Letters to the Editor

February 28, 2008

The defenders, more Schwartzie, Sabeel

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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.

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