Embrace our Judaism
In response to the question asked by the article “Can science finally stop antisemitism?” (online, Jan. 6), the answer is of course, No. Trying to educate people out of their hostility to Jews will never work, it cannot work. People hate Jews for a variety of reasons, usually irrational, therefore approaching them with reason is ineffective. There is an old saying when dealing with irrational people that they did not come to their views via reason, so reason cannot help get them out.
Fortunately, there is much the Jewish community can do regarding antisemitism, and it has nothing to do with educating our foes. Antisemitism is not remotely the gravest threat facing our people: our own apathy and lack of knowledge and pride in Judaism is. A solid understanding of what it means to be Jewish, why God chose us and what our purpose on this Earth is, that is what has sustained us for thousands of years.
Empty synagogues other than Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the real threats, not ignorant leftists and skinheads. Learn about the magic our enemies know we have, that they have always hated us for it. Take a class, celebrate Tu B’Shevat next month or go to Purim, dress up, drink some wine, shake groggers and learn how uplifting and beautiful being Jewish really is. Education is indeed the answer to antisemitism, but not as some attempt to enlighten non-Jews out of hating us; rather the answer is to educate Jews to love our selves.
Matthew Grad
St. Louis
Nomination concerns
As Jews, our scripture teaches us that to save one life is to save the world. We must be vigilant to support policies that save lives and oppose those that do not. This also includes how we should view potential members of the U.S. Cabinet.
I have deep concerns about the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Kennedy has a well-documented history of opposing lifesaving vaccines, and he has pledged to stop funding research for treatments and cures for deadly diseases. His opposition to vaccines could lead to a resurgence of childhood illnesses like polio and measles. Kennedy has said that “there is no vaccine that is safe or effective,” and he helped fuel a deadly measles outbreak in American Samoa that killed 83 people. His appointment to a position of HHS Secretary would be a dangerous step backward for public health.
Morever, he has no experience or qualifications for any role in overseeing our nation’s health care programs, particularly Medicare and Medicaid, which 125 million people rely on for their health care. He can’t be trusted to oversee the entire health care system that makes up 17% of the economy. Combined with his well-documented history of promoting harmful misinformation about vaccines and other public health issues, he is simply unfit to lead HHS.
Call your U.S Senators as well as Senators Collins, Murkowski, McConnell and Cassidy to oppose this nomination.
Gail Wechsler
St. Louis
A day of mourning
Today should be a day of mourning, not celebrating. Today Israel planted the seeds of another future catastrophe.
Israel (and its American supporters) have not learned the first law of terrorism. Just think of the logical fallacies in this “arrangement.”
Hamas invaded Israel, raped, burned, murdered and mutilated over 1,000 Israelis — Jews, Christians, Muslims — because they were in Israel. They kidnapped, tortured and raped another 250+ men, women and children, even a tiny baby, all on Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel swore to destroy Hamas entirely and return all hostages from Gaza. After 15 months of “held-back” fighting, another 800 Israeli soldiers killed and worldwide condemnation of Israel, Hamas survives to slaughter more Jews, 2/3 of the remaining hostages stay hostages, Israel releases “hundreds” of the worst of the worst terrorists in their custody, and Israeli soldiers stand down.
From the Arab viewpoint: a massive victory. The thousands of dead Palestinians, the physical destruction of Gaza are a small price to pay for the progress toward their ultimate goal of destroying Israel, making the Middle East Judenrein.
As I said, a sad day of mourning.
Richard Senturia, Director
Citizens for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Middle East
Differences of opinion
To our remarkable and wonderful Jewish community: Recent letters to the editor became very difficult to read. A very prominent rabbi shared his heartfelt view on the Israel-Hamas war.
The response was terse, negative and vitriolic. One can always agree to disagree. That did not happen.
Antisemites just wait for response letters like these to prove what a fractured community we are.
Yes, I am talking about my dear friend and rabbi, Jim Bennett, whom I have known from the time he arrived in St. Louis.
I have worked side by side with him and I can tell you he truly speaks from his head and his heart. He has, and continues to have, a very long-term, deep and positive relationship with Israel.
Education has always been an important focus and during his yearlong sabbatical he chose to live and study in Israel. He shared so much of that learning with his congregation, giving us closer insight into Israeli culture.
Please let the world see that our community is respectful of all opinions, and we remain as one.
We will need all of our strength to fight the tsunami that may arrive shortly.
Who am I to give this advice? I am a “very old world” Zionist who has lived, worked, built and protected Israel, and will continue to do so.
To all of you, remember kindness does matter, as does gratitude for the many freedoms our beautiful country offers us.
Elsie Shemin Roth University City (A Medal of Honor family)
President Carter
As a Jewish American, I suspect the world Jewish community has mixed feelings about the recent death of former President Jimmy Carter.
While he was regarded as an outstanding human being, humanitarian and philanthropist, and responsible for the Israel-Egyptian peace accord of 1979, in later years his allegiance and sympathy to the Palestinians regarding human rights and disdain for Israel over their occupation of what he considered to be Israeli-occupied Palestinian land and territory, took much luster out of the support he had previously garnered from the Jewish state.
He also criticized America for its undying support of Israel in his 2006 book, “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid.”
Certainly, he was far from a perfect individual, but his common decency, altruism and devotion to his country and family made up for the foibles that he exhibited, and which all persons, regardless of how high their character, are not exempt from.
That said, Jews possess an expression when good persons of noble character die, and in my opinion should undeniably and unequivocally apply to Carter.
“May his memory be a blessing.”
Gene Carton
St. Louis County
