Sustaining all we have built
I was intrigued by Rabbi Joshua Ladon’s Sept. 8 opinion piece, “Day school affordability is the key to sustaining Jewish life.” As a proud day school graduate and fellow Jewish educator, I certainly don’t disagree that day schools are part of the infrastructure that allows Jewish life to flourish.
I would suggest, however, that investment in all of our community’s organizations — synagogues, JCCs, camps and others — is essential. I, too, worry about the challenges faced by Bay Area Jewish organizations and by my colleagues, because thriving Jewish life depends on relationships. We need others to pray, study, celebrate and mourn with. Can such connections be formed without organizations? Of course they can. But engaging with an organization makes it far easier to meet and connect with future partners and friends, to say nothing of creating relationships across generations.
Our communal infrastructure indeed demands greater investment from the philanthropic community, but let’s not privilege one type of organization over another. In this affluent part of the country, surely we can afford to sustain all that we have built over time.
Dana Sheanin | Berkeley
CEO, Jewish LearningWorks
Richmond resolution mourned both sides
I was disappointed to read the one-sided critique of Richmond’s Mayor Eduardo Martinez in “ADL condemns Richmond mayor’s ‘revolting’ remarks at pro-Palestinian conference” (Sept. 8).
I remember listening from home to the long meeting led by Mayor Martinez on Oct. 24, 2023, that the article mentions. I was impressed by his fairness and compassion for all of Richmond’s constituents.
Your article didn’t note that the Richmond City Council made changes to the resolution in response to the Jewish community’s feedback. Sure, it would have been ideal if concern for the hostages had been in the original resolution, but Richmond should get credit for listening and making corrections.
Here is the revised language from the final resolution. While still primarily supporting Palestinians, it expresses concern for both sides. Everything was current as of Oct. 24, 2023:
“Whereas, 1,400 Israelis have been killed by Hamas on October 7th and nearly 6,000 Palestinians have been killed by the state of Israel in this escalated conflict; and
“Whereas, we mourn the loss of all civilian lives lost on both sides from October 7th to the present and also throughout the decades of displacement, occupation, oppression and blockade endured in Gaza and the West Bank;
“Be it further resolved that the City of Richmond calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the safe passage of substantial humanitarian aid to Gaza; and
“Be it further resolved that the City of Richmond calls for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages taken by Hamas…”
These are not the sentiments of a Hamas supporter but of a mayor who was listening to his different constituencies.
The entire discussion of Richmond’s resolution is available here: “Resolution Affirming Richmond’s Support and Solidarity with the Palestinian People of Gaza” starting at 3:04:30.
Janine Baer | El Cerrito
Thanks for pro-Israel letter
Thank you, Ariel Goldstein, for the letter supporting Israel (“Your protests weaken Israel,” Letters, Sept. 9). It surprises and saddens me when a Jewish writer excessively criticizes Israel and ignores the cruel anti-Jewish actions of Hamas. Hamas started the war with its massacre in Israel on Oct. 7, and its charter pledges to kill Jews. It is a very difficult enemy and has prolonged the war for almost two years. Hamas has shown its indifference to the needs of the Palestinian people.
The war should continue until the hostages are released and Hamas ends its governing of Gaza. A cease-fire may be a method, but it is not a long-term solution.
Norman G. Licht | Palo Alto
Israeli leaders are hiding horrors
You published a JTA article by Grace Gilson on Sept. 8 about hundreds of scholars in Israel calling on the International Association of Genocide Scholars to retract their declaration that Israel’s actions in Gaza have met the legal definition of genocide.
Israel’s actions in attacking Gaza City, as well as its refusal to allow international journalists to cover this war, lend further proof to the declaration. Keeping out the international media indicates that Israel’s leaders are trying to conceal the war’s full horror, including genocide.
I will be very surprised if you print this letter. If you do, I salute you for presenting both sides in a fair manner.
George Banks | San Leandro
Pressuring Padilla on Palestine
I am so proud of my Jewish friends who occupied Sen. Alex Padilla’s office in San Francisco and were arrested on Aug. 27, demanding he stop voting to arm Israel as it slaughters Palestinians (“138 arrested at S.F. protest of Sen. Padilla’s votes on Israel,” Aug. 28). I have repeatedly written to Sen. Padilla, pleading with him to stop funding mass murder in my name.
At first, his staff responded with thoughtful letters saying he was educating himself about the issues and considering his position. In mid-2024, the replies became form letters endorsing “Israel’s right to defend itself.” Then they stopped entirely.
I couldn’t be there this time, but I have demonstrated in front of Padilla’s office many times, trying to stop a genocide carried out in my name and with my taxes, all against my will. As the protest last month showed, a lot of Jews agree with me.
David Spero | San Francisco