Letters: September 16

Keeping the mitzvot should, but does not automatically, make a person decent in every respect.

By JERUSALEM POST READERS
Hardly a Gandhi
Sir, – In “Protesting nonviolently” (Features, September 2), Sami Awad wants us to believe that Palestinian violence is fueled only by the IDF’s cruel and insulting behavior and, of course, “the occupation.” The army even insulted his “gentle” father (“Protesting – nonviolently,” Feature, September 2).
One has to read this interview to understand that there can never be peace in this land until we destroy the myth that it belongs to the Arabs. Awad’s answer to the penultimate question only confirms this.
“We all have a history on this land and denying the narrative of the other is a waste of time and energy.... Palestinians need to accept that Jews have always lived here.... I am not saying that Palestinians should ever recognize Israel as a Jewish state.”
With those words I rest my case.
EDITH OGNALL
Netanya
Sir, – Instead of crediting Sami Awad for his “non-violent” protest activity, you should be writing about his hypocrisy. If he were truly interested in “non-violent protest” he would be doing it among his own people, whose violence in word and deed against Israel is already legend.
I have said it before: You are way over in the politically correct column.
Zionism is setting the highest priority on its purpose as the means of redemption for the Jewish people, not suffering, commending or giving democratic privilege to those whose attitude is anti-Zionist.
PAUL RABOFF Jerusalem
Political statement
Sir, – Ruth Eglash wrote about Irit Rosenblum, a lawyer (“Taking the law into her own hands,” Questionnaire, September 2), and states that Rosenblum’s place of birth is Jerusalem, although her current address is Israel. The implication is that Jerusalem is not in Israel.
If another city is intended, it should have been mentioned.
These descriptions, as they stand, make a political statement.
AHARON GOLDBERG Hatzor Haglilit
Homes for us all
Sir, – Ruth Krammer has it all wrong (“Not the time for luxury,” Letters, September 2). The home feature in your magazine is about beautiful homes – which are not necessarily expensive or “luxury.” Gloria Deutsch’s pithy descriptions are a pleasure to read, and my only criticism is that often not enough photographs are included to fully appreciate the homes. This applies particularly to her descriptions of kitchens (probably the most important part of a house), which need illustrations to be properly understood.
Since this feature is the one I turn to first in the magazine, I would also be grateful if you would include its page number in the table of contents.
GEOFFREY COHEN Zichron Ya’acov
Sir, – I very much agree with Ruth Krammer, that most of us are ordinary folks trying to scrape through, and that by displaying these expensive homes the Post seems to be lacking in sensitivity for those of us who aren’t in that bracket.
I wonder if you could publish some homes that were done over, not by architects but by plain people who repainted their furniture, bought secondhand items rather than antiques or used recycleables. I just had my own furniture re-covered and painted, and it makes a world of difference. Sorry I don’t have the “before” pictures! Possibly, you could have one week of luxury, two weeks of do-overs, and one week of do-ityourself for folks who want to try their own hand at simple projects.
FRIEDA ROSEMAN-MANDEL Jerusalem
Sir, – Although you’ve received several letters from readers who don’t appreciate Gloria Deutsch’s wonderful stories and photos on amazing luxury homes throughout the country, I love these features and really look forward to seeing what the next house will be like.
I agree that most people cannot afford to live or redecorate that way, however it’s great to dream that maybe “someday....”
What I would like to see added to your magazine is an occasional article about how a middle-income family redecorates on a budget. For example, many families on my kibbutz are redoing their homes with amazing results! Also, I would really appreciate tips on how to hire a general contractor, architect, handyman, painter, etc., and on which stores are good to shop at in different areas of the country, and which materials are the best to use. This combination of ideas could provide a very good source of useful information and inspiration for a wider range of families.
SANDI FRIEDMAN Kibbutz Sa’ad
Appearances only
Sir, – Kudos to Stewart Weiss for his outstanding column “Don’t call me Orthodox” (Guest Columnist, September 2).
I remember learning that the only non-kosher animal that has split hooves – and happens to be the most well-known treif animal, even among non-Jews – is the pig. It is the only animal in the world that has all the appearance of being kosher, but deep within is not kosher at all.
And this is the worst sort of person – the one who looks the part, complete with modest clothing or long peyot but whose behavior isn’t at all kosher. What a strong lesson in learning not to judge anyone by his or her cover.
PAM MORITZ Hashmonaim
Sir, – Sorry, Rabbi Weiss, but I cannot agree with your summing up of the term “Orthodox.”
Keeping the mitzvot should, but does not automatically, make a person decent in every respect. A completely irreligious Jew can also be an honest, compassionate and loyal Jew, parent, spouse, neighbor, employer and friend.
Can you honestly say that every bearded gentleman with a kippa under his black hat is, ipso facto, a decent and moral human being?
BETTY MISHEIKER Jerusalem
Peaceful but powerless
Sir, – I agree with Daniel K. Eisenbud that there are thousands of Arab-Israelis who are honorable, humane, peaceful and tolerant (“Eisenbud’s odyssey,” A Not So Innocent Abroad, September 2). But these people have no power. The Arab-Israelis with power, such as Knesset members and imams, have the means to disseminate their venom through mosques, television and newspapers.
My late mother-in-law, with two little children, was in a ghetto in Berlin in 1941, and the husband of a friend, who was in the SS, smuggled milk to them at night. But the power was in the hands of the Nazis.
I think Eisenbud should not be naïve and should read history.
I have forgotten who said that if we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat its mistakes.
Our friendly Arab-Israelis have no power. They cannot influence the course of events.
JOSEPH M. SCHWARCZ
Ganei Omer
Own backyard
Sir, – In his “Twilight of the gods” (Think Again, August 26), Jonathan Rosenblum makes a superb case for conservative social economics as he eviscerates a progressive model of Western European bureaucratic social welfare states that “turns every good and service into a ‘human right’ – the list of such rights infinitely expanding.”
Rosenblum underscores the fact that “the more government does for people, the less they do for themselves, even to the point of being unwilling to defend themselves,” the result being a “multi-generational welfare dependency.” He concludes by stating the obvious, that “dependence does not breed gratitude; only a sense of entitlement for more.”
One wonders therefore, that Rosenblum doesn’t recognize this identical malaise right in his own backyard. His description of a non-productive, uneducated, often violent and entitled underclass with no aspirations can easily describe haredi society in Israel, with its masses of functionally illiterate youth, mob violence and utter lack of gratitude.
Rosenblum would perform a supremely valuable service were he to rid himself of his double standard. One hopes he will apply his formidable gifts to helping foster a sea change in the values of the haredi sector, for which he serves as chief apologist when he is not astutely commenting on global issues.
J.J. GROSS
Jerusalem