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January 8, 1999/ 20 Tevet 5759, Vol. 51, No. 15
Letters to the EditorJanuary 8, 1999
Where's the Valley's Jewish community?Editor:I'm writing in response to Marty Latz's commentary, headlined "In Big Valley, Jewish Community Hard to Pinpoint" (Jewish News, Dec. 18). I moved to Glendale recently from Boca Raton , Fla., so that I could be closer to my son's family, including my 10-year-old grandson. I find that there is little Jewish presence here. The country club I now belong to issues a monthly calendar, with Christmas wishes, but not a word or reference to Hanukkah. I was amazed that with a population of over 150,000, there is not a Jewish congregation in town, the closest being Temple Beth Shalom in Sun City. Near the Arrowhead Mall in Glendale, there is an office of the Jewish Family and Children's Service, so I think there must be some Jews in Glendale. However since coming here from Boca, which is a bastion of Jewish life with six congregations, I feel I am surrounded by a Christian community. With the growth Latz refers to in his column, I would think that there would be more of a focus on Jews in Glendale. I have been coming to Arizona since 1986 and to Glendale for the past three years, so my observations are not just predicated on my recent move. Marty Solomon Glendale (Via the Internet) Not enough has changed over the past 10 yearsEditor:Ten years ago, Jewish News invited readers to respond to the question, "What story would you like to see in the Jewish News 10 years from now?" I responded, in part, "The United Nations unanimously passed a proclamation lauding the 10th anniversary of peaceful co-existence between Israel and all its neighbors." I saved that article and recently looked at my own response to that query. My wishes for peace in the Middle East never did materialize. Although my dark hair has changed to silver, my sincere hopes have not changed. However, my naive optimism is gone. I have now become pessimistic because I realize that it is impossible to change thousands of years of hate in just 10 years. Ruth Rosenfeld Phoenix We need lecture halls, not swimming poolsEditor:I was very disappointed in the description of the proposed Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center (Jewish News, Dec. 25). It seems to me a JCC should serve as the nucleus of a community, strengthening religious involvement. Classrooms for adult education are very important, but so is having a large auditorium which would serve as a community gathering place, a place where speakers on Jewish subjects could talk, and where Jewish music and plays could be performed. This is what we need. I would think that swimming pools would come second. Suellen Liker Scottsdale (Via the Internet) |
