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October 10, 2003/Tishri 14 5764, Vol. 56, No.3
Letters to the EditorOctober 10, 2003
Don't throw stones at monument advocatesEditor:How interesting that a rabbi should be the one to castigate Jack Zimmerman for his letter referencing the lack of concern from the Jewish community regarding the removal of the Ten Commandments monument in the Alabama court house. ("Readers weigh in on Ten Commandments," Jewish News, Oct.3) The so-called separation of church and state does not exist in our Constitution. However, it is alive and well within the ACLU and among tolerance advocates. Today, we tolerate everything. Everything that is, except Bible-based religion, which Judaism certainly is, and upon which this country was founded. The prohibition in the establishment clause of the First Amendment is against a state-endorsed religion, not religion itself. Hence, presidents take their oath of office with a hand upon the Bible, and Congress opens daily sessions with a prayer. For Rabbi Herring to refer to Zimmerman as taking on the mantle of a fundamentalist Christian, rather than a Jew, was absurd. Herring goes on to state that the courthouse steps were "no place for Jews, let alone other intelligent Americans." It is insulting for Herring to paint Zimmerman as unintelligent. But, if he persists in doing so, let him include me as a fool as well. Carol Nichols Turoff Phoenix Editor: Regarding "Readers weigh in on Ten Commandments," (Jewish News, Oct. 3), it really doesn't matter what Rabbi Herring thinks of me personally. Whether he does or doesn't think I'm a Jew or whatever category he wants to put me in. The fact remains that if we Jews who love our Torah and our God don't stand up for our religious freedom in expressing such, no one else will, and we will turn around one day, and it will be gone. Messianic Rabbi Jack Zimmerman Beth-Simcha HaMashiach Scottsdale Continued support for BushEditor:I enjoyed your commentary, "Bush in over his head," (Jewish News, Oct. 3) Some of your conclusions are easily reached and have an understandable logic. But in view of the perspective of one who is vitally interested in the present and future state of Israel, I have some opposing points of view. You agree with the premise of taking out Sadam Hussein but find the problems now facing the Bush administration to be untenable. You then imply that the entire war was a fiasco, as were the criteria for its inception. I'm afraid your position is one of hindsight and not constructive. What do you feel the Bush administration should do now? How is this country to proceed given the new circumstances? If you have no suggestions, is it your position to criticize Bush for his attempts to solve a very complicated situation? You have an enviable position to sit back and let the other guy fall on his face. I, on the other hand, am willing to display confidence in the Bush administration. I give Bush my support, understanding all too well the mortal consequences of his decisions. That is saying much for a Democrat and a Korean War veteran. Art Weisberg Scottsdale Toast to music reviewEditor:I enjoyed your article about Scott Leader's compact disc. ("'Lift My Eyes' makes musical debut," Jewish News, Oct. 3) I especially got a kick that he points out a lot of "traditional music" is in fact secular drinking songs from 19th-century Germany. It's so true, and it's something that a lot of modern Jewish composers have to contend with. I was glad to see that in print. Robbi Sherwin Austin, Texas
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