Letters to the Editor

July 9, 2008

Antonio’s ‘touch,’ Fairfax grads, Beta Israel

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'Touched'




The Jewish Journal cover of June 27-July 3 is excellent from top to bottom. The contrast between darkness and the light of the Kotel; the mayor touching the wall and your lead-in title, "Touched"; the technique to put the paper's masthead on the picture, yet the part of the picture right where the man's teffilin is is on the masthead. Brilliant and award-winning in my book!

Joseph Hammer
via e-mail


I recognize that the photo of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the Western Wall was provided to The Jewish Journal as a courtesy but was disappointed to see the man next to him casting an eagle eye at the mayor. The photo without that man would have been a very poignant and moving photo of our mayor.

Adobe Photoshop could easily have removed that man from the photo. Hard to believe that was the only photo you were provided of the mayor at the Western Wall.

And, of course, a freelance photographer could have gotten you a better cover photo. Your editor blew the chance to capture a historical opportunity. What a shame.

Barry Paul
Manhattan Beach


I cannot believe that the front page of The Jewish Journal has a picture of the Los Angeles mayor touching the sacred wall and your headline in large yellow letters, "Touched."

I think looking closer at the picture you will see a man to his left with an expression of "What in the world do we have here?" or is it just plain amazement, like the one I had in seeing this picture.

This mayor will stop at nothing to get his picture plastered in all sorts of communications, and there is not a day that I turn on my TV or pick up a paper and there he is, once again. Villaraigosa, being the egocentric and smart politician, knows that the Jewish vote holds some weight, so what better way to get attention than to gather $200,000 and take a little jaunt to Israel. I guess he has never heard of telephoning and conference calls.

This mayor has spent more time traveling than any mayor I can think of. When this city has so many problems that need all the attention our elected officials can muster up, this one is off and running. Back from Israel, on to Miami
His main focus is to become the next governor and then on to the White House.

This exposure has been to provide him with that help. I am truly disappointed that you have not seen the motivation of his so-called concerns.

Samantha Beck
Los Angeles


J-cation

The cover story, "Fairfax: Best Street for a J-cation," (July 4) is both nostalgic and sociological, having been around Fairfax Avenue since the 1950s.

When mentioning famous Jewish alumni from Fairfax High School, not surprisingly Phil Spector's name was absent.

Eddie Cress
Sylmar


Ethiopian Jews

I want to commend Don Futterman for reporting about the situation of the Ethiopian Jews with such clarity ("Beta Israel Face Uncertain Future on Aliyah," July 4).

It is an important article that allows the Jewish community to understand that there are still issues of Jewish survival to be solved in Ethiopia.

Peachy Levy
North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry Board Member
Santa Monica


Many thanks for printing the Don Futterman article. I'm sure the Israelis are not too happy about it. You've always had guts, and that makes your newspaper great!

Dick Giesberg
via e-mail


'The Return'

I recently saw "The Return" and would like readers of The Jewish Journal to know this is a fabulous play loaded with music and dance that rivals any Broadway show ("Tale of the 'Stranger' Leaps From Book to Musical," May 30).

It is a tribute to the Ethiopian Jews who faced adversity while clinging to their heritage and to the Jews who stepped up to the plate and faced the challenge of rescuing and freeing them.

I am so glad I had an opportunity to see it. It is something special.

Sue Mischel
via e-mail


Corrections
In "The Best of (Jewish) Los Angeles" (July 4), Glatt Mart's address should have been 8708 W. Pico Blvd., (310) 289-6888.
In "Fairfax: Best Street For a J-cation" (July 4), No. 9 should have been listed as Reserve, 420 N. Fairfax Ave., not as Huf.
A version of this article appeared in print.

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