Ensuring youth safety is highest priority
The leadership of USCJ is appalled by what it has read in the media about events that took place at Camp Arazim and possibly USY events four decades ago (“Former Bay Area Jewish leader accused of molesting boys in ’60s and ’70s,” Oct. 25). There is no place in society for these acts and there has never been.
The protection of the young people in our programs is of the highest priority to us, and we have in place strong policies and procedures for deterring and reporting any behavior that could harm them. In fact last year, in the course of a regular review, these policies and protocols were revised and updated, and we regularly train our staff in their implementation and enforcement.
At the moment, we are investigating what anyone associated with United Synagogue at the time might know about these allegations. The fact that the reported incidents happened 40 to 50 years ago, and that the alleged perpetrator is deceased, makes this process very challenging. Right now it appears that the USY leader in question, Sheldon Mitchell, was a volunteer and not an employee of United Synagogue. It should also be noted that the summer camp mentioned in these reports is not and never was run by or associated with United Synagogue.
We will continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety of our youth. If we are able to find out additional information about these allegations, we will report it.
Rabbi Steven Wernick, Chief Executive Officer
Richard Skolnik, International President
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
So much for understanding
Stanley Wulf, after his J Street–sponsored trip to the West Bank (“Crossing Green Line paints new picture for Berkeley Jew,” Nov. 8), says he developed a new understanding after meeting with West Bank Palestinian leaders. He describes the “shared vulnerabilities, needs, and hopes” of Israelis and his new Palestinian friends.
Let’s remember this one thing: These are the same West Bank leaders who greeted the 26 Palestinians murderers, upon their release from Israeli prisons, as heroes and martyrs. So much for the “peace and understanding missions” of Mr. Wulf and his J Street sponsors.
Scott Abramson | San Mateo
‘I did all I could’
I write in response to Stanley Wulf’s piece. It gives me tremendous hope that there are people in our community who are willing to speak out — loudly and clearly — in support of the current peace negotiations in the Israel/Palestine conflict.
Yes, there are tremendous obstacles, and there is great mistrust after decades of violence and struggle. I acknowledge there is a possibility we may not be successful. This is also our time to do everything we possibly can to support Secretary of State John Kerry’s valiant, passionate effort to bring peace to the region. This is our chance, our duty. This is our opportunity. The opportunity for which we have been waiting. We must be “the great constituency for peace” Secretary Kerry is calling for. We are the ones in the U.S. most invested in helping peace come about.
Join the peacemakers, prove the naysayers wrong. The people of Israel and Palestine have a right to live their lives in peace and security. When your children and grandchildren ask you what you did during this time, you will be able to say: “I did all I could to bring about peace.”
Eva Seligman-Kennard | San Anselmo