Congratulations

Congratulations

The Baltimore Jewish Times learned last week that the publication has been honored with six awards from the Maryland Delaware D.C. Press Association (MDDC). The winners include managing editor Maayan Jaffe (2 awards); staff reporter Ron Snyder (2 awards); and staff rep-orter David Snyder. One award was given for an all-staff contribution. The details will be announced at the MDDC luncheon on May 17.

JT’s sister publication, Washington Jewish Week, also won six awards: exe-cutive editor Phil Jacobs, managing editor Meredith Jacobs (2 awards); senior writer David Holzel (2 awards); and freelance writer Lisa Traiger.


March 29, 2013

Disappointed

I was disappointed to read that The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore requested a federal grant to combat domestic violence in Jewish Baltimore (“Federal Grant To Combat Domestic Violence In Jewish Baltimore,” March 15). The reason that there is domestic violence in Baltimore is that the Orthodox community prevents it from being publicized. The way to prevent children and youth experiencing domestic and sexual violence is not counseling, especially with federal grants, but arresting the violators and letting the local courts decide whether to punish or not. I guarantee it will only take a few public arrests to stop this crazy action, not a $350,000 grant from the feds. I am surprised that The Associated would get involved in what should be a local police action, not counseling to cover up the problem.
Oscar Schabb
Baltimore


March 29, 2013

15-Year Relationship

Regarding your story on Goldberg’s Bagels (“In the Hole,” March 15): It was a bit longer than 15 years ago when I saw the sign on Reisterstown Road announcing the forthcoming location of Goldberg’s New York Kosher Bagels.
I stopped by because I sell cups, napkins, plates, etc. I was told by the men installing the floor tiles that the owner stopped by very early each morning. So I stopped back at 7 a.m. [the next day] and introduced myself to Mr. Drebin. He asked me to fax a price list of suggested products. After I did so, he called me to visit him at the store location. He then invited me to follow him to his home, just a few blocks away. He explained that he had a dilemma: a frum salesman from another distributor had faxed a price list. My prices were lower. Mr. Drebin said that he consulted his rabbi, “What should I do, buy from a frum or a secular man?” His rabbi said, “Buy from Sy; you must protect your business.” So he buys the majority [of products] from me and buys some other goods from the other representative. I have had a wonderful 15-year relationship with Mr. Drebin’s family, attending weddings and engagement parties with my wife, Annette.

Sy Bluestein
Baltimore


March 22, 2013

The Best Of The Rest

Who did we leave out? The JT asked readers who else could have been included in “The All-Time Best” list of Baltimore athletes (March 8). This is what readers wrote in:

Lou Richman: Richman was a standout athlete who earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse at Forest Park High School (1949-1952) and was selected to the first team All-Maryland basketball team. … He also played basketball and lacrosse at the University of Baltimore. His amateur career included baseball with William Cook and the Benwin Bombers and basketball with the Hampden Boys Club, Behrman’s Collegians, the JCC House Team and many years in the JCC Men’s House League. … Richman was a rough, tough competitor and played with reckless abandon. Anyone who played with or against him did not forget him. He was a defender of our faith on and off the field, and his physical responses to anti-Semitic slurs are legendary. He died in 1994, just short of his 60th birthday, much too soon. He was a legend in his own time.
Herman Blinchikoff
Pikesville


March 22, 2013

The Best Of The Rest

Who did we leave out? The JT asked readers who else could have been included in “The All-Time Best” list of Baltimore athletes (March 8). This is what readers wrote in:

Lou Richman: Richman was a standout athlete who earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse at Forest Park High School (1949-1952) and was selected to the first team All-Maryland basketball team. … He also played basketball and lacrosse at the University of Baltimore. His amateur career included baseball with William Cook and the Benwin Bombers and basketball with the Hampden Boys Club, Behrman’s Collegians, the JCC House Team and many years in the JCC Men’s House League. … Richman was a rough, tough competitor and played with reckless abandon. Anyone who played with or against him did not forget him. He was a defender of our faith on and off the field, and his physical responses to anti-Semitic slurs are legendary. He died in 1994, just short of his 60th birthday, much too soon. He was a legend in his own time.
Herman Blinchikoff
Pikesville

