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August 1, 2003/Av 3 5763, Vol. 55, No. 49
Letters to the EditorAugust 1, 2003
Vouchers ensure Jewish continuityEditor:As I read your piece on school vouchers for Arizona, ("No quick fix," Jewish News, July 18) I was surprised that the only Jewish opinions expressed were negative. Many others and I whole-heartedly support the voucher model. Opposing arguments simply don't make sense.
Rabbi Zvi Holland Phoenix Community Kollel Proud to be back in IsraelEditor:We returned last week from 10 days in Israel. It had been 13 years since our last visit, and we had so many of the same experiences Vicki Cabot had. ("The sweetness of return," Jewish News, July 11) Some of our children too were apprehensive, and (we received) looks of shock and fear from friends and acquaintances. But as we congregated with our group of travelers in Los Angeles at our son's synagogue in Santa Monica, and the rabbi read a beautiful prayer, we all felt sure we were on a special mission. For five days we were at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem, which was "hopping" every day and night. To say we felt so proud describes the strongest of our feelings. We were made to feel so appreciated everywhere we went. Just as Dennis Prager said in a recent documentary, "Just go ... even if you do nothing more than have dinner in a restaurant, and say, 'You are not alone,' and 'We care about Israel and we care about you.' " Kol hakovod to you who keep the community and our connections to Israel strong. We need that every day in our lives - to stand taller and prouder as Jews. Fran Falk Ahwatukee Founders looked to Judeo-Christian valuesEditor:The attack on the Ten Commandments on public property by Eleanor Eisenberg of the American Civil Liberties Union, Professor Jim Weinstein of Arizona State University Law School and "the left" in general states that the standards of how religion is expressed in a public place must be guided by the Constitution. ("Thou shalt remove the monument?" Jewish News, July 25) A rebuttal is that the Ten Commandments in the Old and New Testament guided the founders. Thomas Jefferson wanted Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt to be on the Great Seal of the United States. John Adams knew Hebrew. The seal of Yale University is inscribed in Hebrew. These critics also claim that the Establishment Clause of the Constitution means "separation of church and state." Rather, it proscribes there be no "established state religion" - period. Lastly, critics state that if one religion is displayed in a public place, then all religions must be represented. Judeo-Christian values are the bedrock principles that created this country. All religions are welcome but they were not and are not part of the underpinnings of our Constitution. Ralph Stern Scottsdale Don't let Abbas fool youEditor:I am writing regarding Dennis Ross' article, "Abbas keeps eye on the big picture." (Jewish News, July 18) Ross is a nice man. I have met him on a number of occasions in Washington during American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conferences, and I have also heard him speak here in Phoenix. Nice, however will not get the job done vis-á-vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I find it incredible that after Oslo, with Ross as a key player, and the fact that Oslo was a disaster for Israel, that he is now blinded by Abbas. Abbas denies the fact that the Holocaust ever took place and denies that there were ovens in Auschwitz. He was named by Yasser Arafat and reports every move he contemplates to Arafat before he can act. The Palestinians do not want peace with Israel; they want all of Israel and all of Israel's Jews destroyed. Those who believe like Ross need to wake up. Irving Shuman Phoenix The facts on Reagan's role in historyEditor:I am compelled to respond to Efrem Lieber's letter to the editor. ("You can have the Reagan legacy," Jewish News, July 18) He professed that President Ronald Reagan was not responsible for the fall of the Soviet Union. This will be a complete surprise to President Lech Walesa of Poland and President Valcav Havel of Czechoslovakia, who both vigorously credited Reagan for this historic accomplishment. As for extending "most favorable nation" status to everyone, which has ruined our economy, here are some facts: The North American Free Trade Association treaty was signed in November 1993 during President Clinton's term. The World Trade Organization trade agreement with China was signed November 2001. President Reagan left office in 1988. Al Heimer Phoenix
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