Letters

By JERUSALEM POST READERS
Letters 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Letters 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Paradoxically, its situation is the mirror image of that of Shas here in Israel.
While the party knows that its voter strength comes primarily from the underclasses, it makes sure these voters remain exactly where they are.
Despite all its lip service to the contrary, bettering their situation economically entails the danger of losing their votes
Urgent delivery
Sir, – In a strong and compelling piece (“Who will save Jonathan Pollard?” In Plain Language, December 27), Stewart Weiss writes to Elie Wiesel and beseeches him to intervene with the “powers that be” in the US. He states that Prof. Wiesel has “always sought opportunities to do good, to speak up for those who had no voice, to champion causes that were not always comfortable, conventional or politically correct.”
His next remark – which simply flabbergasted me – totally demeaned the value of his column and unraveled his urgent request: “If this article somehow finds its way to you....”
Somehow? It behooves you – foremost Stewart Weiss, and then your readers – that this article does reach its intended destination, and immediately!
HINDI PETASHNICK Jerusalem
Tailor-made for Reform
Sir, – With regard to “Can the Reform Movement staunch the bleeding?” (Think Again, December 27), Reform Judaism, with its progressive, humanistic and open approach, certainly does have an uphill climb in the United States if it is to stop the depletion of its ranks.
Paradoxically, its situation is the mirror image of that of Shas here in Israel. While the party knows that its voter strength comes primarily from the underclasses, it makes sure these voters remain exactly where they are. Despite all its lip service to the contrary, bettering their situation economically entails the danger of losing their votes.
It is precisely in Israel, with its majority milieu of Jews, Judaism and Jewishness, that the potential of the Reform Movement – and its progressive, humanistic and open approach – lies.
ARI BEN-SENDER Jerusalem
Interesting time
Sir, – Reading Arieh O’Sullivan’s article about his father and Lee Harvey Oswald (“Acquaintance with an assassin,” Feature, November 22) brought back good memories of our first year in Israel, which we spent with the O’Sullivans at the Mevaseret Zion absorption center.
I did not know of Ephraim O’Sullivan’s connection to Oswald, but was interested to read that he was of the opinion that Oswald was the lone gunman in spite of his Communist connections – which seemed mainly to be in Oswald’s mind.
Our family in Dallas was very much acquainted with Jack Ruby, the nightclub owner who killed Oswald as the latter was being moved to a different jail, as he spent many meals with us. From everything we heard, we do not believe that Jack was free of any association from with any conspiracy. Like many nightclub owners throughout the United States, he was known not only to borderline criminals, but was known and well-liked by the police. Thus his easy entry to the police station.
(He was bringing them corned beef sandwiches from a popular Dallas delicatessen.) Jack adored the Kennedys and took the assassination very hard. Admittedly, he was not that stable – but he was a good soul.
All articles at the time wrote about his strip clubs, but there was no mention of a popular college hangout he also owned, where he gave many entertainers a good start.
It was a very interesting time (to say the least) in Dallas.
ELAINE LEVITT Kfar Vradim