Pining For Israel’s Frum Beaches
I just finished reading “Separate Beaches in Israel: A Primer,” and I must comment: The author describes everything so beautifully that I feel like jumping on a plane to Israel right now!
If only I could!
Tova Berger
Brooklyn, NY
Excellent Rejoinder
Your online article on the appointment of Anne Neuberger – a Bais Yaakov graduate – to head the NSA’s Cybersecurity Directorate is the best possible response to the attempt of the New York State Education Department to regulate yeshiva curricula.
Perhaps The Jewish Press can work with Rabbi Yisroel Reisman and local legislators to send copies of the article to the Education Department and all New York legislators.
A Loyal Reader for Many Years
Don’t Forget the Philippines
Two weeks ago, letter writer Donald Moscowitz named several countries that saved Jews during the Holocaust. I’d like to add the Philippines to the list. In 1938, the Philippine government agreed to accept refugees from Germany and Austria, and did so until the invasion of the Japanese in December 1941.
By that time, over 900 families had arrived under the Philippines’ open door policy. We must give credit where credit is due. More information can be found in a book called Escape to Manila and a DVD called “Rescue in the Philippines.”
George Loewenstein
West Palm Beach, FL
A Survivor Thanks to the Philippines
Kohanim Need To Get Married, Too
As I read your article on Frum Divorce’s 11th Annual Weekend, I couldn’t help but be riled that while divorced people are being helped, nothing whatsoever is being done to help kohanim like myself meet our basherts.
Frum Divorce weekends are wonderful and participants there can potentially marry anyone eligible they meet. Kohanim, in contrast, face numerous restrictions. A while back, a group organized an annual Kohanim Shabbaton for three years in a row. But that only happened because I contacted The Jewish Press, and someone happily heard my concerns.
Just like people prefer shopping in supermarkets where everything is kosher, so too kohanim prefer attending events where they can meet women whom they can actually marry. Divorcees and non-kohanim currently have events where they can meet while kohanim read about them and are left feeling wanting.
Perhaps this letter will get people to seriously think about helping kohanim with the same enthusiasm with which they applaud organizations like Frum Divorce.
Arthur M. Kaplan
Send Her Back
Ilhan Omar’s New York Times op-ed last week – “It’s Not Enough to Condemn Trump’s Racism” – brought to mind a classic TV scene:
Surrounded on all sides by fast-approaching Indian warriors, the Long Ranger says, “Looks like we’re done for.” To which Tonto replies, “What do you mean by ‘we’?
Omar’s essay – which was of course wrapped in the American flag – was liberally sprinkled with “we,” “us,” and “our.” While she is a naturalized American citizen, it takes gargantuan gall for her to lecture natives on the need “to fight for the soul of our nation.”
Not surprisingly, “the ideals of our founding fathers” in Omar’s world correlate perfectly with her personal political views. How does one say “chutzpah” in Arabic?
Omar claims Pres. Trump’s recent intemperate, arguably xenophobic – but not racist – remarks against her and the other three members of “The Squad” were “unprompted.” Her memory is rather selective. She has repeatedly spewed anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and anti-American remarks.
Evidently, though, she expects as a Muslim woman of color to be entirely exempt from criticism. Or perhaps she believes her feigned outrage will shield her from a swirl of credible allegations that she committed multiple felonies (see www.omartruth.com).
In any event, Omar should be “sent back” ASAP, as a private citizen, to Minnesota’s fifth congressional district.
Richard D. Wilkins
The Ever-Reliable New York Times
By publishing Ilhan Omar’s op-ed last week, The New York Times has stayed true to its tradition of bias against, not only Israel, but Jews as well.
Missing in Omar’s op-ed was any acknowledgement of the can of worms she opened by making blatant anti-Israel and anti-Semitic remarks. Despite the harm her rhetoric is causing Democrats, Omar has continued to lash out against Israel and Jews.
Is there any Democratic leader that has the guts to call her actions anti-Semitic? Apparently not.
Nelson Marans
New York, NY
Pray at the Isaiah Wall
I’d like invite Jewish Press readers to join the 42nd annual Tisha B’Av Mincha dedicated to Israel and Jews in danger worldwide on Sunday, August 11, at the Isaiah Wall (First Ave. and 43rd St.) opposite the UN at 2 p.m.
This event is a way of making Tisha B’Av more meaningful and showing support for our brethren.
Glenn Richter
Amcha-Coalition for Jewish Concerns