Appreciation for the rabbi
As members of Congregation Emanu-El and the San Francisco Jewish community, we would like to express our best wishes and gratitude to Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe for his many contributions over the past seven years. Rabbi Jaffe has accomplished so much in a short period of time.
At Congregation Emanu-El, Rabbi Jaffe reimagined and redefined the youth and family education program and together with lay leaders strengthened our wonderful preschool. His wife, Yael Frankel, was such an addition to our community, directing art programs and celebrating simchas together. Rabbi Jaffe was present for our family and for so many others like us, and brought his wisdom, enthusiasm and musical talents to countless celebrations.
Most memorable for us was Rabbi Jaffe’s 2011 High Holy Day sermon about how critical Jews by choice and non-Jews married to Jews are to our community. It was thoughtful, moving and inspiring.
While we are sad to see him go, we are excited that he will lead a congregation in Chappaqua, N.Y., as senior rabbi. On behalf of so many whose lives and Judaism have been profoundly improved by Rabbi Jaffe, we just want to say thank you and good luck!
Noah and Carey Wintroub | San Francisco
Freedom for all hate speech?
Mohammad G. Hammad, protected by San Francisco State University’s firm support for his freedom of speech, safely expresses his hatred for and desire to murder Israelis and Jews (“SFSU student allegedly threatens Israeli soldier,” Dec. 13). I doubt that he, president of the General Union of Palestinian Students, would grant the same freedom of speech for a Christian or Jew who expressed hatred for and a desire to kill Muslims.
If Muslim students were harassed or threatened by Jews (or Christians), university action would be quick and decisive. To avert fears of being labeled Islamophobic, some schools might even chastise, punish or expel students who dared to criticize Muslims or Islam. Intimidated universities in the U.S. and Europe are paralyzed, worrying that such criticisms could result in Muslim rampages, fatwas, beheadings or suspension of Arab/Muslim financial support.
These days, Jewish (or Christian) students need to select a campus for safety issues as well as academic quality.
June Brott | Oakland
Even a Martian would see the madness
In 1938, Czechoslovakia was forced to give up vital defensible territory in return for a piece of paper promising peace signed by Adolf Hitler. Remember? Winston Churchill said of the agreement, “You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor and you will have war.”
In 2014, Israel is being strongly pressured to give up defensible territory in return for a piece of paper promising peace to be signed by President Mahmoud Abbas, who glorifies terrorist murderers, and whose term of office ended years ago. Moreover, any peace terms are totally rejected by the Palestinian groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Good grief! Even a nonpartisan Martian observer would see the madness here!
Marvin L. Engel | Piedmont