Your Letters

Jewish Porn Star

As representatives of the congregational arm of the Reform movement of Judaism, we are deeply disappointed that any congregation in our movement would give the appearance of endorsing pornography (“The Porn Star and the Rabbi,” Feb. 15). For the record, we want to make it very clear that Rabbi Mark Blazer, quoted in your article as stating that an adult film star is like the biblical hero Esther, does not in any way speak for the Reform movement.

The Reform movement does not condone pornography or any other exploitation of human sexuality. To the contrary, Reform Judaism considers humanity to be created in the image of God, and we encourage our congregants to approach all aspects of existence, including sexuality, in a manner that sanctifies human life.

Rabbi Alan Henkin, Regional Director

Rabbi Linda Bertenthal, Associate Regional Director UAHC-Pacific Southwest Council

My, how times have changed! My teenage son, who is student at a yeshiva, was reading this article about Nina Hartly, and her referring to herself as “a passionate hero for Jewish sexuality.” Wow! Is this the new Esther? Rebecca? The newest hero of kosher sex, a nonpracticing Jew married to another nonpracticing Jew who publishes a rag called Taboo? Are these the new role models we are to have our children, who live in a world of MTV and sexploitation, look up to? I feel, that this Reform temple can do whatever it likes, and we all have the choice to go or not to go to the lecture, however, this article does nothing to counterbalance the lack of sexual morality. An “actress” in over 570 sex films, with men other than her husband, is not the role model I want for my children. I feel this rabbi and his congregation should take a deep breath and a cold shower. Shame on them.

Allyson Rowen Taylor, Valley Glen

While visiting Jews for Judaism, I picked up my first issue of The Jewish Journal. Can you please tell me why there is a story about a rabbi inviting a woman of porn (whom he calls a “passionate Jewish hero for sexuality”) to speak at Temple Beth Ami?

Wouldn’t Judaism be better served if that space had been used to educate rather than titillate? I hope you will cover the work of Jews for Judaism or other serious and sublime endeavors.

The Jewish Journal made Judaism look foolish and crude to people unfamiliar with its wise and beautiful tradition.

Burnie Thompson, Norwalk

I am very disappointed in The Jewish Journal’s decision to continuously write stories about sex and other non-family-oriented issues. I frequently try to read your paper on Shabbat, but unfortunately I find my self putting it aside and not really getting to read it ever. I believe most Jewish households do not wish to further poison their minds and souls with your stories about sex. Please keep us updated on Jewish issues, such as which candidates endorse Jewish causes and so on.

Name Withheld by Request

Chief Bernard Parks

Last week’s cover story (“A View of Two Parks” Feb. 15.) illustrates a recurring dilemma faced by the local Jewish community: whether to argue positions that further “Jewish causes” or to look beyond ourselves. In the case of Chief Bernard Parks, I respectfully disagree with Carmen Warshaw who cites the Parks’ response to the shootings at the North Valley Community Center and the Sept. 11 attacks as testimony to Parks’s competency.

The chief of police manages the front lines against crime for all Angelenos. As Parks himself requested upon his installation, his tenure should be judged against his ability to reduce crime, reform the department and lead his troops.

First, crime is up across the city. Second, the chief has been unable or unwilling to facilitate the reforms as called for in the Christopher Commission and by the independent panel examining the Rampart corruption scandal. He has not fully empowered the senior lead officers that are the sharp point of the LAPD’s community policing program, resisted gathering the data needed to determine if the LAPD is engaging in racial profiling, and continues to receive a resounding vote of no-confidence by those very officers under his command. As such, Parks failed in meeting his job requirements.

Jim Prince, Los Angeles

Carin Davis

I am one of many Chicagoans who regularly read Carin Davis’s columns. As someone who has known her since her days in the cradle, I can say we are all kvelling at her success. I hope you continue to carry her witty and poignant stories on life in the Singles’ Scene.

Dr. Robin B. Septon, Chicago, IL

Israel’s Next Move?

Israel is in a very precarious situation. For thousands of years the Jews have been scapegoats, always fighting a defensive battle for survival.

