August 30, 2001
Your Letters
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Conflict in Israel
Kudos to Rabbi Dov Fischer ("Time to Survive," Aug. 24) and to The Jewish Journal on its best edition ever.
It is time to take notice that there are many issues regarding the Palestinians that are ticking time bombs. Yasser Arafat teaching hate to future generations, the proliferation of arms in the wrong hands and the callous disregard for human life all just tick away.
David Nisenbaum, Los Angeles
I have just returned from several weeks in Israel and am happy to report that in spite of the bad news, I saw some bright spots worth reporting.
In many Israeli hospitals, such as Shaare Zedek in Jerusalem, I saw Arabs as doctors and staff, patients and visitors. At Hebrew University, I saw many Arabs, staff and students, some of them uninhibitedly playing backgammon.
One Sunday morning, I went to Malha Mall in Jerusalem and was surprised to find it full of Jewish and Arab families shopping and dining together.
Yona Sabar, Professor of Hebrew and Aramaic, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures UCLA
Shoshana Greenbaum was married to a real mensch, with whom I had the privilege of studying Torah during the late 1980s in New York. When they announced their engagement last year, we celebrated at the home of Shoshana's parents, Alan and Shifra Hayman. People remarked that this couple was a "match made in heaven."
That "match" has now been torched. Militant Islam should be contemptuously portrayed in the media and in casual conversation as pro-death, child-abusive and totally inhumane. People of good faith and spirit must proclaim this reality, and work toward repudiating and eradicating this scourge of insanity.
May the real pursuers of peace and liberty prevail in the Jewish homeland, allowing people of all faiths and creeds to live together with dignity and security.
Rabbi Aaron Parry, Beverly Hills
State Budget Kudos
The California state budget, in small measure, reflects the worthy programs that Jewish communal organizations are providing to the broad state population ("We're in the Money," Aug. 17).
Among the legislators singled out for promoting the benefits of youTHink, a program of the Zimmer Children's Museum of Jewish Community Centers of Greater Los Angeles, to their colleagues are Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg and members of the Assembly, Fran Pavley and Jackie Goldberg.
We thank our elected representatives for their leadership in the growth and expansion of youTHink and of the other deserving programs.
Esther Netter, Executive Director Zimmer Children's Museum of Jewish Community Centers of Greater Los Angeles
Shefa Fund
I am encouraged by the Shefa Fund's new presence in Los Angeles ("Shefa Fund Reaches L.A.," Aug. 24).
The result of organizing a revolving loan fund for Jewish investments in local credit unions, loan funds and banks that serve economically depressed areas will be more jobs, housing and small business.
Shefa's Tzedek Economic Development Campaign is a powerful model for the L.A. Jewish community. By using our investable assets, we can integrate our business with our values and infuse our entire community with tzedakah values.
Rabbi John L. Rosove, Temple Israel of Hollywood
Corrections
The Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles phone number and Web site address in the Aug. 24 letter from Peter Braun were incorrect. The correct phone number is (800) 600-1993, and their Web site address is www.alzla.org.
In the Aug. 24 obituary for E.J. Safirstein, Jack and Sue Safirstein should have been listed as his parents.
