Sad reflection
Your article “A Scroll to Share” (Dec. 12) saddened me as a reflection on how far some Bay Area Jews seem to have moved from the historic communal nature of Jewish worship and culture.
As a synagogue-affiliated Jew, I know that communal worship in the context of a structured community, with long accepted but ever-evolving norms and structure is the historic key to maintaining Jewish culture. Temples support individuals and families through all key lifestyle events from birth, through bat mitzvah to weddings and funerals.
I only hope that someday the alienated Jew that feels the need to rent a torah so that they can do their “own lifestyle thing” use that Torah lending library to find their way to an organized group of caring people where Jewish culture and religious learning has been studied and maintained from generation to generation.
Bill Pomeranz | San Francisco
Focus on the good
I was saddened by the JTA article titled “Chabad leaders quickly moving forward after Mumbai tragedy” (Dec. 12), where it references that Chabad used the fundraisers and TV press to further push its mission and fundraise for its cause. Why is it that after a good thing is done journalists tend to investigate for any bad intentions?
Knowing Chabad over 30 years, I can assure you that the speed with which the funds were set up for Baby Moshe, the rebuilding of the Chabad House and the TV press, was due to its efficiency as an organization and was not intended “to capitalize on the wave of attention.”
Chabad’s goal is to do good and to make this world a better place. In this case it is to make sure baby Moshe has a good future and to make sure that every Jewish person no matter their affiliation takes a tragedy and turns it to good. Spreading the message that doing “one more Mitzvah” ultimately makes the world a better place. Let’s try to focus on the beauty and benefit of good actions vs. finding a way to portray the good doers as evildoers.
Gerald Hoffman | Los Altos
Cynical outlook
When did it become “crass, if not inappropriate and offensive” to raise money to rebuild a Jewish center devastated by terrorists or to help a child who lost both parents? It is baffling to see Jacob Berkman suggest that “some” may describe Chabad fundraising efforts after the Mumbai tragedy in these terms.
Did NYFD fundraising campaigns after 9/11 also strike “some” as crass? How about calls for help by the Argentinian Jewish community after the AMIA bombing: did these appear “offensive?” The Mumbai massacre has brought together Jews of all denominations and prompted many to commit a mitzvah, an act of kindness or a donation following Chabad’s call to fight hatred with goodness. If “some” look upon this with contempt and cynicism, do we really have to give them a voice?
Sam Adler | San Francisco
Curious fears
In reference to Leslie Susser’s article “Radical settler violence prompts fears of intifada” (Dec. 12), I was struck by Prime Minister Olmert’s orders to the IDF to have a “zero tolerance” towards “extremist settlers.” His fears as cited in the article being “unchecked violence could spark intifada and enrage the Muslim world.” How curious.
Where is Olmert’s fear of extremist Muslims murders and continued attempted murders in Israel’s own cities of Sderot and Ashkelon? I’ve never heard him claim a “zero tolerance” for these acts. He can’t leave office fast enough for me.
Diane Whitten-Vile | Oakland
Investigation not over
Amanda Pazornik’s article (“Security expert: No foul play in elevator-shaft death,” Dec. 12) about the tragic death of Dan Kliman requires some clarifications.
First, I serve as Bay Area Director of Security for JCRC and the JCF. I do liaison with law enforcement as part of my position but that is not my title.
Second, and most important, the case is open and ongoing. I have drawn no conclusions.
While I indicated that the evidence so far suggests that the most likely scenario is a terrible accident, three separate investigations — by the SFPD, OSHA and medical examiner — are under way, which will hopefully determine definitively the cause of Dan’s death. These agencies have a responsibility to look at every possibility — something that I have conveyed to the SFPD. I have been pleased with their response, indicating that they are committed to a complete and thorough investigation.
Finally, references to an optical illusion are speculative and relate to elevators in
general, not a scientific finding about this particular elevator.
The SFPD, the Coroner’s office and OSHA will make the final determination based on the investigation. I trust that their expertise will bring closure to this tragic incident that resulted in the death of a leading pro-Israel activist in our community.
Allan Lavigne | San Francisco
Bay Area Director of Security
JCRC and JCF
Kliman memoriam
This is what I think Dan would have wished me to say.
From Judaism the world inherited concepts of peace, tolerance and respect for all. What Dan believed, and what I believe, is that now, in this great sea of Jew-hatred and Israel-hatred, which once again saturates the minds of too many friends and neighbors, we must embrace those brilliant concepts and take a visible, unambiguous and strong stand to defend the rights of all human beings.
We cannot allow people on our streets to say “Kill Jews” or “Jews are our dogs,” without at least letting the public know that there are those who strongly disapprove.
We certainly won’t determine whether Israel will ultimately exist or not, but we must make an attempt to not let this hatred flourish in our own city streets. Do something! It is incumbent upon us to act, and not wait for heaven.
Dan would have wished this
Em ain ani le,me le? Em lo acshav, a matai?
Bea Lieberman | El Cerrito
Reclaiming my tree
As a longtime smitten amateur genealogist, like columnist Rachel Freedenberg (“Could Joseph Smith be a new branch on my family tree?” Dec. 12), I too have found Mormon branches on my family tree due to cousins who converted. I have found that the Mormons have done us an enormous favor by finding, microfilming and devotedly preserving millions of our ancestors’ records from all over the world. Thanks to them I have taken my tree back to the 1700s on some lines. This is a wonderful gift the Mormons have given us, but it is not out of respect for us. It is all about their religious obligation to lovingly offer baptism to our dearly departed. Sadly, this is one more way to erase the memory of our Jewish heritage.
Since I am quite concerned that in 300 years my searching descendants will come to believe great-grandma was Mormon, I did what any good Jewish girl would do. I added all family branches to JewishGen’s Family Tree of the Jewish People. Now searchers will find us there, too: http://tinyurl.com/5c247h. Touché! Alas, this family tree collection isn’t foolproof either, as the descendants of Abraham Lincoln and Queen Elizabeth will discover when they start exploring the site.
Sheree Roth | Palo Alto