Boychicks, the loony left, Sderot, Shmuel and e-mail from Turkey

Boychicks of Summer

The Israeli Baseball League is a classic example of the end product not matching the enormous media hype (see Edsel) (“Boychicks of Summer,” Aug. 31). The league was obviously poorly planned and financed even worse (apparently a good chunk of money went for publicity). I watched the first game, somehow aired on PBS, and was amazed at the poor quality of play.The claim was that they would play at least at an “A League” level. What I saw was not much better than high school. When Ken Holtzman, one of the sports true nice guys, is critical and leaves the league, you’re in trouble. He is not the type of person given to shooting off his mouth.

I love baseball and would like nothing more than to see the sport succeed in Israel. However, it is obvious that most Israelis don’t share my love for the game. They would rather watch a soccer match or attend a basketball game. Israelis are accustomed to constant action sports. Baseball is a chess game that is not time driven.

Didn’t Larry Baras, et al., do a feasibility study prior to starting the league? What were they thinking? What did they expect when the fields are inadequate, there is a lack of equipment, and the pay is poor or nonexistent? You get what you pay for! (The league does have a nice Web site, however.)

I would hate to think what will happen if the proposed American football in Israel ever comes to fruition.

Ephraim Moxson
Co-Publisher
Jewish Sports Review
Los Angeles

If you take the negative from a new marriage, a new toy store, a new anything — you will wind up with the butcher-type job of an article which you printed relative to the Israel Baseball League (IBL). I would expect more objectivity and less sensationalism from The Jewish Journal. If the intent was to assume the worst and put forward negativity on the best thing that may have happened to Israel in many years, you were successful. The IBL serves to put a different more positive face on Israel worldwide and it succeeded (save for the article which you chose to print). The IBL serves to bring different types of people together for an enjoyable evening and it succeeds (I know I have been to several games). The IBL serves to create a couple hours of respectful harmony and enjoyment in a country needy of it. (I know. I drive the roads in Israel. )

It says a lot about anyone who seeks and commits themselves and their writing to tear down something so positive.

Lets show our respect for a wonderful venture, which shows the commitment and huge efforts of people in getting this successfully off the ground. Certainly the most difficult part. A lot tougher than criticizing a first year.

Jon Klein
Tarzana

Help Bush

The loony-left dream of Rob Eshman (“Help Bush,” Aug. 24) was anything but persuasive. If Israel must accept mere promises in exchange for land, let’s begin by amending the Palestinian Charter that still calls for the destruction of Israel.

Yes, Palestinians want security and dignity, but missing is their expression of desire for peace with Israel. How is Abbas different when he has never renounced his Holocaust denial, continuing to allow murder by his Fatah’s Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade? Even the recent pledge by released Palestinian prisoners to refrain from terrorist activities was revoked within days. And the honest and incorruptible Salam Fayyad just used U.S. funds to pay the salary of Hamas terrorists.

So, in order to strengthen the incapable Abbas and give Bush a legacy, Israel should give up land, relying on Hamas to fight the deal in elections. That would be a nightmare and suicide.

Aggie R. Hoffman
Los Angeles

Free Advertising?

Come on David Suissa, why are you using precious editorial space to advertise your and Gary Wexler’s marketing services? (“Gary Wexler Is Miserable,” Aug. 31). How transparent! Why not pay for an ad instead, the way Gary did many years ago?

I guess it’s a wonderful thing for the Jewish community that you both gave up your once hot ad agencies and are applying your talents to Jewish causes. Are you providing these services free of charge? I bet not. And using your column for such an overt self-serving message just prior to the Days of Awe? A shanda! At least Yom Kippur is near and you’ll be able to repent without having to wait out a full year.

Roger S. Pondel
Los Angeles

Editor's note: Suissa and Wexler will provide their service free of charge.

Shmuel of Arabia

I enjoyed reading David Suissa’s column (“Shmuel of Arabia,” Aug. 24) last week, as the way he describes Rabbi Shlomo Miller is exactly as I remember him. I would add that he is an impressive scholar, cloaked in humility, an ‘orthodoxe éclairé’ with a vast knowledge of the world and a great clarity of purpose.

I was invited to his house, the Shabbat after my mother (Anna Mireille Abitbol) died 12 years ago, as a mutual friend mentioned that he lived in Oran, Algeria, where my mother was born and painted.

This probably explains his love of the Arabic language, also shared by Maimonides, and I agree with Suissa that the Judeo-Arabic dialect with all its aphrorisms is colorful and full of insight. Why don’t more Jews from the Levant pass it onto their descendants?

Needless to say that meeting him and his lovely family was of great comfort to my friend and me, and we were inspired by his philosophic bend. He is a great admirer and lectured on the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, Rabbi Leon Ashkenazi (whose father was the rav in Oran in the 1930s) and Jacques Derrida, who also regrettably are not well known in this country.

Keep up the good work, David and long life to Shlomo Miller!