Letters to the Editor, Sept. 8, 2010

Media bias against Israel

It is common knowledge that the world press, in its newspapers, magazines, and television and radio news, display bias and unfairness against Israel. The latest instance of this travesty is Time magazine’s cover article “Why Israel Doesn’t Care About Peace” by Karl Vick.

After glancing at the cover, we couldn’t help but wonder whether the sensationalistic cover page and article was simply a marketing ploy to entice readers or a well-thought concept.

To our dismay, we found the article a collection of disjointed paragraphs with a lack of support to his controversial contention. The article is shallow and poorly researched.

Peace has been a principal theme and dream since the creation of the State of Israel; numerous historical events exemplify the will of the Jewish State to finish the endless altercations with its neighbors. With the exception of long-term peace with Egypt and Jordan, unfortunately, all other efforts with the Palestinians have ended sourly. Vick seems to not comprehend that the enduring “care about peace” goes far beyond interviews with isolated citizens or a limited journalistic venture into a complex, multicultural, and multifaceted country and society.

In this new peace attempt, a two state solution coexisting and living in recognized and secure borders may be feasible. As Nobel laureate John Steinbeck once said, albeit of another dream, “the fact that we have this dream at all is perhaps and indication of its possibility.” Let’s not allow such careless yellow journalism to derail our optimism in these efforts.

Mauricio and Paul Lisker, Creve Coeur

 

Buenos Aires stories spark memories

Your recent articles about Buenos Aires, Argentina were very interesting and brought back memories of a recent visit. While our grandson, Richard Herzog, was on a semester abroad sponsored by the School of Architecture of Washington University, we decided to visit him  and at the same time renew friendships with old schoolmates who live there.

On a Friday evening, we attended Kabbalat Shabbat services at Templo Libertad, which, architecturally is in some ways  reminiscent of the Grand Synagogue of France in Paris. We were quizzed by security personnel at the door, as is customary nowadays in most metropolitan areas outside the U.S. The service was a unique experience, in that it was entirely musical, with a mixture of Hasidic, klezmer, and Israeli elements.

Richard, who is hearing-impaired, was able to tune into the vibrant rhythms as never before during  services. Although we attended similar services elsewhere, this was the granddaddy of them all. But, most impressive was the plethora of young people who were obviously thoroughly familiar with this type of progressive religious service and who were able to fully participate and take an active part.

Godofredo and Eva Herzog, Longboat Key,  Fla.