Support federation
After reading David George’s suggestion (Letters, Feb. 27) to shut down the East Bay and San Francisco federations, my inclination to ignore an obviously unresearched comment was overtaken by my concern that there are more like Mr. George out there.
Why not give directly to all the amazing programs in the Jewish community?
Because without federation, not all those amazing programs would get enough attention or funding from individuals. And yet they are vital.
Why give to the federation? Because it is a lean-running organization, where dedicated people work to make the best decisions possible with your money. The S.F.-based federation, for instance, is the first with its own fact-finding group in Israel, determining where needs are greatest.
These programs can’t rely on individuals to find them and help them, nor can they generate the publicity or campaign they need. That’s where the federation comes in.
D.L. Kron | Richmond
Refocused priorities
In response to the strains that the economic crisis has placed on our local Jewish community, the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay has refocused its funding priorities.
To insure that dollars raised make maximum communal impact, we have reorganized the federation, reducing staff by 20 percent and significantly trimming expenses. Well before the economic downturn began, we began leveraging resources by partnering with the S.F.-based federation, the Federation of Silicon Valley, agencies from across the Bay Area and foundation stakeholders — including the Koret, Jim Joseph and Harold Grinspoon foundations, as well as the East Bay’s Jewish Community Foundation.
Working together, we are reaching out to families with young children, improving our Jewish preschools, and planning to more effectively connect with underserved LGBT Jews and interfaith families. However, all this does not change our singular urgent need to help our families and institutions through the economic crisis.
The leaders of the East Bay Federation are committed to deepening our connections with all community stakeholders, including our partners at the San Francisco and Silicon Valley federations.
Rob Ruby | Oakland
President, Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay
Touching so many
As a longtime supporter of my local federation, I wanted to respond to the letter in j. (“Shut them down,” Feb. 27) that said some unfair things about the federation system.
If you believe in having a strong Jewish community, supporting the federation (which is the central convening body of the Jewish community’s organizations) is the ideal way to express that. Your gift can touch so many people locally who are supported by programs that build all aspects of our community, from early childhood to seniors and the elderly. Given the economy, we’re finding an increased demand for many of our social service and employment programs.
Overseas, examples of federation-supported programs include summer camps in Eastern Europe and kosher meal programs for hungry elderly residents of the former Soviet Union.
In Israel, federation dollars support critical programs helping to integrate new immigrants from all over the world to Israeli society, and helping strengthen the relationship between American Jews and Israel.
I’m proud to support our local federation, where my gift touches so many Jewish lives. If you value this as well, I invite you to join me in supporting your local federation and being part of this great work.
Paul E. Bernstein | Danville
Activist deserves praise
Edward Tamler is an activist at heart who, along with his wife, Rose, organized the daily vigil in front of the Soviet Consulate for years. So his letter about “no more patience on Darfur” (Letters, March 13) expresses the frustration all of us feel about the continued genocide in Darfur.
However, his letter, in criticizing Martina Knee, misses the mark. Martina, more than almost anyone, will not rest until the genocide is over. As chair of the Bay Area Darfur Coalition and as an outspoken activist who will leave no stone unturned in drawing attention to the genocide, Martina deserves to be singled out — but for our tremendous gratitude.
Because of Martina’s leadership and passionate commitment, our community has paid increasing attention to genocide in Darfur. It reminds me of what the Tamlers did for Soviet Jewry advocacy to stir our collective conscience.
JCRC was proud to honor Martina, Gerri Miller and Gayle Donsky as unsung heroes at our Gala last fall for their tireless work and absolute determination to end genocide in Darfur. We are blessed to have an extraordinary activist leader like Martina Knee in our community.
Rabbi Doug Kahn | San Francisco
Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Council
Refute the rhetoric
I must take exception to Rachel Eryn Kalish’s March 13 letter. San Francisco Voice for Israel is committed to standing against Bay Area Women in Black precisely because their rhetoric consistently vilifies the state of Israel.
Dan Kliman was so deeply committed to countering Women in Blacks’ message that he gave up attending Shabbat services for nearly two years, to ensure a pro-Israel presence on the streets of Oakland.
BAWIB supports the so-called “right of return” — the demographic end to the Jewish state. They refer to all of Israel as occupied territories. They sponsored a talk with Dalit Baum in which she called for the destruction of Israel. They have condemned every step Israel has taken to defend herself, and have steadfastly ignored acts of terror perpetrated against the only democracy in the Middle East.
They have supported boycotts, sanctions and divestment from Israel. There is nothing “nuanced” as Kalish wrote, or balanced about BAWIB’s one-sided condemnation of Israel.
In spite of ANSWER’s “indisputably anti-Semitic” message, Bay Area Women in Black will be participating in a March 21 rally, marching along with anti-Semites. San Francisco Voice for Israel will be at the City Hall at 12:30 p.m. to provide a pro-Israel, pro-peace message.
Faith Meltzer | El Cerrito
Hamas hatred
I just viewed a PowerPoint presentation showing Gaza synagogues before and after Israel evacuated Gaza. It turned my stomach.
Magnificent structures, clearly the pride of their members, were reduced to rubble, giving new meaning to the word “desecrated.” Hamas officials were shown giving speeches in the ruins; the delight on the faces was unmistakable. A sample of the synagogue destruction can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/2u9bx4.
Muslims around the world did not condemn in the name of their religion this wanton violence committed against precious symbols of Judaism. Anyone who suggests they do not hold Judaism in contempt is delusional.
No explanations are necessary, and excuses and rationalization are simply crass, especially when they come from Jews. If Israel does not maintain the upper hand militarily in the insane neighborhood of the Middle East, there is no doubt about what will follow.
Desmond Tuck | Menlo Park