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'No. 1 priority'

Cindy Sloan's letter in the April 7 j. is indicative of the need for our entire Jewish community to make high-quality Jewish education our number one priority.

Jewish preschools are the pipeline for families' involvement in synagogues, Jewish day schools, federation and a myriad of other important Jewish institutions.

By investing in our children, by making their Jewish education an exemplary experience for them and their families, we ensure our Jewish future.

Recent studies by the Jewish Population Survey and others have proven unequivocally that unless our entire community places Jewish education at the top of its agenda, a strong and viable Jewish community for our children is highly unlikely. There are more Jewish children educated in Catholic schools than in Jewish day schools. Unless we invest serious money in our preschools and day schools to ensure they are of the highest quality, including well-paid staff and cutting edge curricula, the dire trends of which we are all aware will continue.

Clearly, in the area of Jewish philanthropy, this is where we get the greatest return on our investment.

Karla Smith | Lafayette
president, Contra Costa Jewish Day School

Renewing faith

I had occasion to view "The Mystical Hebrew Alphabet: Layers of Meaning, Fabric of Time" at Congregation Emanu-El — wall hangings that are visual meditations on the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Wow!

I urge anyone who has not seen these pieces to make a point of it before the show ends June 11. It's a little tricky to do so because they can only be seen from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, or by appointment, but it is well worth the effort.

The beautiful collages seemed to take me into a spiritual relationship with each letter. I don't usually think of myself as very New Age or mystically inclined so I was really surprised to get so involved and be so moved.

It was something of a magical experience — a must-see for anyone who enjoys truly wonderful art or is looking for a way to gain understanding and renew faith. Visiting the lovely temple is a treat in itself, too.

When I go back to see the show again, I'll go when the artist gives talks about the work on Saturday mornings.

Deborah Stucker | San Francisco




'Wicked father'

Israel was right to target a car carrying Palestinian terrorists in Gaza who had just participated in firing a missile toward Israel recently. Sadly, one young boy was also killed. Perhaps most disturbing was the description that the senior commander, named Eyad Abu al Ein, had "brought his daughter and son to watch training exercises at the base" and the son was dismembered by the strike that killed his father.

Eyad Abu al Ein is dead, and that's fine by me. But what kind of father would recklessly place his children in harm's way like that? A father that didn't care about the lives of his family (doubtful), or a father who had been so polluted by an ideology of hate that he used his children as pawns in his despicable game of chicken with the Israel Defense Forces.

The Passover seder talks about four children: wise, wicked, simple and the one too young to ask. How tragic that the young one had to pay for the foolish mistakes of his wicked father.

Steve Lipman | Foster City




'No win-win'

Matthew Taylor's April 7 opinion piece in j. suggests that Hamas is inclined toward moderation and it's only Israeli stubbornness that's preventing a peace agreement. Taylor seems unable to comprehend that the Arabs mean it when they say they want to wipe Israel off the map.

Although Hamas sometimes makes intentionally ambiguous statements, its true objectives are crystal clear. At the recent installation of the parliament, one member got a standing ovation by declaring that jihad is Hamas' path and dying as martyrs is its greatest wish.

There is no win-win solution to this conflict. Ultimately, there will be only one state. Whether it's Jewish or Arab depends on the wisdom or foolishness of Israel's leaders.

Unfortunately, many Israeli leaders are estranged from their heritage and doubt that the Jews have an inherent right to the land. They think that Israel's existence is a gift from the international community, which can be taken away if Israel doesn't behave itself. This weak self-perception is the direct cause of the current deadly impasse.

If Israel wants peace, it must honor its heritage, stop offering concessions and stop appeasing terrorists. In this conflict, the road to peace is through victory, not diplomacy.

Martin Wasserman | Sunnyvale




Not independent?

As we all know, Israel receives more aid from American taxpayers than any other country. In fact, one may argue that Israel is not an independent nation but rather an American puppet that maintains its financial and imperial interests in the Middle East.

If we as Americans are paying for much of Israel's dominance in the Middle East, I would find it strange to see the need for a public relations business, such as BlueStar PR, to mount propaganda unless the intent of such actions were to manufacture opinion which currently raises questions about Israel's policies.

If popular opinion includes dissent towards the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, as indicated through the strong reaction to the presence of pro-Israel posters, I encourage BlueStar PR and other supposedly enlightened members of the Israeli lobby to make good on their commitment to free speech and democratic principles by inviting those who oppose their campaign to the table.

Why are they upset? What do they have to say? They must have a reason for doing this, especially if it is occurring with such frequency.

Matthew Boddum | Berkeley




Hillel and Hamas

Rabbi Arthur Waskow in his March 24 opinion piece "Worth Our Money" used quotes from the scriptures and even from Irish (not British) philosopher-statesman Edmund Burke, but he chose the wrong quotes. Instead of Deut. 16:20, it would have been more appropriate to quote Hillel (Pirkei Avot 1:14), "If I am not for myself, who is for me?"

And Edmund Burke is more famous for saying, "The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please: We ought to see what it will please them to do, before we risk congratulations."

The Palestinians chose Hamas, for whatever reason. Hamas has supported terrorism and opposes any diplomatic ties to Israel and certainly no recognition. In fact, the Hamas chapter echoes the Bukhari hadith that directs Muslims to kill Jews.

Israel has no partner in Hamas after its election to lead the Palestinians for kindness or negotiations. It won't change their minds and convinces them we are dhimmi (Jews living in a Muslin state).

Don Mintz | Sunnyvale

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