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Simplistic and untrue

Earl Raab simplistically argues in his June 24 opinion that criticism of Israel is essentially anti-Semitism. This kind of dogmatism is dangerous because it squelches free speech and open discussion, both essential for a democratic society and a thriving Jewish community, and because it prevents us from identifying real anti-Semitism.

Furthermore, it is simply untrue.

Diane L. Wolf | Berkeley




Overpriced food

Having attended Israel in the Gardens, hoping to benefit from that courageous and beleaguered refuge for so many, I was appalled by the overcharges for food. Two dollars for soda that often sells for 79 cents. Five dollars for a hot dog. (Food is the one item that can be guaranteed to be brought by hungry visitors.) Inquiring what percentage goes to Israel, I got a loud noninformative reply.

Unlike attendees at profit-making sports events suffering similar overcharges, attendees at Israel in the Gardens believe they are supporting Israel. Were that so, all overcharges are acceptable. Being lured under false pretenses is not.

I hope that j., influential as it is, can bring honesty to such future events by insisting that Israel — not food vendors — be the major beneficiary of the purchases by hungry participants led like sheep to the slaughter.

Florence H. Metz | Santa Rosa




Honoring the dead

Thank you for your June 17 article, " To honor the dead," describing our newly formed chevra kadishah at Congregation Beth El in Berkeley. As a member of the chevra, I appreciated your pointing out how our Reform congregation is returning to some of the more traditional rituals.

There is one other process that I was proud to observe during our training, and that is how the Jewish community came together to teach us. Volunteers from Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, Temple Beth El in Aptos and Beth Jacob in Oakland didn't hesitate to help us get started.

More recently, we have been greatly supported by Sinai Memorial Chapel in Lafayette. Five members of our chevra kadishah, both men and women, have now been called to perform tahara (ritual preparation of the body) there — some of us several times.

Sinai's chevra kadishah not only gave us hands-on experience but their mortician has provided us invaluable insight into caring for the body even prior to tahara.

Because of the generous support from the Bay Area Jewish community, our congregation is learning to do this mitzvah for our own members.

Dr. Richard Aptaker | El Cerrito




Shavuot sunrise

I arrived at Shavuot Dawn 2005 around midnight, after your columnist departed. This year I had resolved to stay up all night to study and reflect.

My hunch told me I'd find like-minded folks, and my hunch was right. A discussion was under way while Klezmer musicians improvised and a film played.

I found myself in conversation with two women about books, Judaism, Shavuot and whether we'd last all night.

Something happens when you stay up all night. Being sleep deprived with nowhere to go has its collective effect.

David Katznelson took the floor: "It's 2 a.m. on a Sunday and you're here, sober, listening to me talk. Why the $@!# are you here?!" The discussion was inspiring. An answer emerged: "To be in community whose organizing principle is exploration of Jewish history, identity, traditions and ourselves."

Light began to break. Still sober, we were high. My head spun with Judaism, history, humanity, the universe and my place in it all. We packed into cars and raced to watch the sunrise atop Mt. Davidson. As I witnessed dawn, I experienced what felt like foundation and peace. I took on a tradition, and I look forward to next year.

Lenny Gusel | San Francisco




Pride of the community

Your June 3 article about Yelena Shuster and her family was very interesting. I knew her family in Khmelnitsky, where I used to live for 23 years.

Her family, including grandmother Raisa and grandfather Efim, are nice people. They know my mother Nusya.

Yelena is a very nice and smart woman. I'm sure she will get a very good education. I'm glad she won a lot of money. Yelena couldn't do such a thing in Ukraine or Russia because of anti-Semitism.

The Jewish community must be very proud of Yelena Shuster. People like her are very well educated and support the United States and Israel.

Also, it's nice that j. publishes articles about Russian Jews.

Paul Shkuratov | San Francisco




A main sponsor

You note the generous contributions of Bay Area foundations to the Summer Institute for Israel Studies at Brandeis University in the June 24 article "Local profs help plan Israeli courses."

What is not included is that the American Jewish Committee is a principal sponsor of this essential institute at Brandeis University. In fact, the support from the Lowenberg family supporting foundation, which you cited, was directed through the AJCommittee.

Ernest H. Weiner | San Francisco
executive director, AJCommittee

No leaders?

I read in the May 20 j. that some lament the fact that there are not enough young folks to replace the oldies who are the heads of our Jewish organizations.

The reason for this is obvious: The oldies are not leaders.

We have no Jewish leaders in the East Bay. Back in January, when the bombed out wreck of Jerusalem bus No. 19 was put on display here in the Bay Area, the oldies were too frightened to come out in public and say that Arab terrorism is evil.

Christians of various colors, and Hindus from India, were willing to speak out, and sing out, against Arab terrorism, but there were no Jewish leaders who had the courage to speak out in public. They did not even have the integrity to explain their refusal to speak out.

Yehuda Sherman | Lafayette




Another gift shop

In reference to the June 24 article about the closing of the gift shop at Congregation Emanu-El, I want our community to know that there is another full-service Judaica gift shop located on California Street.

Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California St. at Webster, has a gift shop open to the public during business hours or by appointment. Special orders, unique bar/bat mitzvah and wedding invitations as well as a good selection of other gifts and ritual items make shopping there an easy way to select a present and a wonderful way to make a mitzvah donation to the temple in one fell swoop.

Sharon Silverman | San Bruno




'Jewish equals Israel'

The June 3 j. contained two exemplary letters that illustrate viewpoints that are naive, misguided, dangerous and simply disrespectful of history.

The first criticizes supporting the nomination of John Bolton as U.N. representative, and the second says more clearly that you should never ask the question, "Is it good for the Jews?" — thinking that is characterized as dangerous.

What is truly dangerous is to forget that Jewish equals Israel, and that Israel equals Jewish.

Our ancestors in Nazi Germany forgot that they were Jews, mistakenly thinking they were Germans. Without an Israel, not only will nothing be good for the Jews but no Jew in America will ever be truly safe. If you choose not to believe this, it is at your own peril.

Paul S.D. Berg | Oakland




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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