Your Letters

Republican Jews

We were very disturbed to read Joel Kotkin’s article (“The Christian Right, Conservatism and the Jews,” June 7) and the accompanying article about Jews turning to the GOP (“Israel Bolsters Local GOP Support,” June 7).

Many of the so-called leftists are in no way anti-Israel, but simply question the current policies of the Israeli government. As for the Jewish swing to the Republicans, there are many issues of vital importance to the world, to Israel and to America, which should be considered when one votes.

The Jews allied with Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson? Strange bedfellows indeed!

Richard and Ann Edelman, Los Angeles

I would never reject the political and financial support for Israel that comes from religious conservatives. Joel Kotkin makes the point that “today’s fundamentalists and evangelicals are, on average, better educated and more affluent than the average American.” But Joel ignores the fact that many of these Christians help finance the $250 million-per-year evangelical Christian Crusade that targets Jews for conversion. Our struggle for Israel’s survival is urgent and we need all the allies we can get. However, evangelical Christians must understand that their support of missionary groups like Jews for Jesus destroys Jewish families, threatens Jewish continuity and is an insult to our heritage. I would suggest and welcome that more Christians denounce deceptive efforts to convert Jews. This, in addition to their support of Israel, would be a true demonstration of unconditional friendship.

Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz, Founder Jews for Judaism International

A Stand in Sacramento

I want to take this opportunity to thank The Jewish Journal and commend Tom Tugend on his coverage of the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) mission to Sacramento from May 7-8 (“A Stand in Sacramento,” May 24).

Now it is as important a time as ever, given our state’s budget deficit, to strengthen our relationship not only between our legislators and their constituents, but between our educational institutions and social service agencies that provide so many invaluable services to not only our own Jewish community, but to the greater statewide community as well.

I invite those who were unable to participate this year to get active in their local community’s JCRC or other communal agencies and together join JPAC in Sacramento in May 2003.

Barbara Yaroslavsky, Chair JPAC

Watching Elie

I read the article by Mojdeh Sionit on (“Watching Elie,” May 31) and was very impressed. I have lived in Los Angeles for over 20 years and have met many Iranian Jews that have migrated to the United States and read their articles. I have never seen anyone who has such powerful English writing skills. I am also thankful to The Jewish Journal for accepting and printing this article from Sionit. I hope we will see more articles from her.

I am sure when Sionit is settled in the United States, with better orientation and guidance to the American society, the role of Jews and Iranian Jews in this society, she can be a top contributor to The Journal and other magazines she chooses to write for.

Farshaad Rafie, Los Angeles

Dirty Facts

Phil Shuman claims there are certain “dirty facts” about Israel (“Dirty Facts,” May 31). “Things like Israeli’s bulldozing homes with people inside … sharp-shooting soldiers taking out old women … [and] denying, food, water and medical care to [the] injured and dying.”

The problem is, the crimes of which he has accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are not facts. They are rumors, and sometimes, outright lies that have been trumpeted long and loud enough to gain a currency they do not deserve.

Example: the only people to whom food, water and medical care were denied were those still engaged in combat against the IDF in Ramallah and Bethlehem. I can testify that combat was ongoing in Bethlehem at the time that I was there. Palestinian gunmen in the Church of the Nativity were firing from snipers nests throughout the compound. To suggest that Israel was obliged to provide aid to combatants still firing upon them is utterly and completely absurd.

The “dirty truth” is that sometimes the press gets played for chumps, and well-meaning people, like Shuman, quote the lies as “dirty facts.”

Dan Gordon, Thousand Oaks

The Curse of Certainty

As parents of a Shalhevet Middle School student taught by Alexander Maksik (“The Curse of Certainty,” May 24), we think it important to convey our impression that he is an imaginative, effective teacher. We are sorry that he will not be returning to Shalhevet next year.

Barry H. Steiner and JoAnn Victor, Los Angeles

Combatting Hunger

I just read with interest your informative article about the wonderful work being done by SOVA, MAZON and Project Chicken Soup (“Combatting Hunger,” June 7). I then turned back to Page 7 and reread with disgust the piece about the hot dog-eating contest (“Dog Days of Summer,” June 7). What motivates this conspicuous consumption? How can otherwise intelligent, caring people find pleasure in stuffing themselves when there are hungry families in our own community? Who pays for these gobbled hot dogs? Wouldn’t it be better to donate them to the hungry children in our midst?

Lee J. Soskin, Studio City

A Matter of Crime

Thank you for the piece written by Teresa Strasser, (“A Matter of Crime,” May 31). It truly indicated a positive change in her column. You based the piece on research, and it concerned an important topic — safety (as opposed to, say, the angst associated with a laser peel).

Liz Parr, Laguna Hills

Correction

The correct spelling for the director of Jewish Family Service’s SOVA Kosher Food Pantry Program (“Combatting Hunger,” June 7) is Leslie Friedman. For anyone who wishes to contact the SOVA program, the phone number is (818) 789-7633.