Your Letters

The Kosher Queen

One month before the revolution, my family and I fled Iran and headed for London (“An Unkosher Affair,” Jan. 23). Early on, I was invited to a Hadassah meeting at the home of Rabbi Emmanuel Jacobowitz, where Mrs. Jacobowitz welcomed me with open arms. One of the many interesting stories that she told was about their meeting with Queen Elizabeth II.

It began when the rabbi was invited to speak before Parliament. He spoke about medical ethics and morality. The queen made a special point of telling him how inspired she was by his ability to speak about the issues so honestly. Soon, a dinner invitation was extended to the rabbi and his wife. Rabbi Jacobowitz thanked the queen but declined. The queen was very surprised and asked why. The rabbi explained that they only eat kosher food. The queen replied, “Tomorrow I will have our kitchen koshered to your standards.” The night of the dinner arrived and the rabbi and his wife went to Buckingham Palace for a kosher meal. It was a wonderful event. It makes me wonder if the queen of England can go to the trouble of koshering her palace as a sign of recognition and honor, why shouldn’t we in Los Angeles expect the same from our own Jewish institutions?

Lilly Gohar Bolour, Los Angeles

Family Values

Well, thank you, thank you, thank you (“Countering the Family Values Monopoly,” Feb. 6).

Our congregation, as well as others in the ELCA-Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has been asked to study the issues of homosexuality vis-a-vis the issues of ordination and the blessings of same-sex unions.

Most of the folks who are involved with the study in our congregation have family members who are gay and/or lesbian.

This article will serve us Lutherans as a reminder from our learned Jewish brothers and sisters that scripture is indeed alive and flowing throughout our lives and history.

David Niederloh, Portland, Ore.

Benny Morris

Only Arafat’s war of terror drove Benny Morris to acknowledge the truth about the conflict in which the Jews have been seeking to coexist but the Arab refused to accept any Jewish State (“Q&A With Benny Morris,” Jan. 30). And herein lies, as well, the emblematic importance of Morris’ case. For his is the dilemma of the Israeli left, who are shocked by the intifada in recognition of the country’s true situation, but not yet prepared to embrace the justice of the Israeli’s cause. To this dangerous condition of moral paralysis, the lies and distortions of the new historians have made significant contribution over the years and none more significant than that made by Morris. They created a moral comfort zone for the Arab terror to murder Jews.

Amit Peles, Corona

Gary Wexler

I don’t know what is sadder — the anti-Semitic slurs of Gary Wexler (“Visit To Another Israel,” Feb. 6), hordes of Charedim chasing enlightened liberal secularists out of Jerusalem; or the fact that the editors of a “communitywide” liberal Jewish paper find no problem publishing these remarks.

Bunia Newman, Los Angeles

A Friendly Drink

Paul Berman’s fictitious “A Friendly Drink in A Time of War” (Feb. 6) is very well done. It highlights the great chasm that according to Berman separates classical Marxists from the present day left, the latter so morally confused, as to see George W. as a fascist threat, not Saddam Hussein!

I would venture to say that nothing has really changed: The classic Communists in America were making excuses while Stalin was busy butchering millions. The Soviet Union virtually invented and then nurtured Arab terrorism beginning with Yasser Arafat. In gratitude for his support from Jewish Communists, Stalin graciously lined them up and shot them.

Berman’s article should say to Jews on the left that it is time to smell the coffee, and it sure smells stronger than Starbucks’!

Richard Friedman, Venice

Political Loyalties

I can’t understand why Jews, in general, have such an affinity and irrational loyalty to the Democratic Party. When I speak with most “liberals” (that are reasonable and haven’t fallen off the deep end) I find that we agree on at least 80 percent of the issues yet we vote exactly the opposite. They consistently vote against their own beliefs. It is so refreshing to have a strong president that is ethically and morally in line with Jewish values rather than the trickle down immorality and corruption of the last administration. I’m afraid that if a Democrat gets elected he will pull our troops out too soon. We must finish the job or our troops will have died in vain. Today’s Democratic party has been hijacked by the left and is not the party it was.

Dr. Sabi Israel, West Hills

Corrections

The candle-lighting time for Feb. 6 was incorrect. The time should have been 5:10 p.m., not 5:17 p.m. We regret the error.

The Jan. 30 For The Kids incorrectly stated that 15th of Shevat is Rosh Chodesh. The correct answer is Tu B’Shevat. Also, Rosh Chodesh happened the week prior.