April 29, 2005/Nisan 20 5765, Volume 57, No. 35
Letters to the EditorApril 29, 2005
A date debateEditor:It is regrettable that Jewish News ("Essence of Israel visits Scottsdale," April 15), along with several of the Valley's Jewish calendars (the World Jewish Congress calendar and the Chabad of Arizona calendar), has supplied the wrong date with regard to the re-establishment of the Jewish State. Yes, I know that because of Shabbat, the celebrating is moved two days, but for the sake of historical accuracy (and the coincidence of the calendars this year) the public should be told the correct date. The State of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948, which was the fifth day of Iyar in the Jewish calendar. Jewish News and the aforementioned calendars cite the date, incorrectly, as the third of Iyar. One can read an English translation of the Declaration of (Israeli) Independence at www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Dec_of_Indep. Interestingly enough, this year, Israel's 57th birthday falls on the exact same date (as in 1948) in both the secular and Jewish calendars. Steve Carol Scottsdale Thanks to Babe Morton for paving the wayEditor:I was deeply moved by a letter to the editor by Ira Morton ("Chuppah in the sanctuary," Jewish News, April 8), but I must confess that the real honor goes to Beryl (Babe) Morton, who organized the Arizona Jewish Historical Society and laid the foundation for the organization. It will always be a joy to me that Babe inspired all of us to the great goals we have achieved. Rabbi Albert Plotkin Phoenix It was pretty (if we do say so ourselves)Editor:I must congratulate you on the gorgeous cover for your April 22 Passover edition. The combination of the sabra cactus and the Song of Songs was simply spectacular. As a former Arizona newsman of 50 years experience, I can appreciate all the work you and your staff went through to put out that 60-page edition. Abe Chanin Albuquerque, N.M.
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