Heartwarming art
I’ve been reading j. every Shabbat (when it arrives in time!) for over 20 years. One of my favorite weekly items is the “Art from the Jewish Home” ad. These talented seniors being honored warms my heart. Many thanks to the sponsor, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund.
Jill Maleson | Fremont
‘A true friend’
I was saddened to learn of Rebecca Fromer’s death (j., Jan. 6). In the many years I worked at the Magnes Museum as public relations director and Rosenberg Poetry Award director, Rebecca was always a warm and encouraging presence. I also knew her as a fellow writer and editor — and a superbly fine one. She was a true friend.
Paula Friedman | Parkdale, Ore.
B’Tselem does not ‘demonize’ Israel
In his piece, “Groups that demonize Israel place themselves outside the tent” (online only), Natan Nestel describes B’Tselem as one of the groups that “demonizes Israel.”
I could respond by quoting numerous prominent Israelis who praise B’Tselem for its role in Israeli democracy. I could speak about B’Tselem’s access to the IDF and the human rights training of senior officers it takes part in. I could list the dozens of prominent Israelis who make up B’Tselem’s Public Council. But I won’t do that.
Nestel’s chutzpah in demonizing B’Tselem — an Israeli organization based in Jerusalem — is striking, given his convenient perch in Berkeley.
I am not saying that American Jews cannot take part in the debate about Israel’s path. You have an obligation not to turn a blind eye to Israeli policies that corrupt it morally. Failing to do so is not real support.
B’Tselem USA’s mission is to provide concrete facts about human rights in the Occupied Territories. J Street U is essential to give home to those who love Israel and are worried by the dangerous track it is on. Without those voices, the tent is hollow. Free speech is dear to us, and we welcome criticism. Yet, with criticism we expect responsibility.
Uri Zaki | Washington, D.C.
Direcor, B’Tselem USA
In praise of the brit shalom
Thank you for your coverage of the rising popularity of brit shalom ceremonies (“Alternative ritual, sans snip, catching on in Bay Area,” Jan. 6).
Many Jewish parents are deciding against circumcision, whether to avoid the infliction of pain and trauma, or because of the current research about the physiological function and erogenous nature of foreskin tissue. When we create Jewish rituals that accommodate, rather than deny, new information and insight, we add greatly to the spiritual vitality of our community.
More rabbis than we probably realize are providing this service. That’s because some are willing to perform naming ceremonies for baby boys who they suspect aren’t circumcised — i.e., it can be a matter of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Other rabbis will officiate, but don’t want to be known publicly as providers of brit shalom ceremonies.
I’m grateful to those rabbis and lay leaders who offer these ceremonies of peaceful welcome into the covenant, and I’m inspired by the parents who make this choice. Their actions reflect bold spiritual engagement and integrity.
Lisa Braver Moss | Piedmont
Democracy at U.C. Berkeley
Supporters of J Street say that the fair and democratic vote to exclude J Street U from the Jewish Student Union at U.C. Berkeley is anti-democratic. The vote was taken after the opportunity to be heard.
Those of us who are not at U.C. Berkeley should let the students decide what is best for them. Interference from the outside to undermine a fair vote is by every definition anti-democratic.
The problem with J Street’s support of a two-state solution is that neither the Palestinian Authority nor Hamas accept it. Furthermore, every poll of Palestinians living in the territories affirms that most Arabs look at the two-state solution as only an interim measure before all of Palestine is liberated and Israel is destroyed.
No Palestinian official will say: two states for two people. They want one state and it won’t be a Jewish one. I support J Street’s right to present its arguments, but I don’t see how they can be considered pro-Israel when they parrot the propaganda of Israel’s enemies.
Gil Stein | Aptos
Israeli haredim should learn history
A recent article (“Condemnation of violence not loud in haredi world,” Jan. 6) described how an 8-year-old girl in Israel was spat upon, insulted and called a prostitute by the ultra-Orthodox. For years, Israel has also allowed discrimination against women on buses and at the Wall.
