Letters to the Editor 8-7-09

Issue of August 7, 2009 / 17 Av 5769

Thanks for the subscription

To the Editor:

I’ve been receiving your paper and am really enjoying it. Your columnists provide me with insightful new information. Thanks for the subscription — I really look forward to each new issue.

Michelle Pinto

Why single out Syrian Jews?

To the Editor:

I am somewhat upset at the publicity being given to “Syrian” Jews and the “Syrian” Jewish community. It is as if the majority “Ashkenazi” Jews are not associated with this “outside” community of Middle Easterners. Was Bernie Madoff ever described as an “Ashkenazi” Jew? From my perspective, a Jew is a Jew is a Jew. I am not in need of any adjectives to set me aside from others. If charedim (Ashkenazim and Sfardim) riot in Jerusalem, they are all my burden. If a young Tel Avivian (irrespective of his genealogical background) is ignorant of the meaning of Tisha B’Av while chomping on his burekas, it is my tragedy. And if hundreds of kippa seruga officers and soldiers serve in Zahal - they have my pride - and I do not investigate whether their ancestors were Sfardim or Ashkenazim or Chasidim or Misnagdim.

(with magnificent memories of Far Rockaway and Shaaray Tefilah)