Letters To The Editor - July 3, 2026

Aliyah Inspiration

It was inspiring to read Cheryl Kupfer’s account of her recent aliyah (“Aliyah – From Black and White to Dazzling Color,” June 19). Kol hakavod to her for taking this step on her own, later in life – it’s certainly not easy, but it’s the place we all belong, and the way things are going in the world, the absolute best place to be a Jew. It’s so lovely that she has received such a warm welcome in Israel. I wish her only good health and mazal in this new chapter.

I would also like to add that I appreciate The Jewish Press’s many articles promoting aliyah and presenting the perspectives of new olim. (To take another recent example, Rabbi Larry Rothwachs’ “A Lifetime in Twenty Feet: What to Leave and What to Bring.”) It’s a message that is so important for the Jewish community here to hear, especially now. Sadly, it seems to me that far too few of our Jewish leaders and publications are conveying this message. So, keep up the great work, and may as many of our people as possible heed the call! (I am certainly thinking seriously about it.)

Isaac F.

Baltimore, Md.

Draft Compromise

Regarding the charedi draft issue, allow me to propose a compromise: Charedim would be required to serve in the IDF, but by analogy with Deuteronomy 20:1-9, they would be exempt from combat duty, except, Heaven forbid, in the event of an existential war like 1948, and would instead serve in supporting roles behind the lines with staggered shifts to allow for davening three times daily and learning for, say, an hour a day.

Richard Kronenfeld, Ph.D.

Phoenix, Ariz.