fbpx
[additional-authors]
January 15, 1998

Thank you very much for your articles about the state of Beth OlamCemetery. Nobody was aware that it was in danger of being padlocked,abandoned, and subsequently available for vandalism and scavengers.To those many of us who have close relatives interred there and havepaid for graves in advance, this was traumatic news.

It seems that this plight of the cemetery had gone on for a yearand a half but the trustees did not inform anyone. Thanks to yourarticles, my son and I were able to attend a hearing in federalcourt, and since then, we have learned that the cemetery has found aworthy buyer. There is also an effort to have it declared a historiccity site.

Mrs. Richard Maibaum

Pacific Palisades

A Hipper Hadassah

The 23,000 enthusiastic members of Hadassah Southern Californiawere delighted to be recognized (“A Hipper Hadassah,” Dec. 26). Ourresurgence and strength among young women results from our ability toenable busy women to participate in our cutting-edge programsaccording to their own timetables.

Here in Southern California, as a result of Voices For Change, thestudy of Jewish women’s needs conducted by Hadassah and Brandeis, wehave established the Morning Star Commission, consisting of 30prominent women in the entertainment industry, including Joan Hyler(Hyler Management), Gail Berman (“Buffy the Vampire”), Susan Nanus(“Rescuers: Stories of Courage in the Holocaust”), and Claudia Weill(“Girlfriends”). These women are examining images of Jewish women intelevision and film. Our members participate by providing informationon female Jewish characters in the television shows and films theysee.

We also offer women the chance to make a difference on a locallevel. In Southern California, we have marched for reproductivechoice and against Proposition 209. We have worked with batteredwomen’s shelters, collaborated with the L.A. City Commission on theStatus of Women, conducted bone marrow drives, and brought teddybears to ailing children.

We welcome all women who wish to become part of our “hipperHadassah.” They need only call (310) 276-0036 or (818) 783-3488.

Soraya M. Nazarian

Hadassah Southern California Chair

Los Angeles

Justice for Pollard

Re: Anne Roiphe’s commentary on Jonathan Pollard (“Jewish LeadersMust Extract a Moral Thorn,” Jan. 2): Part of Pollard’s crime washaving the guts to do what most of us are afraid to do: To be Jewishfirst. When you think in this perspective, many issues may be seen inquite a different light. His allegiance and loyalty to Israel and thecountry of his birth never wavered.

We have failed in giving him recognition for his heroism in savingthousands of lives. Yes, it was heroism — a quality most of us lack.Perhaps we are cowards as Roiphe points out, by calmly sitting inertlike wooden marionettes — doing nothing.

Yes, we are ordinary Jews, but we are the Jewish community. So,why are we waiting for organizations to make a move on his behalf?Isn’t it about time every temple, every community center, every youthgroup, every school and every single one of us, protest againstPollard’s 12 long years in prison? A group of gardeners on a hungerstrike is front page news protesting the city’s ban on noisy leafblowers.

Where are our hunger-strikes and our group walks to Washington?How can we live with our conscience knowing that we haven’t eventried to help this magnificent loyal human being? We are the ones whoshould express remorse for allowing him to live in the cold darknessof his cell, betrayed by our inaction.

Pollard’s situation reeks of anti-Semitism. Why else did CasparWeinberger throw the book at him? A coward trying to hide a few dropsof Jewish blood of his own? Wasn’t there a little man with a mustachein Germany with a similar inferiority complex?

To save the life of one Jew is to save a nation, but a lifewithout freedom, does not a life make.

If Nixon was pardoned, why can’t Bill do the same for our boychik?

Keyle Birnberg-Goldstein

Canoga Park

*

In response to Stephen Meister’s letter (“Pollard Paranoia,” Jan.9): In contradiction to his claim that Jews have not rallied toPollard’s defense, please note that every major Jewish organizationhas spoken out on his behalf. In addition, tens of thousands havesigned petitions asking for his release.

Jonathan Pollard is a political prisoner who has never tried topass any information while in prison. Does anyone think that after 12years in prison, he would still have any relevant information topass?

Meister ignores the fact that Pollard’s sentence wasdisproportionate to the crime. He was given given more time than anyother person convicted of passing information to an ally, and evenmore than the sentences given to those convicted of spying for ourenemies.

Pollard has clearly stated that he did wrong, and has exhibitedremorse. He has served a long and painful term in prison and shouldbe released immediately.

Ellen and Bill Levinson

Mission Viejo

Roseanne’s Chanukah

After reading your article on the Kabbalah Center’s Chanukahfestivities (“Roseanne’s Take on Chanukah,” Jan. 2), I was confused.I was expecting an honest, balanced account of what happened at theKabbalah Learning Center on Dec. 28 and what I read was sloppy yellowjournalism at its sleaziest. It was very mean-spirited to describeRoseanne as a “rotund television star.” Also, there was no goodreason I can think of to let us know what row Madonna was sitting in.What did that have to do with either the Chanukah play or the debateabout the Kabbalah Center?

This brings me to a couple of questions for your estimablemagazine. Why the prejudicial venom against Jews (such as myself)trying to find their way back home if they don’t do so via the”traditional” way (i.e. a temple)? And what’s the real agenda goingon here? What is traditional Judaism so afraid of that well-meaningJews would put such energy into splitting Jews off from each other? Ijust don’t understand it.

In fact, it was this line of hypocritical thinking I sensed yearsago that caused me to leave behind mainstream Judaism in the firstplace. It’s taken me a long time to find my way back and I’m glad theKabbalah Center opened its door to me at the “High Holidays” a coupleof years ago…For absolutely no charge to participate. What aremarkable thing!

