Thank You, Arizona
Kudos to Arizona for doing the right thing (“Arizona Is First State to Divest from Unilever,” Sept. 17). Ben & Jerry’s actions were deplorable – it’s about time the citizens of this country defend our only friend in the Middle East.
S. Sweeney
North Carolina
Should Arizona Divest?
While I agree that Ben & Jerry’s decision to pull its product from most of Israel was a horrendous decision – and on the whole an anti-Semitic one – I have misgivings about the place of government wading into this battle, Shouldn’t companies be free to place their products where they like for any reason.
I fear that if the next time something like this happens, it may not be too good for the Jews.
Bracha Harrison
Via email
The Mighty Arava
Dr Chani Miller’s poetic contemplations are always a delight to read, but she really knocked it out with “The Not So Simple Willow” (Sept. 17).
The connection with her grandfather, and her feelings – echoing Rav Kook’s poignant sentiments – about the arava made me cry. And gave me the jolt I needed as we transition from the awe of Yom Kippur to the joyous serenity of Sukkos.
Shlomo Becher
New York
Missing Israel
I have to tell you, I actually cried while reading Rabbi Judah Kerbel’s masterful “A Vacation in Sof Hama’arav” (Sept. 10).
We also had our plans to visit Israel constantly changed. Baruch Hashem, we are all well, which is not a small thing to be grateful for these days – but it has been frustrating nonetheless to not be able to visit our Home Land, the place that gives us so much nourishment.
May it be Hashem’s will that we not only get to visit this year, but that we all – all of Klal Yisrael – gets to stay and reside in Eretz HaKadosh, speedily in our day.
M. Cohen
Boca Raton, FL
Sivan’s Bat Mitzvah Message
Sivan Rahav-Meir has it right when she told her niece, “It’s not a question of if you will keep the mitzvot, but how you will keep them… It’s not about if you will do what your parents ask, but how you will do it (“Not If, But How,” Sept 10).
Thank G-d, it’s fair to say that most of our kids will be shomer Torah u’mitzvot when they grow up. The question, is: Will their relationship with Hashem be real and authentic? Will they strive to be the very best Jews they can be – bein adam l’makom and bein adam l’chaveiro?
Max Gold
Via email