Innuendos and slurs

The past three weeks of the Obama and Israel arguments have made Israel once again a political football. It does not make any sense to say that President Obama “adopted the Palestinian stand,” as the headline for Shoula Romano Horing’s editorial (June 3, 2011) states.

What do Hamas and Hezbollah bring to the table? Only Iran, Syria and other suppliers of arms for the destruction of Israel. What future economics do they bring to make themselves and their world self sufficient? Their leaders show self interest by absconding with billions of dollars for their personal bank accounts while their masses suffer.

To quote Ms. Horing, “By now, most objective observers would agree that Obama’s heart and sympathy lie with the Palestinian cause.” How fallacious! The Palestinians’ cause has not produced even one uplifting social, economic or military victory — only defeats time after time. Their positions have been given to the press and the media creates their victories against Israel.

What do Hamas, Hezbollah and the Palestinians have to show the world that they are the “peace parties?” Have we forgotten the two wars of Kuwait and Iraq that Israel was warned by the two Presidents Bush to “Stay Out!” Marvin Fremerman’s letter to the editor of June 3, 2011, sums it up: The Republicans want to see President Obama fail. Ms. Horing, are you implying that Israel wants him to fail also?

Scott Brown, in his letter to the editor May 27, 2011, also assumes that Obama is acting against intelligence, that “the White House doesn’t read the world press.” Asinine comment! Donald Trump questions Obama’s intelligence and how he was accepted at Harvard — equally silly!

The acceptance of Obama as a black president seems to be the underlying cause of so much vitriolics, innuendos and slurs. Today we accept blacks in football, basketball and of course, Oprah. I ask, would Rep. Eric Cantor, a modern day Mordecai (of the Purim story), if he were running for president, be more acceptable with his entourage of John Boehner and the Tea Party?

Ms. Horing, it would seem you believe that President Obama can’t lead, only a WASP can. I have heard various remarks from Jews who also support these very thoughts. Thus, these WASPs politically want to slant the field for your dollars and your vote — not voting Democratic. But America was built by the Democratic party and the middle class. Since 1964 Democrats rallied for liberal causes and it changed the face of America. Jim Crow was changed to Affirmative Action and black Americans and Jews found new freedoms.

Again, I ask, what does President Obama or any black person in American have in common with the Palestinians? Is it football? Basketball? Religion? Soul food? Music? Jackie Robinson? Colin Powell? I think not.

So, I close with your saying only that a white Republican will be pro-Israel first. Shame on you, Ms. Horing. I disagree.

Jesse C. Newman
Overland Park, Kan.

Deceitful claims

Letters and articles attacking President Obama’s suggestion that the basis for Palestinian-Israeli negotiation begin with the 1967 borders with mutually agreed exchanges are at best ignorant of the current situation and at worst attempts to mislead and misinform the Kansas City community. All daily Israeli newspapers, Yediot Ahronot most prominently, published in January 2011, and the New York Times Magazine published Feb. 13, the peace agreement that will be the basis for any future deal. Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas concluded most of the agreement more than two years ago. Most of the borders, with a few small exceptions, have been decided. The Palestinian Authority, for instance, has given up their claim on the disputed Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheik Jarrah.

The problem is no longer the boundaries, but the political will and ability on both sides to obtain the agreement necessary among the populace. It is not clear whether the current Israeli leadership is actually interested in concluding a peace agreement, particularly with Yisrael Beiteinu so prominent in the coalition.

Letters claiming that somehow President Obama’s goal is to destroy Israel are disingenuous and deceitful.

Rabbi Mark H. Levin, D.H.L.
Congregation Beth Torah

The power of the Jewish community

I loved the column about the power of Jewish preschools! (The power of Jewish preschool, May 27) While reading the column it really struck me that all the Jewish experiences, which were, at times, hard to work into our busy schedules, have paid off many times over.

This year my youngest daughter, Rebecca, went off to KU. Although she is the youngest, she is the first to live out of the house. I worried about friendships she might make (or not) and if she would be nervous in classes ... Because of her strong Jewish affiliations, she had so many friends. Her roommate was a friend from Virginia she met at a BBYO convention. She knew so many people in her dorm and in her classes because of her many Jewish experiences at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, March of the Living, BBYO, Barney Goodman Camp and yes, JCC preschool. Also, because she felt safe with and welcomed by Jewish organizations, she reached out and went to Chabad and Hillel.

