‘Tolerance is key’
On Aug. 1, a masked gunman entered Tel Aviv’s gay community center and opened fire on a teen support group in session, killing its counselor, Nir Katz (26), and straight ally, Liz Trubeshi (16), and wounding 10 others. Several remain hospitalized; some in ICU. This is how some parents discovered their kids were gay; as some lay wounded in their hospital beds, according to articles I read, some parents still reacted in disbelief over their kids’ sexuality.
Tel Aviv has the reputation of being tolerant, but this could have happened anywhere. The assailant is still at large; his identity, affiliation and motive unknown. Hopefully he is found and brought to justice, the injured recover — physically and psychologically, and parents can begin to accept their kids’ sexuality. PFLAG Israel has their work cut out for them.
On Aug. 3 an ad hoc group of organizations and individuals, myself included, organized a vigil and march (from Congregation Sha’ar Zahav to the SF LGBT Center) to memorialize these young victims. Gatherings in other cities this week include Washington, Dallas, and London.
I wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks to local Chabad Rabbis Yosef Langer and Gedalia Potash, whose attendance and support surprised and moved me.
Tolerance is key.
Lisa Geduldig | San Francisco
Twisted filmmaking
The film “Rachel” at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival deflected attention from another problematic film, “Defamation.”
The film, made by young Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir, is about the new anti-Semitism. Given carte blanche at the ADL, Shamir edits the film to make a mockery of Abe Foxman and the ADL. According to Shamir, the ADL digs up insignificant acts of anti-Semitism to ensure income for Foxman.
Shamir follows a group of teenage Israelis touring Holocaust sites. The teens are shown being manipulated until they break down and then want to go out and kill as members of the IDF. Anti-Semitism is big business and Holocaust remembrance provides excuses for human rights violations.
Shamir interviewed Norman Finkelstein, who elicited cheers from the audience when he stated that the worst thing that happened to Israel is the Jews of Beverly Hills, Miami and New York. In a Q&A session after the film, one audience member challenged Shamir, citing the attacks in Mumbai, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington. Shamir said there is no anti-Semitism in Venezuela, Argentina, France, Russia, or definitely the U.S., judged by how well Jews are doing here.
I felt duped. Should a Jew be cringing at the SFJFF? If we are not for ourselves.
Natalie Krauss Bivas | Palo Alto
Kaddish more appropriate
Like many others, I have been deeply saddened and troubled reading of the contentious debates accompanying and following the SFJFF screening of the Rachel Corrie documentary (“Sparks fly at ‘lightning rod’ film screening of ‘Rachel,’ July 31).
The story told in the documentary is about the tragic death of an idealistic 23 year old. The photo you ran shows an overflow audience at the Castro for the screening, and Stacy Palevsky’s story reported that Dr. Michael Harris made reference to many “other Rachels” who also died young in Israel in recent years, while Cindy Corrie spoke of meeting families of suicide bombing victims.
I understand why many Jews, including many responsible, thoughtful community leaders who are themselves driven by noble, idealistic and humanitarian motives, reacted in the strident and partisan ways described in their recent letters and in your coverage.
However, I think the more appropriate response when confronted with the tragic stories of these deaths would simply be that the audience should have risen and said Kaddish in blessed memory of their souls.
Jerome Garchik | San Francisco
A ‘flawed view’
In their July 31 letter to j., Federation leaders state, “the emotions surrounding the Jewish Film Festival clearly reflect the diversity and depth of our feelings and convictions …” They express their “sadness” at “the tone of the discourse on all sides” in the controversy involving the Jewish Film Festival.
They reflect a flawed view in which anti-Israel extremists are perceived as morally equivalent to the mainstream Jewish community that supports Israel.
Federation CEO Daniel Sokatch camouflages the Federation’s failure to oppose the incessant ideological assault on Israel by invoking buzzwords like “diversity” and “depth of feelings and convictions.” He ducks the real issue — how best to counter extremists, their propaganda and their political machinations.
The anti-Zionist crowd cheered Ahmadinejad, anti-Israel boycotts, divestment and sanctions and screamed “Sig Heil” — all with Federation (your) funds and its tacit approval.
This “debate” is about life-and-death issues regarding our brethren in Israel, not a local dispute with friendly disagreements. Sokatch’s failure to see that distinction is indeed disturbing; Federation leaders don’t seem to get it.
