Too late for Contra Costa JCC?
My family and I are confused, distressed and shocked that such a venerable institution as the 27-year-old JCC in Walnut Creek is ceasing operations.
We, and many of our friends, both Jewish and non-Jewish, have been recipients of the fine work and community service this organization provided to so many regardless of religious affiliation.
It seems to me that maybe the management of the JCC might have salvaged the center if it recognized cash flow was drying up and capital expenditures would have to be reviewed and curtailed, and current expenses cut, to weather the crisis.
Maybe sources of revenue from various philanthropies (secular and non-secular) and other agencies might have been exploited to aid and assist. Also, a community appeal for funds may have helped. Maybe it is not too late and something can be done to bring them back. The community would greatly benefit.
David Sauberman | Martinez
‘Devastated’ over closing of Millman adult center
With the abrupt closure of the Contra Costa JCC, the community is losing the Millman Adult Day Program, a state licensed social day program, serving people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Millman was started by volunteers 25 years ago to provide respite care for families caring for loved ones. With the support of many (including the Millman family, National Council of Jewish Women, Kiwanis and Acalanes Adult Education), the program provides quality of care and compassion. While not a typical program of a JCC, with the aging of our population and the increase in dementia, programs such as Millman provide a vital service.
Chances are great that we will all be caring for a parent or companion with a debilitating illness at some point. Having programs in place to support this transition are necessary to the well being of society. With the shuttering of Millman’s doors, and no notice to prepare, we are
leaving our clients without support they’ve depended on — though providing referrals and resources from our homes.
We are devastated; we have weathered budget cuts and a downsizing of the program, but never was the sudden closure of the CCJCC part of the scenario.
Melissa Roman | Walnut Creek
Program coordinator, Millman Adult Day Program
What J Street wants
J Street works to preserve a democratic Israel so that succeeding generations of American Jews will remain engaged and committed to a place where Jewish culture can flourish.
Do those who uncritically support the status quo in Israel not support protection before the law in Israel for all its citizens? And, if so, do they have no concern for the repression of women, the religious constraints on education and civil society generally promulgated by the current government? J Street advocates for internationally recognized borders with security measures to enable both Israelis and Palestinians to get on with the challenges of quality of life and self-governance, to enable both peoples to carry on normal lives.
An opportunity for these deliberations to take place in no way inhibits Israel’s security. In fact it reduces her vulnerability at the same time that it raises her international standing.
Molly Freeman | Berkeley
Chair, J Street San Francisco Bay Area
Way to go, JSU
I applaud the Jewish Student Union’s decision to vote down J Street U’s admission to the Jewish Student Union (“Berkeley’s Jewish student union says ‘no’ to J Street,” Dec. 2).
Israel needs friends and support, not boycott and divestment. Neither J Street nor J Street U is a true friend of Israel. Their support of BDS and their unrelenting criticism of Israel betray their anti-Israel bias.
It is sad that Hillel’s Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman embraces Kesher Enoshi. A so-called pluralistic environment does not mean that we need to include groups that unfairly target Israel by asking for a boycott and divestment from Israel.
I am a refugee from Nazi Germany and I see a need for a strong, democratic Jewish state. Jews are vulnerable in all countries and we need, and finally have, a country of our own again. The Muslim states want to destroy Israel and I see J Street and J Street U as playing right into their hands.
Sanne DeWitt | Berkeley
Narrow vision in Berkeley hurts community
As unpleasant as it is to engage in the acrimony within the Jewish community regarding Israel, the letters to j. justifying the exclusion of J Street U from the JSU at Berkeley require a response.
As a Berkeley alum, and as an active participant in the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley in the ’60s, I am simply stunned while watching the right wing actively attempt to shut down political opinion.
Mr. Stein (Letters, Dec. 16) has no right to define the Jewish tent. The tent is clearly open to all Jews.
My sense is that this group, with its narrow vision of the Jewish tent and its continual war with political opponents, is going to bring disaster down on Israel and the Jewish community. Will the community become so narrowly defined that it breaks at the stem?
Aryeh Nanas | Aptos
No way is J Street pro-Israel
Sheree Roth (Letters, Dec. 9) should not be surprised that J Street thinks it can support BDS and the like while still saying that it is pro-Israel.
This type of behavior is not new. About 2,200 years ago, the Greeks and the Hellenist Jews waged war against the Maccabees in order to destroy Judaism. Nevertheless, these Hellenist Jews considered themselves to be pro-Israel. Their opinion was that if only Israel would abandon its religion, Israel would be accepted by the Greek empire and everything would be all right.
Now J Street supports BDS and other positions advocated by Israel’s enemies, while saying it is pro-Israel. At best, its opinion was that if only Israel will make these concessions, Israel would be accepted by the Islamic and Arab nations and everything would be all right.
Neal Wohlmuth | San Francisco