Letters

Tribute drowned out by cell phone

While in attendance at a couple of recent 60th anniversary Holocaust commemoration ceremonies, there were notably a substantial amount of loud, private conversations taking place as speeches, prayers and the reading of the names of those who perished were being recited.

The most disturbing thing I observed at one of the ceremonies was a member of the clergy who was standing right in front of the Torahs, and his cell phone loudly rang. It was astounding that he hadn't had the courtesy to turn it off prior to honoring our dead.

He not only answered the call but spoke at length, and in a voice where he could be heard, in front of God, and during the reading of the names of children who perished. Their names were drowned out and not heard, all over again.

Andrea Redford | San Francisco




Not banned

Your May 13 cover story, "Ashes to Ashes," explored current Jewish views on cremation. While "the notion of cremation is anathema to large swaths of the Jewish community," it does not appear from the Torah authority cited that cremation is proscribed by Jewish law. Rather, the "dust to dust" statement by God to Adam suggests that cremation is not only permitted but expedites the return to dust — a concept that undeniably has become a part of our Jewish tradition — and has become more meaningful to many families.

In addition to the inappropriate judgmental subtitle that "many opt for cremation, despite Jewish law," the otherwise valuable and necessary discussion of the topic also strays off base, in my view, with the statement that "for liberal Jews, prohibitions against cremation mean no more than, say, prohibitions against eating shellfish."

There is no doubt in this liberal Jew's mind that eating shellfish is prohibited by Jewish law. Cremation, while not in current mainstream tradition, does not appear to be prohibited under Jewish law.

Joel Zebrack | Pleasant Hill




'Law is law'

I read your May 13 cover story, "Ashes to Ashes." It was very interesting because there were three opinions about cremation in Judaism.

I agree with Conservative Judaism, where I belong — and especially agree with my beloved rabbi, Ted Alexander.

I don't believe in the Messiah, especially as Orthodox Jews do. That is No. 1. The Messiah is a symbol, and we do not have to believe in that symbol. Instead, we have to believe in our religion and Moses.

I don't think cremation's a good idea. Hitler burned 6 million Jews alive. That was more than enough.

I know cremation saves thousands of dollars but Jews have to be buried by Jewish law. Law is law. We can't break it. We didn't make the law.

Paul Shkuratov | San Francisco




Remember 'tradition'

I am replying to Ed Austin's May 20 letter. After 43 years of being in the Reform movement, I think it is about time to learn just a little Hebrew in order to cope with the prayers.

Every Jew in the world has to feel that he has a responsibility towards Judaism, not only by prayer but by promoting the Jewish language, by studying Jewish history, by teaching the new generation how to adhere to the Jewish religion, so our children will carry forward this responsibility to their children and the children of their children and so on.

Don't forget "tradition."

Max Levy | Dublin




'Act responsibly'

We at Progressive Jewish Alliance are pleased to be co-sponsoring the Sunday, June 12, Dawn 2005 Shavuot festival with Threshing Floor Productions and the Hub at the JCCSF. We are writing because your June article on Dawn accidentally left us off the co-sponsor list.

We are excited by the eclectic mix of performance, film and social justice discussions highlighted at Dawn 2005. As a Jewish voice in the progressive community and a progressive voice in the Jewish community, we will be hosting a discussion on "putting your money where your mouth is" or what it means to act responsibly with your money as a consumer here in the Bay Area and California.

Abby Levine | Oakland




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