‘Message not sufficiently clear’
Your readers may have heard about the recent horrible incident in which a Los Angeles philanthropist, Daphna Ziman, in the midst of being honored by an African American fraternity, was publicly reduced to tears by the keynote address of the Rev. Eric Lee. Ziman said, in a widely distributed e-mail, that after a harangue about Jews "economically enslaving us," Lee "continued as to how now the salvation has come and the gates have open [sic] for African Americans to come together behind Barack Obama, because now is the time to show them (meaning the Jews)."
‘Message not sufficiently clear’
Your readers may have heard about the recent horrible incident in which a Los Angeles philanthropist, Daphna Ziman, in the midst of being honored by an African American fraternity, was publicly reduced to tears by the keynote address of the Rev. Eric Lee. Ziman said, in a widely distributed e-mail, that after a harangue about Jews "economically enslaving us," Lee "continued as to how now the salvation has come and the gates have open [sic] for African Americans to come together behind Barack Obama, because now is the time to show them (meaning the Jews)."
Many voted for Obama because they saw him as the right man for this time, a "post-racial" candidate who can pull our country together. Left-wing bigots, I now fear, are rallying around Obama because they see him in a wholly different light. The problem arises because Obama’s scant record of national service allows voters to see him as they wish him to be, rather than as he really is. In a presidential election, however, there should be no chance for bigots to see a candidate as they wish him to be. If Obama’s message of "hope" for all Americans was sufficiently clear, it would hold out no hope for the purveyors of intolerance. Obama’s message, however, is not sufficiently clear. By delaying, obfuscating, and finally refusing to renounce his fanatical pastor, by minimizing Jeremiah Wright’s traitorous, hateful, public sermons as comparable to his own grandmother’s private bigotry, by attending Wright’s church and listening to Wright’s sermons with his wife and daughters for 20 years, Obama has given hope to haters. And that now leaves me with little "hope" that things will really "change" under an Obama administration.
Like the overwhelming number of Americans who support Obama, I admire the fact that, having served as editor-in-chief of the Harvard Law Review, he thereafter rejected astronomical job offers and chose instead to serve the urban community and engage in public service. But I think we need to see Sen. Obama establish a significant record by which we can judge him before we turn over the fate of the world to him and his supporters.
Harry J. Reidler,
EnglewoodAgainst Obama
I take strong opposition to Janice Rubin’s April 11 letter concerning the explanation of Barack Obama’s friendship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. It was more than "a few seconds of hyperbole"; it was many speeches in which Wright attacked the United States and Israel, praised and lauded Louis Farrakhan, and pitied the poor Palestinians. He even went so far as to present Louis Farrakhan with an award. Obama, also in his past, spoke out for the plight of the Palestinians.
Obama remained in this church for 20 years, and even had Wright appointed to his original advisory council. Wright was removed because Obama was concerned that if his inflammatory statements became known that could endanger his bid for the nomination. However, this did not stop Obama’s donating $26,000 to the church in the last two years, before Wright resigned.
I would never subject my children to a rabbi like that, or remain a member of a temple where the rabbi uttered such vituperative statements about our country, or about African Americans. Obama stayed, even when Wright lauded an anti-Semite like Farrakhan.
If, God forbid, Obama should get the nomination, I would have to hold my nose when I entered the voting booth. Meanwhile, I will continue to work, donate money, and pray for the nomination — and presidency — of Hillary Clinton!
Elaine Brooks,
GuttenbergSays danger in Israel is exaggerated
Many Jews in the U.S. are afraid to visit Israel or make aliyah because of terrorism. With frequent front-page headlines about the conflict with the Palestinians, who can blame them?
We should remember, though, that reporters are in business to sell newspapers. To that end, they will sensationalize any story they can. While I do not begrudge them their First Amendment rights, some perspective is in order.
I did some research, and it turns out that one out of every 4.7 million golfers in America is killed by lightning every year. By contrast, last year there were 13 Israelis killed, 7 of whom were civilians, or roughly 1 out of every million civilians.
When you include the fact that most golfers play fewer than 25 times per year (according to Wikipedia), whereas Israelis live their lives every day, the picture is clear: you are safer in Israel with the terrorists than on a golf course with the lightning.
Tal Zahav,
Jerusalem, Israel, Formerly Thames, Goldman of Paterson‘Cynical strategy’
Hamas’ cynical strategy concerning its ongoing warfare with Israel totally ignores the great suffering being experienced by the civilian population of Gaza.
Hamas has been frequently bombing the Israeli town of Sderot (located very close to Gaza) using low-accuracy crude rockets, made in Gaza. Their deliberate intent has been to cause limited damage and virtually no Jewish deaths. Because of such minor damage, Israel’s retaliations have been relatively mild in terms of the number of Palestinians killed (to avoid strong international condemnation).
• Hamas’ reasons for these attacks: To wear out Israel and force the Jewish state to ultimately grant substantial autonomy to former Palestinians territories.
• Israel’s "reply": No negotiations are possible until Hamas stops rocket attacks unconditionally and recognizes the State of Israel.
• Hamas’ implied response: We may consider discussions only if Israel offers something most dramatic in political and economic areas. In the meantime, the Syrians and the Iranians will keep us supplied.
And so, a pattern of warfare continues, year after year, with no serious negotiations in sight. It is possible that the status quo may end if Israel offers massive economic assistance to Hamas. However, this requires a level of trust between the parties that is virtually impossible to contemplate.
David Quentzel,
Englewood‘Amazing and awesome’
How amazing and awesome it was to be part of history and witness Pope Benedict XVI’s Passover greeting to Rabbi Arthur Schneier at the Park East Synagogue on the evening before Passover.
Pope Benedict was forced to join the Hitler Youth and subsequently deserted from the German army. After being held as a prisoner of war for a brief time by the Allies in 1945, he went on to study theology and become a priest. The rabbi, who fled to Budapest from Vienna, survived the Holocaust in the Budapest ghetto and came to America in 1947. Rabbi Schneier has devoted his life to world understanding and tolerance.
It was an event to remember and so touching when the rabbi presented the pope with a seder plate and the pope presented the rabbi with a replica of a medieval Jewish manuscript from the Vatican library.
Given the background of these two men, one has to feel good about this extraordinary moment in our history.
Grace Jacobs,
Cliffside Park