The Human Side of Peres
I really enjoyed reading Shmuel Rosner’s article because it highlights a version of Shimon Peres that the public never got to see (“Remembering Shimon Peres,” Sept. 30). After briefly discussing Peres’ crucial impact on Israel, Rosner describes his rendezvouses with Peres during less stressful circumstances where he got the chance to speak with him as a person and not just as an icon. Specifically, the article expands on Peres’ relationship with David Ben-Gurion and his high regard of the first Israeli prime minister. I was especially astonished to read about Peres feeling angered and personally insulted when Ben-Gurion was not receiving proper recognition by being compared to Ze’ev Jabotinsky in A.B. Yehoshua’s play.
While gaining a personal understanding of Peres in the article, Rosner goes on to explain Peres’ contributions as a political leader and a speaker who spoke his mind. Rosner’s article truly captured Peres in a personal and political sense, and was a great dedication to the person Shimon Peres was in every aspect.
Abegail Javidzad, Beverly Hills
New Law Could Mean New Era
I really enjoyed reading Eitan Arom’s article about Gov. Jerry Brown signing the anti-BDS bill into California law on Sept. 24 (“Brown Signs Anti-BDS Bill Into Law,” Sept. 30). The bill had been a topic of heated debate because it takes a strong position in asserting that California may not do business with any company that boycotts sovereign states, specifically Israel.
The article made me feel very proud to be a Californian. There is so much opposition to the State of Israel in America, and it is becoming less and less popular to support Israel. This bill is a clear victory for Israel here in the USA. I am proud to be part of a state that took a seemingly unpopular stand against those who wish to boycott our brothers in Israel. While there is still opposition to the bill from those who are sympathetic to the Palestinians, I hope this is the start of a shift in policy when it comes to Israel-American relations.
Sarah Wintner, Los Angeles
In Defense of Sheldon Adelson
I was flabbergasted by Bill Boyarsky’s op-ed blasting the billionaire Jewish philanthropist who has made a commitment to instill an eternal Jewish future throughout the world and a love of Israel (“Adelson Likes to Play by His Rules,” Sept. 30). Contrary to the author’s statements regarding Sheldon Adelson’s political leanings, which are more to the Republican view, let’s get something straight … Jews are not born as Democrats. If you take that out of the equation and can agree to disagree, then there is dialogue.
Sheldon Adelson is a rich man because he gives to many causes. He is a genius because he had the ability to realize that the idea of “Birthright” or Taglit was a solution to save Judaism and to form a bond with the Jewish state to the tune of $25 million to $40 million per year. Who gave him the idea? Birthright was partially conceived by the far-leftist Yossi Beilin of the Meretz Party in Israel. In conclusion, Sheldon Adelson is the epitome of the art of compromise, something so lacking over the past eight years. Now, go out of your office and ask the 500,000 Jewish youth who visited Israel what they think of their benefactor.
Dick Bernstein, Los Angeles
Breadcrumbs on the Water
As a Jewish man with an appreciation for my heritage and cynicism about ritual … I appreciate Rob Eshman’s column (“By the Sea,” Sept. 30).
Rick Edelstein via email
Taking Issue With Prager’s View of Fame
Dennis Prager states, “It seems that most Americans ache for fame” (“So, You Want to be Famous?” Sept. 30). To me, that statement is preposterous and causes me to wonder with whom Prager associates and/or interviews. It also causes me to wonder what fame expectation polls does Prager read.
The thousands of people who have in the last year attended political rallies organized by Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have not vocally expressed an aching for fame, probably because such aching does not exist. They have expressed an aching for jobs and job security, affordable education, affordable health care and a safe America in which all people, including police and nonviolent demonstrators, have upward economic mobility and are treated with respect.
I agree with Prager that fame is a false god, but I disagree with his view that an aspiration of fame is high on the list of most Americans.
Marc Jacobson, Los Angeles
CORRECTIONS:
An article about training for police officers (“ADL, Museum Have Holocaust-Based Lesson for Police,” Sept. 23) misspelled the name of the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust’s director of educational programs. She is Jordanna Gessler.
A story about Big Sunday’s program Thank God It’s Work! (“Nonprofit Big Sunday’s Employment Program Is All About Working Well,” Sept. 16) mischaracterized the status of Motor Entertainment. It has downsized.
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