Letters (Page 17)

By Linda Clifton, , Seattle Thank you so much for your detailed coverage of recent successful efforts to move the 2008 Democratic county conventions off [of] the weekend that Passover begins. While I agree that the party’s scheduling of precinct caucuses on a Saturday is both unfortunate and serious, it’sContinue Reading

By Natalie Gerson, , Bellevue I received the JTNews on Friday, January 11, and quickly turned to the Best of Everything. I was particularly interested in the tradition section. The Best Challah category stated that Leah’s and other kosher bakers were pushed out by the Great Harvest Bread Company inContinue Reading

By Aviram Sela, Commander, Keren Artillery Battalion, Israel I would like to thank [Seattle Friends of the Israel Defense Forces] for your generosity and for donating the battalion a mobile gym. The gym is in constant use. Practicing at the gym allows [for] keeping a high level of physical fitnessContinue Reading

By Mark Schreiber, , Seattle Congratulations to JTNews on their well-designed attempt to rehabilitate Rabbi Schwartz’s image. The first article painted a vivid picture of the rabbi’s remarkable wisdom and learning (sadly his wisdom did not lead to his learning that he might be better off taking the bus). OnceContinue Reading

By Keith Gormezano , , Seattle As a Jew and a safe driver, I was pleased that the jury convicted Ephraim Schwartz for “assault — injury by vehicle,” a gross misdemeanor. No one is above the law. First, to me, using a cell phone while driving is driving recklessly. Period.Continue Reading

By Tree McCurdy, , Seattle Oy! When all is said and done, it looks like the Democratic Party Chair is more in tune with Passover than our local Jewish journalist! Dwight Pelz’s apology for the scheduling error clearly admitted that, as scheduled, the convention conflicted “with the needs of JewishContinue Reading

By Robert Jacobs, Northwest Regional Director Stand With Us, Seattle rats bow to pressure, change Passover plans,” the JTNews didn’t credit Jeremy Sher, a Democratic Party activist, former State Democrats technology director, and a member of the Jewish Democratic Caucus, with putting together the movetheconvention.com Web site in just overContinue Reading

By Josh Basson, , Seattle Ron Kampeas’s insightful column was quite informative (“Bush goes to Israel,” Jan. 11). Bush wants illegal settlement outposts removed. Kampeas points out that Olmert’s “predecessor, Ariel Sharon, argued with the Americans that Israel’s actions on settlements would come after Palestinians demonstrated an ability to preventContinue Reading

By Micol (Rubin) Bayer, , Cleveland, OH I am truly honored to be voted best ketubah artist this year. I grew up in Seattle (a graduate of SHA and NYHS) and still consider it “home,” though I currently live in Cleveland, Ohio. It is very exciting for me to beContinue Reading

By Boaz Hoffman, L.Ac, , Thank you for including me in the Best of 2007 list (Jan. 11). I have an important correction: I’m not a naturopathic doctor — I am an acupuncturist! I’d greatly appreciate if this fact would be corrected. I don’t know who my “fans” are, butContinue Reading

By Rabbi Marc D. Angel, , New York, NY I have been saddened to learn of the dissension within the Seattle Jewish community in regard to the Kollel’s divisive policies. As one who was born and raised in Seattle, I feel a special connection with my “home town,” and alwaysContinue Reading

By Eric Soll, , Edmonds I have always maintained that the Jewish concept of “tikkun olam” has been altered by the “progressive” Jewish community, seeking to substitute left-wing, feel-good activities for actual Jewish practice and ritual. The concept of tikkun olam traditionally focused on mitzvahs and good deeds within aContinue Reading

By Rabbi James L. Mirel, Temple B’nai Torah, Bellevue On behalf of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, I want to thank all the good people at JTNews for your support and sponsorship of our recent Hanukkah event. It was touching to witness Heather Wolfson of MAZON presenting you withContinue Reading

By Carolyn Cohen and Sally Kinney , Puget Sound Jewish Coalition on Homelessness steering committee, Seattle The steering committee of the Puget Sound Jewish Coalition on Homelessness thanks JTNews for providing its readers a detailed and very timely account of what our members learned at our December 2 meeting atContinue Reading

By Shana Aucsmith, Sisterhood President, Temple B’nai Torah, Bellevue Yes, you can still shop for Judaica on the Eastside! Contrary to the statement in your article (“Judaica stores disappearing from Eastside,” Nov. 2), you do not need to cross the bridge into Seattle to purchase gift or ritual items. FromContinue Reading

By Cynthia Gamel, , Seattle tched our Jewish community undergo many changes. Some that I’ve agreed with and some that I haven’t. One that I became aware of many years ago was how the JTNews swung toward a much more liberal view. I recognize that the paper is trying toContinue Reading

By Josh Basson , , Seattle Tom Tugend’s column was very informative (“Tough talk on Jerusalem,” Nov. 2). I respectfully disagree with Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky, an Orthodox rabbi publicly advocating that his community consider a possible division of Jerusalem. Why divide Jerusalem when access to it has been open toContinue Reading

By Josh Basson, , Seattle Daniel Levisohn’s insightful column was quite informative (“A long journey,” Oct. 19.) Bob Ross’s journey in finding hope and meaning in his brother Bruce’s death was very moving. Glad to know that Bob got spiritual guidance and helpful advice when he most needed it fromContinue Reading

By Diane Baer, , Seattle “Explaining the Tribe of Judah” by Diana Brement (Oct. 19), does an excellent job of covering the interesting Oct. 15 Seattle program featuring Aaron Kintu Moses from the Abayudaya Jewish Community of Uganda. It also provides background to more fully understand the origins of thisContinue Reading