I am writing in response to the City of Hackensack and its indifference to the homeless people who found haven at Faith Foundation, which is being forced to close. I have known its founder and director, Robin Reilly, for four years, and she is instrumental in taking in the most desperate and ravaged souls who have no home. Some are alcoholics or have mental deficiencies and can not take care of themselves. Now, without a shelter during the day and, most important, at night, where will these poor souls go? I visited the storefront shelter on Monday, to learn where and what will happen to most of these people. Junior, as he likes to be called, who used to be a client, is now a volunteer who successfully has an apartment and a job. I asked him where these people would sleep. He said probably most on the streets. What is even worse, Peter’s Place at Christ Church on State Street, which provides shelter for 25 people at night, will also be closing the end of April. Another 25 souls left to wander the streets at night and find refuge in a park, under a bridge, in an abandoned building, and who knows where?

Another person I spoke with said, "Robin gave me time and place to heal after I lost my brother. She is like a sister, mother, or aunt to me. She treats everyone like family."

"Where will you stay this evening?" I asked. He said at Peter’s Place until it closes, then probably on the streets.

As a member of the Jewish faith, I quote a passage that is found in our morning service blessing. "You shall love your fellow human being as yourself." By accepting this commandment to love and respect others as ourselves, then are we allowed to enter the human community of prayer.

Hackensack is not living up to that ethical standard. We are turning our backs on the most vulnerable members of our society and I am sure it will have negative repercussions for our community. I do hope that our esteemed leaders will re-evaluate this decision or at least provide a safe alternative to give these people the care they need.

Recently, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union of Reform Judaism, launched undeserved criticism at Pastor John Hagee. Pastor Hagee is a staunch supporter of Israel who not only provides moral and political support, but contributes millions of dollars to worthy Jewish causes.

Rabbi Yoffie seems to propose a litmus test on all potential friends of Israel. One can be allowed to be a friend of Israel only if your politics agree with the current very unpopular government of Israel or are to its left. Also, one must be very nice to everyone else, including the Catholic Church and Islam. Never mind that the Catholic church persists in its prayers to convert us while hoarding Jewish property or that even so called "moderate" Muslim leaders repeatedly fail to condemn atrocities against Jews.

In reality, the Zionist outlook of Pastor Hagee matches that of millions of Jews, including the more than 600,000 who live over the former ’67 borders of Israel. The rout from Lebanon establishing Hezbollah there or the retreat from Gaza allowing Hamas to set up missile bases has surely brought to light the fallacy of "land for peace."

The leadership of the Reform movement is neither representative nor elected directly. Its politics persistently seem far more liberal than even reality or its membership would allow. Surely, Rabbi Yoffie sets rules that only represent himself and are at odds with millions of Jews. To criticize friends at such a time of peril and set rules that are at odds with the needs and interests of the Jewish people is irresponsible for any so-called Jewish "leader."

About two years ago CNN had a special on Hezbollah featuring the many ways the terrorist operation assists the people for free. But all of us know nothing in life is free and the price people pay is cooperation. They are educated and led to be the millions of pawns who are willingly placed in harm’s way because they are told this is for the good of their people.

As for hoping "their rage does not erupt in violence," you are doing a disservice to your readers. The violence has been erupting — but The Jewish Standard is not reporting this in proportion to the attacks. Sderot is bombarded on a daily basis, yet the Standard does not report this on a weekly basis. Hamas has therefore accomplished what it set out to do, to make the firing of rockets upon sovereign Israel a daily occurence redefining the norm. There is no longer a need to take note of it, it is not reported, and the only people who are affected are the citizens of Sderot. Can you imagine a world where Englewood would fire rockets upon Teaneck and the world would silently accept these acts as the new normal?

As Steven Erlanger of The New York Times reported (April 1), Hamas continues to call for violence and the end of Israel. These evil decrees continue in the north from Hezbollah and from the east by the dictators of Iran, while the rest of the region, and the world for that matter, is the silent majority that sits by without protest to the contrary.

Leslie Susser reports April 4, in "Rice presses, and Israel eases up on Palestinians," that the world wants more concessions from Israel, but I don’t read or hear anything in the news about the enemy easing or changing its murderous ways.

As for Geert Wilders, he is as frustrated as many of us are. He sees danger and is reporting it for what it is, and yet he is the one who is being reprimanded, even by the Jewish world.

Thank you for the April 11 news about the Cejwin reunion. I was a camper there in the 1940s, coming to Port Jervis on an overnight train from Buffalo, N.Y., and then in the 1950s, I was a counselor. My first bunk consisted of 4-year-old boys who were sent for the entire summer and who landed on my cot during every thunder storm. My next summers were spent with a bunk full of pre-teen girls. I leave it to your readers to guess which were easier!

Janet and Hy Sainer were the directors and they trusted their daughter Alice to me for a summer. That was a pleasure. Janet, of course, was a beloved Teaneck resident and a highly accomplished social worker who is still remembered and missed.

Cejwin was the richest of all my Jewish experiences. It, too, is still remembered and missed.