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Your Letters 2000/12/29

Your Letters
[additional-authors]
December 28, 2000

The New Look

You go and “improve” The Jewish Journal by replacing the candlelighting times with a life-size picture of a candle? Maybe the old ways are better and you could just put a small picture of a candle next to the candlelighting times.

Bunnie Meyer, Santa Monica

I really like the paper’s new look, especially the stapled fold. Just one suggestion: bring back the old page size. The smaller font is hard to read.

Yossie Kram, Los Angeles

In kvelling about the new and “improved” layout of the Dec. 22 Jewish Journal, you forgot to mention the most obvious change – the new microscopic font size (“A New Look,” Dec. 22).The near-invisible, teeny, tiny print in the revamped Journal certainly was not chosen to encourage readership by me, my baby-boomer peers or our parents. While The Journal may be “Jewish L.A.’s most vital and interesting news source,” it is now also its most unreadable. Bring on the large-print edition!

Cathy Kay, Sherman Oaks

Editor’s Note: We appreciate comments on the new design and will continue to improve it.The candlelighting time has been moved to the lower right corner of the table of contents on page 2.

Day School Admissions

As a school admissions officer, I understand Judy Blum Moadeb’s frustration and am well aware of the disappointment felt by parents and students who are not admitted to the school of their choice (Letters, Dec. 8). This is a reality at all independent schools, including Jewish day schools, colleges and universities across the country.

Open admittance for all students, much the way public schools operate, could only be accomplished through the creation of a large and extensive fund to assist schools in providing necessary services. This community support seems to be gaining prominence in other parts of the country; maybe in the future our schools in Los Angeles will benefit.

When Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School opened in 1972, we believed that we would never turn away a family that wanted Jewish education for their child. We were naive and did not recognize the demands of the educational process, both academic and financial. Through the years we have modified our expectations. Moadeb would be well served to look at the broader issues and try to understand the complexities of the problem.

Doritt Diamond, Director of AdmissionsAbraham Joshua Heschel Day School, Israel

The miracle of the Six-Day War was the deliverance of Jerusalem and its adjacent towns and villages into the possession of the Jewish people. It was great sacrifice and effort by Jewish soldiers and the assistance of the Almighty that brought this about. The Jews of Israel and the Diaspora communities need to maintain these possessions that bind us together as a people. The burial place of our ancestors has been restored to us. For thousands of years, the Jewish people have dreamed of a time when they could live a Jewish life in the land of their forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This has happened in our lifetime.

The Arab people are expressing enormous rage and hatred against the Jewish people of Israel. They murder with no regard for themselves or their victims. We need to offer support to the government and people of Israel. Prime Minister Barak is under immense pressure. I hope he will follow Churchill’s lead and not that of Chamberlain. Israel belongs to the Jewish people, and it will take a lot more than rock-throwing to take it away. I would like for all denominations of Judaism to reinstate the prayer for the State of Israel.

Brian L. Tanenbaum, Beverly Hills

A recent article referred to Netanyahu’s loss to Barak in the last election (“Assessing Netanyahu’s Past Policies,” Dec. 15). If not for the Arab vote, which is approximately 20 percent, Netanyahu would either not have lost or lost by a hair.

Editor Rob Eshman tells us that “these Palestinians children are taught to hate the Zionists.” (“Human Sacrifice,” Dec. 15). The sick truth would be the more accurate statement that these Arab kids are taught to hate the Jews.

Leon Perlsweig, Calabasas

Jewish Veteran Stamp

I was disappointed to see The Jewish Journal take an editorial shot at the U.S. Postal Service (“West Wing Boosts War Vets,” Dec. 8). One gets the impression our organization ignores veterans. That is simply not the case.

This coming May, we will issue an “Honoring Veterans – Continuing to Serve” stamp. This stamp will recognize the contributions of all veterans, not only during a time of conflict, but back home once their military service ended. The stamp may not individually honor the hundreds of veteran-related subjects that could be recognized, but it will place the spotlight of appreciation on all veterans from a nation that respects and values their service to our country.

In addition, Jewish subjects and people have often been features on U.S. postage stamps. Every year since 1996, we have issued a Chanukah stamp at this time of year. In recent years, there have been stamps for the Touro Synagogue, World War II liberation of survivors, Raoul Wallenberg, and a Holocaust Memorial postcard. What’s more, we have honored many individuals like Albert Einstein, Hayim Solomon, Albert Ochs, Bernard Revel, Fannie Brice, Jack Benny, Al Jolson, George Gershwin and Edward G. Robinson.The Postal Service values veterans and diversity, and veterans and Jewish subjects have been and will continue to be honored.

David Mazer,Manager,Public Affairs and CommunicationsUnited States Postal Service

Sara Shnirer

I am living in Jerusalem and writing a biography of Sara Shnirer, the founder of Bais Yaakov. If you have information about her personal life or family background, as well as anecdotes or memories, I will be happy to call, write or e-mail anyone who has something to share. I can be reached at cayam@netmedia.net.il or via P.O. Box 52287, Jerusalem, 91521 Israel, or I may be left a message at 972-2-566-0064.

Dr. Aviva Cayam, Jerusalem

NCCJ

I want to express my appreciation for the absolutely wonderful coverage you gave The National Conference’s Conversations Celebration held on Nov. 11 at the Skirball Cultural Center (“Stars Shine for Diversity and Dialogue,” Nov. 24).

The article was clear, comprehensive, accurate, insightful and inclusive. It truly conveyed the facts as well as the spirit of Conversations Celebration. We salute your dedication to quality journalism.

Deborah Smith, Executive DirectorThe National Conference for Community and Justice

Corrections

In the Dec. 22 letter from Dov Fischer, the second paragraph should have read: “As to the substantive matter of interdating and intermarriage, though, I do not care whether Strasser or her mom marries a person who is Black or Blue or Green. Skin color is not a reference factor in Judaism, and I was appalled many months ago when some letter writers criticized her mother’s marriage to a Black man. Color means nothing. My substantive comments on that subject are directed only towards the core values that underlie the primacy of our dating and marrying partners within our covenantal community.”

In “Rest in Peace,” Dec. 1, the e-mail address for Mark Schiff was wrong. The correct e-mail address is: markschiff@earthlink.net.

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