Dr. Larry Becker: Becker was a star player and an All-American at Johns Hopkins in the late 1950s. He was also a star on the university’s basketball team. … Hopkins was a lacrosse power then also, and the papers covered local high schools and colleges much more extensively than the pared-down sports coverage today. … Dr. Becker set new standards for the attack position because of his size and speed.
Herschel Budlow
Baltimore

Andrea Kraus: Kraus is the current 2011 and 2012 Maryland Senior Amateur Champion, the 2012 Maryland Mid-AC and the 2012 Maryland AC, the oldest on record.  She also qualified for the 2011 and 2012 U.S. Senior AC, the 2011 and 2012 U.S. Mid AC and the 2012 U.S. AC.  She was a quarterfinalist in the Mid AC. She has won the Metropolitan AC 13 times, the Maryland AC three times and has played in more than 20 USGA events.  I do not believe her current simultaneous three titles have ever been accomplished by any woman before.
Michael Auerbach
Phoenix, Md.

Here are some others to consider: Brian Kowitz, Mitch Kasoff, Willie Pearlman, Brian Bark, Brad Bark, Leonard Glushakow, Larry Becker, Sharon Highstein Pusin, Al Alberts, Morty Greenberg, Sam “Mugsy” Feldman and Gary Becker.
Stuart R Weinstein
Baltimore

 


March 22, 2013

Embrace Diversity

In response to some negative comments I heard about “Focus: Feminism” (March 1): … It is essential that we … are respectful and tolerant of viewpoints that do not reflect or support our viewpoint. We cannot afford to live in a community whose eyes and ears are closed to both the diversity and richness of other people’s experiences and lifestyles.  We do not have to accept them, but we must be tolerant. … To acknowledge these differences, we as a community can grow from strength to strength. I … hope that [the Jewish Times] will continue to reflect our ever-changing and rich community.
Susan B. Schuster
Baltimore


March 22, 2013

JT Is For Everyone

It’s my belief that the JT is written to appeal to everyone who considers himself or herself Jewish. I applaud stories, editorials, etc. that express diverse perspectives.  We are, after all, a diverse people, and it is important to be inclusive. I appreciated your cover story about Jewish women and feminism (“Focus: Feminism,” March 1).
Jill Petschek
Baltimore


March 22, 2013

Kudos

Simone Ellin’s “Focus:  Feminism” (March 1) was a superb lead-in for Women’s History Month. She dealt with many issues: feminism, Jewish feminism, a brief history of the Jewish feminist movement and interviews with women in the forefront of the movement, both local and national. I read and then re-read the article to get the full import of the women she interviewed. Ms. Ellin’s “In My View” focused on her own personal views and concerns, concerns that I too share.

Kudos to Simone Ellin for covering a complex subject and making your readers aware of the viewpoints of Jewish women “across the religious spectrum.”
Esther P. Weiner
Baltimore


March 22, 2013

Modell?

The JT’s fine sports cover story on Baltimore Jewry’s “The All-time Best” (March 8) accentuates … the deafening silence about Art Modell’s continued exclusion from the NFL Hall of Fame. … Why hasn’t current WBAL sports host and Beth El Congregation member Brett Hollander weighed in on this matter?  Or award-winning former sports anchor Steve Davis?
Saul Edelman 
Reisterstown


March 22, 2013

Amen

Regarding “Enough Already” (March 8): I feel compelled to commend you for the message you so expertly delivered in your article. Your viewpoint needs to be repeated by others in our community who share your opinion but are reluctant to publicly agree. The problems you discussed have become more severe within the past 10 years, and I speak from the perspective of a senior citizen and lifelong Baltimore-area resident. … Did not Maimonides teach, “First the golden rule — all else is commentary”? (I paraphrased his actual quote.) I look forward every week to your contributions in the JT.
Herschel Budlow
Baltimore


