February 28, 2008

The defenders, more Schwartzie, Sabeel

http://www.jewishjournal.com/ letters_to_the_editor/article/the_defenders_more_schwartzie_sabeel_20080229/

Battle for Israel's Survival

We appreciate the praise for StandWithUs [SWU] in "L.A.'s Defenders of Israel" (Feb. 15) but believe the quotes from David Myers and others unfamiliar with our work misled readers. SWU's mission is not to advocate specific policies but rather to counter demonization and distortions about Israel with facts so there can be responsible, informed dialogue.

We do not defend all Israel's controversial policies. We explain them factually and in context so people can weigh the pros and cons responsibly. SWU also has larger educational goals than described in the article. The media focuses so much on the conflict that people don't even know an Israel -- a dynamic, multicultural democracy brimming with cultural, biomedical and technological innovations and humanitarianism -- exists. Much of our educational focus is on Israel beyond the conflict.

We also try to fill the critical knowledge gap about the regional threats facing Israel, which are obstacles to peace and must be addressed. The polarization and misunderstanding caused by labels like "right wing," "anti-Palestinian" and "hawks" is regrettable. The bitter realities of recent years make such simplistic, dismissive labels anachronistic, and they stifle critically needed debate. SWU believes that documented facts are indispensable for debate, regardless of one's position on the political spectrum.

Esther Renzer
International President
Roberta P. Seid
Director of Education/Research
StandWithUs

I hasten to add two comments, which I emphasized throughout my conversations with Brad Greenberg.

First, although I often disagree with the approach and message of StandWithUs, I admire the organization and its meteoric growth. StandWithUs has not only tapped into the palpable sense of fear that Jews felt after Sept. 11 and the outbreak of the Second Intifada, it has become, in a very short period of time, the address for Israel advocacy in Los Angeles and beyond.

Second, I think that what the Jewish community deserves and needs is not another round of bitter recrimination but an open debate of ideas over what "pro-Israel" means at this critical juncture in history. That was the spirit in which my quoted comments were made -- as a prod to such debate, not as a dig against StandWithUs.

David N. Myers
Los Angeles

Muslim Scholar

While I deeply appreciate The Jewish Journal's interest in covering professor Ismail Bardhi's predicament and the phenomenal support of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR)to this heroic individual, one error needs to be corrected ("Hebrew College Funds Muslim Scholar's Rescue," Feb. 22).

The Scholar Rescue Fund is a program of the Institute of International Education (IIE) (http://www.iie.org/programs/srf), and is a public demonstration of IIE's profound international commitment to academic freedom. HUC-JIR did indeed rescue scholars during the Holocaust, alone and with no assistance in those dark days. It is fully appropriate for HUC-JIR to be involved in helping religious scholars again facing violence and even death for their views today.

A generation ago it was Jews. In this generation it is Muslims, and it is a statement of HUC-JIR's deep integrity that it would join with the Scholars Rescue Fund in dedication to this task. It has been the unwavering commitment of both institutions that has enabled this former dean of the Islamic Seminary of the Republic of Macedonia to continue his teaching, research and writing, and service as a leading Muslim scholar dedicated to reconciliation, religious pluralism, mutual understanding and world peace.

Reuven Firestone,
Professor of Medieval Judaism and Islam
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institite of Religion

Now that there is finally a Muslim scholar in Los Angeles that promotes tolerance -- a rare find, indeed -- professor Mehdi Bardhi should be brought to college campuses all around the country to speak to angry Muslim student groups.
While students at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion will, no doubt, benefit from his lectures, I think our community would be better served if he helped to diffuse the anti-Israel/Jewish propaganda to which other colleges are consistently subjected.

Daniel Iltis
Los Angeles

Schwartzie

I have recently read the article appearing in The Journal regarding Schwartzie and wanted to respond to the same ("Chai Center Rabbi Explains 'Off-the-Handle' E-mails," Feb. 15).

I have had the great pleasure of knowing Schwartzie and his family for many years and cannot begin to say enough kind words about each and every one of them.

Like many Jews around the world, we often struggle to find a Jewish identity in a culture and environment where true Jewish boundaries are often forgotten. What Schwartzie and his family have set out to do through the Chai Center is a truly amazing and remarkable thing.

