Letters

Standing for peace

The July 29 article on Michael Lerner's conference in Berkeley ("Leftists Work to 'take back God,' White House) noted that he is frustrated by the anti-Semitism in the peace movement, as expressed in more "politically correct" anti-Zionism. Those of us who publicly oppose this anti-Semitism by standing up for Israel are likewise frustrated — because at all of these "peace" marches, the Tikkun community marches and stands with the anti-Semites who hold signs equating Zionists with Nazis and who support terror against Israelis as "legitimate resistance."

On Sept. 24, International ANSWER will yet again bring their anti-Israel signs and banners out onto the streets of San Francisco, forcing its obsessive anti-Semitism on those who wish to march against U.S. policy in Iraq. Once again, San Francisco Voice for Israel will be there to stand simply for Israel's right to exist in peace as a Jewish state. Which side will the Tikkun community stand with this time?

Michael Harris | San Rafael




'Building a movement'

I think that I was at a different conference than the reporter for "Leftists work to 'take back God,' White House." The conference that I went to was exciting with people of all ages. The Shabbat service was inspiring, I learned so much more about Judaism. I have never felt so proud to be Jewish. Rabbi Michael Learner and his Tikkun staff brought together over 1,200 people not only from all across America, but from the world.

The next conference will have even more people. So what do Jews, Caucasians, people of color, Hindus, evangelicals and Christians of every persuasion, Buddhists, Muslims and humanists have in common? How could so many diverse people spend four days in harmony and friendship, listening , talking dancing and singing together?

We heard the good from our speakers and with each other. We are beginning to build a movement of human values, spiritual activism, true Jewish values based on human needs. I am sorry that the reporter missed this spirit.

Daphne Parson | Santa Rosa




'Golda' unites Jews

If your children don't care about Israel and Judaism, take them to the play "Golda's Balcony." In one evening, they would become passionate Zionists. In 20 years, I saw such standing ovation only at the last concert of Ella Fitzgerald.

Tova Feldshuh, an outstanding actress playing Golda Meir, managed to unite the audience in such an expression of love and gratitude toward Israel, toward Golda Meir, that just being in the theater among so many happy and so rarely united Jews is experience itself.

Grab your children and run to see this outstanding play at the Geary Theater.

Tatiana Menaker | San Francisco




Shoot to kill

After the U.K. terrorist attacks, Tony Blair's government overnight made the commonsensical decision to go to a shoot-to-kill policy. No airy-fairy rules of engagement once terrorists shed British blood in the heart of London.

Israel's absorbed hundreds of dead to suicide bombers because Western public opinion wouldn't tolerate the Jewish state adopting a shoot-first-ask-questions-later against likely suicide bombers.

Those unfortunate British victims paid the price for the West's Munich-like mentality towards Islamic fanaticism. The enemy honed its terror skills against Israelis in the same way the Nazis used the Spanish Civil War to dry run a new war fighting doctrine to prepare for WWII.

Mark Klein, M.D. | Oakland




Genealogy, not jokes

I would like to add my vote to Hillel Levine's recent suggestion that the joke column be eliminated. If you need something to fill that space, may I recommend a column on Jewish genealogy.

Marcia Nord | Walnut Creek




'Misguided logic'

I believe Yehuda Sherman's comment (July 22 letters) about Jews being brutal and that they should follow the Christian advice of President Bush is a blatant example of anti-Semitism.

First, Sherman's "biblical injunction" is from Leviticus, so Jews know very well the concept of loving their neighbor, which is why there are so few Jews.

If Sherman wants to see protesters beaten and tortured, let him go protest in Cairo or Damascus. Then he should go and protest in Israel to make a comparison — that is, if he survives the process they use to respond to opposition in Egypt or Syria, not to mention the follow-up interrogations.

Besides, does Sherman suggest that all Americans are torturers because of the Abu Ghraib incident? That is exactly the misguided logic he is using to formulate his unsubstantiated opinion about Israelis and Jews.

Howard Roth | South 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.