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Exposing domestic violence

Shalom Bayit's helpline is ringing with calls from women who learned about the domestic violence organization in last week's j. Thanks to your coverage, those women are now receiving critical support.

Last week's editorial asserted that the Jewish community has "traditionally ignored" the subject of domestic violence, and noted that Shalom Bayit, the Bay Area's only Jewish agency solely dedicated to ending partner abuse in the Jewish community, is "not anywhere near the top of the list of well-known Jewish organizations."

Sunday night over 150 people gathered to celebrate Shalom Bayit's 13th anniversary. The chocolate-themed gala also honored 30 teens that had raised funds and awareness about dating violence. In the evening's most emotional moment, a placard bearing signatures of all attendees was presented to the teens with a pledge to "... Stand united in our resolve to build a safe and joyous future free from violence in the home."

We join the j. in hoping the celebration will "draw further attention to the issue and to the organization working so hard for a remedy."

Mazel tov, Shalom Bayit, on your "bat mitzvah." Mazal tov to the J. for helping to break the silence.

Rabbi Judy Shanks
Rabbi Eric Weiss
Co-chairs, Shalom Bayit Rabbinic Advisory Council

Reform the Reform movement

I fully agree with William Schwartz's article with regard to there being too much Hebrew in Reform services and it's alienation of our youth (May 13 j.). I'll go a step further and also add adults to the alienation. I am not literate in Hebrew.

When I joined my Reform Temple in 1962, I was pleased that a major portion of the service was in English. As the years progressed and the rabbis changed, so did the amount of Hebrew in the service increase. As a result, what had been a weekly attendance at Shabbat services on my part became virtually no attendance at all, as the service became "irrelevant, boring and not spiritual."

I believe the Reform movement needs to be reformed.

Ed Austin | Burlingame




Saluting survivors

Sunday, May 15, we attended the program "Eyewitness to History" honoring Bay Area Holocaust survivors in the ballroom of the Hilton Hotel.

I think it was a wonderful, well-organized, entertaining once-in-a-lifetime gala to recognize the suffering, the traumas, and also the achievements and the contributions made by the Shoah survivors to the Jewish community and the U.S. As one of the Shoah survivors, I want to thank and express my gratitude to the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Holocaust Center, the Jewish Community Federation and all the wonderful people who must have put in a lot of effort and time to organize and prepare such a large reception. And Bruce Adler was terrific, naturally. The honor and praise bestowed on the Shoah survivors perhaps will make up for the neglect and slow reaction of the Bay Area community to the plight of the Jews in Europe during the war years between 1941 and 1945.

Sam Genirberg | El Cerrito




Revoke SFWAR's state funding

I was shocked when I read the article about the rape crisis center "SFWAR" asking potential volunteers to take a stance against Zionism before they could help victims of rape and become counselors (May 13 j.). Imagine the community outrage if the statement asked that volunteers take a stance against "civil rights for African Americans"? Or even one that would require future volunteers to "take a stance against treating Zionists who are raped." Will the rape victim also be questioned upon her arrival to the trauma center? The fact that this organization received funding from the state is offensive not only to Jews, but victims of rape who depend on the unbiased attention and focus of all trauma counselors. This type of discrimination should offend everyone, pro-Zionist or not, as this country was founded on freedom of religion, race, creed and national origin. These so-called "humanitarians" are a disgrace not only to the community but to the people they claim to represent. Any funding that they receive from taxpayer monies should be revoked, their licenses rescinded and penalties should be issued.

Allyson Rowen Taylor | Santa Monica




Camp clarifications

I wish to thank you for the excellent article (May 6 j.) about the revitalization of Camp B'nai Chaverim in Vallejo. I wish to clarify a few facts: In 1993, it was Linda Singer, not I, who founded and directed Camp B'nai Chaverim — I was hired as the Israeli dance specialist. In 1994, Ms. Singer and I founded and co-directed the camp in Napa. This summer, Camp B'nai Chaverim will be visiting Hagafen Winery (not Hadassah), the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley (not San Francisco) and it is Dr. Ron Eisenberg (not Rob) who will be sharing with the children his book and his love of stamp collecting.

Again, todah rabah for publicizing all of the wonderful Jewish camps of the Bay Area.

Linda Silverberg Miller | Vallejo




'Inspiring open letter'

I was inspired by Ohalah's beautiful open letter in response to Rabbi Lazar's assault on Reform Judaism (May 6 j.) The spiritually-based wording of the Renewal rabbis' message was profoundly sensitive, yet so strong and straightforward. The loving spirit of that letter exemplifies the appropriate response to violence in our world: to firmly speak out with peace in our hearts rather than act out of anger.

Rabbi Pamela Frydman-Baugh is to be thanked and commended for immediately taking steps to organize the Renewal rabbis' response, which led to this inspiring open letter. As a longtime friend of Rabbi Baugh, I have many times observed and learned from her profound wisdom in dealing with difficult social and religious issues through the years.

Sister Bernie Galvin | San Francisco




Clinton needs to hear

Two of the greatest Jew-haters in America, Louis Farrakhan and Malik Zulu Shabazz, have scheduled a reprise of the Million Man March in October. The ADL, properly, has called on prominent black leaders like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Julian Bond and others to reconsider their support of this event given its anti-Semitic organizers. (The ADL press release is on its Web site, http://www.ADL.org.) Now, I see that former President Bill Clinton has announced his support for the Million Man March. I am disappointed, but not shocked, to learn that the ADL has nothing to say about Clinton's support for the march. It is time for the Jewish community to let both the ADL and Clinton know, loud and clear, that double standards about racist and anti-Semitic propaganda will not do.

Tom Freeman | Orinda




Help j.

Shortly after Passover 1993, I retired after 38 years in the drapery business. Having been a workaholic all my life, I needed to fill the extra hours retirement created.

That week, the Jewish Bulletin advertised for a volunteer, and that ended my search. Since then, I've been at it for 12 years, enjoying every minute. But I can't file news clippings any more. It requires a certain physical agility that, at 80, I no longer possess.

For some time, the Bulletin's successor, j., has been running ads asking for volunteers to do this job. For a short time, we were fortunate to have the help of several young people, who did a wonderful job but had to move on when positions opened up for them. Since then, nothing. I can't believe there isn't one retired person in our community willing to commit a few hours a week to this good cause.

If you'll just give it a try, you'll find j. is a safe, easy to reach, utterly friendly environment. Do it now; you'll be glad you did.

Harry Fink | San Francisco

letters policy

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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