March 15, 2013

Disappointed

With regard to the article, “Hagel Nomination Virtually A Lock As Senate Advances Vote,” (Feb. 26, web only): I lost considerable respect for our two senators, Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin. They followed the party line in approving Chuck Hagel for secretary of defense instead of … their conscience.  When I wrote to Sen. Mikulski asking her to oppose the nomination, her response was that she had concerns, but nevertheless would vote for confirmation. Party loyalty and following the president’s lead might be considered admirable traits, but not when it comes to confirming to office an individual who has not only shown ineptitude but also a streak of anti-Semitism.
Nelson Marans
Maryland


March 15, 2013

Congratulations

Congratulations to the many who helped organize and support the wonderful musical, interfaith experience showcasing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and other musical gems at Chizuk Amuno on as past Sunday afternoon (“Making Music Together,” Feb. 22).  In particular, much credit goes to Hazzan Emanuel Perlman, the Bach Concert Series Choir and Orchestra under the direction of T. Herbert Dimmock, the Morgan State University Choir under the direction of Eric Conway and the Maryland State Boychoir under the direction of Stephen Holmes.

The event brought together the fine efforts of many volunteers, contributors, Chizuk Amuno Congregation, the Baltimore County government and the Maryland State Arts Council.  It is hoped that there may be more community experiences like this that echo the immortal words from Friedrich Schiller’s text that are sung by the choir as part of the symphony: “Take this kiss for all the world! Brothers, surely a loving Father Dwells above the canopy of stars.”  For those who attended [on the] dreary, cold and brisk afternoon, God’s divine presence was felt by all.
Cantor Alan Rubinstein
Baltimore


March 15, 2013

Bad Behavior

The columns by Jennie Neuman (“From Roots We Build”) and Meredith Jacobs (“At The Revolution”), both published March 1 on the BBYO International Convention … omit some quite striking facts. What they did not tell you was that BBYO shared space at the National Gaylord with a major area convention that weekend. The behavior of BBYO toward the other convention, by blocking major pathways, as well as having staff members throwing insults, made attendees of the latter (many of whom were Jewish such as myself) feel alienated and unwelcome. I realize that any animosity can be blamed on “a few bad apples” on both sides, but implementing a hotelwide policy hindering freedom of movement for all hotel guests cannot be similarly dismissed. Much trouble could have been avoided had BBYO implemented smarter policies. The behavior of a number of staff and attendees were unbecoming of the values that BBYO purports to instill in its members.
Although I applaud all efforts by both sides to resolve the alleged hostilities, the experiences of [the] weekend reflected poorly on BBYO as an organization. After an attempt to sweep all of this under the rug, I felt it necessary to let readers of the Baltimore Jewish Times know about this.
Barnaby Yeh
Silver Spring


March 15, 2013

BBYO Not As Pluralistic As It Seems

BBYO Not As Pluralistic As It SeemsI am glad to read that Meredith Jacobs’ daughter is having a meaningful experience in BBYO (“At The Revolution,” March 1). My daughter too was involved with BBYO throughout her four years in high school, rising through the ranks of Maskiah and Sganit to eventually become N’siah of her chapter. She developed her leadership skills, had an outlet for her writing abilities and, as a Jewish day school student, had the opportunity to meet and socialize with girls from other schools, both private and public, whom she might not have encountered in any other setting.

Her BBYO experiences, I am sure, contributed to her … admission to the college of her choice, as well as providing her with many opportunities for personal growth. Nevertheless, despite these boons, I remain ambivalent about BBYO. Despite Ms. Jacobs’ claim that “the spectrum of Jewish observance is in BBYO. Everyone is respected,” I found that the lack of effort in enforcing BBYO’s own stated policies about kashrut and Shabbat observance effectively precludes anyone who is shomer Shabbat or who seriously observes kashrut from fully participating.

My daughter’s chapter has scheduled events more than once on Shabbat afternoons and has held fundraiser meetings at non-kosher restaurants … making it impossible for my daughter to have anything more than a drink.

