October 20: Passing of an era

Rev. Hardman was indeed blessed with all the virtues with which Mr. Horovitz extolled him.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
letters 88 (photo credit: )
letters 88
(photo credit: )
Passing of an era Sir, - I cannot thank David Horovitz enough for "Hardman's humanity" (October 17). He spoke for all of us who grew up in London's Raleigh Close Synagogue. The description of Rev. Hardman giving the bar mitzva boy his humash was so perfect that I chuckled out loud! I grew up in this community, from 1948 until 1968. My whole family had a very close personal relationship with the Hardmans. Rev. Hardman was indeed blessed with all the virtues with which Mr. Horovitz extolled him, enhanced by his lifelong partner, Josi. With her calm, soft Scottish voice, his wife was at his side whenever needed. They were an amazing couple. The Hardmans had to grapple not only with the atrocities of Bergen-Belsen, but with many personal tragedies over the years. Despite this, or because of it, "humanity" is the word that comes foremost to mind when talking about them. Because of their warmth and humanity, it was to Leslie and Josi Hardman that we turned for help when terrible tidings had to be imparted - not once, but twice - to the older members of our family. Those who survived the death camp, and all of us who came into contact with the Hardmans, are the better for it. An era has passed. Thank you for leaving us this poignant memory. BARBARA PFEFFER Rehovot Sir, - Rev. Hardman was a mensch in the true Jewish sense, always caring, helping and supporting. Some years ago, when I met him here, I reminded him of the BBC broadcast of his first Jewish "service" at Bergen-Belsen after the liberation. Two things about it burned into my memory: His beginning, in an emotionally charged voice, "Nahamu, nahamu ami - troest sich, troest sich mein Volk sogt unser Gott," and his reciting of the Kaddish prayer. Everyone who listened surely had tears running down their faces. Rev. Hardman was surprised to hear that someone could quote him after all these years - but then, that was the man. May his memory be a blessing for all of Israel. EMANUEL FISCHER Jerusalem Sir, - In my 43 years as hazan at Woodside Park Synagogue in Finchley, I had the good fortune, for many of them, to have Rev. Leslie Hardman as a neighboring minister. In my early years in the ministry he gave me wonderful advice in a fatherly manner, and friendship which I have always treasured. A true gentleman indeed. MICHAEL PLASKOW Netanya Away with apathy Sir, - According to deputy defense minister Matan Vilna'i, our country is facing one of the most complicated and dangerous periods in its history, confronting at any one time a guerilla war in Lebanon, a terror war in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, conventional war with Syria and a possible existential threat from Iran ("'We are in the midst of preparing the home front for war,'" October 17). How on earth is a fractious government monopolized by devious, self-seeking politicians - headed once again by an unelected leader, who most certainly does not represent the public consensus - supposed to function effectively? Yet again, another editorial ("In praise of Joe the plumber," same date) slammed the utter futility of our unwieldy election system and urged change. Obviously the vast majority of Knesset members are neither idealistically nor patriotically inclined to put their careers on hold and lead the charge to legislate for electoral reform - so the onus falls on us Israeli citizens. Instead of resigning ourselves to apathetic indifference, we must fight for electoral reform - now. GISH TRUMAN ROBBINS Pardesiya End this idiocy Sir, - Re "Peres: No progress made in Schalit talks" (October 19): Enough already. End this. Take a picture of one Palestinian boy warrior prisoner, put it on the Worldwide Web, and say: This is who we will trade for Schalit. And walk away from the table. The government way always leads to another kidnapping and endless blah, blah for another 1,000 prisoner releases; and heartbreak for the parents of the new IDF captive. One for one. Raise the value of their children to yours. This elitist snobbery only perpetuates the idiocy and gives value to their arguments. Enough already. End it. WILLIAM LEVY Baltimore In Grant's defense Sir, - Linda Grant does not need me to defend her, but Lynette Ordman's attack requires a response ("Sickening views," Letters, October 17). She claims that Ms. Grant's book The Clothes on Their Backs was shortlisted for the Booker Prize because "the British establishment is only too keen to promote another vehicle that reinforces new forms of anti-Jewish sentiment." By the same logic, the fact that the book did not actually win the Booker prize presumably shows that the British establishment has seen the error of its ways and is now firmly pro-Jewish. The prize was, in fact, won by a young Indian writer whose book covers the vast disparity between rich and poor in India. Clear evidence of the British establishment's imperialist and colonialist attitude to India? Ms. Grant's latest book is, among other things, a sensitive and sympathetic portrait of the effect of Holocaust survival on two brothers and their families in Britain. She is critical of some aspects of Israeli policy toward the Palestinians, as are many Israelis. She is also a courageous campaigner against the anti-Israel policies of many on the Left, fighting the academic and cultural boycott and the notion of Israel as an apartheid state. Moreover, she does so from within the hostile environment of British Left politics, rather than from the relative comfort of Netanya. LESLIE WAGNER Jerusalem A mass of... Sir, - It was the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 that started the US on the slippery slope of replacing prudent lending practices with dubious social engineering mandates. In addition, the government created Fannie Mae and Feddie Mac, which amassed six trillion dollars of mortgages-disguised-as-welfare, then trussed them up into complex securitized instruments marketed to gullible banks worldwide. The twin evils of lax lending standards and the use of derivatives to hide risk were also practised by the private sector, but they were initiated and encouraged by the government. Thus our desire to be rescued by the government is only fair, since the liberals in government created this mess in the first place ("We're all liberals now," Larry Derfner, October 16). DAVID KATCOFF Jericho, Vermont ...shaky structures Sir, - Re "Panic vs self-interest" (Editorial, October 13): The effects of the economic crisis are already easy to see in Israel. People are moving out of their houses and living in simple booths that lack proper walls and roofs. The UN should be told about how we unfortunates have been reduced to living like refugees. JACK COHEN Netanya From Hindu to Jew Sir, - I am a proud Hindu and I really do not know your customs. So please forgive me if I offend you. I presume it is your New Year, so please accept my best wishes. I appreciate your determination and courage in maintaining your freedom against all odds. I wish very happy and prosperous years ahead for all of you. VASANT SAHASRABUDDHE Vadodara, India