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Double Standards Of United Nations

Dear Sir
News that more innocent civilians have been killed by Nato forces fighting in Afghanistan
is deeply tragic.
I would urge the UN Human Rights Council to investigate along the lines of
the Goldstone report into last year’s Gaza conflict, but I fear that there will
be no such investigation.
While Israel is always investigated when civilians are killed, other tragedies receive nothing like the same level of scrutiny.
If the UK government is sincere in its belief in human rights, then it should demand that the UN investigates Afghan deaths with the same intensity with which it probed events in Gaza.
Indeed, I would even argue that all wars should be followed by an inquiry into
civilian deaths.
What I object to is the idea that Israel’s wars alone should merit deep scrutiny, while other countries are free to act with apparent inpunity.

Matthew Harris
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hendon

JFS Case And The Chief Rabbi’s Office

Dear Sir
So Ron Owens finds washing the community’s dirty linen in public distasteful and prefers to concentrate on more important matters (Jewish News, 18 February).
He should remember it was Mr Lightman who “soiled the linen” in the first place by publicly attacking the Chief Rabbi’s office for not recognising his wife’s conversion.
If he had been more discreet there would have been no need to take him to the cleaners.

Austin Grimley
Hampstead

Should Jews Throw Nappies And Stones?

Dear Sir
Your letter writer Yechiel Wilhelm was keen to inform readers about the history of Reform Judaism rather than share his own views on whether it is halachically valid for women at the Western Wall to pray in the way they wish (Jewish News, 25 February).
He also omitted to mention whether he agrees that if they are not allowed this honour, then one should be permitted to use bad language and throw soiled nappies to stop them. We may also wish to get authentic Judaism’s view on yeshiva students throwing stones at soldiers on Shabbat because a car park wishes to be open.

Simon Trober
Edgware

‘Adulterers’ Were Treated As Jewish

Dear Sir
Regarding your recent article on intermarriage, entitled Keeping the Faith (Jewish News, 11 February), Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet and his ilk should remember that had these so-called “adulterers” and their mistresses lived in Germany during the Second World War, they would have been considered Jewish and treated as such.
They, of course, would have been slaughtered “equally” along with their non-Jewish partners.

Ron Stern
Borehamwood


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  • How Limmud Sets A Shining Example - Dear Sir
    Regarding the article by Councillor Brian Gordon on why he believes Orthodox rabbis should boycott Limmud (Jewish News, 18 February), he appears to be completely out of touch with mainstream Jewry. This is evident throughout his intolerant and frankly ridiculous piece. I take solace in knowing that he is not one of my local councillors.
    Limmud is a cross-community event, regardless of affiliation or observance. It does not place "Orthodoxy on an equal footing", however it does send a clear message that Orthodox, non-Orthodox and secular Judaism are all key components to our British-Jewish community, whether Mr Gordon likes it or not.
    One can either choose to embrace this concept and work towards uniting our community or be a barrier between our community and the future - one that could tear us apart.
    Mr Gordon refuses to address the real issue and the central question Limmud's success raises - why do 2,000 (mainly young) people choose to attend a rather crummy university campus (no offence to Warwick!) during their Christmas break year after year?
    Aish, Tribe, JLE and Chabad all offer exciting programmes where one is whisked abroad on an all-expenses paid trip to exotic locations, but unfortunately they cannot answer the tough questions that face us today.
    Young Jews want to tackle these tough issues - they often have multiple answers and Limmud gives people the opportunity to see all possible answers and make informed decisions - something that is not on offer at any of these other organisations.
    Limmud is considered the key event in the Jewish calendar and many of my peers tell me that it is the best place in Britain to meet a future partner.
    I can only offer praise to the many rabbis who attend. And I would hardly describe community leaders such as Rabbi Naftali Brawer and Rabbi Michael Harris as having "junior status". Such a statement is insulting to them and the synagogues they represent.
    I am also disappointed that the Jewish News published such an unreflective and divisive article.
    I do share one thing in common with Brian Gordon, though. I have never attended Limmud before, but he has inspired me to book my ticket to the next one.
    Adam Langleben
    Stanmore

    Dear Sir
    Brian Gordon talks of authentic Judaism as if it was some monolithic theological construct with a pope or archbishop of Canterbury at its head and some Council of Nicaea to bludgeon the faithful into a straightjacket of religious conformity. This has rarely, except perhaps on a mythological level, been how we discussed our Judaism.
    One of my ancestors was almost excommunicated for changing the order of the Shabbat service. But he wasn't.
    People talked to each other and, even if they passionately did not agree with what the other said, they listened.
    Obsession, fear and, in Israel, political power and financial support have created a Jewish Orthodoxy that is reactionary. And in some, such as Neturei Karta they are what I would classify as anti-Jewish.
    Engagement and compromise are what have helped us to survive as a community. Brian Gordon's use of the word "authentic" is in itself offensive because it pre-judges every point at which he would offer any discussion.
    In future I would advise him to examine the definition of halacha found on Wikipedia before he decides what is and is not halachically legitimate.
    Maurice Solovitz
    Harrow