Federation’s misguided effort to grant legitimacy to anti-Israel organizations must stop. Simply put, the Federation shouldn’t support organizations or events that promote anti-Israel venom and that collaborate with anti-Israel groups and individuals.
Natan Nestel | Berkeley
Kudos to Michael Harris
Dr. Michael Harris, in providing a prelude to the film “Rachel,” put himself in an important, yet upsetting position at the SFJFF. Very few lay volunteers have the strength, knowledge, communications skills, and fortitude to do what he did. Check out on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k66uGD5nuk
Michael should have the opportunity to have a public debate with Peter Stein on the implications of this episode and what is the teachable moment.
Jeff Saperstein | Tiburon
‘Rachel’ accomplishments
Many people think that the recent showing of “Rachel” at the SFJFF was meant to stir controversy in the Jewish community over Israeli policy. It has accomplished more than that. Some people, wanted to see the film for what it was and did not anticipate the repercussions; i.e. the intolerable rudeness toward Dr. Mike Harris and the stomping out of his opposing point of view. They thought that Cindy Corrie’s presence would add credibility to the film, not knowing that she is a pro-Palestinian propagandist who was photographed smiling next to Arafat.
Some other accomplishments were:
1.That changes will be made on the SFJFF board;
2.That people are annoyed with what seems to be spinelessness in Jewish leadership;
3. That a major contradiction is “free speech” and discussion are for some, but not for others — an issue to be examined;
4. That there are “peaceniks” who have disdain for any peace, but instead, behave like violent thugs.
It’s an accomplishment that the broader Jewish “community” has woken up here and elsewhere in the States and world.
Susan H. Somerville | Oakland
Stop federation donations
In donating to the federation I trusted and empowered a group to manage my contribution in a responsible way. They agreed to use proper judgment with any investment. The federation has no right to use diversity as an excuse to justify their support of predictable behavior similar to Hamas or KKK as demonstrated by some anti-Israel organizations.
Holding an anti-Israel, hate-fest film festival with our federation donations is not what I would consider Jewish behavior. Nevertheless, the film festival has the right to screen any film or invite Cindy Corrie to be a speaker — all of which I strongly oppose.
Following several failed attempts to influence the federation to reconsider their position and instead apply good judgment and leadership, I finally understood that they have deliberated, considered all sides carefully and made a final decision. One which, with my minimal wisdom, I cannot support.
I had no choice but to stop all my donations to the federation. I will be redirecting my funds, as well as additional money, to pro-Israel groups who demonstrate better judgment and have no difficulties leading.
Come help us; for additional info send me a note at [email protected].
Zvi Alon | Los Altos Hills
Why sit by a bulldozer?
If you sit down behind a train going backward, what do you expect to happen?
If you sit down behind a bulldozer that may go backward, what do you expect?
It is sad when someone dies, but sitting behind a bulldozer is a pretty dumb thing to do, which ended tragically.
Robin Rosenblatt | Belmont
Dialogue, not arms
I was quite taken with Ms. Bernard’s declaration that she is considered to be an anti-Semite because of views that she holds regarding the conflict in Israel (Letters, July 31).
One of the reasons she cites is, “I believe the way to peace is through dialogue.” I am amazed. Perhaps she can tell us of one leader of modern Israel, or for that matter ancient Israel, that did not call for dialogue with the antagonists of Israel. From Yochanan Ben Zakai with the Romans to Prime Minister Netanyahu today, there has been a constant request for peace and dialogue with the antagonists of Israel. Perhaps she could also let us know the names of enemies of Israel who have called for free and open discussions of the differences. In reality the “Missions of Purpose” annunciated in governing documents of many of Israel’s enemies annunciate destruction of Israel.
I am at a loss as to why she feels that by calling for a dialogue people would call her an anti-Semite.
I am an ardent supporter of the state of Israel and I hope dialogue can take the place of armed force.
Jon S. Levinson | San Carlos
Catering to the crowd
I am not expressing an opinion on whether the movie “Rachel” should have been shown at the Jewish Film Festival. But I am sick and tired of the festival claiming that showing such movies is “bold” and “controversial” on its part.
This is the Bay Area. A large proportion, if not a majority, of its moviegoers are left wing and anti-Israel. The festival is catering to the bias of its public.