Today, Israel is again acting defensively, retaliating only when provoked, and responding by bombing buildings, but warning the inhabitants to leave before the bombing to save their lives.

The whole world is watching while Israel is dying because it refuses to do the inhumane, essential in warfare. Israel should bomb the Palestinians indiscriminately and aggressively, as the suicide bombers have bombed Israel. Otherwise, the rest of the world admires the courage of the Palestinians and waits for courage to overcome tenacity. Israel must compel the Palestinians to surrender now and not wait for the inevitable support the Palestinians will get from the United Nations, the Durban people and so much of the rest of the world. Israel can’t wait.

Jerome Greenblatt, Laguna Woods

Help Israel

I would like to appeal to our brothers and sisters here in the United States to help Israel. How? I know that not everyone can travel to Israel. However, buying Passover products and wines made in Israel is another way to help Israel economically. It is not such a great sacrifice. I often wonder why the synagogues and temples don’t use Israeli wines for “Kiddush” every Shabbat and holiday. Just imagine if everyone would adhere to this proposition how much it would help our people in the Holy Land.

Harry Langsam, Los Angeles

JDL Arrests

As my cousin sits in a Federal jail cell in solitary confinement for close to 45-plus days convicted of nothing, Earl Krugel wonders if the Constitution has been torn to shreds. He thought this type of confinement was reserved for the most odious of murders, serial killers, mass murderers, baby rapists, child killers or Middle Eastern terrorists. The crime Krugel and Irv Rubin were charged with was one of talking. They have been denied bail and punished without any sort of conviction. Until recently, there has been no contact between Rubin and Krugel nor has there been any joint meetings between Rubin and his lawyers and Krugel and his lawyer, thus effectively prohibiting both parties from mounting a successful defense.

The Jewish community, both secular and observant, are also guilty of abandoning two Jews in trouble. They have thrown the concept of “redeeming the captives” out the window.

Abraham Stern, West Hills

I was appalled and embarrassed by the reaction of the leaders of mainstream Jewish organizations to the arrests of Irv Rubin and Earl Krugel. It has always been my impression that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. What do these leaders really know about Rubin and Krugel?

I used to be a member of the JDL and I am convinced that both men are innocent of the charges. Rubin and Krugel at least deserve to be found guilty of a crime in a court of law before they are gleefully found guilty by those who have probably never confronted a violent anti-Semite face-to-face.

Alan B. Epstein, Northridge

Don’t Discount Silver Lake

I am appalled by the predatory and sanctimonious letter from the president of Temple Knesset Israel regarding the Silver Lake-Los Feliz Jewish Community Center inviting “displaced” members of the JCC to join their temple.

Our JCC is still open, the nursery school and preschool are still in business and we hope to be around for more than 75 years. We do not need the efforts of our “friends” who send letters to our nursery school parents and e-mails to the rest of us asking us to join their temple. To write about “displaced” JCC people at this time is both premature and self-serving.

Ethel McClatchey, Past President Silver Lake-Los Feliz JCC

Rudy Visits AMIT

As noted in “The Circuit” in the Jan. 31 issue of The Jewish Journal, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani visited AMIT’s Beit Hayeled child haven in Gilo on a recent visit to Israel. We appreciate the coverage of this special visit, which is notable for thousands of AMIT members in the Los Angeles region, and indeed, every reader of The Jewish Journal.

The article however, notes that “AMIT cares for 200 at-risk children.” I wish to point out that 200 children are cared for at Beit Hayeled alone. AMIT cares for over 16,000 children throughout Israel.

Roslyn Linderman, President Los Angeles Council of AMIT

Corrections

The Feb. 8 letter from Familial Dysautonomia Hope’sMavis Feinberg did not include her correct e-mail address. She can be reached atmavis.al@verizon.net .

For clarification, in community briefs, (“Educating the Educators,” Feb. 15), Music as Survival, Music as Resistance, Music as Response was not co-sponsored by the ADL. The event had 27 attendees.