Once, at a meeting at the Jewish Community Center, we were shown two tables and informed that one table had the kosher pizza and the other the non-kosher pizza. In my view, there is no excuse for this in a metropolitan area such as Baltimore that has a variety of kosher food options readily available. It should go without saying that Jewish organizations that claim to be pluralistic should conform to standards that allow all sectors of the community to fully participate. Equally important is the message it sends: What is conveyed about a Jewish organization that holds meetings on Shabbat? By contrast, organizational policies that conform to Jewish religious requirements powerfully model for the girls who participate respect for others and for their own religious traditions, whether they are fully observant or not.
Amy Caplan
Baltimore


March 15, 2013

Orthodox Women:  Intelligent, Articulate And Self-Aware

I received the March 1 issue with its cover article “Focus: Feminism.” As a member of the Haredi community by personal choice and director of an outreach organization reaching hundreds of thousands of Jews of all kinds, let me put it simply: Your [reporting] needs help.

The average Haredi woman in our community holds a college diploma, while her Jewish education vastly exceeds that of her peers in the non-
Orthodox rabbinate. Intelligent, articulate and self-aware, she is likely to work in an administrative or professional position involving extensive contact with those outside our community. She would also be the most likely family member to read the JT.

… The cover article quotes … a nonmember of the community [who states] that when it comes to women’s rights “the women who suffer most, due to detrimental policies, are women in the ultra-Orthodox communities.” … To tell these women that they are “suffering” under “detrimental policies” and are too repressed, ignorant or stupid to know the difference [is both] deficient in accuracy and etiquette. To gain more of the only growth segment of a rapidly changing Jewish demographic, the JT must replace such clumsy insults with reasoned discussion.

Women are more likely than men to become traditionally Orthodox and less likely to drop out. Studying why would make a fascinating article, don’t you think?
Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Baltimore


March 15, 2013

Left Out

I find it most interesting, and even ironic, that the Baltimore Jewish Times chose to have its lead article on Jewish feminism occur on the very weekend when Reform sisterhoods throughout the world were celebrating the 100th anniversary of our founding at their congregational Shabbat services (“Focus: Feminism,” March 1). Yet the strides of the Women of Reform Judaism, formerly the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, were not mentioned at all.  Had it not been for the vision and foresight of our leaders over the last century, I do not believe that the women you interviewed would have many of the options they discussed in your article.

Since our founding in 1913, we have advocated for and acted to improve the status, presence and voice of women.  We worked hard to have women become equal partners in our congregations, in the rabbinate, throughout our Jewish communities and in the general society.  Through our insistence, the first female rabbi was ordained over 40 years ago.  We continue to bring Jewish women’s voices to the forefront, culminating in the recent publication of “The Torah — A Women’s Commentary.” Over 150 Jewish women, including women rabbis, cantors, authors and scholars, of all streams of Judaism contributed.

Women of Reform Judaism, an international organization of over 65,000 women in 500 women’s groups within Reform congregations in North America, Israel and across the globe, has so much of which to be proud.  All Jewish women should be grateful to our forward-thinking founders and leaders whose wisdom, tenacity and vision have opened the doors to many more opportunities so that our feminine voices may be heard and we can be active participants in Jewish study, worship and leadership.

Helene H. Waranch 
Past president
Women of Reform Judaism

Editor’s Note: There was an accompanying article to “Focus: Feminism” about Rabbi Miri Gold and the Har Sinai Sisterhood Centennial, “A Range Of Possibilities,” page 20.


March 15, 2013

Purim Spoof

Your [Purim] issue of the JT was really terrific (Feb. 22). The Purim spoof section was truly funny. … I think what is so powerful in our Jewish “makeup,” or our “J-DNA,” is our ability to laugh at ourselves.
Millie Caplan
Baltimore


March 8, 2013

Let’s Support John Kerry’s “Obsession”

There are ample reasons — coming from both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — to be disheartened about the prospects for a two-state solution. The Israeli public has by and large disengaged, and the
ever-expanding settlement enterprise strongly implies, if it doesn’t dictate, that a creation of a viable Palestinian state is becoming impracticable. On the Palestinian side, the Palestinian Authority, unable to deliver for its people, has increasingly weakened, Hamas remains obstructionist, and the “street” only gets more angry and restive. Not many hopeful signs on either side.

