Letters from the week of August 5

Worthy of applause Sir,- Susan Hattis Rolef criticizes the IDF not for its fighting capabilities, its training programs or even its perceived shortcomings in previous conflicts. Her main critique involves the status and role of women and “the taking advantage of the army for purposes of religious indoctrination via the Chaplaincy Corps” (“Redefining secular-religious relations in the IDF,” Guest Columnist, July 29).

Yes, much more progress needs to be made on equality and anti-discrimination in the army. This kind of social-consciousness- raising takes time. Yet more than any other army in the world, the IDF leads in gender equality.

On religious indoctrination, however, I take great issue. We have announced loudly that we are a Jewish state. If the Chaplaincy Corps cannot formulate its programs as Jewish and halachic and gives others equal time, then what, pray tell, is our Jewish state all about? An army’s motivation and esprit de corps is the determining factor in its success on the battlefield.

IDF involvement and leadership in giving its trainees that spirit, through love of land and people, and, yes, even Torah, is to be applauded, not criticized.

YITZCHAK BEN-SHMUEL, Modi’in

Those days are here Sir, – When a name I am not familiar with appears in the by-line of an op-ed piece, I make it a point to first read the blurb at the end. This generally provides a “heads-up” as to the author’s perspective.

Such was the case with Gary Cohen’s “Stop the rot” (Guest Columnist, July 29). Seeing as Cohen is an advisor to MK Isaac Herzog of the Labor Party, I was forewarned to expect liberal drivel. I was not disappointed.

Cohen uses the closed IDF hitchhiking station on the southwest corner of Ra’anana Junction as an example of the supposed focus on self. Well, if he had bothered to look across Route 4 to the northeast corner of the junction, he would have seen a fully-functioning station.

He would have seen the bakery employee from Holon (I kid you not) who donates three large cartons of luscious baked goods for the soldiers every Sunday. I know, because I have volunteered there every Sunday morning for the past 18 years since making aliya.

Cohen is free to accompany me to the Kfar Saba shuk where Tzvika donates a large carton of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers once a week, so we have fresh salad to serve the soldiers. In fact, all the food served at the station is donated; all the people manning it Sunday through Friday, from early morning to evening, are volunteers. The only “self” Cohen will find at the hitchhiking station is “selfless.”

MICHAEL D. HIRSCH, Kochav Yair

Sir, – Gary Cohen makes a good point about the “old days” and how people interacted in a more caring way. However, the past two weeks, culminating in the impressive and heartwarming rallies all over the country, have proven that solidarity is indeed part of the Israeli psyche.

Cohen is right: Israel is no ordinary country, and in a way that is what makes it so exciting to live here and be part of the innovative, creative, intellectual and spiritual argument. On the other hand, we share needs and values that have been pushed to the side for far too long. We also are becoming prejudiced against not only those we see as our enemies, but those with whom we do not share common cause.

We need genuine leadership whose mission is first and foremost to understand the people it aspires to lead. The fact that so far there has been no violence says much for the resilience and good nature of our people, but if the three-monkey syndrome continues, who knows what may happen?

ZELDA HARRIS, Tel Aviv

Not just a parade Sir, – Sarah Honig (“Between Tunisia and Tel Aviv,” Another Tack, July 29) is coming through as the type of commentator who lives in an ivory tower. This mental dwelling is best described as not having any windows, and all interior walls are mirrors.

Honig uses a few examples of young people from affluent families she knows as representative of the thousands making the headlines. Then, without a change of pace, she slides into a tirade about the mayor of Haifa.

She is not able to acknowledge the disturbing changes taking place in our society.

If she makes the effort, she will find many more young people who do not have affluent parents from the Sharon area. She’ll find the large number of couples holding multiple jobs and still unable to afford rent for a three-room apartment.

What’s happening now is more than a passing parade. It’s a march toward a strong future for the Israel we came to help build.

BERNARD KATZ, Tel Aviv

What he doesn’t say Sir, – Under the guise of a soft-spoken and benign demeanor, Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf manages to deliver an equitable but unmistakably malevolent message (“Spiritual guide of Ground Zero,” Features, July 22).

Rauf is quite adept at avoiding answers to questions on contemporary issues. When asked about applying sanctions against Iran, he adroitly states that he is in favor of combating radicalism by strengthening the voice of moderation and peace. He provides not the slightest hint about how to do that effectively, and is seemingly oblivious of the real and immediate danger that a nuclear Iran presents to the world.

He clearly chooses to ignore Iran’s hostility to Israel and the calls for our state’s elimination. When questioned about recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, the imam says quite cunningly: “Whether the State of Israel was Jewish or Islamic would be a less relevant issue in the future.”

I dare say that his Muslim ethos would never permit him to insinuate the same indifference if the question were about any one of the many Muslim states? ZEV CHAMUDOT, Petah Tikva

It’s not so bad Sir, – I would like to respond to the letter written by Rabbi Raymond Apple (“Wrong help is no help,” July 22). Seldom have I read a more negative letter regarding aliya.

We made aliya from South Africa in 1986, and I agree that it wasn’t easy. We, too encountered many difficulties with various clerks at government offices, but we were indeed fortunate to be assisted by wonderful friends in Ra’anana who were able to give advice, support and help based on their own experience. It was an “easier landing.”

Today we know for a fact that the red tape is much easier, offices are on the whole friendly and helpful, and as everything is computerized, documents take just a fraction of the time they did 25 years ago.

Regarding children having no manners – surely that is the task of parents, and not the government. In recent years we have visited both South Africa and England, and believe it or not there are children there as well who have no manners. The same applies to bus drivers and employees in supermarkets – where else in the world are you wished “Shabbat shalom” or “chag sameach” by a bus driver or a cashier? Obviously, everyone has a bad day from time to time, as I am sure the rabbi would agree, and not always feel like smiling and making conversation with a stranger.

We wish the rabbi and his family a successful aliya and hope that they will soon find their place in this wonderful land.

MARIE TAPNACK, Ra’anana

Letters from the week of August 5

Reader: We have announced loudly that we are a Jewish state. If the Chaplaincy Corps cannot formulate its programs as Jewish and halachic and gives others equal time, then what, pray tell, is our Jewish state all about?