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'Never too late'

I always enjoy reading Jay Schwartz's columns in j.

From "Remains of S.F. synagogue continue to haunt" (Sept. 10 j.), I understand that he has some real regrets about the quality of his Jewish education as a child.

He bemoans the fact that he cannot read Hebrew with meaning and comprehension as an adult, and he wants to know more, not only about Congregation B'nai David but about the richness of Judaism, which has somehow eluded him.

My response is this: It is never too late.

There are so many opportunities for personal growth and learning in the Jewish world. This is the perfect time to take advantage of them. A new year is starting, and there are many teachers here in the Bay Area who would be happy to open the doors of Jewish knowledge to Jay.

I am one of them. And there are others who can be reached through Resource, or Lehrhaus Judaica, or various synagogues.

We are taught: "Find a teacher..." and "If not now, when?"

I wish Jay Schwartz a wonderful Jewish spiritual journey. May it be fulfilling in many, many ways.

Patti Moskovitz | Foster City




Testament to spirit

The Sept. 10 j. piece ("Double joys and challenges") on the L.A. Orthodox couple who both are paralyzed and who have recently had twins was a testament to the human spirit when the body fails us.

This feature was a reprieve from all politics at the time of the New Year.

Bravo and thanks.

Elaine Starkman | Walnut Creek




Enhancing the season

With anticipation of the New Year upon us, I did a couple of things to prepare myself for its arrival. I've been doing this for years.

First, I call several temples. I request their September bulletins. In them are High Holy Day messages. The rabbi usually writes lengthy columns on the coming days.

Last year, I made a collage by cutting out messages that resonated in me. This was empowering for me to read throughout the year.

After the holidays are over, I make another call to the temples. I wanted the sermons the rabbis gave on these big days.

I'm usually on the edge of my seat listening to the ones that I personally attend, but I wanted them all.

Sometimes my request has been denied. They are only for temple members, I've been told. Other times, I attained what I wanted, and I was most grateful.

Doing these acts enhances my High Holy Day season.

Susan Cohn | San Jose




Architect inurned

I enjoyed reading Dan Pine's Sept. 10 j. article ("He built this city") on S.F. Jewish architect Alfred Henry Jacobs. It mentioned that "no one knew where Mr. Jacobs was buried." It also mentioned that he was a member of Congregation Emanu-El.

I searched our records at Home of Peace Cemetery, which is owned by Emanu-El, and found Jacobs passed away on Dec. 14, 1954 and is inurned in our Emanu-El Mausoleum along with his wife, Lillian Wollenberg Jacobs, who passed way on Jan. 15, 1960.

Stephen E. Weiner | Colma
director, Home of Peace, Hills of Eternity and Salem Cemeteries

Pro-GOP bias?

In the Sept. 3 issue of j., two articles on the Republican convention had a pro-Republican bias.

A third, which pretended to show the other side, "Jewish protesters, pro- and anti-Israel, rally against Bush," had just as much of a pro-GOP bias. It presented only views of those who hurled insults at Israel, and those who felt bad at having to march with anti-Israel protestors but for whom other issues were pressing.

Unstated implications: If you're anti-Bush, you're anti-Israel; and the majority of John Kerry supporters are anti-Israel.

What the article failed to mention is Kerry being pro-Israel. That's a huge omission.

Moderate Jews and non-Jews know support of Israel isn't what separates the candidates. Israel isn't what moderates protest.

Aside from the social, political and economic reasons Bush should be removed from office, he and many Republican Party leaders are admittedly driven by right-wing fundamentalist beliefs. Jews who think they'll benefit

from Bush's bringing religion into public life and directing tax dollars to faith-based programs and religious schools are short-sighted. The vast majority of those funds will promote his religious beliefs.

All who believe religious freedom comes from separation of church and state should be concerned.

Joyce Feldman | Oakland




Wrath endured

I read "Is bimah the place for politics?" in the Sept. 3 j. with interest, as a former Democrat and now a Republican Jew.

