Golden Years Shine at the Home
My mother was one of the fortunate people who became a resident at the Joyce Eisenberg facility (“Molly Forrest Plans the Future,” Oct. 24). They provided her with outstanding care and attention, for which I will be forever grateful.
Rosita Vandervor via jewishjournal.com
‘Groundhog Day’ or ‘Dog Days of Summer’?
Thank you for Rob Eshman’s incisive op-ed piece on the next Gaza war (“The Fourth Gaza War: 5 Predictions,” Oct. 17). I’m trying really hard to keep despair at bay, but it ain’t easy. My barometer is the attitude of my Israeli friends who, despite their long left-wing beliefs, still speak of hope for their future. I don’t even know how to respond to that. What choice do they have? From here it is all so foreboding, just as you’ve written. But Eshman at least brings up “Groundhog Day,” which after all has a positive, affirming ending. Don’t stop believing.
Ken yehi ratzon. I admire and depend on your work. Thanks.
Rabbi Keith Stern, Newton, MA
Nay, They Say
I found Stuart A. Gabriel and Rabbi Ed Feinstein’s article “The West Bank and Gaza: Give Economics a Chance” (Oct. 24) a bit controversial, due to the lengths at which they describe the plan in helping Gaza and the West Bank achieve economic success. Economics is a highly important aspect of any community and is crucial for its survival, which is why I fully agree with the portion of the article that states the plan for funding these communities, which will improve education and bolster job creation. This can provide these children with a route out of the vicious cycle of poverty and to learn skills to achieve success in the future. However, disengaging roadblocks and building trains between Gaza and the West Bank can cause major issues of weapons smuggling. A large supply of arms and weaponry will build up in Gaza and give them a plethora of new weapons to attack the people of Israel with. In conclusion, yes, the plan for helping their economic success could begin to solve the conflict, but it must be a controlled process, not a free-for-all that could greatly threaten the people of Israel.
Aliza Gindi, Los Angeles
I think Stuart A. Gabriel and Rabbi Ed Feinstein’s article on building up the economics in the West Bank and Gaza was a very thought-provoking article. In theory, I think it would be good for both Israel and Palestine to build up the West Bank and Gaza and bury the hatchet to finally make peace. In reality, though, I don’t believe it can work. Over the last several years, Israel has been making efforts at gaining peace, and if it was as simple as most people talk about, it would have already been done. In addition, the prospect of just developing an area with hotels and other attractions for tourists to enjoy could pose great danger. The recent war in Gaza this past summer exposed Hamas as an organization that doesn’t value the life of its citizens, placing them in harm’s way to protect its weaponry and gain international sympathy. So, yes, the development of the disputed area sounds amazing and should technically be done, however a historical look at the conflict between Israel and Hamas should prove it won’t work.
Kayla Kamornick, Sherman Oaks
Just What We Need …More Dime Pieces
Why is it so hard to find any image of a Jewish man or woman with moderate sex appeal, anywhere in American media? I know from experience what it’s like to turn 13, have your bar mitzvah, and then realize you’re doomed to be associated with short, curly-haired males with funny voices for eternity. I love Seth Rogan, but why is one of the few young, popular Jews in movies only allowed to be visible as long he is humorous and average-looking? Every other race implicitly knows to put its best foot forward when it comes to visual media, so why can’t the Jews? It’s not like there is a greater ratio of handsome gentiles to average-looking gentiles. There are handsome Jewish men who possess a bit of swagger, and plenty of beautiful Jewish women with a bit of style, so how about it? Why not put one of them on your cover?
Daniel Conte, via email
correction
An Oct. 24 article (“In Lawsuit Against Rechnitz, Many Accusations but Lack of Clarity”) incorrectly stated that Goldstar Healthcare of Santa Monica is owned by Shlomo Rechnitz. Rechnitz is not the owner and never has been.
