Letters to the Editor 4-10-09

Issue of April 10, 2009 / 16 Nissan 5769

To The Editor:

I read Miriam Wallach’s That’s Life column in the April 3 issue of the Jewish press with mounting trepidation. “Oh, no, not again,” I thought as the story about an obnoxious shopkeeper unraveled. And then, with a sense of relief I realized, “Wow, this isn’t about Toddy’s!”

I read to the end expecting to see some kind of disclaimer to that point, but there was nothing. What’s that about? Surely, Mr. Editor, you had to realize that when you use terms like “luxury items” and “infuriating a customer” in the same paragraph, Toddy’s will naturally be the first store people think of.

The thing is that I’m really not sure what upset me more — the fact that you didn’t think to clear Toddy’s good name with a note after the article or that someone is trying to take over my spot as most obnoxious shopkeeper. I’ve worked long and hard cultivating my street cred and I’m not going to just sit back and let some Yoni-cum-lately knock me off with something as lame as “that’s the way it is.” That’s not even funny!

I’m sure some of your brighter readers saw the clues that would disqualify Toddy’s as the culprit in this little opera. First, if we charged $12 for every mistake we corrected, I’d be retired on a beach on Maui right now. Second, everyone knows that 40 minutes means at least an hour in Jewish time, so a customer of mine has nothing to gain by being prompt. And, third, we don’t really do Shabbos gifts; although, do not underestimate the thrill the hostess will get when you hand her a big bottle of Toddy’s Balsamic Dressing.

I certainly understand the shopper’s frustration, especially with the whole delivery thing. Just a couple of weeks ago a woman came back to pick up a pound of tuna salad (luxury item) that we had left out. I told her that if she called we would have delivered it.

“Really?!” She asked.

“Well, sure, now that you’re here, we would have delivered it.”

See, that’s funny.

Jay Todtman

Toddy’s Appetizers

Real semicha

To the Editor:

While your article concerning the Yeshiva Pirchei Shoshanim’s Shulchan Aruch Learning Project was by and large accurately reported, the headline of the article was unfortunate and demeans the program and its participants.

Entitling the article “Ordained Online: Learning for Semicha the High Tech Way,” (April 3, 2009) might lead the uninformed to believe that the Semicha conferred by Pirchei Shoshanim is somehow not a “real” Semicha and that it is similar to internet ordination of clergy via less than valid means.

The only “high tech” method employed in the program, is the use of e-mail to deliver the shiurim and to communicate with the Maggidei Shiur. This is eminently practical, since the time difference between the U.S. and Israel can sometimes make phone communication difficult.

As a long-time participant in the program, I can assure you that the quality of the shiurim is of the highest caliber and the relationship that develops between the Maggidei Shiur and the students is strong, real and of lasting duration.

I encourage others interested in the program to contact Rabbi Dovid Engel at Engel [at] shemayisrael.com.

Yossi Danzger

Woodmere