Valuable program benefits teens

I’d like to commend Hillel Goldstein for bringing the JSU Scholars Program to Kansas City. My son, Ethan, was among the students participating in its inaugural year. Once a week for 10 weeks, Ethan met with other teenagers and a speaker, rabbi or facilitator to discuss a variety of topics with a Jewish twist, from charitable giving to business ethics. He came home after every session with an enthusiastic “Did you know …?” or “Now I understand why …!”

The program helped fill a gap that exists in this community when it comes to meaningful and engaging Jewish education for teens. I sincerely hope that it will be offered again and again.

Sharon Loftspring
Leawood, Kan.

Laws do not prevent tragedies

The country will be forever changed by the horrific events in Newtown. So many questions will continue to be asked even though now, a week later, so many answers have emerged. And those answers have shed a different light on this tragedy than was initially believed.

Now quickly without fail our current political elders have called for legislation that they believe will prevent another tragedy. This is completely ridiculous and preposterous. We have the infrastructure and resources in place to address these regrettable events. We simply do not execute those policies and laws effectively. But that is not worthy of a political advantage, so our leaders call for more laws and less rights for citizens.

If gun laws are changed, the result will be no different. If Michael Bloomberg thinks I cannot order two 16-ounce drinks when I want 32 ounces, which he does, he is the one needing mental intervention. And if our political leaders think that a 10-clip round will not find a shooter simply bringing in an extra weapon, they again lack the common sense to truly be called leaders.

Can we please for once try to not legislate solutions and use common sense to address those things that cause so much pain in our country?

Robert Cutler
Leawood, Kan.

Courageously different

A week ago a young man from Kansas City and living in Kansas City passed away. This young man was always known as being “different” wherever he went and wherever he lived.

I admired this person a great deal for having the courage to live his life as he knew it and as it would make him the happiest and most content. All through life he encountered many people — be it a school, in public places, at meetings, a programs, etc.

He learned to accept himself and life enjoying whatever he accomplished. If people wanted to talk about him, all he needed to do was to hold his head up high and think about all he did and was going to do.

He had a job where he faced the public every day and kept this job for many years.

He was an idealistic person, always saying that one day things would be different and change.

I told him many times that he grew up in an age of “protest.” I told him — he knew this — that he should be proud of himself for accomplishing so much in so short a time.

He left his name in many places and hopefully other people will read of his life and continue to grow as he did.

You will be remembered by many — you touched the lives of many. People will say, “Look at what he accomplished with a smile on his face.”

His one phrase that he wanted all to know — “I did it. So can you!”

Linda Gurin
Leawood, Kan.