Letters

Iraq Resolution
I hold my colleague Rabbi Steve Leder in high esteem and greatly admire the work that he does at Wilshire Boulevard Temple and in our community, so my comments regarding his latest article should be taken in that light (“Why I Am Ashamed of URJ’s Resolution on Iraq,” March 23).

Rabbi Leder states that it is beyond the purview of an organization composed of “business people, lawyers, housewives, rabbis and bureaucrats” to make a statement that enters into an area that is the domain of foreign policy specialists. Is it not the very right, in fact the obligation, of rabbis, doctors, students or any other American to voice their protests to any and all of the positions of the U.S. government? That these protests can come from individuals and from the organizations with which they affiliate is also a principle that lies at the root of American democracy.

In addition, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) grounds its position in Jewish tradition with a substantive survey of Jewish sources. Clearly, the URJ position does not reflect the opinion of an ignorant, uninformed minority, as Rabbi Leder seems to imply.

I am not ashamed of the URJ, any more than I am ashamed of any other person or organization that voices their positions and opinions thoughtfully and responsibly, though I may disagree with them. In fact, I am inspired that my organization has spoken out and taken the associated risks in an effort to encourage all Jews to see that Jewish ethics and values are relevant to the current debate over this war.

Rabbi Ron Stern

www.WiseLA.org

I write to commend Rabbi Steve Leder on his excellent and insightful analysis of the misguided resolution concerning the Iraq War passed recently by the Union for Reform Judaism Executive Committee. Rabbi Leder speaks truth to power and has shown considerable courage to question the sentiment of the majority. And he does so in an age of substantial and growing intolerance by that majority of contrary opinion.

I salute Rabbi Leder for standing against the tide. Like so many distinguished minority voices throughout history, he is right.

Rabbi Clifford E. Librach

of Danbury, Conn.

More Questions
In response to “Where Are the Other Voices?” by Leonard Fein (March 23):

Especially as Passover approaches, we Jews appreciate a good question. Vice President Dick Cheney, of all people, posed one when he asked how could one demand aggressive action against Iran and retreat from Iraq at the same time.

Fein responded with non sequiturs, such as Cheney’s not getting his typical good reaction at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and ad hominem attacks against Cheney’s “wicked policies.”

In the holiday spirit, I would ask Fein some more questions: Is it possible to believe that in hindsight the war was a mistake, without believing in the Union of Reform Judaism’s (URJ) cure of abandoning the effort, which would most likely lead to greater bloodshed? Why does the Israeli mainstream leadership from left to right believe that the URJ’s position is dangerously erroneous? And finally, how does one reconcile the URJ’s current statement with its position in 2002 that forcibly removing Saddam was a “just cause”?

If this is the best Fein can do in dealing with the toughest questions of our time, I think I would rather attend Cheney’s seder than his.

Avi Peretz

Los Angeles

Peter Lowy
Rob Eshman’s ode to Peter Lowy and his business-first philosophy on Jewish philanthropy was a welcome breath of fresh air, and indeed, Peter and Janine Lowy’s model must be emulated by others in the community, and I applaud them for their initiative (“A Big Giver,” March 23).

As to the issue of why only 6 percent of Jewish megadonors give to Jewish causes, I respectfully disagree with Lowy’s questioning whether “our communal institutions are capable of not only soliciting large donations but of properly accepting them…. Donors expect the highest level of financial stewardship, operational expertise and transparency.”

I would aver that the issue is much more simple. Museums, philharmonic orchestras and medical buildings are sexier and carry more cache than a children’s orphanage or youth village. Additionally, if donors like the ones Lowy alludes to truly fear the implied mismanagement and improprieties that permeate some Jewish organizations and many non-Jewish nonprofits, as well (see: Red Cross and United Way), it would be my pleasure to invite them all for a most professional tour of Migdal Ohr and a trip through not only our campus but our accounting books, as well.

In fact, I’ll go one better than any hospital, museum and, especially, hedge fund practice and happily offer the prospective donor/investor a money-back guarantee if not completely satisfied.

Robert Katz

New York, N.Y.

‘Deliverance’
A great haimishe article (“Deliverance,” March 30). A case study of heroism, guilt and redemption. You made my day!

Hal Margolis

Via e-mail

Corrections
In “Ranking the Rabbis” (March 30), Satmar Grand Rabbi Zalman should have been listed as No. 15.

In Slavery Lesson Stirs Action” (March 30), Sonia Levitin should have been noted as the author of “Dream Freedom.”

Clarification

In “5th District’s Jews Spar Over City Councilman Jack Weiss”(March 30), the Journal reported that in 2005 district residents received a flyer from the “Jewish Political Federation” with Marcia Selz’s name at the top of the masthead. Selz said she had nothing to do with that flyer, and had no knowledge off its existence until The Journal brought it to her attention.