What would be bold and controversial would be a movie about a happy Israeli family enjoying their life in Israel. The greatest uproar and booing I witnessed at the festival occurred at a past showing of a film about Soviet immigrants adjusting to Israel when one scene showed an Arab terrorist attack. The audience was outraged. Never mind that such attacks were routine at that time.
Burton Meyer | San Francisco
ISM goes too far
In all the recent film festival furor, many in our community seem to have lost sight of an important distinction.
There’s a big difference between criticizing the actions of the Israeli government and delegitimizing the existence of the Jewish state. Expressions of dissent from the policies of Israel’s democratically elected government are a healthy part of Jewish communal discourse — a discourse that the SFJFF has a long, proud history of fostering.
By contrast, voices that demonize Israel and its citizens or call Israel’s right to exist into question are repugnant and destructive to the goal of furthering dialogue.
It’s not hard to tell the difference. The International Solidarity Movement consistently depicts Jews and Israelis as bullies and murderers. “Jews out of Palestine” is one of its mantras. A speaker representing the ISM has no place in a Jewish film festival, any more than a voice vilifying gay men and lesbians belongs in an LGBT film festival.
Jews should be able to condemn blatantly anti-Israel propaganda without being accused of censorship.
Michael Sarid | San Francisco
Stop the shouting
The old aphorism “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” sums up to the fullest the frenzy surrounding the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. And it is all rooted in political correctness calling for representation of “both sides of the story.” Rarely in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, do both sides have an equal opportunity to listen and digest, in calm atmosphere, different viewpoints. Now enter diametrically opposite positions. What could have been expected from a confrontation between Israel- supporters and JVP or ISM sympathizers, who have never been able to express minimum objectivity about Israel?
Hopefully, the fiasco with “Rachel” will be, in Obama’s words, “a teaching moment” for the festival organizers, in general, and S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, in particular. And the lesson should be that there is no educational or inspirational value in listening to the rage of anti-Semites. Theirs is not criticism of Israel, it is hate of Israel. And there is no point in witnessing their shouting again and again.
Vladimir Kaplan | San Mateo
‘Liberals’ wrong word
In regard to the audience reactions to the film “Rachel” and the speakers, Mrs. Corrie and Dr. Harris, I cannot understand those so-called Bay Area Jewish liberals applauding when the name Ahmadinejad was mentioned.
This same Mr. Ahmadinejad has been putting plain-clothes thugs on the streets of Iran to beat with clubs the heads of young students and girls who wont be slaves to men.
Perhaps those who applauded him should seek another name, because” liberals” does not suit them.
Richard Harte | Menlo Park
Focus on settlements
Those who criticize the Obama administration’s stance on Israeli settlements are missing a key point: what the Obama administration has not criticized. It has not criticized Israeli troops and security actions on the West Bank, not criticized Israeli weapons programs and U.S. aid for those programs, not criticized the attacks on Gaza (indeed Obama supported Israel’s right to self-defense during that war).
The Obama criticism is focused specifically on the settlements. And, importantly, the settlements do not add to Israeli security. Indeed, military experts know that in many ways the settlements actually undermine Israeli security and endanger the Jewish state. Thus, in both what the administration criticizes and doesn’t criticize, it has shown a commitment to the security of Israel.
C. S. Fischer | Berkeley
No good candidates
It is still unclear how events will ultimately unfold in Iran after the mother of all sham elections declared Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the victor. We can only hope that the outcome will be beneficial to Israel and the West.
The regime of the Ayatollahs has brought nothing but misery to the Iranian people, exported terror beyond its borders using non-state actors such as Hezbollah and Hamas, fed vile anti-Semitism and duplicitous Holocaust denial and apparently is rushing headlong in its pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
I certainly hope President Obama knows what he is doing in engaging Iran diplomatically, but I am not convinced that replacing Ahmadinejad’s horrid regime with that of Mir-Hossein Mousavi will lead to any direct improvements in Iran’s behavior. Mousavi is too much of an unknown and his enemies are entrenched and dangerous.
Let’s be clear, the current rulers of Iran need to go at some point, but I hope replacing one despot with another will not lead to unintended consequences, namely a weakening of the West’s resolve to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions. I cannot think of a worse outcome for the region and for the world than allowing Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Steve Lipman | Foster City