Have we Jews learned nothing about discrimination from the Spanish Inquisition to the time of the Holocaust? The ultra-Orthodox recently had a rally where they placed yellow stars on children and themselves, like during the Holocaust. They thought it was a joke. I don’t find it funny.
These are people whose sons don’t serve in the military. Sixty percent of them live on the government dole. From the oldest to youngest, the ultra-Orthodox should be required to read our history. We of all people shouldn’t discriminate.
Perhaps they should be given a shovel and plant some trees — let their hands get dirty with real work. I dug potatoes at Kibbutz Ein Dor in 1958. Those people really worked!
I feel very strongly about discrimination. As a young sailor in 1956, I went to an Elks meeting in Virginia and heard men use derogatory words to rant about blacks and the Jews. It was a long time ago, but I still remember.
Robert Green | Lafayette
Civility vs. reality
In the old, “uncivil discourse” times, I would have answered in the affirmative to Tod Zuickerman’s question in his letter to the editor (“Cowardly, stupid or both?” Jan. 6). Writing about Thomas Friedman’s endless blaming of Israel, he asked: “What kind of people are we? Is it cowardice, abject stupidity, or both?”
In the new civil discourse times, I should have been saying: “Mr. Friedman and his Jewish followers are simply trying to be evenhanded.”
In the old times, I would have insisted that Mr. Friedman is full n n n from 16
of himself. He neglects the vicious animosity and warmongering of Israel’s Arab neighbors. And those who close their eyes on the fruitless Israeli withdrawals and thousands of Hamas rockets are just fooling themselves when claiming that absence of peace is all Israel’s fault.
But new times require me to say that one should firstly concentrate on the Palestinians’ good will.
In the old uncivil era, Mr. Friedman’s insinuation that Congress is actually a marionette of the pro-Israel lobby would have been called anti-Semitic. But in the new civil era, this sort of writing should be taken as concern for our legislative body’s independence.
This civility in discourse is a welcome phenomenon, but it doesn’t mean that a Friedman-type “everything goes” should go unanswered.
Vladimir Kaplan | San Mateo
Stop treating Israel like a child
Reading Dan Pine’s interesting article (“The end of rude: Did the Year of Civil Discourse make it easier to talk about Israel?” Jan. 6) and two letters to the editor (“J Street’s true mission” and “What J Street wants”), one cannot escape the realization that many in U.S. Jewry do not “get it.”
As parents, we realize at a certain point in time that our kid is an adult. We, the parents, must step back and assume a lesser role — that of a friend — if the relationship is dear to us.
U.S. Jewry, and especially the liberal left, needs to accept this notion. Lecturing will only strain the relationship. We cannot “want” for our grownup kid, namely Israel, to be “what we like” or “to live up to our dreams.” It is their life to live, not ours.
Further, it is inane, as parents, to force them to eat their vegetables because “we know what is good for them.” Israel is a mature nation, sovereign and democratic. Like it or not, its position, and rightfully so, is “Do not force us to eat broccoli. Let us choose our dish; it is our body and our life that is on the line.”
Sam Liron | Foster City
Magnes curtain calls
The opening of the Magnes Museum in its newest incarnation, connected to U.C. Berkeley, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions of higher education, is exciting on many levels (“Magnus opus: Museum springs back to life with new Berkeley facility,” Dec. 9).
We would not be at this juncture without commitment of time and financial resources of many volunteer leaders and donors in our community.
Just to name a few superstars: Barry Cohn, as the president of the Magnes Museum Foundation, has overseen the construction of the new Allston Way building since inception and negotiations with U.C.; Irv Rabin, as past president of the Magnes board, helped shape the “new” Magnes vision and save the institution after the de-merger; and Sandy Colen played a key and instrumental role in corralling support for the project.
We are proud of the journey that the Magnes has taken and look forward to going from strength to strength with one of the arts and culture gems of our community.
Rabbi James Brandt | Oakland
CEO, Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Foundation of the East Bay
Lisa Tabak | Oakland
Executive director, Jewish Community Foundation of the East Baya