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'Vampire-like fraud'

Readers of the June 24 j. article "History of a lie" may be interested in the last Will Eisner graphic novel, "The Plot: The Secret Story of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion," published in May by W.W. Norton, with an introduction by Umberto Eco.

Eisner hoped that presenting an accessible graphic narrative of this "vampire-like fraud" would reach an untapped audience. Its history is presented, and paragraph by paragraph, proof of its forgery.

Carol DeCanio | Santa Barbara




'Bias persists'

One of the most insidious manifestations of anti-Israel media bias occurs when ostensibly "neutral" journalists use prejudicial language to describe terror attacks on Israeli innocents.

Almost invariably, whenever Palestinians intentionally blow up Israeli children in school buses and malls, the supposedly "objective" mainstream broadcast and print media belittle Israeli suffering by euphemistically describing the killers as "militants," not terrorists.

For example, last year the Washington Post at least 20 times objectively described killings of civilians as terrorism in reporting on bombings in Russia, Spain, Uzbekistan, Scotland, Iraq and Indonesia. But during a three-year period from 2001-2004, the Post didn't objectively describe even one Palestinian attack on Israeli civilians as terrorism.

Notably, CNN offers a rare example of improvement (June 24 j.). After being deservedly lambasted in 2002 for its appalling treatment of Chen Keinan and for essentially promoting Saeb Erekat's "Jenin massacre" blood libel, the network instituted modest changes. Recently, CNN broadcast Simcha Jacobovici's heart-wrenching documentary "Impact of Terror," profiling Miriam Shushan, Gafnit Amar, best friends Malki Roth and Michal Raziel and other victims of the Aug. 2001 Jerusalem pizzeria massacre.

The S.F. Chronicle, too, has improved, especially since naming Matthew Kalman its Middle East correspondent.

But elsewhere, the language of bias persists.

Stephen A. Silver | Walnut Creek




'A special knack'

Congratulations to j. and especially to your staff writer Joe Eskenazi on receiving the first place award for Best Feature in the American Jewish Press Association's Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism (July 8 j.).

Eskenazi appears to have a special knack of turning quite obvious "dull assignments" into vivid and interesting reports, a skill many ordinary writers never acquire.

Mazel tov and best wishes for many more such well-deserved accolades for Joe and j.

Harry W. Gluckman | Alameda




Translator neglected

Both of the interesting June 24 reviews of Aharon Appelfeld's latest books neglected to mention Aloma Halter, the translator. Without her efforts, the books would remain in Hebrew and not be accessible to most of us.

Jeannette K. Ringold | Menlo Park




Blaming Israel

I believe Jewish American criticizers of Israel should leave the criticizing to the many laymen and experts that have it in for the Jewish state. The non-Jewish defenders of "rights" are doing a fine job without the help of our Jewish compatriots in the United States.

The Nazis blamed the Jews for Germany's problems and the saying "Der Jud' ist schuld" ("It's the Jew's fault") was the excuse for their country's ills.

Much of today's world, and especially European and Muslim countries, are of the same opinion. Only the culprit's name has changed to Israelis.

But it is not just Israel's "expansionism" and deeds that Israel is blamed with. It's the very existence of the Jewish state that many question, a problem they would love to rectify.

Anti-Jews rarely needed the help of self-blaming Jews to find fault with our people. It is bad enough if an Israeli Jew blames the government for its "misdeeds." One of the most famous accusers is Uri Avneri, a member of Knesset, whose articles repeatedly appear in the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz and the English edition of The Middle East Times, Cairo.

Gershon Evan | San Francisco




Human rights effort

In the July 8 article "To criticize Israel or not," Dan Kliman again spreads the falsehood that the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) supports terrorism.

The truth is that ISM works with Palestinians in nonviolent resistance to insist on their basic human rights. An example of that would be the campaign in the West Bank village of Bil'in, where intern tional and Jewish Israeli activists are joining with Palestinian farmers to prevent the building of the wall in their community.

The wall illegally annexes West Bank land to Israel, and in Bil'in will prevent farmers from being able to reach their crops. The wall will destroy this Palestinian village. Joining in these acts of resistance and standing for human dignity is our work. It is the inspiring work of real peacemaking.

Jim Harris | Berkeley
Northern California ISM

Include Hebrew

Having grown up in the Reform movement, I strongly applaud the move toward more inclusion of Hebrew in Reform services. Hebrew is the holy language of our people, rich in history, meaning and spiritual significance. And having practiced Judaism within both Conservative and Reform communities, I strongly believe that if we wish to continue as an educated, literate and knowledgeable people, we need to teach our congregants and our children Hebrew so that they can participate more fully in services and enjoy a more meaningful prayer experience, not throw out the language of our people just because some have not bothered to learn it.

The synagogue needs to hold itself up to a higher standard, and help its congregants reach that level, not only for Shabbat services, but for High Holy Days as well.

History has already proven what happens when we discard what we don't understand and settle for less: multiple generations of Jews searching for who they are and why they feel their lives are lacking in Jewish knowledge, spiritual fulfillment and meaning — Jews who, if they only looked in their own back yard, would find everything they were searching for, if only they were taught where to look.

Lisa Rauchwerger | San Jose




Never too old

In a recent j., a Burlingame reader complained that since he joined a Reform school there in 1962, its services have come to contain more and more Hebrew, and now he feels alienated and unable to participate. He said the services have become "irrelevant, boring and not spiritual," and called for a reform of the Reform movement.

To that reader I say, "Boychik, you've had 43 years to learn to read Hebrew. It is not the Reform movement that has to change, it is you who have to make an effort."

The prayerbook is already there so you don't have to learn to write Hebrew or spell it or make conversation in it, only read it.

The vocabulary to learn is small, and the grammar is fairly basic.

There are no end of books and CDs and flash cards and learning aids available, as well as classroom courses and online courses.

No one is ever too old to learn. I know whereof I speak. I retired last year and am learning Hebrew myself.

Jack Kessler | Paris




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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