Letters to the editor 1-29-2010

Posted

Issue of January 29, 2010/ 14 Shvat 5770

Raising cain over raise

To the Editor:

Outraged! That’s the only reasonable response. The FIRST vote cast by Howard Kopel, our new County Legislator, was to increase spending — although during his 2009 campaign he “promised” that if elected he would cut and reduce spending.

Legislator Kopel’s first vote was to raise his Republican boss’ salaries by 47%, over $30,000! What hypocrisy.

By the way, Republicans in the Town of Hempstead also granted themselves pay raises for 2010. In a December vote, after the election, Kate Murray and Councilmen Santino and Darcy quietly voted to grant themselves and other Town officials pay raises ranging from five to 10 thousand dollars.

Looks like the good old days for Nassau County Republicans: talk frugality with taxpayer dollars while increasing taxes and spending more and more on themselves. Looks like Mr. Kopel wasted no time joining that tradition. Shame.

Stephen Anchin

Hewlett

Seeks tolerance

To the Editor:

I enjoyed Rabbi Harvey Belovski’s elucidation of the wide spectrum of observance within the laws of kashrut (In My View January 22). Now if only the practice of tolerance and non-judgment could be mandated along with the halachic teachings.

Miriam B. Abrahams

Woodmere

Mad about Mondrowitz

To the Editor:

I applaud the Jewish Star for publishing the article on Avrohom Mondrowitz (“Israel sets Mondrowitz free”; Jan. 22, 2010). However, after more than 12 years of work on this case, I think I may offer a couple of corrections.

First, Ohel has not denied sending children to Mondrowitz. That much is clearly established, as is the fact that some of them have claimed they informed Ohel they were abused by Mondrowitz, to no avail.

Second, the idea for a “spiritual center” in Jerusalem was not Mondrowitz’s. However, he appears to have been closely involved in UTJ member Shlomo Rosenstein’s follow-up on the idea.

Still more important is what the article does not clarify: not only that as recently as 2006 — contrary to everything the public was promised for years — Mondrowitz seems to have been meeting alone with emotionally vulnerable teenage boys, posing as a psychologist, but that he apparently did this with the knowledge and support of at least one prominent member of a religious party in Israel. The letters I obtained from what appears to be a copy of Mondrowitz’s computer hard drive, and shared with Jewish media, certainly suggest that — and this is precisely what is not being reported.

I’m afraid the apparent connection between Mondrowitz’s continuing contact with children and a prominent Orthodox politician is of a piece with the support this indicted child rapist has received from Orthodox rabbis and other prominent community figures at every stage of his appalling career.

And I think we should all be mad as heck about it.

Michael Lesher

Passaic, NJ

Venting about

shidduchim

To the Editor:

Thank you to The Jewish Star for allowing me to vent my frustrations about shidduchim, and supporting my attempts to generate change. In past articles I reached out to the rebbeim of our neighborhood and the community at large, explaining the abysmal circumstance singles find themselves in, and the inability of many singles to deviate from the shidduch system. Each time I received responses from people with sentiments similar to my own. I received e-mails, letters, and phone calls from singles, their parents and other concerned individuals, but saw little action.

My mistake was that I assumed people would take a stand and act. I thought if I brought the issue to the forefront of peoples’ minds, it would be a catalyst for change. In my naiveté, I believed the issue was partly a lack of awareness, and that once people became aware of the problem, it would be fixed. Needless to say, I was wrong. Instead, I continue to see numerous articles, blog postings and ads bemoaning the disappointing state of shidduchim, and how everyone wishes things could be different; however things remain unchanged.

There are a few individuals who put tremendous effort into organizing events, and I appreciate their work. Unfortunately, because of community stigma, religious education and shidduch protocol, people (men especially) just don’t show up to these events, which become awkward and frustrating experiences where women bond with each other, but spend the entire evening wondering where the men are. Upon leaving such event, most people wonder why there is not a relaxed, and pain-free way to meet other singles.

The purpose of this letter is not to delve into this issue any further, or discuss problems singles face. Personally, I’m tired of reading the articles, and seeing the ads. Enough already. I’ve come to realize that if I want things to change, I need to do things myself. In an attempt to provide a relaxed and tznius environment for singles to talk, hang out and hopefully find their zivug, I decided to organize a “get-together.”

If you are single, frustrated and looking for a place where you can finally meet someone appropriate for you — this is for you. If you are lucky enough to have lists of people to go out with, but none of them have been the right fit — this is for you too. The event will be held locally, Motza’ei Shabbos, March 13, 2010 at 8:30 pm, at Congregation Ohr Torah in North Woodmere.

The cost of the event is $25, which will cover the basic expenses of the evening. Prepayment and reservations are required to ensure a balanced number of men and women. There are a limited number of spaces, so be sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible. This event is geared toward Orthodox singles, ages 22-32. It will be a night of fun, food, entertainment and opportunity. Keep in mind that this isn’t another event by some organization. This is a get together being run by me: a single woman facing the same ordeal that you are, who knows what you are experiencing. If you are irritated with the way things are, tired of this discouraging process, then make your reservation today. If you know someone who is single, encourage him or her to attend. We are all in this together. The community needs to endorse its words with action, and promote this type of event and others like it.

To reserve your spot, send an e-mail to Single4nomore@gmail.com. Payment information will be sent to you via e-mail. Your spouse will be there, but will you?

Lauren Lillien

Woodmere