Letters to the Editor 7-31-09

Issue of July 31, 2009 / 10 Av 5769

Apology Needed

To the Editor:

Yaacov Gross’s statement that there is “absolutely nothing that Rambam gets out of the [Machon Hatorah] relationship” (“HAFTR and Rambam to Split”; July 17, 2009) is ridiculous. The agreement was that Rambam parents would pay a lower tuition than HAFTR parents the first year of Machon HaTorah and then from the second year on, Rambam and HAFTR tuitions would be equal. That never happened. HAFTR parents have subsidized the tuition of Rambam students from the beginning since we paid higher tuitions. I would also remind him and Rambam parents that Rambam students reaped the benefits of having HAFTR’s outstanding teaching staff as their educators. In addition, the two principals, Rabbi Friedman and Rabbi Eliach, spent more far more time at Rambam than they did in HAFTR, even though HAFTR has a much larger student body. And please let them not forget that HAFTR paid off their deficits when the two schools joined together. So, truthfully, Rambam parents owe a HUGE thank you to HAFTR parents.

As far as Shalhevet is concerned, HAFTR parents heavily subsidized their tuition as well, paid the expenses of their building, and provided them the privilege of being taught by our excellent HAFTR teachers. So Shalhevet parents, a thank you is also in order from all of you.

I wish Shalhevet and Rambam good luck. It is a shame that in this wonderful community in which we live, some people have to denigrate other yeshivot. I believe that we are blessed to have some many excellent yeshivot in the community from which to choose. I am proud to be a HAFTR parent and recommend this wonderful yeshiva to any families who want an extraordinary Jewish education that teaches our children respect for all Jews.

Ellen Aronovitz

Woodmere

Call to civility

To the Editor:

As both a Rambam and long time HAFTR parent,  I am embarrassed and

offended by Mr. Kanefsky’s comments last week (“HAFTR parent weighs in”;

7/24/09) regarding the split between the two schools. I can certainly respect an opinion that questioned the original intent of Machon and the fact that it was not put forth before the parent body before it actually happened, as this was the feeling shared by many parents. Mr. Kanefsky talks about the lack of respect the board showed to the parent body at that time. However, by stating in his letter that from a Rambam perspective “it was all about what we can take, grab, borrow or steal,” I’m not sure Mr. Kanefsky quite understands what respect actually means. I hope this helps!

Michael Wiesel

Cedarhurst

Money where your mouth is

To the Editor:

With the news that $150,000 has been found to save Shalhevet (Shalhevet to get a second year after all; July 24, 2009), the obvious question is if Machon HaTorah was a true partnership, why weren’t these funds made available to HAFTR in order to save Shalhevet and the partnership? What was obvious to HAFTR parents when Machon HaTorah formed, but apparently not to the desperate albeit demographically challenged HAFTR Board is now clear to all of us: Rambam and its parent  body were not and are not willing to put their

money where their Hashkafah isn’t!

Jacob Steiner

A call for help

To the Editor:

I write this letter to you and your readers after much contemplation and hesitation. A health professional, a caregiver who used to freely donate hours to help the needy has himself become needy. After suffering a series of debilitating diseases, including diabetes, stroke, open heart surgery and kidney failure, he was forced to spend all his assets on medical treatments and equipment, much of which was not covered by his insurance. In addition, he is struggling to pay his monthly rent, utilities and food bills. He faces certain eviction unless funds are raised now.

Rachmanim Bnei Rachmanim, during this period of Bein HaMetzarim, please open your hearts to a relative of members of the community to help him in his struggle to “stand on his own feet,” until he gets a kidney transplant, for the chance to, once again, lead a normal life.

His local Chabad in Carlsbad, California, a non-profit organization, is aware of his anguish and is accepting donations to help him prevent further deterioration and eviction. Contributions can be made to:

Chabad At La Costa, 1980 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad, Ca. 92009,  Att:

Rabbi Shapiro (Tel. 760-943-8891). Please specify in the check’s Memo:

“Moshe Kidney Patient.”  For online donations, please go to:

www.ChabadAtLaCosta.com, click on ‘Donate’ and enter “Moshe Kidney

Patient” in the Comment Box.

Thank you for participating in the important mitzvah of helping to save a life.

Drora Brody

Best article on the subject

To the editor:

I just wanted to take this opportunity to compliment Tova Ross on her

superb article about our upcoming Mashgiach Training Seminar for Woman

(This mashgiach doesn’t wear tefillin; July 24, 2009).

I have worked for the Star-K for over 27 years as one of the Rabbinical

Administrators and have been interviewed many times for a variety of

articles. Often the facts and the tone of the final ‘product’ have been less than anticipated or desired. My phone interview with Miss Ross and her subsequent inquiries/clarification by e-mail were handled well and on point. In fact, many of us at the Star-K who read her article in the The Jewish Star felt that hers was BY FAR the BEST article on the subject.

I would not hesitate to be interviewed again by Miss Ross anytime that she wishes to write another article about kashrus.

Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld

Baltimore, MD