By LETTERS TO THE EDITORLetters(photo credit: REUTERS)Leave notSir, – I understand the Labor and the Left are gleeful about Limor Livnat leaving politics and that the Likud is crumbling(“Veteran Likud minister Livnat quits politics,” December 9).They say that the Likud has gone so far to the extreme Right that they are unable to take Israel forward.The problem is that the Left (and all these so-called ‘centrist’ parties are indeed Left) are extreme in the other direction.They want to dismantle the Jewish State. Make it a “state for all citizens,” all religions, all colors, all types. They want to strip Israel of its Jewishness.And then where will we be? Another little USA. So, why did I make aliya if it’s not going to be a Jewish State for my children?LAURIE BENTNERTel AvivHoliday cheer?Sir, – I’m happy The Jerusalem Post took a stand in favor of the Acre Christmas tree (“Christmas Lesson,” editorial, Comment and Features, December 9). While hasbara campaigns always tout the religious freedom available in Israel, it is more often than not that Israeli Jews express at best disdain, and at worst hostility to other religions.It’s a curious and unique phenomenon in Israel that when being introduced to an Arab that identifies as Christian, a whole new set of expectations and personality are assigned to them.They are seen as open-minded, tolerant and supporting of the state that they live in. And how does the Jewish state repay them? With statements like Acre Chief Rabbi Yosef Yashar saying there is “no room for a Christmas tree in a Jewish city.”A city municipality represents its residents and works toward making their environment a pleasant place to live and somewhere for them to be proud of.The Christmas holiday stresses good will towards men, charity and forgiveness – these are universal themes and if a tree serves a reminder of this, there is no way it can be construed as a threat to the Jewish character of a place.KELLY LORINGJerusalemSir, – I was surprised and upset to see the Post editorial in support of a public Christmas tree, even going so far as to call for one to be erected in the Knesset. Israel is the Jewish state, with or without legislation declaring it so, and a public, state-sanctioned display celebrating the gaudy commercialism of a Christian holiday would be decidedly out of place. Shame on you for suggesting it.JAY RENDEREfratHeavy joySir, – I enjoyed reading Simcha Weinstein’s article on “The big screen gets biblical: A rabbi’s take on ‘Exodus,’” but may I point out that the expression “to get joy or pleasure” in Yiddish is to schepp nachas – not to schlepp nachas.MARION LUPUHaifaSir, – I felt sorry for Simcha Weinstein, who is anticipating “schlepping nachas” from the release of the film “Exodus: Gods and Demons.” One would hope that he’d be schepping nachas instead, at how the story still turns out!SHIMON GEWIRTZKfar SabaPotent forceSir, – I am writing in regard to David Newman’s “Revisiting a clash of civilizations,” (Borderline Views, Comment and Features, December 9). It is worthwhile noting that Islamic State (IS) in activating itself as a surprisingly and seemingly swift, potent and aggressive force is marked by “crossing borders and (abolition of) boundaries.”The clash of civilizations is a clash between actual deadly aggression and the intellectually driven aim of universal, peaceful co-existence. No wonder “the future holds a very uncertain prognosis” for those who dream of a world fulfilling the Biblical prophecy “of the kid of the goats lying down with the leopard, etc.”A. HEVRONI JerusalemMisleading viewSir, – In his article, “What (really) motivates evangelicals” (Comment and Features, December 9), Pastor Robert Stearns attributes Jewish skepticism toward evangelicals to Jewish fears of proselytizing and historic anti-Semitism.This is simply not the case.Evangelical Christianity remains a classic missionary movement by definition, even without overt proselytizing. It remains a faithbased, Christ-centered movement, directed at building theological bridges and breaking down theological walls. Evangelicals draw people close to Jesus through humanitarian service, charitable contributions and political lobbying.At the recent “Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem,” an interfaith event sponsored and hosted by Stearns and his Eagles’ Wings Ministry, Stearns openly asked Jews to witness and observe Christian worship. Not only that but Israeli messianic missionary leaders were keynote speakers.One of them, Rick Ridings, has called for a Jesus revolution among Israeli youth. So, too, Stearns’s Christ-centered missionary agenda was evident at the recent ICEJ Feast of The Tabernacles, when Stearns preached directly to 300 IDF soldiers about the Jewishness of Jesus.Pastor Stearns concludes by claiming that “sometimes people just want to be your friend.” This is a simplistic and misleading view of a complex faith-based relationship involving religion, politics and money. Friendly overtures by evangelicals towards Israel require accountability, red lines, guidelines and a respect for differences between Jews and gentiles, especially within the Jewish homeland.SHULAMIT LEIBLERJerusalemThe writer is the public relations director for JewishIsrael.comSharp shooterSir, – Harold Goldmeier’s column (“Investing in guns and ammunition: They never go out of style,” Your Business, Business and Finance, December 9) was very interesting and contained some pertinent information on small arms and ammunition manufacturers in the US and Israel and the advantages of investing in them.In regards to the sale of IMI (Israel Military Industries), however, there is one crucial mistake.The Small Arms Division of IMI was sold several years ago and is now owned by S.K. Group (owned by Sami Katzav) and is called IWI (Israel Weapons Industries).The sale included all rights to the brand names mentioned in the column, including the Negev Machinegun, Uzi Submachinegun and Jericho pistol, which are now manufactured and marketed by IWI.An investment in IMI may still make good business sense, but it does not include an investment in the above brands.ZEV KAPTOWSKY Mevasseret ZionHippy rabbiSir, – The city of Modi’in honored Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, z”l, on Monday night with a gala concert. To a sell out crowd, Chanan Yovel and chazzan David Weinbach and a large choir performed the heavenly melodies which are now sung worldwide by all those who Shlomo touched with his magic.No one declares him a “messiah” or a saint, or even scribbles “Shlomo was right” on walls. But many of us do still retain his image of holiness and soul as he composed and sang tunes of the spirit and God’s love for all Jewish souls.The thousands who joined in song during the concert were treated to an evening of visual as well as of audio surprises. Amazingly, Shlomo’s films of his strummings seemed to match the beats of the live music. It seemed to this reviewer that Shlomo was, indeed, with us. May the love and passion of the “hippy rabbi” continue to inspire the Jewish People in Israel and the world over.YITZCHAK BEN-SHMUEL Modiin
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