Letters

Disrespectful tone

I take great exception to the tone of your Aug. 5 cover story ('Til death do us part), when the author uses such qualifiers as "[the loss of a spouse is] almost always a catastrophe" and "young widows ... experience the same grief ... "

My husband died when he was 41 years old and not only is it still a catastrophe, but the loss is much, much greater than those felt by older widows for one simple reason: There are few memories yet. Every time my son reaches another milestone, it is another painful reminder of something else his father did not get to see/share in.

Older widows and widowers at least have a lifetime of memories to relive! Not to mention the fact the children had both parents growing up! Later in the article a 94-year-old man "still" mourns his wife, when she's been dead less than a year!

This was a shallow, insensitive article, seemingly thrown together at the last minute that deserved much more careful attention and respect. Maybe by someone who had actually lost a spouse; this author obviously had not.

Wendy Lawrence | Corte Madera




Recovering through writing

Like many who experienced the loss of a spouse, I attended a support group for a while, but my salvation, if I can use the term, was to keep a journal. It was something that happened by sheer chance. I found that writing about my feelings gave me solace and so I continued writing every day for almost a year. Also by chance a publisher heard about my writing and so it became a book — "Seduction of Silence: Journal of a Reluctant Widow."

I had opened a hornet's nest of sorts and continued writing. At this point almost 13 years since my husband died, I have written and published five books.

I doubt I will ever really accept the death of my husband, but I am gratified that I have moved on. Soon I will begin teaching creative writing in a senior center. I think my husband would be pleased at my accomplishments and perhaps say something like, "Mazel tov Helen, I'm proud of you."

Helen Lewison | San Francisco




S.F. film fest falsely named

Where else if not in the Bay Area should we strive for truth in advertising? The name of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival needs to be changed to accurately reflect its behavior. I would suggest the Jewish and Anti-Israel Film Festival.

Sadly, once again this year, the festival has screened a disproportionate number of documentaries that attack Israel. These films lack context and balance and their bias is often compounded by the festival's "film-maker panels" which are essentially Israel bashing exercises. The festival clearly avoids films that show the many efforts of Israelis working towards peace and coexistence.

The extreme anti-Israel slant displayed in "The Wall" and "Arna's Children" are examples of the festival's consistent selection of films that resemble the artistic yet anti-Semitic propaganda films currently produced in Arab countries and earlier in Germany. Change your name or change your agenda.

Bruce Reingold | San Francisco




Debate disengagement

I have just learned that the representative of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) has refused to debate the disengagement from Gaza with a representative of Americans for a Safe Israel.

This cavalier attitude is most disappointing.

The funding for the JCRC is, to a large part, from the allocation from the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation. I know of no political or other test that might restrict contributions to the Jewish Community Federation.

It follows that points of view that differ are to be expected with such an important issue.

My conclusion is that the director of the JCRC only wants to interact with those Jews who agree with his political stance rather than taking a neutral position on such a contentious issue as related to the disengagement from Gaza.

Michael J. Franzblau M.D. | San Rafael




ISM is anti-Israel

This is an answer to the July 19 letter of the virulent anti-Semitic, anti-Israel International Solidarity Movement. Their members are so anxious to protect certain murderers that they send a young woman to stand and try to protect a murderers home from being destroyed after he blew up a bus in Israel killing 10 Jews.

To earn some credence, when are you (ISM) going to send a young person to stand in front of a murdering terrorist, with a bomb strapped to his (her) back and attempt to stop them from killing innocent men, women and children who happened to be born Jewish?

Your tactics are as repulsive as your friends who danced in the streets when 3,000 innocent New Yorkers were murdered for no other reason than to satisfy their insatiable hatred.

Alvin Siegel | San Rafael




Pullout misrepresented

Steve Berley writes in the July 15 letters that he finds it beyond comprehension to think Jews who love Israel would protest the Gaza pullout at the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco.

I think it is very wrong for Jews to protest Israeli policies in the general press. Or much worse to cooperate with the promoters of Palestinian terrorists as has been done by B'Tselem and the New Israel Fund.

However, I attended the AFSI anti-disengagement demonstration at the Israel Consulate. The demonstration was not for passers-by, but for the consulate personnel. Who else to try to persuade to stop what I consider a disastrous policy. The attitude of American Jews towards the disengagement policy has been misrepresented. A professional poll, sponsored by the ZOA, shows that American Jews oppose the disengagement by a 2-to-1 ratio.

As Daniel Pipes said on the July "Spotlight on the Middle East" program on Palo Alto Comcast Channel 27: The Palestinian Arabs will not stop trying to destroy Israel, using the most vile terrorist tactics, until they are convinced that their efforts are futile. The disengagement does the opposite; it encourages them that they are winning.

Arthur Cohn | Portola Valley




Best of the 'crock'

After reading the July 22 j., all I can say is, what a crock! I find the "Best of the Jewish Bay Area" petty and unnecessary and furthermore overlooking some talented people — in the clergy and so on.

It represents the opinions of a pocketful of loyal friends of the professions. The examples — glaring errors of best cantors — certainly Roz Barak of Congregation Emanu-El, not ever mentioned. (I'm not a member of Congregation Emanu-El.) To mention Noah's Bagels as the best is also a glaring error — they taste like dough. The House of Bagels (not even mentioned) is also missing. I can go on, but nonetheless, I hope you get the point!

Morrie Mink M.D. | San Francisco




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