I have sat at many dinner parties and gatherings, as well as synagogues, and endured the wrath of people who assume Jews all think alike.

While I enjoy political discourse and a good argument, I resent my beliefs, whether my support of the security fence or of George Bush, trashed, belittled and ridiculed, especially at my place of worship.

The Torah teaches us there are many ways to look at things, and many interpretations. However, there is a lack of concern for feelings of Jews who view the world and politics away from the long-held support of Democrats.

I want my synagogue to engage in discussion and respect. I do not want a rabbi with their own politics to dictate to an audience their personal beliefs.

A rabbi is a teacher and should not dictate their ideology when the "question and answer" time is not part of the program.

Allyson Rowen Taylor | Valley Glen




Unqualified?

If one takes a moment to look at the conflicts around the globe that exist today, at least 25 of the 30 involve Muslim radicals who are egged on by their mullahs, who are preaching politics from their pulpits.

Their agenda, of course, is to spread the Muslim religion in hopes of gaining worldwide political control to further their basic beliefs.

If we believe this to be wrong, why is it any more correct for our rabbis to talk politics from the pulpit (Sept. 3 j.)?

I have yet to meet a rabbi who has any expertise any greater than mine in politics (and I freely admit that I am no expert).

When I attend services, I go to learn from my rabbi (teacher) something he/she has expert knowledge in.

It would be equally wrong for Bush/Cheney or Kerry/Edwards to preach on Torah than it is for rabbis to talk politics from the bimah. Neither is qualified to talk about the others field of expertise.

I, for one, will stand up and shout my objections any time my rabbi attempts to talk politics from the bimah.

S. Jerral Schwartzman | Menlo Park




A first stop?

You are factually wrong to speak about 30,000 Polish Jews in your Aug. 20 editorial. We are probably much less. Thus, the transportation of us all to Israel, as you proposed, might be manageable after all. But before you start thinking we'd be better off in Israel, please ask each of us if we want to move, and if so, to where.

Have you seen the long lines at the Polish Embassy in Tel Aviv of those eligible to apply for Polish passports? It is possible that Poland will be for them only a first stop on their way to other European Union countries. But which ones? France? They would probably feel much better in Krakow.

I am deputy director of the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw. I suggest you take a "risk" and visit us. It seems that young Jewish Americans, who make up a sizeable percentage of our numerous visitors, can personally identify with the places their ancestors came from.

One of the responsibilities that Polish Jews like myself have taken on is to preserve the traces of the Jewish past and share it with our fellow Jews from America, Israel and elsewhere in the world.

Eleonora Bergman | Warsaw, Poland
Jewish Historical Institute

His own hall of fame

Thank you for your article "Hall of Fame gives Jewish major leaguers their due" (Sept. 3 j.), noting that there's more to the history of Jewish baseball players than just Hank Greenberg, Sandy Koufax and Shawn Green.

In fact, there have been many great Jewish baseball players with Bay Area connections. They include former S.F. Giants pitcher Steve Stone, who later won the Cy Young award with the Baltimore Orioles, and Al Rosen, still a possible future Hall of Famer, who was a league MVP with the Cleveland Indians before becoming the Giants' general manager.

The Oakland A's had their own Jewish star in Ken Holtzman, who threw two no-hitters for the Chicago Cubs before helping the Athletics win three World Series in the mid-1970s.

Among Jewish baseball players, however, one Bay Area resident stands out above all others: my uncle, Joe Starr. A first baseman in the minors, he didn't quite make the major leagues. But as uncles go, he's earned a place in the Hall of Fame.

Stephen A. Silver | Walnut Creek




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j. the Jewish news weekly welcomes letters to the editor, preferably typewritten. Letters must not exceed 200 words and must be dated and signed with current address and daytime telephone number. j. also reserves the right to edit letters. The deadline is noon Monday for any given week's publication. Letters should be sent by e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by mail to j., 225 Bush St., Suite 1480, San Francisco, CA 94104.

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