Ira Hearshen

Sherman Oaks

Jews and Intermarriage

I read the article concerning American Jews’ intermarriage rates,eloquently written by J.J. Goldberg (“U.S. Jews Aren’t Vanishing. SoWhat Will We Worry About?” Dec. 19). The information about Jews”converting out” of Judaism was misleading.

The article implied that Jews converting out of Judaism are notconsidered Jewish. The author stated that a 1990 survey which found aJewish intermarriage rate of 52 percent was invalid, because itincluded Jews who declared themselves not to be Jewish. Goldberg inturn considers them non-Jews, dropping the intermarriage rate in hisown estimation to a mere 40 percent.

Jews who avow themselves non-Jews are still considered to be Jews,whether they were born as such or converted. Once a Jew, always aJew.

As a Jewish nation, we need to unite, to care for one another andsolve problems. And if we don’t, we need to worry.

Shie Alony

Los Angeles

Yuletide Memories

Regarding “Ghosts of Christmases Past” by Ed Solomon (Dec. 26):There should have been a warning on the section “1966 – The Marumba”:Read in the privacy of your own office.

I was sitting with fellow employees in a quiet lunch room eatingand reading. All of the sudden, I was laughing so hard, I couldn’tstop. I think I gave three people heart attacks.

I shared the column with whomever I could and they enjoyed it asmuch as I did.

Nesha De Angelis

Santa Monica

Mortuary Troubles

Regarding your article on Chevra Kadisha Mortuary’s founder anddirector, Zelman Manela, being sentenced to two years in prison forstealing thousands of dollars from a deceased woman, then forgingdocuments that gave him power of attorney over her estate (“MortuaryTroubles,” Jan. 2). Even more loathsome than Manela’s crime is thealmost total silence of the organized Orthodox community about theethical aspects of the matter.

Rabbis are worried about the future of the mortuary and about LosAngeles not having a corps of volunteers to perform tahara(ritual care of the dead). Other rabbis defend Manela because hedonated thousands of dollars to charity each year. At his sentencinghearing in Van Nuys, about 60 observant Jews cried, prayed, and readpsalms. Two Rabbis urged the judge to grant Manela probation andcommunity service. A third fasted on the day of the hearing, anddescribed Manela as a “selfless individual” who was quick to take outthe garbage or fix a clogged sink at shul. He added: “There is shameabout what Zelman did, but there is also tremendous pride in who heis.” OK, who is he? And what is he?

Memo to the organized Orthodox community: Before condemning therest of us, proclaiming to the world that we Conservative and ReformJews are not “real” Jews, clean up your own house. Or maybe it wouldbe more apropos to say, “Religious physicians, heal thineselves.”

David R. Moss

Los Angeles

THE JEWISH JOURNAL welcomes letters from all readers. Lettersshould be no more than 250 words and we reserve the right to edit forspace. All letters must include a signature, valid address and phonenumber. Pseudonyms and initials will not be used, but names will bewithheld on request. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materialsshould include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in order to bereturned.
Publisher, Stanley Hirsh

Editor-in chief, Gene Lichtenstein

Managing editor, Robert Eshman

Assistant editor, Stig Jantz

Calendar and copy editor, William Yelles

Senior writer, Naomi Pfefferman

Staff writer, Ruth Stroud

Production coordinator and

online editor, Sara Eve Roseman

Community editor, Michael Aushenker

Arts editor, Diane Arieff Zaga

Senior Columnist, Marlene Adler Marks

National Correspondent, J. J. Goldberg

Contributing writers, James David Besser (Washington),Larry Derfner (Tel Aviv), Rabbi Ed Feinstein, Linda Feldman,Beverly Gray, Joel Kotkin, Rabbi Steven Leder, Yehuda Lev,Deborah Berger-Reiss, Eric Silver (Jerusalem), Teresa Strasser

Contributing editor, Tom Tugend

Art director, Shelley Adler

Photo/Graphics, Carvin Knowles

Advertising art director, Lionel Ochoa

Members of the corporation,

Ed Brennglass (1919-1997), Willard Chotiner, Irwin Daniels,Irwin Field, David Finegood, Herbert Gelfand, Osias Goren,Richard Gunther, Stanley Hirsh, Marvin Kristan, Mark Lainer

Legal counsel/ accountants, Leon Katz of Tyre, Kamins, Katzand Granoff; Jonathan Kirsch of Kirsch and Mitchell/Gerald Block ofBlock, Plant and Eisner

THE JEWISH JOURNAL (ISSN 0888-0468) USPS 468530 is publishedweekly, every Thursday for $23.50 (out of state add $12.50) by LosAngeles Jewish Publications Inc., a community nonprofit corporation,3660 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 204, Los Angeles, California 90010.Address all mail to: Jewish Journal, 3660 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite204, Los Angeles, California 90010. Phone 213-738-7778, Fax213-368-1684. E-mail at Los Angeles Freenet, ab871@lafn.org

© 1998 Los Angeles Jewish Publications Inc.

All rights reserved.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Los Angeles, California.

THE JEWISH JOURNAL is not responsible for unsolicited manuscriptsor photographs. They will not be returned unless sender enclosedreturn postage.

THE JEWISH JOURNAL does not endorse the goods and servicesadvertised in its pages, and it makes no representation as to thekashrut of food products and services in such advertising.

 

The Jewish Journal is printed

on 100% recycled paper.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Print Issue: Got College? | Mar 29, 2024

With the alarming rise in antisemitism across many college campuses, choosing where to apply has become more complicated for Jewish high school seniors. Some are even looking at Israel.

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.