Letters to the Editor 1-30-09

Issue of Jan. 30, 2009 / 5 Shevat 5769

On principle

To the Editor:

In last week’s editorial (Obama era same old news for Pollard; Jan. 23, 2009), you wrote: “Whatever his failings, George Bush made decisions on principle and without regard for what critics might say. On our editorial page this week we wish he had made one more decision like that before returning to Texas. Instead, there’s a new administration, but the same four walls for Jonathan Pollard.”

George W. Bush had principles, but so did Tomas de Torquemada. Bush’s included lying to the public, extreme partisanship, favoring the oil industry and torturing unindicted prisoners.

I have followed Pollard’s case since he was turned away from the Israeli embassy and arrested by the FBI. Jonathan Pollard talked too much, instead of playing it cool and letting his friends help him. Israel has a deplorable record of abandoning “foreigners” (non-Israelis) who help them in “classified” areas. I don’t know why people do it any more. Pollard’s bitterness and disappointment are justified but he was his own worst enemy in his public statements.

Leon Schwarzbaum

North Woodmere

Prayers for Pollard

To the Editor:

On behalf of Jonathan Pollard, thank you to everyone for your efforts on his behalf. Letters, faxes and phone calls to the White House were a powerful tool and an important source of encouragement. Prayers on his behalf were and are very special. Although President Bush did not grant Jonathan clemency, our efforts must continue.

Please keep davening for the health and freedom of Yehonosson ben Malka Pollard.

Please write him letters –– Jonathan refers to them as his “oxygen.” The letters can be from adults and children, from families and school classes.

Please write in English only with no enclosures (tapes, gifts, etc). Please choose one day each week to write another letter. Ask family and friends to do the same. Jonathan reads every letter, although he may not respond.

Please send the letters to: Jonathan Pollard, #09185-016, FCI Butner, PO Box 1000/Clemson, Butner, North Carolina, 27509-1000, USA.

If you wish to assist Jonathan to buy kosher food items from the prison canteen, pay for phone calls, please send contributions to: Young Israel Charities, attention the Pollard Fund, c/o NCYI, 111 John Street, Suite 450, NY, NY 10038.

Our efforts to obtain Jonathan’s freedom will iy”H continue. Your assistance in future endeavors will be important.

Rabbi Pesach Lerner

Far Rockaway

Funding education

To the Editor:

Your Jan. 16 issue described a plan to help fund Jewish education (‘Creative plan to help Jewish schools weather bad economy’). While an interesting idea, voluntary contributions on the part of consumers may not be enough. Perhaps retail businesses choosing to participate in a fund to help Jewish education thrive could display a window decal that indicates that a portion of every sale would help support Jewish education? The amount could be decided by business owners based on the size of their business, their profit margin, their own commitment to the cause and their generosity. Their accountants could assist them in determining the percentage that would best help them at tax time.

Pam Singer

Malverne

Thank you

To the Editor:

Although a month overdue, I wanted to share a wonderful act of kindness that was done for my son.

My 10-year-old son came home from school on the second night of Chanukah and requested that we take him to the bookstore, saying that he needed a book for school. He refused to take money from me. As I pulled up to Judaica Plus on Central Ave. he told me that I should wait in the car. Since my spot was right in front and I could see into the store, I agreed.

I watched as he waited on line. As he came out I asked to see his purchase, he replied that he would show it after we lit candles.

That night, to our surprise, my son handed my wife and me a wrapped gift. The books still had price tags on them and I noticed that they totaled quite a bit. When I asked how much he had spent, he replied that the lady in the store had asked him how much he had. When he told her $40, she said to him: “Wonderful, that’s how much you owe,” even though the price was more.

What a wonderful act of kindness that my child was shown that night. Think of how upset he would have been had the cashier told him he didn’t have enough money. I wanted to write this letter to publicly thank Judaica Plus for making our Chanukah night special. My son was so proud to give us a gift and if it weren’t for that cashier’s kindness, he would not have had the opportunity to experience the joy of giving on Chanukah, instead of always getting.

This wonderful cashier realized that my son was trying to surprise us and helped him achieve his goal. We truly need more people like this in our town and in the world. Thank you, Judaica Plus. You now have a customer for life.

Ari Solomon

Woodmere