    Dear Sir
    I am saddened by the attitude of Councillor Brian Gordon and most of the Orthodox establishment towards Limmud. This event is an outstanding model of cross-communal co-operation and a shining example of how divisions in British Jewry can be overcome.
    Limmud reflects the diversity of British Jews, has been exported to more than 40 Jewish communities around the world (making it arguably British Jewry's greatest export) and continues to attract record numbers of participants.
    If we are serious about promoting communal unity we need more non-denominational and cross-denominational organisations and activities. They bring diverse Jews together in a way that Jewish denominations cannot.
    I would welcome Orthodox institutions that are not afraid of pluralism and greater Orthodox participation at future Limmud events.
    Ronnie Cohen
    Leytonstone

    Dear Sir
    Councillor Brian Gordon shows such self-righteousness! He should realise that his "Torah true" Judaism owes far more to rabbinic dictate than it does to the five books of Moses.
    One could obey every dictate in the Bible to the letter while still infringing the great bulk of laws by which the self-acclaimed truly Orthodox live their lives.
    It is a salutary fact that there are others, including some Charedim, who consider United Synagogue followers to be apostates.
    As someone whose Israeli granddaughter (non-Orthodox) is currently doing her military service to defend all the Jews of Israel, whether they are religious or not, I feel some resentment towards those who are constantly carping about how they are better or more observant Jews.
    We have enough enemies without fighting among ourselves.
    Rather than trumpeting their own religious morality, they should take to heart, "kol Yisrael chaverim" (all of Israel are friends).
    Alan Miller
    Edgware

    Dear Sir
    Brian Gordon writes that "any Orthodox person who is articulate and well versed in the Torah... could draw (I think he means runs) rings around a reformist clergyman". If that is the case then surely that is only an argument to say that rabbis should attend Limmud in their droves and they are negligent if they do not. He appears to forget (strange considering his Orthodoxy) that the Orthodox have Hashem batting for them and that if our rabbis did go to Limmud they would no doubt win over many with their reasoned ideas and create many more "baalei teshuvah" of whom he refers.
    As a regular Orthodox attendee of Limmud I encourage open-minded people to attend Limmud. I accept that this definition may let Mr Gordon off the hook.
    Robert Rosenberg
    By email

    - Thursday 4th 2010f March 2010
  • Jews Who Choose A Non-Jewish Partner - Dear Sir
    I read with both interest and concern your recent article, Keeping the Faith, about Jews choosing to marry outside of their religion (Jewish News, 11 February). - Thursday 25th 2010f February 2010
  • United Synagogue's Membership Limit - Dear Sir
    I write in regard to the contentious issue of the one-and-a-quarter-mile limit the United Synagogue is now imposing as a condition of membership to its affiliate synagogues. - Thursday 18th 2010f February 2010
  • The Future Of The Board Of Deputies - Dear Sir
    I refer to the article by Barnet councillor Brian Gordon (pictured) about his views on the future of the Board of Deputies and trends in the Jewish community (Jewish News, 28 January). - Thursday 11th 2010f February 2010
  • Freed Thinking On Jewish Women - Dear Sir
    I am writing to you in regard to the damning and shallow article by Marcus J Freed (Jewish News, 28 January). - Thursday 4th 2010f February 2010
  • Stern Opinions On The JFS Case - Dear Sir
    Martin Stern's letter is so full of inaccuracies that it's hard to know where to begin (Jewish News, 14 January). - Thursday 28th 2010f January 2010
  • New Year, Same Old Prejudice - Dear Sir
    The new decade has begun where the old one left off, with a fresh barrage of hatred directed at Israel. - Thursday 21st 2010f January 2010
  • Supreme Court Verdict On JFS - Dear Sir
    Joseph Feld (Jewish News, 24 December) may feel that "the handling of the Lightman case with the London Beth Din rejecting the Orthodox conversion, Orthodox marriage and Orthodox lifestyle of Mr and Mrs Lightman gave the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court a negative impression of Anglo-Orthodoxy", but I fear he is mistaken in his use of the term "Orthodox".
    - Thursday 14th 2010f January 2010
  • Respect For Other Faiths In Middle East - Dear Sir
    Fiyaz Mughal (Jewish News, 17 December), accuses the residents of Tapuah of torching the mosque in Yasuf. - Thursday 7th 2010f January 2010