We agree with David’s column (“The women who could not march” Jan. 22) advocating for the women worldwide who could not march last Saturday, whose dire circumstances prevent them from being heard. Indeed, it has been the mission of Jewish World Watch to represent exactly these vulnerable peoples since Rabbi Harold Schulweis founded JWW in 2004. Through our advocacy to leaders in Washington, through education of Jews and non-Jews alike and through aid programs on the ground, we continue to fight to end genocide and mass atrocities in Sudan, South Sudan, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Most recently we have been advocating, as well, on behalf of refugees of the civil war in Syria.
Indeed, our annual Walk to End Genocide, this year taking place on April 30 in Pan Pacific Park, embodies exactly the action David is arguing for. We invite everyone to join us in speaking out at this important community gathering. It is a clear way to respond to our imperative to not stand idly by.
Susan Freudenheim, Executive Director of Jewish World Watch
What Women Want: No Blanket Statements
I can say that being able to earn a living in order to support your loved ones is an important part of a great marriage (“Do Women Need Men?” Jan. 13). The most loving, supportive partnership can founder due to illness, an economic downturn, unemployment that stretches for months or years, or any number of other types of bad luck.
And I can say that it’s been a long time since I’ve read the hoary, old, sexist trope about how being single makes women angry. Statements like “the happiest women are women in happy marriages” are but one way to make this happily married woman furious.
Jo Pitesky via email
Is It Wrong to Thank Barack Obama?
I read Rob Eshman’s column thanking and gushing over former President Barack Obama and could not believe it (“Thank You, Obama,” Jan. 20). As a Jew — and your wife a rabbi — how could you possibly thank Obama after what he did on Dec. 23 to Israel at the U.N.?
Thank God we have new leadership and will flourish with the leadership of President Donald Trump.
Fran P. Jackson via email
Thank you for understanding and so eloquently putting on paper what many don’t understand, or want to. [On Jan. 21], my wife and two daughters were part of the protest downtown, as a way of expressing their dissatisfaction with the new president. We all need to do our part … you just did.
Allan Kretchman via email
A typical column from a liberal American Jew who wouldn’t know the difference between good and bad while living in a world of relative morality.
It’s reassuring to know that the future of Jews like you in the United States is very limited because intermarriage, lack of affiliation and a lack of belief in God will take its toll faster than you can imagine. There is not much holding you and your children to the heritage you were born with. Good chance your grandchildren will not even identify as Jewish.
Fred Moncharsh via email
I thoroughly enjoyed Larry Greenfield’s op-ed “A Legacy of O” (Jan. 20), in which he detailed all of the destructive policies of the Obama years. It was an extremely well-written op-ed. Very enlightening and revealing. With clarity and conciseness, Greenfield touched on every subject, bringing together all the pieces. Obama had been the most polarizing, anti-American president in history and, thankfully, we have come to the end of the era of America’s radical transformation to begin the process of the rebuilding of America.
Karen Reissman via email
In the Jan. 20 issue, I read Rob Eshman’s column (“Thank You, Obama.”) To me, Eshman came across as shallow and delusional.
I must insist Eshman read Larry Greenfield’s op-ed, “A Legacy of O.” He will see a vast difference in point of view and clarity.
To me, the “Legacy of Obama” can be explained in one word: Trump.
Hallie Lerman via email
Convert Wants to Read the Whole Story
Regarding “Katie Piel: She Kept Hearing a Message,” Jan. 13: I have followed your stories about Jews by Choice for many years. I, as a convert to Judaism, have one major complaint with your stories: They invariably tell the beginning of the journey that we Jews by Choice embark upon, but they never seem to tell the story of how the journey unfolds over a lifetime. I converted when I was 19 years old and am now 70. My life, and the lives of many longtime converts who I know, have been truly remarkable since we embarked upon exploration into Judaism.
How can one understand any story if they only read the first chapter? I would like to suggest the Jewish Journal also publish stories about those who have chosen Judaism, and have lived most of their lives as new Jews. I think it would be most enlightening to your readers. Just as Judaism has a real story to tell, so do we.
Peter Robinson, Woodland Hills