Implications of 1967

Reflecting on the 40th anniversary of the Six-Day War causes one to pause to consider the dramatic implications of 1967. Gaining the West Bank, Golan and unifying Jerusalem gave Israel strategic depth while bringing millions of unwilling Palestinians under Israeli control.

Israel returned Sinai in exchange for peace with Egypt in 1979 and Gaza without an agreement in 2005. It has made peace with Jordan and engaged in the defunct Camp David Peace process with the Palestinians in 2000.

While Israeli leaders from Ben Gurion to Dayan to Eban were always in favor of returning disputed territories in exchange for peace, Israel has also faced obstructionist, all-or-nothing strategies of Arab states who seem to be inspired by the “Naqba” of Israel’s creation in 1948, or the occupation brought on by Israel’s victories in 1967, rather than acting as a true partner for peace.

A two-state solution is the only realistic path to resolving long-held enmities. I pray Israel’s enemies will see the light, and negotiate in good faith with Israel as a fact rather than as an entity to be defeated. All or nothing has clearly gotten them nowhere for 59 years.

Steve Lipman | Foster City

An act of war

Why do j. and most other publications use the term pre-emptive when discussing the Six-Day War? A blockade is an act of war. Therefore, Israel was already under attack for days before she struck back.

It was only after the United Nations failed or didn’t try to get the Arabs to lift the blockade that Israel had to attack.

The term pre-emptive has been used to besmirch the legitimacy of Israel’s response. Jewish publications should not be part of this effort.

Jules Lepkovsky | Novato

‘Untenable position’

We were chagrined and surprised to read the June 1 j. article about Joel Karr and the Temple Beth Jacob renovation project.

While we are excited about the project, we are committed to proceeding in a thoughtful, deliberate manner. This article reveals information that we most certainly are not at the point of disclosing publicly.

Our process has yet to engage our congregants in giving feedback to the project, nor have we decided on a final scope and budget. Such decisions require the input and buy-in of our membership. This article puts us in the untenable position of disclosing information that is premature and at this point untrue.

We would clarify that our selection of architect was based upon the merit of the ideas and presentation, not on the religious identity of the architect.

We look forward to working with Karr and Group 41 on the exciting prospect of renovating our temple, but must do our due diligence to inform and engage our congregation in a respectful, inclusive manner.

We certainly hope and request that future stories about our temple and other area organizations do the research required and check with those involved in projects before articles are published.

Rabbi Nathaniel Ezray | Redwood City
Curtis Leviant, president
Amy Keer, director

A ‘pivotal role’

Kudos to Ari Kelman (May 25 j. opinion) for drawing attention to innovative burgeoning Jewish organizations, and for acknowledging the quiet movement of Jewish engagement opportunities being built on the margins.

The Bay Area is playing a pivotal role in this movement, and has a wave of new communal outlets addressing the unique needs of the diverse Bay Area Jewish community.

As of last year, this phenomenon has been recognized and supported by the Jewish Professionals Co-op, a project of the S.F. Bureau of Jewish Education, providing business support, networking and Jewish learning opportunities to ensure the growth and sustainability of these innovative ventures.

Members have shared that participation in the co-op has strengthened their organizations, and has been both personally and professionally invaluable. The co-op will be expanding its membership next year.

Readers interested in supporting the Bay Area’s emerging creative Jewish nonprofits can:

• Participate in the co-op’s mentoring program.

• Provide probono professional consultation on a per-need basis.

• Provide needed financial support to the co-op through a designated gift to the BJE.

• Contact me at [email protected].

Maya Bernstein | San Francisco
co-op program director, BJE