In the last few years we, as a family, have needed help in so many new areas and Jewish organizations have been there to aid us. My son, Daniel, needed help with a resume and he turned to Jewish Vocational Service for guidance. After my mother fell, my parents needed help around the house and we turned to Jewish Family Services.

I believe that the example we set by taking our kids to Jewish organizations will continue to help our kids throughout their lifetimes. I hope they will join (and support) many Jewish organizations — and in turn those organizations will always be there to support them, too!

It is fantastic to see all the new ways Jewish organizations are developing programs to help at all stages of Jewish Life. I believe getting involved will guarantee your children, your parents and even you can find lasting friendships. Those affiliations will always give you a place to go when you want to learn, need help or just want to have fun!

Karen Berger
Overland Park, Kan.

Defend religious rights

I would like to thank you for printing the recent article by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency regarding the proposed circumcision ban in San Francisco, Calif. This issue should be of concern to Jewish people all over the country, as it attacks one of the basic tenets of our religion — circumcising a son on the eighth day after his birth. A growing number of “intactivists” have been spreading their views on circumcision and have been working to have all circumcisions, including those done for religious purposes, banned across the country.

As Jews, we need to be able to defend our right to practice our religion. I believe we should be aware of the arguments against circumcision that are being used by such people as the proponents of the Male Genital Mutilation Bill which has been proposed in 46 out of 50 states, including Missouri and Kansas. Beyond the debate on whether circumcision has medical benefits (the American Academy of Pediatrics feels that circumcision does not have enough medical benefit to call for it to be done routinely), it is being argued that circumcision first and foremost is barbaric and sexually abusive. Anti-circumcision activists describe severe pain on the part of the infant, and detail a variety of long-term effects that last through adulthood. Male circumcision is also compared to female circumcision, which is outlawed in the United States.

The proposed MGM bills would outlaw circumcision and those performing circumcisions would be fined and/or jailed. The bill does not provide exception for religious purposes, and proponents of the bill argue that a parent’s religious freedom does not extend to their children and certainly does not allow for “genital mutilation.” These people, some of whom are themselves Jewish, argue for alternate rituals to be adopted instead of brit milah. Obviously, for most Jewish people, this is not an option.

In the past when circumcision has been outlawed, wars have begun and Jews have been forced to leave their home countries. We need to protect our religious freedom in this country, and we can start by learning to defend our right to circumcise our sons.

Dara Granoff

Overland Park, Kan.

A real mensch

Congratulations to (Rav) Cantor Paul Silbersher on his announced retirement from the pulpit. I state “announced” because a man with his vision and character finds many ways to work with community members. His calendar might lighten up slightly, but his actions will still leave visible impact. When Romania approved my son’s adoption in 2000, I was excited to bring him back to Kansas City where I hoped the extended Jewish community would help me nurture my child. Wrong. First the Hebrew Academy, which had hired me to teach that fall, decided the adoption was “inconvenient” to them and gave me my two weeks’ notice. School had not even started for the academic year. As a single parent, that created a huge problem because I would not have income to support us.

The Federation and JFS agreed there was a special fund to help children like Seth adjust into the community, but were adamant Seth was not eligible because he was not in Jewish daycare. A number of synagogues welcomed him into their six to 10-hour a week preschool, but those limited hours would not meet the hours of my full-time employment. The JCC had a waiting list. Although every Jewish agency turned us away, he enrolled at the local Presbyterian daycare/preschool, and I found another job within a few months. The church helped us with compassion, and gift cards for food and his medicine until I found employment.

So how does this connect me to Cantor Silbersher? For a number of reasons, it was important to me that my son be given his Hebrew and English names in a ceremony within a certain time period and no other member of the Jewish clergy I contacted would help. The cantor listened to my reasons and arranged for us to have the ceremony at Village Shalom (before Kol Ami was organized). Some community members might say the cantor is a mensch. Just as important, he found a way to resolve an issue that gave meaning and hope to a critical foundation of a young Jew’s life in America. We agree: the cantor is a mensch. He is also one of the best-hearted souls anyone has ever met. Good luck to you. I know our paths will continue to cross. Thank you for helping me and my son, and every other person with whom you have guided on their journey.

M. Lerner
Overland Park, Kan.