September 28: Exception to the rule?

Any school that exhibits a negative attitude toward minority groups should be exposed and the situation corrected.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
letters good 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
letters good 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Exception to the rule? Sir, - I would like to believe that the situation Elana Maryles Sztokman described in "Racism in the name of religion" (September 24) concerning a Beit Ya'acov school is an exception to the rule rather than the norm. I can attest to the fact that in the Bnei Akiva religious school where my daughter was educated, no such discrimination or racism existed. One of my daughters married a man from a Sephardi family and her closest friend is also Sephardi, so it is obvious to me that she was not taught to hate or look down on the Sephardim in any way. Any school that exhibits a negative attitude toward minority groups should be exposed and the situation corrected. If it is not, the school should be closed down. Now that this practice has been exposed, I hope Ms. Sztokman will keep us informed as to how the problem is being addressed. PAUL BERMAN Shoham 'Medina' - good. 'Memshala,' not always Sir, - Michael Freund's idea of a "Land of Israel Day" does touch a cord in those of us who feel that this concept has been sadly neglected over many years ("Reverse the process of 'de-patriotization,'" September 17). He needs to bear in mind, however, that such a celebration would not help with regard to those groups who, while believing in the sanctity of the Land of Israel and its eternal bond with the Jewish people, are nevertheless immovably opposed to the State of Israel. Perhaps the way forward would be to use the occasion to launch a massive educational effort in constitutional government. Most of the haredi communities opposed to the state seem to have no understanding of the fundamental distinction between memshala (government) and medina (state). This is far from being an academic issue. A true perception of this difference would fully legitimize the dissatisfaction many of these groups feel with the government, without having to make them feel, in the process, inimical to their own country. While there are other issues, mostly theological, that lie outside the scope of this letter, in my experience this is the only one that continues to provide fuel for such an absurdity - as witnessed by the fact that when haredim are asked the reasons for their hostility, the answers almost invariably refer to what "they" did, or are doing. "They," of course, refers to the poor medina, which has never harmed anyone, whereas it should be referring to the memshala. It is tempting to ignore or set aside this massive tide of ill will. But consider that it emanates from our own people, and - for those of us who are believers - from groups that could, were it not for this dreadful misconception, infuse our beloved country with enormous spiritual merit. Mr. Freund would be well-advised to take this matter on board through any channels open to him, within or outside the scope of his envisioned "Land of Israel Day." RAHMIN HALFON Jerusalem Tough, but it's only stuff Sir, - One of the first questions I asked my shipper back in June was, "What happens if there is a strike at the ports?" He was very upfront and said, "This happened once before during the Second Lebanon War. Stuff was sent to Alexandria, Greece, Turkey and Italy. You take on the cost." Why did I ask the question? I guess it was from keeping up with the news in Israel since my first visit over 30 years ago. There have been all sorts of strikes here. In fact, the first word I learned on kibbutz in 1973 was shvita. All kidding aside, it's tough as new olim who are acclimating to everything all at once to be without our stuff - right before Rosh Hashana - and know that those tangible objects from which we gain comfort are vacationing in Italy at our expense. But after getting over my panic, I realized it was just that - stuff. While I wait to move into my apartment, I'll borrow a mattress and other household items and consider myself more lucky than my relatives, who arrived here more than a few years ago with nothing ("Immigrant shipments are 'held hostage' after port sanctions," September 24). LINDA MARCUS Jerusalem Odd aroma Sir - In your gastronomic coverage headlined "Sderot festival to boost women's cooking ventures" (September 19), you reported that "it is being sponsored by an investment of NIS 6 million." Then, in the following paragraph, "(The festival will) generate revenues of about NIS 1 million." Do the arithmetic. It has a strange smell, and it's not coming from the culinary delights of the women of valor who cook under Kassams. DANIEL ABELMAN Jerusalem The new 45... Sir, - Judy Montagu's "An ode to age" (September 24) was an enjoyable read. I wish newspaper articles would not refer to 60- or 65-year-olds as "elderly." Being 60 or 65 isn't what it used to be. In this day and age, 65 is the new 45! SHULAMIS BONCHEK Jerusalem ... is whatever you feel Sir, - I so enjoyed Judy Montagu's column and would like to add a few quotes which illustrate what she said. An infirm elderly friend of mine said recently, in answer to my query about her health: "They call this the Golden Age, but I call it the Rusty Old Iron Age!" A grandchild asked me: "Grandma, do you feel old ?" To which I replied, "Not when I am sitting down." Shana Tova to all, old and young. JUDY PRAGER Petah Tikva