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November 29, 2002/Kislev 24 5763, Vol. 55, No. 14
Letters to the EditorNovember 29, 2002
Counteract missionary effortsEditor:After reading "Messianic rabbi serves Trinity Hospice" (Jewish News, Nov. 22), I did a little research on Messianic missionary efforts in the Valley. When I found nine Valley organizations dedicated to converting Jews to Christianity, I asked myself if the Jewish community is doing enough to reach Jews who are looking for spirituality in their lives. We cannot be complacent. It seems that our efforts are dwarfed by a well-funded, well-organized strategy to convert Jews to Christianity. This is discouraging. Unless we change our priorities to focus on outreach and Jewish education on all levels, we may very well be witness to over 50,000 Valley Jews just disappearing in the next few generations. Rabbi Zvi Holland Phoenix Community Kollel Aish Hatorah Scottsdale Center for Jewish Discovery Phoenix Remember Beth Emeth CongregationEditor:I have read the letter to the editor published in your Oct. 11 issue, "Conservative presence overlooked," written by Sheyl Bronkesh. I was surprised to read that she notes that "there are many areas of the Valley that truly do lack a Conservative Jewish presence ... (including) the West Valley. I believe it is important for the community to support the information that has served the area's Jewish population for over 40 years. It is certainly important that the Jewish News not ignore its existence." Beth Emeth Congregation of the Sun Cities and the West Valley has existed for more than 25 years. The congregation has been in its beautiful synagogue in Sun City West for 14 years. The congregation has served the Jewish population of the West Valley with members from the Sun Cities, Sun City Grand, Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Wickenburg and Flagstaff. It is certainly worth noting its existence and that it serves all of the residents of the West Valley through the availability of its rabbi for such services as may be required. Lawrence Gross Past president, Beth Emeth Congregation Sun City West Rodeos respectful to animalsEditor:I am writing in response to the unsubstantiated comments in regards to rodeos. ("Rodeos decried as un-Jewish, cruel," Jewish News, Nov. 8) Horses are not "made" to buck by instilling fear or causing pain. A horse that is not inclined to buck cannot be forced to do so with the use of a flank strap. A flank strap is a fleece-lined strip of leather placed behind the horse's rib cage in the flank area. Rodeos regulate the use of the strap. Veterinarians have testified that the flank strap causes no harm to the animals. The riders wear spurs to provide grip on the animals' thick, loose hide; however, the spurs must be dull with blunt rowels that can't cut the animals. The rowels must be loose so they will roll over the horse's hide. The hides of horses and bulls are much thicker than human skin, which resists cutting or bruising. A cattle prod is a device developed by the cattle industry to move livestock. It has become one of the most universally accepted and humane methods of herding animals on ranches, by veterinarians, and on occasion, at rodeos. Of 71,743 animal exposures to cattle prods, 38 were injured. That's five-hundredths of 1 percent. Leslie Sonnenklar Phoenix
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