Letters to the editor

Picture perfect

To the Editor:

I would like to thank you for your accurate portrayal of the twelve teens from the Five Towns who were honored, with Camp Koby, by the Israeli Knesset. Unlike another Five Towns Jewish publication, who chose to alter the picture of our Orthodox children by lengthening their skirts and sleeves, you presented our children as they are – modern Orthodox, Yeshiva kids (from both HAFTR and HALB) who are respected because of their hearts and Middot and not by the clothes they wear.

Alan Heller

Lawrence

Olympian silence

To the Editor:

A few thoughts about your outstanding article last week about the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) refusal to grant a minute of silence during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics in memory of 11 Israeli Olympic athletes brutally murdered by Arab terrorists during the 1972 Munich Games.

I believe modern terrorism came of age at the Munich games, when the world witnessed, in real time, demented, bestial acts of pure hatred, then returned to the games with barely a hiccup, or a moment of reflection. That summer, terrorists learned the Free World would tolerate any crime committed against Israel.

The Free World has been tainted by this shameful truth for the last forty years. The IOC has been especially stained by their repeted actions proving their so-called Olympic ideals of building a peaceful, better world through mutual understanding, solidarity, and fair play do not apply to Israel.

At this year’s Olympics, the world and the IOC were given an opportunity for redemption. Sixty seconds of silence could have wiped away forty-years of shame. It’s unforgivable that this priceless opportunity was so casually squandered.

The essence of the Olympics is to overcome the divides inherent within our separate nationalities to inspire a better world. The greatest good toward realizing this ideal is to recall and reflect on an incident that will always represent the antithesis of the Olympic mission, and serve as a reminder of what the games strive to prevent.

Villains like IOC President Jacques Rogge who hid behind hollow “ideals” such as to prevent injecting politics into the games are cowards. So is our President, who should know better, and yet condones the outrage by staying silent. Also egregious is the utter silence of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, who rather than step up to make a meaningful statement on the international stage on behalf of her constituents and the State of Israel, sits in silence.

Balancing the burden on our conscience of this team of unwilling cowards is the moral clarity of American sportscaster Bob Costas; the thirst for justice of Munich 11 widows, Ankie Spitzer and Ilana Romano; and Catholic University of America Professor, Dr. Leszek Sibilski’s unflagging belief in the redemptive spirit of humanity.

Together, they are part of a winning team: defending truth, decency and the memories of the murdered Munich 11 at this year’s Olympics - the 40th anniversary of the massacre. They valiently do this amidst silence from the IOC, President Obama and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy.

Francis X. Becker

Nassau County Legislator

Note: The author is also the Republican candidate for Congress in New York’s Fourth Congressional District.

JCC needs a home

To the Editor:

As we all should be aware, School District 15’s Number 6 school has been empty now for several years. The Board of Education has finally seen fit to put the school on the market.

Here in the Five Towns lies a hidden gem – the Five Towns JCC. Why is it hidden? It is hidden because it occupies a little out-of-the-way house on Grove Avenue in Cedarhurst. Due to space limitations in its present location, the JCC also conducts programs in more than 18 other spaces in and around the Five Towns. It has not had the opportunity to create a “presence” in the community because it has not been successful in the acquisition of a new property that could accommodate all of its needs and the needs of the community.

Now, the perfect opportunity exists for the community to come together as one and urge the Board of Education to sell the Number 6 School to the JCC. The JCC has put a bid in to purchase the school. We need a place where the entire community can come together and join a cause to unite all of us. A full-service JCC would provide one-point entry where all members of our community can receive social services programs, when needed, as well as educational and recreational programs and activities.

The Five Towns has a proud Jewish Community. Isn’t it time we had a building for the Jewish Community Center of which we can be proud?

Cherie Feinberg

Lawrence