September 26: This prejudice...

We still have a long way to go before the various Jewish communities are integrated into one entity worthy of the name People of Israel.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
letters good 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
letters good 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
This prejudice... Sir, - Elana Maryles Sztokman exposes the ongoing and pervasive problem of discrimination practiced by Ashkenzim against Sephardi students in some state religious schools ("Racism in the name of religion," September 24). Yet in describing the outrageous ostracism suffered by Sephardi children - an issue that must be addressed by community leaders and educators - she falls into the trap of stereotyping the Sephardi community. She is enamored of the view that "Mizrahi and Ashkenazi identities take different forms," saying that Sephardi religious observance of Shabbat is primarily expressed by being within the family, while Ashkenazi observance is based on obeying the letter of the Sabbath laws. According to this interpretation of Sephardi practice, it's okay "to flick a light switch" as long as you are spending Shabbat with your family. Give me a break! Your writer and her doctoral research fellows who present this superficial and egregious distortion should familiarize themselves with the giants of halachic codification, especially Maimonides, and the author of the Shulhan Aruch, Rabbi Joseph Caro, who happened to be Sephardim. Equally so is Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, one of the greatest halachic decisors in the modern world. The late Rabbi B. Soloveichik,who grew up in Russia, once stated: "I grew up with the Sephardim," meaning that Maimonides and Rabbi Caro, together with so many other Sephardi halachic luminaries, were at the center of his studies and consciousness. It is part of the Zionist dream that a Jewish state will ultimately integrate the various Jewish communities into one entity worthy of the name People of Israel. Alas, we still have a long way to go. MORDECHAI SPIEGELMAN Jerusalem ...has to end Sir, - This long-overdue expose of prejudice in religious schools was, sadly, not sufficiently extensive. It involves boys' schools as well and exists within segments of the Ashkenazi community too. It is not accompanied by kindness or any Jewish value such as the Torah's insistence on the sanctity of every soul. Last week I emailed an anguished criticism of this issue within my own community. For good reason, I was (kindly and respectfully) told my criticisms were harsh, but that every word was true concerning a terrible problem that has hurt many children. From within the system it was admitted that the problem is "all over." I don't have any suggestions for resolving this issue, only forcing it into the open. We are in the time of year when all our deeds are being scrutinized On High. At this, of all times, conscience must be directed at absolutely condemnable practices. Categorically, our Father Abraham and Moses were not Ashkenazim. PESACH GOODLEY Telz Stone Ignorance isn't bliss Sir, - I could not let Shmuley Boteach's "Modern forms of prejudice" (September 16) pass without comment. His suggestion that liberals are making fun of Sarah Palin because of the number of her children is absolutely false. After all, Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated by an Arab in 1968, had more than twice the Palins' number of children and no liberal democrat took the Kennedys to task for the size of their family. Nobody has criticized the Palins on this account. Rather, Boteach cited only half of the question we are posing. The real question isn't just, Don't they have the pill in Alaska? It's: Don't they have the pill in Alaska when unmarried 16-year-olds are sexually active, becoming pregnant and having to marry their 17-year-old high school dropout boyfriends? Politicians like Palin, who refuse to permit any form of meaningful sex education, continue the culture of ignorance that results in the US having the highest teenage pregnancy rate of any of the OECD nations. It's the same culture of ignorance that prompted her to attempt to ban books from the local library in Wasilla, and it should be recognized as such, especially in a politician who aspires to the second-highest office in the land. ROBERT A. GRAUMAN New York Protecting rights Sir, - Peleg Reshef of the World Jewish Congress is right to warn against the dangers of world Jewry pursuing a policy of political isolationism in relation to the forthcoming UN Durban Review Conference preparations ("WJC: Jewish organizations must engage, not ignore, Durban II," September 14). At this point in the process there is still a range of opportunities to influence and shape the agenda of the conference by working in partnership with other NGOs and human rights agencies, most of whom view the possibility of a repeat of Durban I with abhorrence. It is precisely because of the firm statements from the governments of Britain, the US, Israel and others, as well as the strong action already taken by Canada, that Jewish NGOs should feel empowered to work to avoid the scenario of a second UN-sponsored hate-fest. This is why the institutions of the UK Jewish community have formed the Jewish Human Rights Coalition, to enable us to engage with the Durban Review Process from within the framework of a genuine human rights agenda. If, at any point, a repeat of Durban 1 appeared likely, we would certainly withdraw our participation and urge our government to do the same. We consider this approach to be firmly rooted in the Jewish tradition of dedication to the advancement and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms for all people. HENRY GRUNWALD, President Board of Deputies of British Jews Chair, Jewish Human Rights Coalition London