Respect Western Wall The women’s section of the Western Wall welcomes all — Jew/non-Jew, Orthodox/non-Orthodox, one-time visitors/regulars, short-sleeves/long-skirts;those praying Sephardic, Ashkenazi or not at all (“Breaking Sacred Ground for Equality,” July 2). There’s almost total freedom, the only request being to respect the minhag hamakom, or the local custom, and abstain from conspicuous group prayer…
Restitution and Justice I would like to correct two misconceptions that can arise from the otherwise important June 18 article on property restitution (“Court Actions Highlight Lack of Special Rep on Restitution”). First, while I believe that it remains important for the Bush administration to have a senior political representative work on Holocaust restitution issues…
Higher Standards Not Matched by Recognition Phrasing used in a June 11 article on the Sudan — specifically, the statements that “after months of inaction [Jewish groups are finally making an effort to help]” and that “Jewish organizations… [failed] to do enough to stop the 1994 genocide that took place in Rwanda” — demonstrate the…
U.S. Support for Israel Not Contingent on Gaza A June 4 news article quotes supporters of Prime Minister Sharon’s withdrawal plan as claiming that Israel’s failure to leave Gaza would set off a major clash between Israel and the United States (“U.S. Groups Warn Israel on Failure to Pull Out”). I and other representatives of…
Vilna Community Calls For Help With Chabad A June 4 article on the Lithuanian chief rabbinate misses the most important point of the current crisis (“Rabbinical Turf Fight in Lithuania Spills From Shul Onto Front Pages”). This is not just a turf fight between two rabbis, nor is it solely a struggle between Chabad and…
Zinni Retort Distorted A May 28 article about General Anthony Zinni’s interview on “60 Minutes” attributes to me comments that are inaccurate and distort my real views and concerns about the recent sharp increase in worldwide antisemitism (“Ex-Mideast Envoy Zinni Charges Neocons Pushed Iraq War To Benefit Israel”). The Anti-Defamation League reported in 2002 that…
Milken Misrepresented A May 14 article previewing Michael Milken’s keynote speech to an Israel Bonds event was partially correct to the extent that it described Milken’s extensive philanthropy, widespread support of Jewish causes and his “message of solidarity” for which “all Jews and the people of Israel should be very grateful” (“Junk-bond King To Keynote…
Teach the Children Well After reading the April 16 account of Holocaust education teachers in New Jersey and Iowa, I found that I could not simply turn the page (“Two Holocaust-Ed Teachers Find That Empathy Is Often Born of Adversity”). My reasons were many and varied. As a combat infantryman in France and Germany during…
O.U. Firm in Position An April 30 article on the New York City “Equal Benefits Bill” suggests that Agudath Israel of America is about to compromise its position on homosexual relationships in order to remain eligible for city funding (“Orthodox Group Opens Door to Same-Sex Benefits,” April 30). That is nonsense. We would never trade…
Joining E.U. Doesn’t Absolve Latvia’s Past The rosy scenario of European Union expansion presented by Latvian minister for social integration Nils Muiznieks in his April 30 opinion article is hardly convincing to anyone acquainted with the manner in which his country has seriously failed to honestly confront the complicity of its nationals in the mass…
Progressive Union Aims To Open Student Talks The April 16 article on the lack of open debate on campus is a crucial reminder of the need for support of left-leaning Jewish students who wish to voice their opinions about Israel on campus (“Stifled Discussion Dampens Student Advocacy Efforts”). To address this need, several progressive Zionist…
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