AB 715 not a free speech issue
I’m greatly relieved that a sensible judge was able to understand and rule in favor of AB 715 for the state’s K-12 schools. (“Federal judge allows AB 715, California’s K-12 antisemitism law, to take effect Jan. 1,” online Dec. 31)
This is not a free-speech issue, as sometimes portrayed by opponents: Teachers cannot teach lies to small children and call those lies “free speech.” They can’t teach their own warped antisemitic agendas and call those agendas “critical thinking.”
Simply amazing that 80 years after the Holocaust we need to pass a law against antisemitism. This decision is a much-needed triumph of common sense.
Gerry Feldman | Sacramento
Richmond mayor’s calumnies
The article titled “Jewish orgs condemn Richmond mayor’s ‘conspiracy’ posts on Bondi massacre” (Dec. 18) claims that Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez “routinely posts criticisms of Israel on LinkedIn.”
No, Mayor Martinez does not post mere “criticisms” of Israel. He posts calumnies, fabrications, conspiracy theories and false and defamatory statements while asserting they are true.
A criticism is a statement of opinion or judgment about perceived flaws. Maligning is the malicious dissemination of false and defamatory claims. The mayor’s claim that Israel shot and killed 15 people on an Australian beach is malicious, false and defamatory. In other words, it is maligning, not criticism. Do not characterize his hateful bilge as mere criticism.
Seth Watkins | Redwood City
What do Richmond voters want?
Whether Mayor Eduardo Martinez resigns or not is an issue for the people of Richmond (“As Richmond mayor faces calls to resign, more posts surface with antisemitic tropes,” Dec. 23). Do they want to be represented by someone who makes overt antisemitic comments and has a history of supporting terrorism against Jews? If so, they should do nothing and then face the consequences.
On the other hand, if they realize that their mayor has brought disgrace to Richmond and does not represent their values, they should demand that he resigns. If he refuses, then recall petitions are the next option.
Let’s see what they do. I hope they decide they deserve a better person to lead their city.
Gil Stein | Aptos
Gluten-free doughnuts… or muffins
Re: “Make these gluten-free Hanukkah doughnuts in 30 minutes” by food writer Micah Siva (Dec. 3), I don’t have a doughnut pan, so I used a mini muffin pan to make the gluten-free sufganiyot. I left them in the oven a little longer and I (and my gluten-free friends) think they came out really well. We’re calling them “muffganiyot.” I thank you for the recipe.
Shari Samuel | San Francisco
Where are their parents?
I was a single parent of three under 5 years old. My children became caring, sensitive and moral adults with strong values, which I want to believe came directly from my parenting.
My question is, where are the parents of the eight teens who created a swastika with their bodies, then posted it on social media? Are the parents outraged, approving, ashamed or embarrassed of this heinous display? (“‘Human swastika’ at San Jose high school prompts investigation,” Dec. 5)
Either way, they have my wishes to do better and pay more attention to their teens’ lives. Get involved with them, sit and discuss this event with them. If this is not a big deal with the parents, I see a rocky road ahead.
Dini Freeman | San Rafael
Thanks to grief program partners
Thank you to Rahel Knight for her coverage of the community partnership to bring back Grief and Growing, originally a program of the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center (“‘Grief and Growing’ retreat at Camp Newman to offer support in Jewish setting,” Dec. 9). I am honored to be the program director along with Yael Galinson who is serving as the assistant director. What makes this relaunching of the residential retreat at URJ Camp Newman is the collaboration and partnership with community organizations, including previous staff and participants.
Many thanks to Abra Greenspan of A Healing Legacy, Rabbi Dan and Zoë Goldblatt of AriYael Jewish Healing Center and Liz Orlin of Sinai Memorial Chapel. URJ Camp Newman’s leadership and dedicated staff are working to make this a reality. We are so grateful to all the organizations and fabulous people involved.
Liora Brosbe | Berkeley
Grief and Growing keeps growing
The article about the Grief and Growing program was very good but didn’t mention the founders: Lee Pollak from Sinai Memorial Chapel, who became the program’s clinical director, Rabbi Eric Weiss of Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, who became the spiritual director, and the late Ann Gonski of Camp Tawonga, who became the administrative director. (“‘Grief and Growing’ retreat at Camp Newman to offer support in Jewish setting,” Dec. 9).
