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December 19, 2003/Kislev 24 5764, Vol. 56, No. 13
Letters to the EditorDecember 19, 2003
'Fervently' reaching out is not newEditor:As I read "Fervently Orthodox reach out" (Jewish News, Dec. 12), I was quite surprised. Have we forgotten the 675 day schools started by Torah Umesorah over the last 55 years at a time when none of the other streams believed in day school education? Have we disregarded organizations like Aish Hatorah, who for more than 25 years have been building a worldwide outreach movement exposing hundreds of thousands of secular Jews to Torah? Have we missed the Kollel movement, with more than 50 Community Kollels across the country dedicated to outreach? Have we overlooked the monumental work of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY), bringing Judaism to Jewish teens for more than 30 years? Have we not recognized the pioneering efforts of the Orthodox on college campuses to make Judaism relevant to the leaders of the next generation? Is the author, Uriel Heilman, unaware that AJOP (Association for Jewish Outreach Programs) is having its 16th annual International Convention this January? The time has come for all Jews to recognize and support the vital and vibrant outreach work that Orthodox organizations do with dedication and commitment to the whole Jewish people. Rabbi Zvi Holland Phoenix Community Kollel/Aish Hatorah Scottsdale Place the blame on Jewish NewsEditor:Kudos to Ellen Lawson and her response to "Best of Jewish Phoenix," and the lack of publicity toward the kosher outlets and davening opportunities that are offered in the greater Phoenix community. ("'Best of Jewish Phoenix' misses the mark," Jewish News, Dec. 12) It should have been noticed before the article went to print that no kosher establishments or Shabbat morning davening opportunities were mentioned. In response to the title of the editorial, "Who's to blame?" I feel Jewish News of Greater Phoenix is to blame. Grant Silverstein Scottsdale Anti-Semitic graffiti must be stoppedEditor:As a former resident of Fountain Hills, I find that any swastika painted anywhere on anything by anyone to be a hate crime. ("Anti-Semitic graffiti defaces home," Jewish News, Dec. 12) This should not be ignored or excused if it were done by eighth graders or anyone else. This must be stopped and stopped now. If it can be proven that it is a hate crime, then the perpetrators should be made examples of for others to see that this type of crime must not continue for any reason in Fountain Hills, or any other town for that matter. They must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Morton Gilbert Gilbert
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