By Wendy Graff, Director, Kadima Women’s Torah Project, Seattle We would like to thank you for the extensive article about the Women’s Torah Project in your current issue. We are thrilled with the project’s recent expansion and momentum. I would like to correct some critical misstatements, however, which are notContinue Reading
By Rabbi Sholom Ber Levitin, Congregation Shaarei Tefilah-Lubavitch Recently in a class discussing the concept of “Mishloach manot ish l’rayayhu,” the exchanging of food gifts, part of the tradition of Purim, the topic of what exactly is “l’rayayhu,” loosely translated as “friend,” was discussed. What is friendship? Jewish tradition andContinue Reading
By Josh Basson, , Seattle I commend Daniel Levisohn’s insightful front page article (“Council votes against Olympia-Rafah sister city partnership,” April 27). Glad to hear the motion was defeated by a vote of 4-2. Mayor Mark Foutch had it right when he stated Olympia would be viewed as taking sidesContinue Reading
By Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg, Temple B’nai Torah Driving north today on I-405, I looked over at a car next to me and read these words on a bumper sticker: “Maybe the hokey pokey is what it’s all about.” “Love it,” I thought to myself. Now this is a clever bumperContinue Reading
By Rabbi Avi Shafran , JTA News & Features The U.S. Supreme Court’s upholding of the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act has elicited the usual cries of protest from abortion rights advocates and, also as usual, they include an assortment of Jewish groups and The New York Times. That latterContinue Reading
By Phyllis Snyder , JTA News & Features The Supreme Court has made it clear that ideology trumps women’s health in the nation’s highest court. On April 18, the Supreme Court made it clear that respect for legal precedent is dead, clear that Roe v. Wade’s protections are no longerContinue Reading
By J.L. Greenberg, , Seattle In defending Israel’s right to its land, and opposing the concept of the two-state solution that is being demanded by President Bus and Secretary Rice, more of our own people should emphasize the parallel of the USA’s history with that of Israel’s (“Once again noContinue Reading
By M. Lachman-Galler, , Seattle I want to thank you for the recent article on bullying (“Creating safe space for Jewish youth,” April 13). As a Jewish woman who was bullied by the more popular Jewish teens when I was young, I think it very important to ensure all ourContinue Reading
By Ilyse Wagner, , Bellevue I disagree with the premise of Rabbi Toren’s article (“The clear need for Jewish education,” April 13). While day school education has many virtues, there are no absolutes. A day school education alone does not guarantee a strong Jewish identity and lifestyle, just as aContinue Reading
By Carolyn Hathaway, , Bellevue While I honor the right of artistic freedom for the Seattle Rep, I am shocked at their duplicitous dealings with the Jewish community (“Strong emotions follow Rachel Corrie opening,” March 30). Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation, the Anti-Defamation League, and others, have been askingContinue Reading
By Connie Carson, , Mercer Island In the 20-plus years we have subscribed to the Transcript (Oops! The JTNews), I have had many reactions. None of them were laughing out loud. Till now. Thank you to Daniel Levisohn for “Steal My Passover” (March 30). I would write more, but I’mContinue Reading
By Rabbi Or N. Rose , JTA News & Features In October 2006, at a meeting of the Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur, an active member of the volunteer organization shared some disturbing news with the group. Retired businessman Eric Cohen said he had learned recently that the Boston-based mutualContinue Reading
By Rabbi Rob Toren , Samis Foundation Jewish continuity. This was and in many respects still is the buzz phrase occupying Jewish leaders in North America. This crisis started with the Jewish population study of 1990 where it was “discovered” — and this was a surprise? — that the intermarriageContinue Reading
By Tammy Kaiser , Special to JTNews As Jews living in the 21st century, we are well aware of the importance of physical safety. Alarm systems, locks, security guards and emergency drills are becoming increasingly necessary. In addition to taking reasonable precautions to ensure the physical safety of our JewishContinue Reading
By Rabbi Moshe Kletenik , Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath Congregation My Name Is Rachel Corrie presents a one-sided, simplistic view of a very complex issue. Rachel Corrie’s death was a tragic accident that occurred when an Israeli bulldozer was engaged in an antiterrorist operation, after she was placed in harm’sContinue Reading
By Katherine Bennett, , Direct contact Regarding the letter to the JTNews concerning the intention of various Christian organizations to utilize these pro-Israel groups as a subterfuge to convert Jews to Christianity (“Conversion overlooked,” March 2), all I can say is that you are sadly, sadly mistaken. Although I obviouslyContinue Reading
By Rabbi Daniel A. Weiner and Skip Kotkins, President , Temple De Hirsch Sinai As many people know, this month the Seattle Repertory Theater is staging My Name is Rachel Corrie, a play originally produced by the British actor Alan Rickman. The play is taken from the writings of RachelContinue Reading
By Rabbi Simon Benzaquen, Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation It is so wonderful to have the privilege of reaching grandparenthood. One reason is that it gives us a sense of accomplishment that we have reached yet another milestone in our life when our sons and/or daughters have created dividends for us,Continue Reading
By Gabriel Scherzer, , Bellevue There are a few misrepresentations surrounding the decision by the Seattle Repertory Theatre decision to stage My Name is Rachel Corrie and community reaction. The SRT’s artistic freedom has never been an issue; it is a specious argument used by the SRT and its supportersContinue Reading
By Rabbi Seth Goldstein, Temple Beth Hatfiloh Upon receiving change recently I noticed one of the coins I was handed was the bicentennial quarter — the quarter issued in 1976 to celebrate America’s bicentennial. A drum-playing patriot and a flame surrounded by 13 stars had replaced the bald eagle onContinue Reading
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