October 31, 2003/Cheshvan 5 5764, Vol. 56, No. 6
Letters to the EditorOctober 31, 2003
Terrorism is not 'alleged'Editor:As I unfolded my weekly Jewish News on Oct. 17, I bristled as I saw the photo on the cover of soldiers looking into a tunnel opening inside Rafah. It was not the photo that made me bristle, nor the thought that the tunnels were discovered (no surprise on either). The article discussed the horrific humanitarian effects of the raid. ("Defense forces sweep Rafah") Duly noted was the sad irony of the timeline of the raid corresponding with Sukkot. The international response, as stated in your paper, was muted, noting the terrorist stronghold of the area. So why did I bristle? Why was the opening sentence of the photo's caption, "Israeli soldiers inspect a tunnel allegedly used by Palestinians to smuggle weapons to Rafah refugee camp." Allegedly? Was the paper concerned that it was not really accurate information, and that the tunnels had not been used for smuggling terrorist weapons? The destruction of the tunnels was essential in the ongoing battle of survival for Israeli safety. I guess when I choose to read this paper, it is because I hope not to encounter the anti- Israel bias that I sadly encounter too often in other news sources. Thank you. Linda Enger Phoenix Herring never lost his touchEditor:Thank you for printing Rabbi Herring's farewell Yom Kippur sermon. ("Torah sets the framework for who we are," Jewish News, Oct. 24) We celebrated Yom Kippur with family out of town and I was unable to attend Rabbi Herring's last High Holiday service. I first met Rabbi Herring 23 years ago as a Sunday School student at Temple Beth Israel. I always looked forward to his weekly session with us. He had an amazing ability to reach young people and get them interested in Judaism. In the spring of 1988, my parents became one of the 57 families to form Temple Kol Ami. Rabbi Herring officiated at my wedding as well as the weddings of my brother and sister. My oldest child now comes home from religious school on Sundays and tells me what stories Rabbi Herring told and how funny he was. He obviously has not lost his touch with young people. Thank you, Rabbi Herring, for creating a beautiful culture at Temple Kol Ami that I'm certain will continue on for generations. You have not only been a wonderful rabbi but a wonderful friend as well. Gary Weiss Scottsdale What about Chabad of the East Valley?Editor:Beth Olson wrote an article about outreach funding, in which she says the temples in the East Valley received a grant for targeting the unaffiliated. ("Education, outreach funded," Jewish News, Oct. 24) Where is the grant for Chabad of the East Valley? Is the Jewish Community Foundation not interested in the Orthodox Jews or Jews who wish to attend Chabad services? It is never too late, a grant could be used at any time. George Bressler Chandler
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