Give Wagner a Chance, Judaism and the Racial Divide

Give Wagner a Chance
Manny Steinberg’s letter (Letters, July 24) supporting L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s specious and transparently political demand that Los Angeles Opera cancel its performances of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle was quite enlightening: Not only was Wagner “very anti-Semitic,” which is well known, but we also learn that “he loved Hitler” — a remarkable feat of clairvoyance, considering that Wagner died in 1883. There were other German composers whose lives did overlap the Nazi period and who were publicly courted by Hitler, most prominently Richard Strauss. Yet we’ve heard no cries that “Der Rosenkavalier” and “Salome” should likewise be banned from the LA Opera stage. The Nazis also adored Beethoven and Mozart — should their music be silenced as well?

A salient feature of Nazi policy was the burning of books and the banning of “degenerate” music and paintings by Jewish authors, composers and artists. Is the establishment of artistic censorship in Los Angeles really the appropriate way to honor these victims of the Holocaust?

Wayne W. Grody, Pacific Palisades

Judaism and the Racial Divide
I just read Aliza Hausman’s article (“A Lesson for Jews in Gates’ Arrest?” July 31). To say I was moved is an understatement. I share in her pain and frustration. And I am outraged.

With our history of persecution, we must each grasp what it is to be the “other.” We, of all people, should know better than to tolerate, let alone display, the bigotry that has haunted our families over the millennium.

Besides, bigotry for us is stupid. We Jews have lived in virtually every nook and cranny of this earth. Do you have any idea what runs through your DNA?

Ignorance and disrespect in our midst disgraces each of us. Jewish values do not include bigotry. Our tradition teaches us to reach for a higher standard. We should remember that.

Roberta (“Rickie”) Avrutin, Los Angeles

This letter is to the author, Aliza Hausman.
I read your article and sympathize with the bigotry that you have experienced. It is unacceptable for Jews to be racists, and God warns us against it in the Torah when He says, many times, not to ill-treat the ger (convert), because we were slaves in Egypt.

I am married to an Orthodox Filipina convert, who is also part African American, but unlike your saga we have experienced outright racism only once. However, we live in Los Angeles, and you live in New York. I grew up in New York and I can say from experience, New York Jews are far more racist than Los Angeles Jews. In fact, the only difficulty my wife and I had in planning our wedding was from the New Yorkers. We would love to have you and your family to our house for Shabbat: it could be the first “inter-racial Shabbaton.” We could start a trend.

Finally, I have one substantive comment about your article. Everyone concedes that there was no racism involved in the Gates matter. Yet your article conveys a racial implication. I thought that was unfair to the police.

Alan M. Goldberg, Tarzana

Bridging Divides in Bethlehem
Kudos for Danielle Berrin’s article “2 Days in Bethlehem” in the July 31 Jewish Journal. It is refreshing to get on-the-ground reporting on conditions in the West Bank and the effect of Israeli policy, particularly regarding settlements. As a Diaspora Jew who cares deeply about Israel, I am grateful to see actual reported facts, rather than the filtered opinion pieces found in so many publications. Yasher Koach!

Paul Verger, Los Angeles

Not So Funny People
I read your article, so I went to see the movie “Funny People” (“What Makes ‘Funny People’ Tick,” July 24). “Funny People” isn’t funny. And if this is what feeling Jewish and proud is about, I want none of it!

Why would a bright writer/director put his young daughters and wife in a sophomoric movie that is misogynistic, objectifies women only for sexual purposes, is vulgar and crude … not funny. This is what one teaches one’s young daughters? This is what being Jewish is about?

This isn’t Jewish pride, it is just vulgarity. What has happened to the likes of the Marx Brothers, Jack Benny, Phil Silvers, Shelly Berman, Sid Caesar and George Burns? Those were people to be proud of, and they were funny!

Betzalel “Bitzy” N. Eichenbaum, Encino