It is a tragedy in a city like Los Angeles that if you, as a Jew, wish to attend services on the High Holy Days, in almost all cases, you can only do so by spending a significant amount of money on purchasing tickets. The fact that the Chai Center opens their doors each year during the High Holy Days to hundreds of people at no charge, allows many people to participate in the community in circumstances where they might otherwise miss out.

To attend any of the Chai Center events is to share in an experience where one can truly see how wonderful being an active and participating Jew can be, which can only continue to strengthen the growth of the Jewish community in the United States.

When I went to Israel for the first time two years ago, being able to spend Shabbat with Schwartzie and his family, starting with saying Shabbat prayers at the Western Wall, has created a lasting memory for me.

I have read the article in The Journal and understand the reaction that some of the individuals referred to may have had. I realize that for many people, this kind of a response is not acceptable coming from an organization that says it is accessible to "any Jew that moves." Notwithstanding, Jews all around the world have differing religious beliefs and frown upon the activities of many people who do not believe in the same standards as themselves. One only has to look at the views of the Orthodox movement in Israel or take a stroll through Meir Sharim in Jerusalem to experience this. It has always been my view that everyone is entitled to practice as a Jew in any manner they choose, within certain boundaries. This includes Schwartzie's right to have a point of view on the meaning of "who is a Jew."

I know that at times Schwartzie can be overzealous in his response on these issues. But I would also ask anyone who has read the article and can only see the negative in what is being portrayed, to consider the many good things that Schwartzie and the Chai Center do for so many Jews in the greater Los Angeles area. None of us are perfect, and compassion, understanding and forgiveness are at the root of Jewish principles and with this in mind, I would ask any readers to keep an open mind and not read everything at face value.

Craig Emanuel
via e-mail

The Jewish Journal performed a valuable service by covering Shlomo Schwartz's attacks on women who are not Jewish or who do not meet his standards for Jewish conversion. I hope that The Journal -- using its influential editorial voice -- will now take the lead in our community by unequivocally condemning his actions. Such measures are called for because Schwartz's behavior was not merely sexist but misogynous, his tirades not merely angry but abusive, and his language not merely inflammatory but antithetical to Jewish values and insulting to Jewish history.

What Schwartz did requires a response that goes beyond a "balanced" profile of a beloved leader who had an unfortunate episode. As he makes clear in the article, however, his apologies were qualified at best and he feels no remorse about his "righteous indignation."

I have many fond memories of working and joking and debating and dancing with Shlomo Schwartz when I was at UCLA in the mid-1970s. Those memories have been marred and overwhelmed by his recent actions. His behavior deserves condemnation, not just coverage. When he does real teshuvah, he can be welcomed back into our community.

Jonathan Jacoby
Via e-mail

Orthodox Rabbi Schwartzie and movie star Mel Gibson, no matter how they apologize and explain, their words cannot be taken back. Their words tell us the truth about what is in their souls.

Howard Weisberg
Pacific Palisades

In all of the years that I've been reading The Jewish Journal, never have I read an article as shocking and in such poor taste as your article on Rabbi Schwartzie. You have committed the ultimate lashon hara. With one article, you have destroyed another Jew! And for what purpose? Did you think you would be doing the Jewish community a favor by bringing an end to an organization, and a man, who have done so much good for the Jewish people?

By no means am I condoning the things that he has said. They were obviously hurtful, obnoxious and out of line. But how many of us have made mistakes and spoken things that we wish we could take back? Especially when it involved something that we were passionate about. Now imagine if those things were put out there for millions of people to read, along with your name, picture and Web site address? You should be very ashamed of what you've done to this man.

Sarah Sabbah
Agoura Hills

As the son of Holocaust survivors, I'm offended by Schwartzie and his son Mendel's perverted evocation of the memory of those that perished in the Holocaust in attempt to explain inexcusable anger and hostility toward "non"-Jews. Rather than seeking logically inept and shameful rationalization of deplorable, enraged e-mails accusing "non"-Jews of "diluting" of the Jewish gene pool, perhaps Schwartzie's ongoing and furious struggle would be better documented in "Mein Kampf -- Volume II" ....

Thank God we have rabbis that are more thoughtful and righteous, who no doubt are also deeply disturbed by this plethora of absurd and disrespectful behavior.

