Obama no friend to Israel
Mordechai Ben-Dat is absolutely correct (“A shameful moral silence on Iran,” May 7). The conduct of the Obama administration has been shameful on just about every front since U.S. President Barack Obama first took office in 2009. Obama’s overt campaign to undermine Israel’s security, coupled with his determined efforts to weaken America’s standing on the international stage, has increasingly put the (erstwhile) free world in danger.
Disquietingly, this behaviour could not have been sustained without it having been tacitly approved, aided and abetted by a herd-like acquiescence on the part of about half the American electorate.
Of equal concern for Israel is that a large proportion of America’s Jewish population has persistently sided with this charlatan and generally stood in line with the left wing of American politics.
Clearly, Israel can no longer rely on the United States being its steadfast prime ally and must fend for itself. Ironically, the leading Gulf Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, are now allies of Israel in a concerted effort to contain Iran.
We can be thankful that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the polar opposite to Obama and that he will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure Israel’s survival. The world community, including the United States, will ultimately come to learn that its salvation has been secured by Israel’s survival.
David Green
Thornhill, Ont.
The joy of Shabbat
In response to Daniel Held’s article (“What’s the most powerful form of Jewish education?” May 14), I agree that the home plays an important part in a child’s Jewish education, just as the school does.
I want to articulate one point, though, regarding Shabbat. Held states that a family’s decision “to go together to synagogue, celebrate Shabbat” etc. all have a profound effect on a child. In the Torah, it states emphatically “shamor et ha Shabbat” often translated as guard, or keep the Sabbath. Nowhere does it say to “celebrate” Shabbat.
Teaching children what it means to “keep” the Sabbath is fundamental to Judaism, and I believe to Jewish continuity. Though in many circles keeping Shabbat may seem onerous, the truth is far from it. By not participating in so many activities we normally do participate in, we are giving ourselves a mini vacation. In fact, Shabbat is an incredible gift we should all cherish, and when it is “kept” properly, it does indeed carry the spirit of celebration to which Held refers.
Rinat Orr
Toronto
Marrying within the faith
Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton’s article is truly disturbing (“Is there a future for intermarried rabbis?” May 7.) It’s time to get our heads out of the sand and realize what is happening to our Jewish faith.
Intermarriage rates are unprecedented. Day school enrolment is declining, and synagogue attendance is at an all-time low. Does she truly think that allowing rabbis to intermarry will make things better?
The survival of the Jewish faith is dependent on couples marrying within the faith and having Jewish babies who will, in time, have Jewish babies. Let’s be clear: a child born to a non-Jewish woman is not Jewish. If you want to save our faith, then marry a Jewish woman and have Jewish children. It’s that simple.
Leon Elmaleh
Toronto
Pondering the Green Line
To answer Mira Sucharov (“Why is the Green Line not on our schools’ maps?” May 7), the only reason to put the Green Line on a map today is to show where an armistice line between Israel and Jordanian-occupied Palestine stood for 19 years. It is a matter of history, just as one could put on a map the legal borders created by the UN partition plan, which stood for 19 minutes.
There is almost no physical evidence of the Green Line left in the Holy Land today, and it will never again be a border between anything. I certainly hope I will see a two-state peace in what I have left of my life, but I am far from optimistic. However if it does happen, the border will not be the Green Line. It will be negotiated.
Incidentally, in Palestinian schools it is not shown either. The Holy Land is one country called Palestine.
Ken Frankel
Montreal