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October 3, 2003/Tishri 7 5764, Vol. 56, No.2
Letters to the EditorOctober 3, 2003
Judaism needs to be hipEditor:What would my Grandmother Mala, a Munkatscher Hasid in the old country, say to this? ("Face it: Judaism is not hip," Jewish News, Sept. 26) In Yiddish she would use her old saying "man ken nischt farstellen die welt mit-breitlech," meaning that you can't close out the world with boards. In Polish one would say "Jak przychodzisz miedzy wrony musisz krakac jak I ony," meaning that if you come across crows you have to crow as they do. The Gemara also says in regards to studying the Torah that even if you don't primarily care for it, you should be encouraged to do it because "schelo lischmo, baah lischmo," you will eventually come to like it. If this is what is needed to bring youth to the Torah, so it be. They will eventually come to love it. Alexander B. White Scottsdale Mediation and interfaith familiesEditor:As a recently retired lawyer certified as a specialist in family law, it was with great interest that I read the article about the problems faced by interfaith couples and their children when divorce rears its ugly head. ("High intermarriage rates, high divorce rates - what happens when they mix?" Jewish News, Sept. 19) I now mediate family law matters, and I am on the Superior Court list of approved family court mediators. Interfaith marriage is a fact of life, as is divorce, but there is a way to avoid the many problems that arise with regard to a child's religious training, both during the marriage and in the unhappy event of divorce. Prior to marriage, the interfaith couple should give serious consideration to mediating an agreement on such things as holiday celebrations, formal religious training, lifecycle events and anything else that is important to either party. This agreement should cover both marriage and divorce. The parties can also, if they so choose, involve their respective clergy in the mediation process. A properly drawn mediation agreement can be enforced in court. Irwin Harris Phoenix Alternatives to Arafat's executionEditor:A recent commentary, "Do not fear 'Palestinian rage,'" (Jewish News, Sept. 26), by a "journalist living in Israel," closed with the words, "The killing of Arafat and the targeting of those who support his murderous plans are cause for celebration." I believe it is in Israel's interest not to be seen as party to assassinating the political leader of the Palestinians. Adolph Eichmann was bloodier than Yasser Arafat by a long shot. He did not kill with his own hands but was responsible for killing nonetheless. Israel tried and convicted Eichmann in open court, issued the death penalty and executed him. The world respected and applauded Israel's fairness in prosecuting the case. (This is the only death penalty ordered by the Israeli courts in the nation's history.) Satisfying a "need for revenge" is too great a price to pay for the subsequent loss of world support for Israel. There are alternatives: (1) Continue Arafat's isolation in his compound, remove all his means of communication and surround him with the Israeli Defense Forces, allowing limited supervised visits; or (2) incarcerate Arafat and try him, as Israel did Eichmann. Neither will satisfy those who want his blood now. But either may meet Israel's need for removing him from any further role in Israel's future. David Metz Scottsdale Praise for Jess Schwartz headmasterEditor:As a student of Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School for the past three years, I would like to commend Headmaster Janice Johnson on a great start. Although the past school year had been problematic, Johnson, along with the help of the faculty, has made it into a school to which I look forward to each day. Thank you, Dr. Johnson, on a job well done. Matt Berger Phoenix Readers weigh in on Ten CommandmentsEditor:The anger Jack Zimmerman expressed in his letter to the editor was way off base for a Jew, and right on for a fundamental Christian. ("Where were Jewish protestors?" Jewish News, Sept. 26) The issue here is not whether one supports Torah, but rather about supporting the Constitution. The placement of the Ten Commandments monument in a public building supported by public tax dollars was a clear violation of the decree that the government not select one religion over another. Zimmerman's letter implies that a specific religion supersedes the law of the land, and he wonders where the Jews were? Well, I'll tell you where this one was: enraged over the foolishness and religious triumphalism of one fundamentalist Christian who happened to head Alabama's Supreme Court. Judaism reaches out to all good people, whether they agree with our system or not. This, however, is not a platform of fundamentalist Christianity, a belief system that Jack Zimmerman propounds (no matter what name he might give it). Fundamentalist Christians believe that if you do not accept the underlying tenet of their faith, that Jesus is God, then eternal punishments will befall you. That is surely not Judaism's platform, and that courthouse's step was no place for Jews, let alone other intelligent Americans. Rabbi B. Charles Herring Phoenix Editor: Where were the Jews during the controversy surrounding the Ten Commandments monument in the judicial building in Alabama? ("Where were Jewish protestors?" Jewish News, Sept. 26) Rejoicing that separation of the state and church still exists in our country. Linda Lord Wilmette, Fla.
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