October 15, 1999/5 Cheshvan 5760, Vol. 52, No. 7
Letters to the EditorOctober 15, 1999
Bright evokes controversy
Editor:I wonder if Rabbi Alan Bright (Jewish News, Oct. 1) could console my friend who buried her eldest son after he overdosed last year? Or perhaps he would like to visit my cousin in the Connecticut Mental Health Hospital where he is periodically institutionalized following years of drug abuse? I would like every person who supports this monster to acknowledge, if only to themselves, the people whose lives have been ruined by drugs. Claire Brill West Sun City West (Via the Internet) Editor: I verily believe that you did a great disservice to the entire Jewish community in publishing the article on Rabbi Alan Bright (Jewish News, Oct. 1). Everything you state is based on innuendo and hearsay. Bernard Feuer Sun City West Editor's note: The article, regarding Bright's involvement in a potentially life-threatening ordeal in 1996 when and after he worked as a rabbi in Colombia, was based on U.S. federal court records and interviews with several sources, including Bright himself. L.A. rabbis were there
Editor:I am a native Phoenician by birth, but chose to stay in Los Angeles after dental school to practice dentistry. My wife Anita and I were members of Temple Ahavat Shalom, the closest temple to the shooting at North Valley Jewish Community Center. We were married there and two of our sons became bar mitzvah there. Needless to say, we have a very intimate relationship with the synagogue. So I was irate when I read Gary Rosenblatt's column from the New York Jewish Week (Jewish News, Sept. 24) questioning the role of the local rabbis in the aftermath of the center shooting. It is obvious that he neither followed the events on CNN or CNBC, nor did he read the coverage in the New York Times or the L.A. Times. If he had, he would have discovered the enormous outpouring from the Jewish community. Northridge is a small community within a large metropolis. The leaders of the religious institutions of all faiths meet on a regular basis to work out their differences, but more importantly to help the population understand that there is no basis for religious or racial bigotry. Although Anita and I have returned to the Phoenix area after more than 30 years in California, we still feel a great connection to Temple Ahavat Shalom. By a mere chance, since we both had to be in Los Angeles the week of the NVJCC shooting, we were fortunate to be at the services on Shabbat. The temple was filled to capacity. One of the young victim's mothers was in attendance. The young counselor who was wounded was also there. On the bimah was U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman, county supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky, the three rabbis from the temple, cantor Patti Linsky, and a representative of the L.A. Police department. All these people had taken part in the rescue and recovery of the victims. The sermon began with Rabbi Brown saying that he had been asked what he would do differently this Shabbat evening. Rabbi Brown said, "This will be like all Shabbats; we will do nothing differently. We come together as a congregation to pray as we do every Shabbat." Clearly though, this was not an ordinary service, and as it went on there were many tears and many prayers for the victims. This was a special service from a very special rabbi. We truly miss our congregation, and the families involved there. We hope we can find a like synagogue in Phoenix. As for Gary Rosenblatt, he needs to get his facts straight or seek a new occupation. David Rabenowitz, DDS Scottsdale |