Richard David
Culver City

I agree with David Suissa that no one should be publicly embarrassed and raked over the coals, and especially without also discussing his whole life ("Did We Need Blood?" Feb. 22).

In that context, what he did would make more sense to the readers of The Journal. The Journal should not have publicly humiliated such an amazing man who only has goodness in his heart for the Jewish People.

Joanne Feldman
Marina Del Rey

Dear Ms. "Katz,"
You do not deserve to be vilified anyone in the name of religion, nor does the memory your late, Jewish mother, (may she rest in Peace)! She only wanted you to pursue part of your heritage, which you are doing; how dare anyone criticize you for something so personal. The hate, bigotry and misogyny expressed in the published e-mails are destructive to us as Jews. I hope that you find comfort ... you were raised Jewish, you are Jewish.

Levitt
North Hollywood

I am absolutely disgusted with the Jewish Journal letters re the terrible piece on Schwartzie. This is a man who is loving and kind beyond most of the people you'd meet in life. He has dedicated his whole life to helping connect Jewish people to their souls, including me, thirty years ago.

If he made mistakes in some e-mails, it is in no way reflective of his whole life; and yet, The Journal makes a grave chilul Hashem by painting this fine person in wrong and degrading light. Doesn't anyone at The Journal know that public humiliation of a person is like shedding blood? (Talmud).

The Journal needs to make a tikkun for Rabbi Schwartzie. They should publicly apologize for what they did. It is journalistic malpractice in the worst sense.

Joshua Spiegelman
Los Angeles

I grew up in Westdale/Mar Vista. My mother has lived in the neighborhood since 1946. Since 1946, Rabbi Schwartz is the only Jewish clergy person of any denomination to do Jewish outreach in Mar Vista and Westdale. The two congregations in the neighborhood do not reach out to the unaffiliated, almost a crime, as many thousands of Jews are ignored. Schwartzie and his rebbetzin are the only two people who care about them and for them. Your article has caused shockwaves that have reached me in Baltimore. Are you aware of how many Jews who spend Shabbos with the Schwartzes are now going to avoid them? Do you have another Shabbos opportunity to offer them? The Torah forbids lashon hora (gossip) because it can cause tremendous damage. If there was any constructive purpose to the article, it was not apparent. Thank you for considering my opinion.

David Meltzer
Baltimore, Md.

I feel compelled to rise to the defense of my long-time friend, rabbi Schwartz. Clearly, the language of the excerpted e-mails you dug up was inappropriate. I have known this man for over 30 years and can testify to the fact that he is a kind and loving man who embraces people of all faiths and walks of life. He most certainly is not a misogynist, as your article implied. The sad story exemplifies two important principles to me:

1) We can understand why the vast majority of Orthodox rabbis shun outreach. Offending people is an inevitable consequence of reaching out to unaffiliated and often ignorant Jews, while maintaining one's standards.

2) Having said that, e-mail is a particularly vulnerable medium for generating misunderstandings. The rabbi's concerns are valid. He just could have said them nicer. What may come across as funny or rhetorical in speech sounds far more offensive on e-mail. The normal, socially appropriate editing our brains perform during conversation is absent with electronic communication. For the future, I would advise my good friend Schwartzie, and all of your readers, to limit their e-mail messages to, "Have a nice day." Save the important topics for face-to-face discussions.

Michael Feinman
Agoura Hills

Sabeel

In religious and lay Jewish tradition, debate, including the right to dissent, is an essential element of the freedom to seek knowledge ("Butt Out," Jan. 25).

Toward that end, some members of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (PJTC) have voiced publicly their opposition to a conference at All Saints Episcopal Church sponsored by Sabeel, a Jerusalem-based Christian group of Palestinians that is critical of current Israeli policies. Some PJTC members have chastised Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater for failing to criticize All Saints for offering Sabeel a site for its event.

In the midst of the controversy over the conference, Rabbi Grater chose to make this an educational moment by inviting Reverend Ed Bacon, All Saints' rector, to PJTC to meet with and listen to PJTC members. On Feb. 11, about 100 PJTC members showed up, engaged in a lively discussion with the Rev. Bacon, and expressed a wide range of views.

