Response to commentary 

In reference to the commentary (April 24) entitled “Why Republicans shouldn’t expect to win over Jewish vote,” from Rabbi Yonason Goldson:

Rabbi Goldson posits that most Jews (and by most, he means liberal) will never vote for Republicans because, having abandoned halacha, they are left only with the sense for social justice and therefore, somehow, see the State of Israel as oppressor. And because the Republicans are perceived as being better friends to Israel, these (liberal) Jews won’t vote for them. Although there is a kernel of truth in this theory, it’s a small kernel.

I am centrist religiously and politically. I am indeed troubled by the anti-Israel leanings of some in the left, but the America-Israel relationship is not the only factor in how I vote.

Rabbi Goldson didn’t mention the elephants in the room, namely, our current president and his enablers.  When we are governed by incompetent scoundrels, our highest priority must be to remove them from office.  In my eyes, decency is a sine qua non of leadership and, by extension, of any true relationship our country might have with Israel and the world.

I pray that our next elected government will be one that is not only good for Israel but good for the country we live in as well.

Andy Curry, Creve Coeur

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Vaccines and civil liberties

I am writing in response to two articles posted in the Jewish Light regarding the recent measles outbreaks impacting Orthodox Jewish communities. 

For years contracting measles was a rite of passage requiring rest and time off school or work. Measles is generally an uncomfortable infection that is self-limiting. While blame is often placed on the unvaccinated during outbreaks, many contracting measles already have been vaccinated previously.

Vaccinations can cause harm, evidenced by the creation of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in 1986. As of Jan. 2, 2019, 1,258 claims were filed with the NVICP for injuries and deaths following the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination; $4.1 billion has been awarded to vaccine injured.

One’s civil rights should be protected to make fully informed healthcare decisions regarding the MMR vaccination. By force vaccinating or fining Orthodox Jews in New York City, civil liberties have been denied.

Michelle Goldstein, Creve Coeur

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[Editor’s note: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Visit the CDC’s website about the MMR vaccine at www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html.]

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