This group came together in a collaborative effort 28 years ago (and won a Jewish Federation award for creating this successful collaboration of three agencies). This Jewish response to community mourners has provided a safe and healing clinical environment to support those experiencing grief. It has had a huge impact on hundreds of children and adults, and thankfully will continue today.
Connie Shapiro | San Francisco
Editor’s Note: In a recent installment of our Sunday morning email newsletter, editor-in-chief Chanan Tigay asked readers for their input on antisemitism: “What should we do as individuals and as a community about rising antisemitism? How can we address it? What can we do to stop it? Think big.” Here are some of your answers.
Hate can be louder than love
The hate that you wrote of in a recent newsletter is not as prevalent as love, but hate can be louder than love. Hate hits hard and doesn’t offer an easy path forward for Bay Area Jews. J. has covered this depressing phenomenon all too effectively, alas.
So what can we local Jews do to address antisemitism?
First, let’s remember to identify the positive — friends, family, community, etc. — that enhances our lives with love.
But we can’t naively look away and ignore those who would cause us harm. Progressive Jews need to accept the fact that a pro-Palestinian narrative doesn’t necessarily lead to peace without the destruction of Israel. No amount of persuasion is going to change the cultural and religious chasm that separates so many Jews and Arabs at this time.
Education would help. But I’m not overly optimistic as we witness clichéd slogans replace thoughtful historical context by youthful critics, many of whom don’t know exactly where the Jordan River lies, or that the name Palestine was coined nearly 2,000 years ago by Romans occupying Judea, now Israel.
I grew up in New York City in what was then a rough neighborhood. We needed to be vigilant about our surroundings and anticipate trouble to protect ourselves. It’s the same for Jews today. Stay alert, stay informed, and don’t expect antisemites to become colleagues and friends. It’s just not going to happen.
My crystal ball for 2026 doesn’t give exact predictions. But let’s hope for a strong Israel to prevail against the antisemitism and enemies surrounding it. I can assure you that without Israel, Jews in the Bay Area and worldwide are doomed to a fate consistent with the Holocaust and the many pogroms that preceded it.
Jeff Morgan | Berkeley
Fewer Holocaust museums
Build fewer Holocaust museums and other institutions that commemorate Jewish pain and victimhood; build more Jewish cultural centers that celebrate Jewish life and joy.
Neal Ross Attinson | Sonoma
Stay proud and practice resistance
Rising antisemitism isn’t new to me. I felt it as a child in Missouri, where being a Finkelstein made us instantly recognizable as Jewish — and vulnerable. When the KKK burned down my father’s first store solely because he was Jewish, I learned two truths at once: the depth of hatred in this country, and the depth of courage required to stand tall in its face.
And still — he rebuilt. I was about 8 when I heard my father shout back at a customer who threatened to turn our “Jew skin into soap.” Yet we stayed. We lived loudly and without apology, surrounded by security alarms, upheld by a determined Jewish community and fueled by stubborn hope.
My beloved father, of blessed memory, taught my brothers and me to live proudly — whoever we became — and to never forget that part of us will always be seen as Jewish. And he taught us: “A Jew should never be without a passport. You don’t need to ask a Jewish person twice to leave — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight for your humanity.” These words shaped me. They are why being aware and awake is not optional — it is essential.
Being awake doesn’t mean anxious; it means alert to old patterns and myths, and equally alert to our own strength. It means deep Jewish learning, the kind that builds self‑esteem, humble pride and rootedness. My dear friend Emil Knopf, of blessed memory, who survived the Shoah hidden in the forest, taught me that losing our Jewish self‑worth begins when we stop learning who we are and stop insisting our full selves be seen.
Stay present. Stay proud. Practice resistance. Tend to our community with tenderness, loving‑kindness, authenticity and depth. This is how we respond: by staying awake, learning deeply, showing up proudly and choosing life — again and again.
Lisa Finkelstein | San Francisco
Communications Director,
Sinai Memorial Chapel