In the Mail - Letters to the Editor

Editor:
On the Internet, I ran across your opinion pieces about the Protect Arizona NOW initiative (Jewish News, Oct. 15). I was sorry to see that PAN chairwoman Kathy McKee responded to those pieces with a letter to the editor that appears to support the racial/ethnic separatist views of her recently appointed official adviser Virginia Abernethy.

McKee contaminated the PAN effort by allying with a self-proclaimed white separatist.

I want to emphasize that most of us in the immigration reduction movement do not subscribe to any racist, separatist views. We are allied with many Americans of assorted races and ethnicities who share our vision of the future and the urgent call to preserve our special nation and its natural environment.

We do applaud the PAN initiative, and in the end, it is the will of Arizona citizens that counts. They have spoken.

Donna Locke
Leader, Tennesseans for Immigration Control and Reform
Columbia, Tenn.

December holidaze

Editor:
December brings a plethora of holidays. I get very excited as Chanukah rolls around. I think of all my friends and family I want to buy some gifts for or spend time with. It is a time of frying latkes, dreidels and gifts.

It's not a very religious holiday, but rather another time when we came, they tried to kill us, we fought, we won, we ate. I have my menu planned, cards mailed, gifts bought and pounds of chocolate gelt. I am ready.

Then the onslaught of non-Jewish traditions and music puts a damper on my holiday spirit. I feel guilty about not wanting to hear Christmas music piped into every store I enter from mid-November through Christmas day. I avert my gaze when I walk into businesses where Christmas trees are decked in bright lights and tinsel.

I am glad we have an opportunity to live side by side with each of us recognizing our beliefs. I just do not want mine to be any less. When the young cashier wishes me a Merry Christmas, I just smile and wish him a Happy Chanukah.

Donald Emery
Phoenix

Judaism and animal-based diet incompatible

Editor:
Jewish Vegetarians of North America has consistently opposed efforts to single out ritual slaughter for criticism and has been critical of some PETA tactics. However, we believe that the horrific conditions revealed at the Postville glatt kosher slaughterhouse should awaken us to consider the many Jewish mandates that are violated by animal-based diets and agriculture.

Even when ritual slaughter is carried out perfectly, can we ignore how conditions on modern intensive factory farms violate Jewish teachings on treating animals with compassion?

Judaism stresses that we should diligently guard our health. Can we ignore the many studies that link the consumption of animal products to many diseases? Since we are to be partners with God in protecting the environment, can we ignore the significant contributions that animal-based agriculture makes to global climate change, rapid species extinction, destruction of forests, water shortages, and many more threats?

For the sake of our health and that of our imperiled planet, for farmed animals, and for properly carrying out mitzvot, it is time to seriously consider a switch toward plant-based diets.

Richard H. Schwartz
President of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA)
Staten Island, N.Y.

In solidarity

Editor:
With great interest, I read "Synagogue offers haven for Kiev protestors" (Jewish News, Dec. 10), since my late grandfather, Morris Rosenberg (known to one and all as "MR"), was born and raised in Cremenchug - a town near Kiev.

I was deeply touched by the warmth and humanity expressed in actions and words by the Jews in Kiev. I found it very heartwarming.

Please join me, as we ourselves have just concluded the Chanukah celebration of religious freedom, in praying for the well-being of all Ukrainians.

Bob Rosenberg
Phoenix

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.

Home