In the face of these gloomy indicators, Ha’aretz … reported that newly-minted Secretary of State John Kerry plans to place the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the center of his diplomatic activities and will try to achieve a breakthrough agreement between the two sides during President Barack Obama’s second term. At his Senate confirmation hearings, Kerry testified that “so much of what we aspire to achieve and what we need to do globally … is tied to what can or doesn’t happen with respect to Israel-Palestine.”

[This means] that a just and lasting peace not only is in the interest of the Israeli and Palestinian people, but also is a vital U.S. interest. According to one observer, quoted by Ha’aretz, the former Massachusetts senator is “determined to the point of obsession” to change the dynamic between Israel and the Palestinians during his term as secretary of state. “He sees it as the holy mission of his life,” the source said.

This is one obsession that we in the American Jewish community, from our top leaders to our grassroots, need to support — even to the point of obsession.  There’s a lot more than our mental health at stake.
Michael Felsen
Boston


March 8, 2013

Shame On Our Senators

Maryland’s two senators both voted for [Chuck] Hagel [for Secretary of Defense]. I am particularly ashamed of Sen. Ben Cardin, and also of all of the other Jewish senators who voted for Hagel. It’s too bad we have such political hacks as our representatives.  There must be better people than this. It is an open season on Israel now. … Hamas has one of its own in the cabinet of the U.S.
Norm Wolfe 
Baltimore


March 8, 2013

Hagel’s Fatal Attraction

Chuck Hagel’s idea: 60,000 U.S. troops in the West Bank and Golan Heights. I would call this idea a “fatal attraction,” for it would attract Hamas, Fatah, Hezbollah, al-Qaida, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and its supporter Iran to join the fray … for a horror-show invasion of Israel or possibly worse.

Strange how President Barack Obama seems to attract this kind of anti-Semitic people … and thinks Hagel is worthy [enough] to grant him such a powerful position. No, I take this back, it’s not so strange,
because it seems to be a definite pattern that these are the kind of people Obama surrounds himself with. …

It appears that America has a mole in the White House and a “fifth column” in this Obama administration. …  Those senators who do not question Hagel’s nomination for Secretary of Defense do so at our country’s — and our allies’ — grave security expense. And those who do not question the pattern of the kind of people Obama seems to be more attracted to, their silence is self-evident of their own guilt, compliance and/or misplaced trust in what Obama seems to advocate against our allies, our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, our Declaration of Independence, our checks and balances, our equal freedoms, our true Judaic-Christian ethical and moral values as law-abiding citizens and our brave military soldiers who he and Hagel plan to put in harm’s way again. After the Benghazi debacle, could our soldiers really count on our government to have their backs? Could Israel or any other ally depend on our defense people in this administration to be there for them?

It’s time for the senators in both parties to stand up for America first, not remain silent and anemic because they choose to put their loyalty to Obama first. … Anything is possible after Benghazi.

It’s all a matter of trust.  Does Israel have reason to trust Obama? Or should Israel put its trust in a higher authority (in Hashem, God)?  This is a defining historic moment for Israel and America. The president gave our soldiers a false sense of security in Benghazi, Libya. Will this be repeated in Israel?  I hope not.
Barbara Bloom
Owings Mills


Stop The Mold

I especially liked your Feb. 22 issue reminding us to do routine maintenance on our homes and to advertise the Maryland Home & Garden Show (“Tips For Spring Cleaning”). I would like to add some information about water intrusion into our homes and what it could mean to the structure of our homes and how it could negatively affect our bodies.

What I learned is that when water comes into a building, after two days, it turns to mold. I know of no contractor who repairs the situation that quickly. My friends have stated, “It only leaked when there were heavy rains.” What they haven’t thought through is that regardless of the strength of the rain, there had to be an opening in the first place, to allow the rain to enter the structure. Even if you can’t see the water, it can collect behind the walls and make mold.

