Letters
3/14/97
Let's devote day to Jewish pride
Editor:
"Mitzvah Day" is a complete waste of Jewish energy, time and talent. Why work for gentile organizations like the Red Cross? The Jewish community should be concentrating on the causes of, and what can be done about, the outrageous intermarriage rate in the Phoenix area.
Why is it so many people are so afraid to show their Jewishness, or as one rabbi put it when there was an attempted firebombing, "Don't make waves"? Sounds familiar - from the 1930s.
Mitzvah Day does not make friends of gentiles. Do something that's worthwhile, such as teaching your children to be proud that they are Jewish. So how about a "Proud to be Jewish Day" 365 times a year?
Vivian Best
Scottsdale
Israel Bonds omitted in singles information
Editor:
Thank you for mentioning in your article on singles (Jewish News, Feb. 28) that State of Israel Bonds runs a young leadership program. However, information about Israel Bonds New Leadership was not included in the "For More Information" box along with similar organizations. Please allow me to add this information:
Israel Bonds New Leadership - Adults ages 25 to 45 who participate directly in the financial success of Israel, through Israel-oriented activities, social and networking events, leadership development, and bonds investments. Promotes the sale of Israel Bonds, and encourages participation in local events, the annual New Leadership Ski Trip, and annual NL Israel Delegation. 277-3323.
By the way, our March 30 Beer 'N' Bonds event at Coyote Springs Brewing Company should be a great way for singles to meet; Jewish Association of Singles Services is helping with the publicity. The event is open to couples, too.
Steven Kaplan
New Leadership chairman
Israel Bonds
Cemetery vandals' acts are dismaying
Editor:
I am writing this letter to inform your readers of the recent incidents of vandalism at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Twice during the past month, vandals have damaged flagpoles while stealing the United States, POW/MIA and Arizona state flags from the cemetery. This has occurred four times since Memorial Day 1996! The cemetery must now lower the flags each night to prevent further theft. However, on a recent weekend, the vandals returned and cut the pole ropes, even though there were no flags to be taken.
We here at this national cemetery are dismayed that people would have so little regard for this symbol of freedom that they would remove it from a national shrine, the final resting place of more than 21,000 veterans and eligible family members. Our veterans have fought and died for their country and deserve a burial place where the national flag can fly undisturbed.
The community must know that we mean no disrespect by not keeping the flags raised at all times and hope that families understand we are forced to take steps to safeguard the flags from theft by those who appear to take their freedoms for granted - the very freedoms that the veterans buried here fought for.
I urge all the visitors to the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona to report any suspicious activities to the local authorities or to cemetery staff so that these despicable acts may end.
Mary J. Dill, director
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
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