December 10, 2004/Kislev 27 5765, Vol. 57, No.15
Letters to the EditorDecember 10, 2004
Come light the menorahEditor:On the first night of Chanukah, we attended a public lighting of a menorah at Wesley Bolin Plaza at the State Capitol. Led by Rabbi Zalman Levertov of Chabad of Arizona, it was truly a wonderful, warm and moving experience. As the children sang the prayers, the menorah was lit by one of the rabbi's sons. The wrought-iron menorah stood about 15 feet high. The lights consisted of olive oil in lanterns. We davened Mincha-Ma'ariv right after the lighting in the waning light of the setting sun. I believe that there were about 60 people in attendance. We shared latkes and suvganiyot (jelly doughnuts). The children received Chanukah gelt (chocolate and real cash). Our children loved the treats! The weather was brisk and invigorating. Praying in a public place, openly, as Jews, is a very moving and uplifting experience. Especially when we keep in mind the many times this could not happen due to oppression. We thank and appreciate the U.S. government and the State of Arizona for allowing all religions to practice their faiths freely. Arnold and Vered Diamond Scottsdale Not such a long way to prayEditor:In response to Alan Cohen's letter ("Mesa needs a synagogue," Jewish News, Oct. 15): When Temple Beth Sholom was located in Mesa, I lived in Ahwatukee. It took me 30-40 minutes to drive each way, and often I was there three times a week. I can tell you it was well worth the drive. Rabbi Bonnie Koppell is such a great advocate of education and does a fantastic job of sharing her talent and teaching many classes. She has the wonderful ability to teach children as well as adults. Our religious school is the best I have ever seen. We have a computer lab for special needs or children starting late and needing individual learning. Our family-learning Web site offers many challenging learning experiences for the entire family. We offer so many services: Rabbi and Me, singles' group, adult b'nai mitzvah, numerous adult education classes every week, Men's Club, Sisterhood, pre kadima, kadima and USY. All this and more, with 200 family member units. The members of Temple Beth Sholom are the kindest people, and we take care of each other. We have a couple of families who live in Casa Grande and are members of TBS, and they too think the commute is well worth it. Barbara Gold Phoenix Editor: While it is nice that Howard Weinstein ("A Long Way to Pray," Jewish News, Nov. 26) has found a congregation he is comfortable in, despite its distance from his home, his claim that it "is virtually impossible in this gigantic county" to live within walking distance of a synagogue is false. Whether a county is 50 square miles or 500 square miles, the size in and of itself does not affect whether someone owns a home within a 10-minute walk of any particular location. Within walking distance of Har Zion Congregation, there are houses frequently going on the market and being sold. The same can be said for Central Phoenix, in neighborhoods near a large concentration of synagogues. The reality is that one has a choice as to whether or not one lives near a synagogue. While it may be sad that Mesa lacks a shul, as long as people are making the choice to live far away from established synagogues, opting instead to drive long distances to get to them, there is really not much room for complaint. Especially when many in the county, myself included, make it a point to walk to shul on Shabbat (hot weather or not). Aaron Okin Mesa Ladino speakers wantedEditor:I am a student at Arizona State University doing a paper on Ladino (Jewish Spanish) for the Jewish Studies department and the Spanish department. I am looking for anyone in Arizona who speaks Ladino. I can be reached by e-mail at suyw@yahoo.com. Samuel Hood Burke Tempe Education, not alienationEditor:There is no question that the recent resolution taken by the World YWCA is appalling and brings to light the disturbing and pervasive international anti-Israel sentiment ("YWCA task force clarifies position," Jewish News, Dec. 3). However, the USA YWCA denounced the resolution and we the Jewish community should have taken this opportunity to align ourselves with the Maricopa County YWCA to further educate their constituency on the Middle East crisis instead of divorcing them and permanently alienating them. It is not the mission of the Maricopa YWCA to take a political stance, particularly on matters that are probably unclear to them. It is the mission of the Jewish Community Relations Council to build relationships with the non-Jewish community. I suspect that the majority of the local YWCA board members obtain their information on the Middle East from CNN, a very biased source. Therefore, I feel that the JCRC should embrace the notion of education and motivation, not alienation. Alienation is counterproductive and does not foster an understanding of Jewish interests. Lisa E. Benson Phoenix PETA video is tip of icebergEditor:While you are right to call for addressing the horrific cruelty exposed at the world's largest glatt kosher slaughter plant ("PETA Jungle," Jewish News, Dec. 3), it is important to realize that it's just a small part of a larger picture. The treatment these animals endure during their entire lives is even worse than during their last moments. We should be concerned. Exempt from the Animal Welfare Act, farm animals typically live in their own excrement, crowded so tightly that many cannot take a step or raise a wing their entire lives. They are genetically manipulated to grow so fast that their legs often break under the weight, and many, crippled, cannot reach food and starve. Beatings with iron rods, bodily mutilations without painkillers, and exposure to weather extremes are all standard, accepted routine. These modern factory farms supply animals for both kosher and non-kosher animals products, and Jews support this cruelty every time we choose to purchase meat. Until halachic authorities prioritize animal welfare, the only Jewish choice is vegetarianism. Chief rabbis like Abraham Kook, Shlomo Goren, Shear Yashuv Cohen and David Rosen have long advocated vegetarianism as the Jewish ideal. Today, it is the only ethical, Jewish choice. Noam Mohr Forest Hills, N.Y. Editor: I have a few concerns regarding the recent story on PETA ("PETA questions kosher slaughtering," Jewish News, Dec. 3). Slaughtering in a kosher manner is extremely humane, but it's the life of the animal that I am concerned with. Kosher cows come from the same feedlots as the typical industrial cattle. (For more information about industrial beef, go to www.themeatrix.com). Kosher cattle are fed growth promoting hormones, antibiotics, steroids and grains grown with pesticides. Why does kosher law not address humane and ethical treatment of cattle for human consumption? I do not serve kosher beef even though I grew up in a kosher home. My parents even today keep a kosher house; all plates, silverware, cooking utensils and pans are dairy, meat or parve without exception. My life changed when I began cooking professionally, and over the years I have realized what a professional chef is (and should be). Today I utilize a ranch for all of my meats, appropriately called Maverick. Maverick Ranch is Certified Humane. These animal care standards ensure that producers offer their livestock sufficient space, shelter, and the company of same-species animals to limit stress. No steroids, antibiotics, hormones or pesticides are ever used. Additionally, the animals must receive good nutrition. People and animals have a very special relationship. Humans, as the most highly developed species, have the responsibility to care for animals. I understand that an animal's life should be ended in as dignified, humane and painless a way as possible, but I also believe that an animal's life should be at least as important as its death. Aaron Miller Executive Chef, MEZCAL Scottsdale
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