Your Letters

Passover Cover

I loved the photo illustration used on the cover of your Passover issue (“Happy Passover,” March 15). It was refreshing to see popular culture such as surfing fused with stories of Jewish history. Such images strike the attention of the younger masses and help open up your publication to a wider demographic.

Mindy Griser , Woodland Hills

The Waves of Judaism

“The Waves of Judaism” (March 22) was interesting on several levels. Most interesting was the statement, “But joining a congregation is not a priority. We don’t have the money.” One of the first things I want to hear from a family is that belonging to a synagogue community is one of their top priorities. That says something to me about their level of commitment to Judaism and their desire to ensure a Jewish future, in spite of their ability to pay.

The synagogue’s side of this must always be kept in mind when someone complains about being turned away from Judaism. If belonging is a priority, when one synagogue says no, there are many others that might say yes. Do not give up on Judaism or organized religion because of one bad experience.

Sylvia Moskovitz Executive Director Temple Aliyah , Woodland Hills

Conflict in Israel

The issue of true peace in the Middle East will not emanate from Israel’s recognition of a Palestinian state. Rather, it is the Palestinian Arabs’ recognition of a Jewish state to live as such in peace, without terrorism.

Alan D. Wallace, North Hollywood

Rabbi vs. Rabbi

I was shocked by the one-sided view in the letters to the editor section regarding “Rabbi vs. Rabbi” (March 22), favoring Rabbi Shmulik Naparstek. Naparstek is attempting to keep his job on the grounds that he helped raise funds. Can he produce a deed to the property that states that he privately owns it? Since when does a paid employee, fundraising under the auspices of a nonprofit organization like Chabad, expect to have the money and the property earmarked for that project stay in his possession? The donors gave the money to Chabad, not Naparstek.

Gerry Corn, Los Angeles

Anti-Semitic France

Since the French government is so blatantly anti-Israel (“Anti-Semitism Hits France,” April 5), as well as uncooperative with the United States in anti-terrorism efforts, it is time to let them know how the people of the United States feel.

I suggest that we stop buying French perfumes and expensive handbags, as well as other French imports. Perhaps those measures will make them less biased in favoring their terrorist friends.

Dr. Edward Friedman, Encino

I am greatly disturbed by France’s anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli sentiment, which is now endangering the lives of Jews within its own borders. This is the country that sold a nuclear reactor to Saddam Hussein. As they coddle Arabs at the expense of Jewish lives, I propose starting a grass-roots boycott of all French products. From now on, instead of buying French products, buy Israeli.

Aaron Shuster, Los Angeles

A Hush in Hollywood

Tom Tugend’s article, “A Hush in Hollywood?” (April 5) couldn’t have been more apt, although the title needn’t have ended with a question mark. Perhaps an exclamation mark would have been more appropriate. Indeed, Hollywood has all of a sudden gone underground.

Why does it take hundreds of dead Jews and Arabs for Hollywood to realize that this isn’t a game? It is time for Jews to emerge from the liberal coma they have been in and see the real world.

Jack Ballas, Pacific Palisades

Corrections

The Circuit misidentified the date of a gala Beverly Hilton tribute to composer Elmer Bernstein. The University Women of University of Judaism event takes place on April 18.

In the April 5 article, “The Holocaust and Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Bob Glaub, a bass player for Jackson Browne and Linda Rondstadt, is a child of Holocaust survivors. Browne and Rondstadt are not.