided irrefutable evidence that the majority of Muslims in Greater Phoenix are extremists. What evidence? I quote Goldberg. He says, "The only thing we know for sure about the local Muslim community is that it is largely in the hands of the extremists and that there is no audible protest from the moderates." I am left with quoting and paraphrasing a Muslim (Dr. M.K. Jasser) who was born and raised in Allepo, Syria, who was educated to the level of medical doctor at the University in Damascus, Syria, who now resides in this community, and who is active in founding, developing and building a new mosque. I am left with quoting and paraphrasing a group of Muslims with whom I meet regularly to discuss a wide variety of subjects of interest to all of us. How could my "hearsay" ever stand up to his irrefutable evidence? Mr. Goldberg, I apologize! Bob Rosenberg Phoenix Conservative presence overlookedEditor:It is amazing that the editors of the Jewish News are not aware there has been a Conservative synagogue in the northeast Valley for more than 40 years. A recent article ("'New light' shines in Valley," Jewish News, Oct. 4) announced the founding of a new congregation to serve the Jewish population of the northeast Valley because, as one of the group's founders said, "the Conservative movement is not represented there." Har Zion, a Conservative congregation, was founded in Scottsdale in 1960 and was, until 1996, located on Lincoln Drive, when it moved to Thunderbird Road and 61st Street - in the northeast Valley. If the organizers of a new synagogue want to meet the needs of an underserved population, there are many areas of the Valley that truly do lack a Conservative Jewish presence: Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills and the West Valley. I believe it is important for the community to support the institution that has served the area's Jewish population for over 40 years. It is certainly important that the Jewish News not ignore its existence. Sheryl Bronkesh Scottsdale
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