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Letters to the Editor: DACA, Rob Eshman and shakshuka

[additional-authors]
September 13, 2017

President Obama, Congress and DACA

Rob Eshman’s column was not wrong, but it was not right either (“Replacement Theology,” Sept. 8). The problem is, an executive order, in this case, is not the law. I keep hearing — for years — that this is a country of laws. The problem is, the creation of the law is still the responsibility of Congress. President Barack Obama created the executive order [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] because Congress was unable to agree on developing the immigration legislation to give to the president to sign. Congress did not do its job. Perhaps, under this new deadline pressure, some will see the wisdom in the reasoning and change their vote and finally pass a comprehensive immigration bill. Or at least pass legislation to protect the so-called “Dreamers.”

Gary M. Barnbaum, Woodland Hills

A Park’s Place in History — and Today

I teach a class on the Holocaust to middle school students, so I was fascinated to learn more about the history of German Americans in Los Angeles in the story “La Crescenta Park’s Nazi Ties Reflected in New Historical Marker” (Aug. 24). I am looking forward to sharing this history with my students, and even wondered if it would be worth a class field trip to the park, so I decided to check it out.

On that day (Sunday, Sept. 3), the fires were still blazing in La Tuna Canyon and I could see the smoke and flames as I headed deeper into the hills.

When I finally arrived at Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park, I was shocked to discover that the park had been transformed into a staging area for the rescue efforts that were happening in the hills immediately behind the park. People were handing out cold drinks and food, cheering for the firefighters, and providing shelter for anyone displaced.

I felt a little silly, chasing after a park sign amid these critically important rescue efforts, but in the end, the whole experience was made even more poignant by the juxtaposition of these two stories. Today, we are blessed to see good people being activated to help others at a time of crisis. Thank you, Jewish Journal, for keeping us informed and reminding us to make positive choices for ourselves and for others every day.

Nili Isenberg, Los Angeles

Faiths Evolving in the Modern Age

Recognizing that the Journal has primarily a Jewish readership and that Rabbi David Wolpe would not presume to offer opinions regarding other religions, the fact remains that his final paragraph applies to all other religions as well (“Technology and the Age of Broken Tablets,” Sept. 8). It is not only “the Torah that must be both adopted and adapted to this new world” of brutally confusing and fast-changing technology.

So must the New Testament, the Quran and the holy scriptures of the Buddhists, the Hindus, the Mormons and all the other God-based religions and secular beliefs — including capitalism.

To those who refuse to do so, please get out of the way. 

Jerry Beigel via email

Temple Membership and Its Leadership

Rabbi Michael Barclay’s story on membership truly disturbed me (“It’s Time to Put Aside Politics and Unite as Jews,” Sept. 8).

It seems to me that both Barclay and the congregant he mentions in his story have confused political action and talk with humanitarian action and talk. Bringing Jews closer to God and Torah means having compassion for your fellow human beings. It is incumbent upon the spiritual leader of a congregation to remind us what that means.

Norma Roberts via email

Parting Words for Journal’s Rob Eshman

I was almost sad to read that you [Rob Eshman] are leaving the Journal (Moving and Shaking,” Sept. 8). Now where will I find such an excellent intellectual sparring partner? Someone to challenge my point of view and make sure I do not succumb to one-dimensional thinking? I did discover in a recent issue of the Journal that you are married to an incredibly wonderful woman, so it’s obvious that you got one of the most important things right. But, no, I am not sad because I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors.

Perhaps along the way, you will learn what Rabbi Ari Segal taught us in the Torah Portion (“Stand Our Ground But Build Bridges,” Sept. 1) to “go to great lengths to ‘have love in [your] heart’ … for even [your] most wicked of enemies”; and as Rabbi Dov Fischer taught us in the Aug. 4 Torah Portion, “To acquire cognition that many things that initially seem to be awful setbacks often … emerge later as having been among the greatest of blessings … ” (“Hear O Israel: The Shema’s Centrality”).

Do us proud!

Warren Scheinin, Redondo Beach

There is so much winning!

President Donald Trump’s agenda has advanced despite holdouts and setbacks in Washington, D.C. — sometimes from his own Republican caucus. Trump is achieving great things for this country and its citizenry, Jews and gentiles.

Then I found out that Editor-in-Chief Rob Eshman is leaving the Journal.

Even better news!

His hateful, slanted diatribes against our president in particular and conservatives in general were nothing but Fake News.

Arthur Christopher Schaper via email

A Proposal to Solve the North Korean Problem

An open letter to the president of the United States, Donald Trump, the commander-in-chief of the American military:

I have a wish, that you will publicly announce in a fatherly tone, succinctly so there will be no misunderstanding, that if the North Korean leader agrees to stop atomic weapons developments, you will pull all U.S. soldiers out of South Korea. Then, invite the leader to the White House.

This act in South Korea will not be viewed as a capitulation, but a monumental moment in history. You will be viewed as the No. 1 president; the United States as the No. 1 country.

I am 90 years old and I am a survivor of Auschwitz Birkenau and the death march to Dachau and Muhldorf. I am a three-war veteran in the Israeli army (1956, ’67 and ’73). I came to the United States in 1974 and am a proud father and grandfather. God Bless America.

Joshua Kaufman via email

Third Alternative for Stained Shirt

I like your column, David Suissa, (“Can a Shakshuka Stain Kill You?,” Sept. 8.) but not your two options when you write “Should I go back home and change my shirt or should I go straight to the office …?” You really always have a third option: Go to a store and buy a shirt.  

Avi Wacht via email

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