Economical eating
I read with great interest the article about Shira and Yoav Potash and the Food Stamp challenge (“Foodstamped: Berkeley couple takes up the challenge,” June 12). I too am a great believer in healthy local food, getting most of my produce from farmers markets or my own garden.
And we keep strictly kosher. I think it’s wonderful that Shira attempted to learn what is economically feasible for her students to cook. If she needs further assistance for recipes or ideas on how to cook economically, have her contact me! Although I often spend more, it is not unusual for me to only spend $50 a week on groceries for my husband and myself, including homemade chicken soup and challah for Shabbat!
Carol Osofsky | Saratoga
Multiple mitzvahs
Did anyone notice the b’nai mitzvah section (Lifecycles) of the May 29 edition of j. revealed four sets of twins and one set of triplets? That’s a lot of fountain pens.
Marvin Berkson | Foster City
Chabad is awesome
Re: “Homegrown wedding: Bay Area Chabad first” (June 12). Thank you for such a wonderful article, it was so beautifully written. Light and warm-hearted, informative and inspiring.
I am a member of Chabad of the East Bay, but not as religious. I have many different friends and wish to share your written story with everyone, because it encapsulates the core loveliness of Chabad and their absolutely awesome families and commitment.
Malka Sabroe-JoHanson | San Francisco
A civil rights issue
I read Dan Pine’s column in support of gay marriage (“Sick of hearing about same-sex marriage? You shouldn’t be,” June 12).
His last comment — that if you don’t agree with gay marriage, then don’t marry a gay person — is an excellent comment. It is good and timely to see an intellectual column on this subject. I totally agree with all that Dan said.
I also don’t understand the argument that the Bible says there can not be gay marriage. There is one line in the Bible concerning this issue, but if we follow the Bible strictly, there are so many conflicting issues, like sacrificing virgins, and polygamy, etc.
We as a society don’t do those things anymore. Times have changed and we continue to interpret the Bible. But more to the fact, I thought this country was a place of equal rights for all, not just the select.
Kudos to Dan Pine for putting himself on the line and being genuine. I hope those that are fighting to overturn Prop. 8 will be successful. As a heterosexual, I am totally supportive of this. This is not a gay issue but a civil rights issue. Go, Dan, keep up the good work.
Julie Egger | Lagunitas
Put some zip into Israel in the Gardens
It is time for Israel in the Gardens to get a makeover. Every year it’s the same thing. Boring. Put some imagination and zip into the event. There should be entertainment like this: sing-alongs with clapping hands, dancing — lively and fun, plus inspirational speakers.
Also the long lines for the food need to be speeded up. No reason to wait so long. Let’s make it great!
Jerry Michalski | San Francisco
Forever grateful
Having moved to the S.F. Bay Area recently from Orlando in January 2008, I joined a Reform synagogue. Initially, they were receptive in allowing us to have our son’s bar mitzvah, despite the unique challenges that his Down Syndrome brings. I was told that they would be in touch “soon” to formalize a plan, so I waited for several months. I called them regularly, yet the calls were never returned.
Finally, by December of that year I began to look elsewhere and came across the North Peninsula Chabad, as a family member had suggested them. It was pretty easy after that. Rabbi Moishe Weinbaum, Rabbi Yossi Marcus and myself came up with a plan so Brad could in fact have a bar mitzvah. They were wonderfully accommodating to my son, and a lovely group of people to work with. I am forever grateful for the kindness and patience of the North Peninsula Chabad.
Lauren Wallick | Pacifica
Birthright concerns
There is a video available on the Ha’aretz (Israeli newspaper) Web site that ought to fill every American Jew with anger and disgust. It is a video of American Jewish participants in the Birthright program in Israel at a drunken party in Jerusalem mouthing obscenities about President Obama. (The obscenities were major league in their filth.)
I have little doubt that these American youth had been briefed in the Birthright program to see the Obama administration as the enemy of Israel. If my assumption is correct, at least two things need to happen: Birthright needs to balance its views of American government policies toward Israel, and Birthright needs to immediately send home any participant involved in drinking episodes. These concerns need to be communicated to the Birthright program.
Mel Mogulof | Berkeley
Bring dignity into debate on Mideast
Two thousand years ago, two esteemed talmudic sages, Hillel and Shammai, engaged in passionate debate over points of Jewish law. Their differences were passionate because they were searching for the best way to serve God. A voice from heaven finally declared that “both these and those are the words of the living God” ( Eruvin 13b).
Yet, since religious practice needed to be clarified, the halachah would follow the positions of Hillel. Why? Because of his kindness and respect for his interlocutor. Hillel always repeated the arguments of Shammai before expressing his own. He was favored because of the respect he showed for the other.
In our community and in the pages of j., we hear and read of similarly passionate disagreements over events in the Middle East. Too often friendships are frayed and our communities risk being torn apart. The irony is that most often opposing views flow from the identical source: heartfelt desires that Israel thrive in peace and justice.
It is urgent that we relearn ancient hallowed skills of listening and speaking with respect. Being who we are, there will be vigorous debates. From a debate that is framed in dignity, greater wisdom just might emerge.
Rabbi Sheldon Lewis | Palo Alto