Irv Rubin
Jewish organizations had a field day denouncing Irv Rubin and his Jewish Defense League. All claimed he had no support in the Jewish community anywhere.
Rubin is innocent unless proven guilty at trial.
It is difficult to believe that this intelligent, articulate Jewish American leader would ever knowingly be party to such acts of criminal violence.
For those desiring to contribute to Rubin’s defense fund, contact the law offices of Morris and Altman at (310) 277-8481, or send donations to 1880 Center Park East, Suite 613, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
Howard Garber, Anaheim
Israel Solidarity Walk
Rob Eshman’s article emphasizing the plight of terror victims (“The Wounded Have Names,” Dec. 7) was an integral factor that contributed to the enthusiastic turnout at the Dec. 9 Israel Solidarity Walk-A-Thon.
The warmth, caring and responsive reception from the Los Angeles community was incredibly inspiring, which only served to strengthen my resolve to share our story. The solidarity we all felt that day proves to the world that we are united in our cause to help all terror victims.
Thank you Los Angeles for accepting us with open arms and making us feel so welcome and a part of your amazingly spiritual community.
On the night I arrived back in Israel, I was fortunate to have shared in a Chanukah celebration arranged by One Family, where over 400 victims of terror and their families attended. The pleasure we witnessed, as children screamed with delight as they opened present after present, will be etched in our memories forever.
Sharon Evans,One Family
J.D. Smith
J.D. Smith’s column (“Jingle Bell Rock,” Dec. 14) is one of the most disgusting pieces of writing I have ever read in your paper. I was totally aghast.
I can only hope that Smith will someday come to understand the depth and beauty of all Jewish observances, that we never have to compare any of our holidays to non-Jewish ones, and that Jewish is everything.
Miriam Fishman, Los Angeles
Mocking Christ and insulting Christians have no place in The Jewish Journal or anyplace else.
Sandra and Charles Aronberg, Beverly Hills
Orange County
As a Los Angeles native who has lived in Orange County for more than 27 years and as a long-time subscriber to The Jewish Journal, I welcome your Orange County section (“Why Orange County Matters,” Dec. 14). We have long needed a strong Jewish newspaper, and hopefully The Jewish Journal can fill that void. I look forward to your continued coverage.
Martin Brower, Corona del Mar
Harry Potter
I hate to burst Joseph Schames’ sarcastic bubble regarding Harry Potter and Jewish values (Letters, Nov. 30), but I found Rabbi Toba August very enlightening. With fundamentalist Christians denouncing Harry Potter and his powers as satanic and evil, I’m glad there is at least one person who finds something positive and noble in the way he conducts himself.
As for comparing Jesus’ sermon on the mount to the sayings of talmudic literature, no less an authority than Rabbi Leo Baeck wrote an essay titled “The Gospel as a Document of Jewish History,” in which he addressed the subject.
Michael Lifton, Pasadena
Austrian Restitution
In Barry Fisher and Elisabeth Steiner’s article (“Austrian Restitution of Nazi-Era Assets,” Oct. 12) there is no agency listed. Could you please let me know how to go about filing these claims?
Gunther Katz, Encino
Editor’s note: Contact Bet Tzedek’s HolocaustRestitution Hotline at (323) 549-5883; or the Claims Conference at 15 East 26Street, Room 906, New York, NY 10010, (212) 696-4944,
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