October 1, 1999/21 Tishri 5760, Vol. 52, No.5
Letters to the EditorOctober 1, 1999
Peace has yet to arrive in Israel
Editor:I read with interest the commentary by Joseph Aaron, headlined "Finally, Israel's year of peace?" (Jewish News, Sept. 17). It projects the ever so false idea that peace is at hand for the nation of Israel. That mistaken belief will lead the Jewish people to give in ever so slightly to the "thug" mentality of those people with whom Israel is negotiating. People who are thugs and terrorists only understand one thing, and that is a show of force and solidarity in resolve. Should Israel negotiate? Of course, but always aware that the Palestinians are more interested in annihilation than negotiation. Yasser Arafat wants to eliminate the nation of Israel from the Middle East and has yet to admit that Israel has a right to exist as a nation and as a homeland for the Jewish people. Peace is not at hand now and will only come when the Divine One intervenes. And, as the Torah says, "at that time the lion will lay down with the lamb in peace." Richard J. Scully Phoenix Address 'preventable tragedies'
Editor:Recently I attended a meeting at my children's Jewish day school where security was discussed. Parents were told of new measures recently instituted to improve safety and others planned to insure that our children would feel secure. I was impressed and pleased to know that my family's physical well-being was being addressed. However, a number of parents were not as pleased as I was with what has been done. Some were adamant that an armed security guard was necessary to protect our children from potential attack. I applaud their concern, but believe it is a little misguided and overzealous. As a firefighter/paramedic, I deal with tragedies of all types on a daily basis. Parents would do better to be more concerned with "preventable tragedies" than the possibility of random attack. I would ask all parents to make sure their children wear bike helmets and are secured in safety car seats. They should learn CPR and make sure they have smoke detectors in their homes. Dana Toporek Scottsdale Pay to pray on High Holidays?
Editor:I read with interest Allison Kaplan's column, "Shelling Out for High Holidays" in your excellent Happy New Year 5760 issue (Jewish News, Sept. 11.) I agree wholeheartedly that having to pay a couple of hundred dollars for a ticket to attend High Holiday services is a bit much, and many Jews are turned off because of it. It is apparent that, over the years, the numbers might change but the thinking does not. As a youngster, growing up during the Great Depression, I recall listening to my parents discussing about whether they should get the $2 tickets or splurge for $3 ones. Buying a ticket was a must because you could not get into the synagogue without one. There was a uniformed security guard at the door and you had to show your ticket. I used to go in with my father and find an empty chair, which I occupied until the rightful ticket-holder came in and chased me. But I always found another one. I recall one incident when my father left early without me and, when I tried to join him later, the guard whose motto apparently was "Thou shalt not pass," would not let me enter the synagogue. At this point in time, I told my first lie of the New Year when I said there was an emergency at home and I had to tell my father. Reluctantly, the guard let me in with the admonition, "Okay, but if I catch you praying, you'll be in big trouble." By the way, several years later, a friend and I were walking on Fifth Avenue in New York City at Easter time when we passed St. Patrick's Cathedral. We were curious to see what the inside was like and went in. No ticket was necessary. Hy Rosenfeld Phoenix |
