Your Letters

Jewish-Arab Dialogue

A uniquely significant Israeli-Palestinian dialogue was brought to Los Angeles by Americans for Peace Now just prior to The Jewish Journal’s important cover story on local Jewish-Arab dialogue (“Stopped Talks,” June 29). The participants, who also appeared together in Washington D.C. and New York, were Didi Remez, lead spokesperson for Peace Now in Israel, and Amjad Atallah, legal advisor to the Negotiations Affairs Department of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Key issues about the conflict and its possible resolution were discussed by these two young men, who are involved at the highest levels in efforts to bring about a peace settlement.

Of particular interest was listening to Atallah, speaking officially on behalf of the PLO, reflect moderate, flexible positions and answer questions on Palestinian incitement, control of terrorism, refugees and more. He acknowledged errors made by the Palestinian leadership, while also detailing how the offer made by Israel at Camp David regarding the territorial division of the West Bank wasn’t acceptable to the Palestinians because it would have separated the area into three noncontiguous “reservations” and made any future Palestinian state nonviable.

Above and beyond the content, it was indeed reassuring to me and many others in attendance to experience firsthand the openness of a potential Palestinian peace partner. This moderate Palestinian voice, embodied by Atallah, has been unnecessarily drowned out by the bitter anger on both sides. Dialogues, such as the one we were fortunate to have in Los Angeles last week, bring this voice back into the communal conversation — a voice that needs to be heard and strengthened if there is to be an alternative to the rage and violence of the current day.

Richard Gunther, Board Member, Americans for Peace Now

I just returned home from a monthlong study fellowship in Europe to the article concerning the Los Angeles Jewish-Muslim Dialogue, of which I am a founding participant.

I am more convinced than ever about the value of our dialogue, which nurtures tolerance and mutual respect. During this difficult period, as described in your article, we should redouble efforts to illustrate to all why honest and free exchange is valuable.

Gideon Kracov, Los Angeles

Teresa Strasser

Your Teresa Strasser is an elegant, truthful human being. A real mensch.

Sara Kabachnick, Los Angeles

Jewish Scouts

I just glanced at your article on Jewish Boy Scouts (“Scouting with Troop 613,” July 6), expecting to skip it. But I was hooked. It is inspirational, and it held my attention, while I fully expected to not read more. Thanks for printing it.

Nancy Kohn, Los Angeles

Kudos to The Jewish Journal for informing thecommunity about Jewish scouting.

For first- to fifth-grade boys in the greater Los Angeles metro region who want to learn the basics of scouting before Boy Scouts, a new Cub Scout pack is waiting for participants. The pack is so new that it has no number yet, especially since 613 and 18 have already been assigned. B’nai David-Judea Congregation in West Los Angeles is the chartering organization, and the first pack meeting is July 22.

For more information, you can contact B’nai David-Judea Congregation or e-mail shapirofamily@hotmail.com.

Neal Shapiro, Culver City

Corrections

In the July 6 The Circuit, Kirk Douglas’ wife, Anne Douglas, is incorrectly identified as Diana.

In the July 6 article “Beyond the Bimah,” the rabbi of Ohr HaTorah is incorrectly listed as Allen Freehling. Mordechai Finley is the rabbi of Ohr HaTorah.

In the June 6 article “Rabbis Without Dogma,” Temple Beth Torah is located at the corner of Barrington Avenue and Venice Boulevard, not Sawtelle Avenue and Venice Boulevard.