Nothing newSir, – Caroline Glick’s “Guide to the Perplexed” (August 13) was a timely reminder of how the present US administration has changed its attitude toward Israel. It is not only not supporting the maintenance of our qualitative edge, but actively reducing it, as Glick has shown, by cutting funds for the Arrow 3, balking at Israeli avionics being installed in the IAF’s future F-35 fighter, denying us US-made bunker-buster bombs, etc.We have much evidence that President Obama is hostile to Israel. He would also prefer to defang the US and for it to become less of a superpower and more of a low-profile country for all its people.The US electorate appears to have come to the conclusion that Obama has not been beneficial to America and apparently will not be re-elected. Israel must tread water and pursue a policy best suited to itself, and not be intimidated by the US.JOE FRANKL SavyonSir, – While I almost always appreciate Caroline Glick’s viewpoints, her most recent column was just plain silly. Of course President Obama is not going to authorize an attack on Iran – he is the most liberal president in US history, and with a Democratic Congress. He is more likely to ban abortions than attack another country.We all knew this when he was running for office, yet the vast majority of US Jews voted for him, and a large percentage of Israelis supported him.When and if Israel is ever nuked by Iran, Obama will shed Clintonesque tears, but that’s about all one should expect. So the real issue is whether Israel has the stomach to go it alone.Unfortunately, with the country split down the middle between Left and Right, there is no national will to do so.ABE KRIEGER Highland Park, New JerseyWhat’s the difference? Sir, – As an American non- Jew, I found Michael Freund’s column (“Will Bill Clinton’s grandchildren be Jewish?,” Fundamentally Freund, August 12) very interesting and, unfortunately, somewhat disturbing.My mother, a gentile, married a Jewish man when she was young. His family figuratively buried him. They held a memorial service. It didn’t matter to them that he had been a good son, a kind person or a smart student, or a veteran of the Korean War who had served his country with distinction and honor.He was effectively dead to them.They also rejected the sole child my mother had with her husband, a little girl. They thus deprived my half-sister of her Jewish heritage – in the name of religious orthodoxy – and she has carried this pain of rejection her entire life.Unfortunately, my half-sister’s father died from a liver disease he had acquired on active duty in Korea. Ultimately, my mother married my father, and my half-sister was given a brother, a non-Jew who loves her as if she were a full-blooded sister.In college, I met a very beautiful, kind and thoughtful Japanese girl. My mother had always wanted me to find a “good Christian girl” and was not excited. The girl’s parents weren’t excited either. But guess what? They got over it and life moved forward. I have never regretted my decision.My point is as follows: Regardless of whom Chelsea Clinton decided to marry, I’m sure her parents will love and care for their grandchildren.Will the grandchildren be raised Jewish or Christian? Who Cares! I am sure they will be taught to respect and love others, even if different from themselves.Religious orthodoxy, like wine, is wonderful in moderation.However, when the condition of orthodoxy begins to cloud your judgment and subsequently robs you of your basic humanity, then your religion has failed to serve its fundamental purpose of molding you into a better person.America has become a more accepting and tolerant society.Why not Israel? Why can’t Orthodox circles reach out to include innocent children from interracial or interfaith marriages and integrate them into the fabric of Israeli society? Why harden your hearts in the name of religious or ethnic purity? Please don’t misunderstand – I’m not saying that you should forsake the standards or ideals of your faith. All organized religions have rules. All I am saying is, why can’t it be a personal choice as to whether to follow one’s faith to the letter of the law? BILL NETZLEY Cincinnati, OhioSir, – Enough already. This subject has been discussed ad nauseum. So another Jew marries out. The only interest is because of the Clintons. The groom tried to keep his Jewishness alive. It’s just a shame he couldn’t wait till Shabbat was out.JUDY GOLDIN Kiryat Ono
Correct, but misguidedSir, – Yossi Beilin’s recent oped piece (“The new ghetto,” August 9) is correct in its analysis but misguided in its proposed solution.Beilin is surely right in stating that Israel needs to pursue the path of peace, to take it away from the “new ghetto path” it is currently on. But as a political solution, praying for salvation from Washington is completely disheartening.As a leader and spokesman of the disappeared Israeli Left, Beilin needs to ask himself where and how he and his colleagues failed, and, more importantly, to make a renewed case to the Israeli public on behalf of the Left and against the Right.The only real possibility for change in a democracy – even Israel’s – has to come from within.JACOB ZILBERHerzliya/Indian Land, South Carolina