Letters to the editor 9-10-2010

Good way to begin 5771

To the Editor:

What better way to begin the New Year than with a significant mitzvah?

Jews in the former Soviet Union can use your gently used, clean, adult and children’s clothing and shoes. Please send your adult and children’s clothing and shoes, as well as linens (excluding fitted sheets) and non-bulky blankets to: Judy Patkin, Action for Post-Soviet Jewry, 24 Crescent Street, Suite 306, Waltham, MA 02453-4089. Please include a note with your name and address and value of the contents to receive a tax-deduction letter. Collected items will be shipped to over a dozen Jewish communities in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. (Unfortunately, due to lack of births, no baby clothing is needed.) Mrs. Patkin can be contacted at (781) 893-2331 or ActionPSJ@aol.com.

Glenn Richter

Thank you for Agunot story

To the Editor:

Thank you for writing a fantastic piece on the plight of Agunot and ORA’s work to remedy the problem (Woman in chains; Sept. 3, 2010). The article was thorough and well written, and the front-page picture certainly contributed to raising awareness about this issue. We at the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot sincerely appreciate the Jewish Star’s willingness to tackle this issue head-on.

Interested readers may find our more information or donate to help Agunot via our website, www.getORA.org, or by calling the ORA office at 212-795-0791.

Rabbi Jeremy Stern

Executive Director, The Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA)

Rabbi Shafran’s glass half-empty

To The Editor:

I was extremely disappointed by Rabbi Avi Shafran’s comments against prenuptial agreements (A Woman in Chains; Sept. 3, 2010). Rabbi Shafran says that it would be wrong to send a message to newlyweds that “marriage is like any business agreement” and that a reminder at the time of marriage about the possibility of divorce is “neither prudent nor proper.” I find his logic faulty for a few reasons: First, all Jewish weddings (including chareidi ones) include a public reading of the ketubah, which all agree is essentially a monetary contract between husband and wife. Second, there are numerous examples in addition to the ketubah that prove Judaism never shies away from warning about the worst possible scenario. The Torah is full of rebukes and cautionary statements about what could happen when people do not follow the proper path. Why couldn’t Rabbi Shafran view the prenuptial agreement as a type of warning to the new couple about the dangers of not maintaining shalom bayis?

Finally, numerous poskim and rabbonim have stated that buying life insurance is within the boundaries of halacha (Yechaveh Daas 3:85, Kochavei Yitzchak 1:22) and some (such as the author of Divrei Yechezkel) have proclaimed this purchase to be a segulah for long life. Rabbi Shafran could have similarly declared that prenuptial agreements are a segulah for a long and happy marriage.

I greatly fear that Rabbi Shafran’s arbitrarily negative comments may dissuade young couples from signing a prenup, thereby exacerbating the agunah crisis.

Melina Mendelson

West Hempstead

A letter from Senator Schumer

To the Editor:

As we prepare to celebrate the coming of a new year, I want to take this opportunity to reflect upon what has been a challenging year for both Jewish Americans and for Israel. Now is a critical time in Israel’s history and it is important that the United States make clear to Israel, and indeed to the entire world, that despite some differences, such as those displayed all too publicly this year, nothing will ever divide Israel and America. Indeed, the closeness and steadfastness of this relationship is critical to achieving any potential peace pact.

Israel is a critical and strategic partner for our nation and year in and year out, I spend considerable time and effort defending the Jewish State. No matter which way the political winds blow or who is occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, my dedication to Israel has been immutable.

I have worked behind the scenes and, when appropriate, publicly, to urge past White Houses and this White House to be steadfast in their support for one of our most important allies. When this Administration’s policies on Israel were heading in the wrong direction following the Vice President’s visit to Israel in March, I did not hesitate to publicly declare them as counterproductive, which AIPAC has recognized me for doing.

I helped organize a meeting at the White House with key pro-Israel Congressmen to object to the pressure being placed on our ally, Israel. Over the past 18 months, I have been in constant contact with senior White House and State Department officials and have routinely urged them to reaffirm the importance of the US-Israel special relationship through both action and words. I am pleased to say that my recent efforts have helped move the Administration in a better direction. Most recently, I lobbied the White House to resist proposing its own Middle East peace plan ahead of the negotiations that are now beginning.

When I first ran for Congress, I vowed to be a decisive and effectual pro-Israel voice in Washington. Thirty years later, I continue to take this vow very seriously, as my actions this past year indicate.

Have a Kesima V’chasima Tova, and my best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.

Chuck Schumer

Senior U.S. Senator from New York