We do not believe that religious leaders should constrict discussion and debate or criticize each other for insufficient censorship. Doing so not only ignores Jewish tradition and teaching, but is also a prescription for mistrust and recrimination, emotions already in oversupply when it comes to suspicion between and among religions, particularly in the Middle East. Sabeel deserves to be criticized for some of its views, but its voice against injustices experienced by the Palestinian people should not be silenced.

The meeting at PJTC underscored the importance of precisely the sort of dialogue that the controversy has generated. As PJTC members, we appreciate Rabbi Grater's leadership on this issue. He has consistently been a voice for peace and justice and the spirit of tikkun olam -- repairing our community -- here in Pasadena and around the world.

Mike Davidson, Peter Dreier, Ed Honowitz,
Bonnie Martinez, Raul Martine, Terry Meng, Ellen Pai, Glenn Rothner,
Michael and Ruth Several, Debby Singer

Special Needs

Thank you so much for recognizing the special-needs community in your Feb. 8 issue ("The Journey to Inclusion"). Please know that the Web site for the Friendship Circle of Los Angeles was incorrectly listed. Our correct Web address is http://www.fcla.org/. We have been helping these beautiful children and their families for the last five years through our many programs. With a group of over 200 teen volunteers, we service approximately 100 special-needs children throughout the year.

Through our Friends at Home program, we have pairs of trained teen volunteers that visit the children at their homes once a week. At our Sunday Circle, kids spend two exciting hours in a fun-filled Judaic atmosphere, where they participate in music, art and sports. Our holiday programs allow the entire family to celebrate in a comfortable setting. Our new Club Kung Fu program is a martial arts program for children who have social challenges.

If you would like to become a teen volunteer or hear about our valuable programs, please contact us at info@fcla.org or call (310) 277-FCLA (3252) for more information.

Rabbi Michael Rav-Noy
Executive Director
The Friendship Circle of Los Angeles

LA Times

It was to me very revealing that in the calculation explained by the L.A. Times Op-Ed editor in Amy Klein's recent interview, he had (1) a category for Arabs (and Arab Americans) who were anti-Israel, (2) for Jews (and Israelis) who were pro-Israel as well as for (3) Jews (and Israelis) who were critical of various political and military actions taken by the Israeli government ("Q & A With Nicholas Goldberg," Feb. 1). But, where is (4) the category of Arabs (and Arab Americans) who are critical of the political and military and anti-Israeli education/propaganda dissemination? Or, if there are no articles available by Arab or Muslim moderates critical of actions by Arab governments or terrorist acts by those who claim they are doing them as part of Islamic jihad and/or in the name of Islam, where is some discussion as to why moderate Muslims and Arabs and their supporters (some who embrace the apologists for violence of Palestinian liberation theology") are either unavailable or, perhaps, fearful to come forward in print?

Or maybe there have been such columns that the L.A. Times editor neglected to mention in his calculus.

Willy Leventhal
Los Angeles

Israel @ 60

I am writing in reference to your article about Israel at 60 - "The Day Israel Came to Town" (Feb. 15). I enjoyed reading the article and look forward to the entire series. I think I can identify the man on the left in the photo of the Hollywood Bowl celebration featuring Consul General Dafni and the mayor. I believe it is my grandfather, Judge Isaac Pacht. I know he would have been there. I'm sure his activities in the early days of the formation of the Jewish community of Los Angeles and the State of Israel are well documented in your archives: 1933, 1935, 1936 he was chair of the United Jewish Welfare Corp.; 1949-51 president of the Jewish Community Council and many other organizations.

Also of note is his successful defense (with his partner, Clore Warne) of Adolph Schwimmer (later to establish El Al Airlines in Israel) and Herman Greenspun (later owner of the Las Vegas Sun newspaper) in October 1949 who were indicted for exporting, contrary to the neutrality and customs laws of the United States, airplanes and war material to Israel for use in its defense in the War of Independence in 1948.

If you need additional information or have questions about the above, please contact me.
Pam Pacht
Via e-mail

Community

Your senior writer Brad A. Greenberg updated me on L.A. happenings ("Report Finds UCI a Hostile Place for Jewish Students," Feb. 22). It brought back memories of NYC in 60s when Rabbi Meir Kahana called for "Every Jew a 22." Here and now he would be crying "Every Israeli an Uzi."

Moshe Brodetzky
Tarzana