… I’m allergic to mold, I’ll cough, get hoarse, have trouble breathing or have needle sharp pain … when exposed to mold. … Mold is considered to be a toxin and can be removed from the body. Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker wrote the book “Mold Warriors” and has been researching and treating patients with allied conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease and fibromyalgia for about 20 years. … If you want to verify that you are allergic to mold … an asthma and allergy center can test you.
Lynne Selznick
Baltimore


March 8. 2013

Already Missing Cardin

With the closing of Shoshana S. Cardin School, the only Jewish high school options left are those affiliated with the Orthodox movement. Cardin offered a unique learning environment that brought together youth from every corner of Judaism, a school with rigorous academic standards that also instilled in its students a joy for Judaism and a concern for others. Our daughter, Kate, graduated in 2012; we wouldn’t have traded her high school experience for any other. Like other Cardin students, she left high school not just with a track record of academic performance, but with a strong sense of pride in her Jewish identity and a commitment to tikkun olam.  Well prepared to leave home for a gap year in Israel before starting college, Kate is thriving with the opportunities for service and for learning.  In no small measure as a result of their high school experience, she and her friends are thoughtful, confident, independent and responsible young adults.

Baltimore has a very large and diverse Jewish community, a part of an increasingly diverse world.  Our community’s lack of commitment to high school options that embrace the broad tent of Judaism leaves too many youth out in the cold. By allowing Cardin to close, we’re losing a gem.
Judith Schagrin
Baltimore


March 8, 2013

In Defense Of A Christian Superman

It is unfortunate that in order to advance his own argument (“Superman was not Christian,” Feb. 22), Arthur Harrow saw fit to misstate and misrepresent mine. Harrow states, “Any reading of the Superman legend clearly shows that Superman’s father did not choose to send him to Earth as a gift or savior.”  But that is not what I wrote. I said that, “A father sends his only-begotten son to Earth, where he devotes his life to saving humankind from evil.” Harrow pontificates that “attempting to take the Superman story and make it Christian is a really big stretch and certainly nowhere near the original intent of the (Jewish) creators who would be unlikely to create a Christ allegory.” Siegel and Shuster were both … Jews.  … [However,] it is as unlikely, and as big a stretch, for assimilated Jews like Siegel and Shuster to imagine something with Christian overtones as it would be … for Jews in America to have a Christmas tree or name a child Christopher.

Harrow accuses me of being in the employ of Lex Luthor, Superman’s major adversary.  “Lex” is the Latin word for law, the works of which the Apostle Paul, in the New Testament, assails in no uncertain terms. Names matter, according to the Hebrew Bible. If Superman is supposed to be a Jew, why did Siegel and Shuster assign his primary opponent and arch-nemesis a name that is the literal embodiment of what is at the core of Judaism, its law (mitzvoth)?  Superman is anti-Lex, hence anti-law, and to this extent, anti-Judaism! Luthor is variously depicted as a mad scientist and greedy businessman. Science and high-level commerce are … areas of endeavor with which Jewish individuals have become associated out of all proportion to their actual number. So how can [Superman] be Jewish?

Let’s cut to the chase. The telltale proof of Superman being Christian is that on Earth Kal-El had a dual identity: the mighty Superman and the meek … and mild-mannered Clark Kent. Similarly, according to Christian belief, Jesus of Nazareth was both the mighty Son of God and the lowly Son of Man.
Gideon Donnelly
Parkville, Md.


March 8, 2013

Superhero Debate Continues

You can’t build a good mythology, let alone theology, on misrepresentation and factual error. In his letter “Superman Was Not Christian” (Feb. 22) … Arthur Harrow asserts, “Any reading of the Superman legend clearly shows that Superman’s father did not choose to send him to Earth as a gift or savior.” But that was not what Gideon Donnelly actually said (“Zap! Pow! Bad Interpretation!” Feb. 8). He said, “A father sends his only-begotten son to Earth, where he devotes his life to saving humankind from evil.”

Secondly, it was not Mr. Donnelly, but the JT’s David Snyder, author of the Jewish Superhero article, who put forth the translation of Kal-El as “God of Everything” to which Mr. Harrow so petulantly objects.
John H. Wilcox
Laurel, Md.