In the Mail - Letters to the Editor

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     In the Mail - Letters to the Editor
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     Shemini Atzeret links us to God and Israel

October 17, 2003/Tishri 21 5764, Vol. 56, No. 4

Letters to the Editor

October 17, 2003

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Why is the world standing idle?

Editor:
Enough! Why is the world standing idle while civilians are being slaughtered in Israel? Why does the United Nations not condemn Palestinian terrorism and declare homicide bombings as crimes against humanity? The United Nations only condemns the violence after an Israeli response; this is clearly misleading and counterproductive. Occupation or no occupation, civilians are being blown to pieces in acts of suicide; this is a blatant crime against humanity.

Jarred Elias
Scottsdale

Facts, not allegations

Editor:
In response to "Bush in over his head" (Jewish News, Oct. 3):

British authorities continue to back the report of Saddam Hussein's attempt to purchase uranium from Niger. According to David Kay, who leads the Iraq Survey Group, Hussein maintains his intent to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
According to Kay, U.N. inspectors uncovered activities and equipment that supported the development of WMD. The Iraqis were developing long range missiles banned by the United Nations and biological and chemical weapons.
Hussein is linked, at least ideologically, to the Sept. 11 terrorists. They are commonly dedicated to the end of American support for Israel and for Israel's destruction.
Iraq is closer than ever to freedom. The United States will maintain a military presence in Iraq for an extended period as we still do in Korea, Germany and Japan.
The United Nations proved ineffective in responding to Iraq's insolence. Bush stepped forward to safeguard Israel's interests.
$87 billion is four-fifths of 1 percent of this country's annual GDP. One must also bring into the discussion the net benefit of this expenditure before deeming it excessive.

In your commentary, you ignored all of the above facts and treated partisan allegations as though they were proven true.

Lenny Kalmenson
Scottsdale

Clarifying religious tolerance

Editor:
Carol Nichols Turoff's letter attacking Rabbi Herring's views ("Don't throw stones at monument advocates," Jewish News, Oct. 10) reflects that she is seriously misinformed. It has not been the ACLU, but rather our courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, that have repeatedly held that the Constitution mandates the separation of religion from government.

As to Turoff's suggestion that we do not tolerate Bible-based religion, the truth is that we can maintain any religious beliefs anywhere and, with very few exceptions, we can engage in any religious practices we choose within our homes, houses of worship or any other non-governmental locations.

What many of us simply cannot tolerate are those who attempt to force their religious beliefs upon others.

Rick and Sharon Cohen
Phoenix

'Messianic Jews' is a misnomer

Editor:
In your Oct. 3 story, you and The Arizona Republic fall into a trap when you accept these so-called Messianic folks as Jews. ("Republic mixes Jewish, Messianic worship")

What they are is good, old-fashioned Christians. The Kansas City rabbis have adopted a united stance, urging Jews not to patronize the two so-called synagogues and the one bookstore they operate here.

I refer to them in The Chronicle as "Hebrew Christians." I feel this is a much more descriptive and accurate term than Messianic Jews.

I would also refer you to Jews for Judaism, a reputable anti-missionary group, with offices around the country.

Rick Hellman
Editor, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle

Letters to the editor must be 200 words or less; include the writer's first and last names; city of residence; and a phone number or e-mail address. All letters may be edited by Jewish News for content, style and space allowance.

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