You have done a great disservice to my shul, my congregation and my rabbi, Steven Schonblum. The article “Rabbi’s contract not renewed at Beth Radom,” (Jan. 3), makes negative assertions against Rabbi Schonblum in a manner that led me to believe it continued an effort to hurt the rabbi and his future. I express my dismay in the strongest possible terms.
The story should have made a greater effort to broaden its background information about the rabbi. It did not properly investigate. It did not report the strong positive feelings that many within the congregation have for Rabbi Schonblum. The closing comment about the rabbi not answering requests for his response was insufficient. He may not, at this time, have been able to comment or respond.
Peoples’ views may differ, but to fail to give respect and honour to a man who has done his job and more than his job for the vast majority of the congregants is wrong. Rabbi Schonblum does not deserve this treatment. He has stood by me and my family in bad and good times. He has made my family’s shuI experiences very personal events that have stayed with each of us. He has acted and done everything I expected and would expect my rabbi to do.
Long ago, Rabbi Harold Lerner, of the Pride of Israel, said to my wife and I, “It is your job as parents to bring your children to shul, but it is my job as rabbi to keep them here.” This is what Rabbi Schonblum has done for me and my family, and for many others. He has shared his goodness, his caring and his support for each and every person with whom he has come into contact.
Elliot Berlin
Thornhill, Ont.
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Congregants value rabbi’s counsel
I was surprised and saddened by the biased article “Rabbi’s contract not renewed at Beth Radom,” (Jan. 3) about Rabbi Steven Schonblum. He is the reason we joined Beth Radom Congregation. He has been the spiritual leader of our family for 14 years, beginning from before he became spiritual leader of the shul. He has always been available for us, in difficult times and happy times. Your article should have enlisted the large number of members who value his counsel and are disgusted with the present board, in its vendetta against him.
Bernice Slotnick
Toronto
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Con man on subway
Further to the letter titled “Con man on Toronto subway,” (Jan. 3), I had a very similar experience, but was fortunate not to have ultimately given the man money. I did contact the police and subway authorities. I also posted a warning on a local email list that goes out to many Orthodox women in the city. I was amazed/alarmed at the response. Many women wrote back saying that a similar story happened to them/their friend or loved one. In each case, the con artist targeted his Jewish audience well. I hope more exposure like this will discourage this opportunistic thief.
Andrea Skosowski
Toronto
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Antisemitism on the ice
It was great to read about Andrew Goldberg’s exciting hockey career (“Mississauga power forward works hard in draft year,” Dec. 20). I wish him all the luck in the world. However, I am disturbed by the statement, “He occasionally hears on-ice taunting about being Jewish, but he thinks the other players are only ‘trying to get me off my game. In hockey, it’s chirping.’” My suggestion is that whether the comments or chirps are about Jews, or Muslims, or blacks, or gays or the disabled, and whether they take place on Twitter, in the classroom, in the workplace or on the ice, that they are in fact a form of racism and bigotry, and in Goldberg’s case, antisemitism. He should let his opponents know that.
Mark Wise
Thornhill, Ont.