letters

Stop meddling with conversion bill

Israel has a domestic problem. Ultra-Orthodox rabbinic courts have been arbitrarily revoking conversions. Unsurpris-

ingly, Israel drafted a law that took the power to revoke conversions away from the rabbinic courts and placed it securely in the hands of the chief rabbinate. The chief rabbinate represents the moderate consensus of the Israeli religious world. It also happens to be Orthodox.

   Reform or Conservative Judaism is an American export with a tiny following — less than 1 percent of all Israelis are Reform or Conservative. Overwhelmingly, Israelis are “traditional.” Diaspora Jewry, out of step with Israeli culture, is opposing a moderate bill that is a much-needed fix for Israel’s domestic problems. This bill will not change the right of return or affect aliyah. This bill only affects conversions that take place in Israel.

   I doubt that the bills’ critics have actually bothered to read it. They would see that will be no change in the status quo — except that the ultra-Orthodox rabbinic courts will be unable to arbitrarily revoke conversions.

   Why is the diaspora meddling with Israeli internal affairs? I suggest critics buy a plane ticket and make aliyah, where they will be entitled to have an opinion about Israel’s domestic policy.

Joshua Skootsky   |    San Francisco

Forgiveness in Berlin

I too was on the June 2010 trip sponsored by Berlin’s government (“Sonoma County man part of Berlin Jews’ final trip to city,” July 23).

  I found that while we, the exiled Berliners, carry a burden of loss and anger, there are a considerable number of Germans who also carry a burden of guilt and shame. I found myself commiserating with them over the sins of their fathers and the shame for their country’s behavior.

   There is a difficult balance between forgiveness and condoning. I had to constantly remind myself that these people — who were so nice and generous to us — were not the ones who perpetrated the Holocaust. Indeed, they are committed to never having such a thing repeat in their society.

   I don’t think I could have gone to Berlin if there remained and were visible 90-year-olds who might have been active Nazis.

   At 73, I am glad I had the opportunity to visit the city of my birth. It was and is an emotional roller-coaster, but it felt like I lanced a boil I had lived with all my life. The German government should be applauded for having the courage to both face and redress the wrongs of their past. Nothing can be learned by forgetting history.

Helga Spizman   |   Santa Rosa

Hope for inmates

As a former inmate at CIW, I can hardly express how delighted I was to read your article “Hope behind bars” (June 25).

   Prison is a very lonely and demoralizing place to be, but the Jewish community gave me the opportunity for change. Thanks to Rabbi Moshe, I rediscovered both a deep connection to Judaism and a new, ethical way of life.

   Thank you for shedding some light on a difficult but very real subject.

Zohara Binah   |   San Francisco

Polls support two-state solution

Mr. Sam Liron (Letters, July 23) should check his facts regarding the wishes of the majority of Israeli citizens and Israel’s elected government.

   ABC News reported on June 14, 2010 that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced unequivocal support for a Palestinian state, while clearly attaching conditions, which would obviously be the subject of direct negotiations.

   As to the feelings of a majority of Israeli citizens regarding a two-state solution — based on a recent B’nai B’rith survey, 55 percent of Israelis indeed support a two-state solution, agreeing with the following statement: “A two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict is essential to Israel’s survival as a national home of the Jewish people as a vibrant democracy.” Thirty-six percent of Israelis disagreed. Of interest, 65 to 67 percent of those Israelis over 55 years of age supported the statement.

   Polling in the U.S. also consistently shows we realize that a two-state solution is the only way to secure Israel’s Jewish, democratic future — and only a bold American role will achieve that goal.

   Given these facts, I’m proud to support J Street’s work in pursuit of the peace that will secure Israel’s future and America’s interests in the Middle East.

Michael J. Cooper   |   Lafayette

J Street is behind Israel

The only thing that’s hard to stomach is the blatant misrepresentation of J Street’s positions and mission in last week’s letters (July 23) about the pro-Israel, pro-peace organization. J Street exists because we’re deeply concerned about Israel’s interests and see a two-state solution as the only way to resolve the unsustainable status quo and secure Israel’s Jewish, democratic future.

   We understand the urgency of the situation and urge the Obama administration to exert every effort to bring about two states. We also know that we can broaden the base of support for Israel through open, respectful conversations about the issues we hold most dear: Jewish values, democratic principles and the future of Israel — convictions we are pleased to share with the majority of American Jews.

Molly Freeman   |   Berkeley

J Street San Francisco Bay Area Local Chair

American Friends are no enemies

Ernie Weiner attacks the American Friends Service Committee as “viciously anti-Israel” and “pro-Palestinian hard left.” (Letters, July 16) Such rhetoric undermines helpful dialogue leading to Palestinian and Israeli reconciliation — and survival.

   Anyone with the slightest familiarity knows that the AFSC is hardly “viciously” or “anti” anything. That is just one reason the AFSC has had programs in Israel since 1948 bringing together Jews and Arabs. Why does he doubt that such challenging work is a terrific investment for peace?

Allan Solomonow   |   San Francisco