Author’s note

A quick word of thanks for your thoughtful review in the Jewish Light (May 22 review, “Amos Oz, daughter explore Jewish love affair with words”). Let me assure you that the name of our book is, and always was, “Jews and Words.” Stefan Kafner (in his review in Moment magazine), simply mistook Yale’s graphic designer’s choice of lower-case font for the jacket, and took it to be an authorial statement. Nothing of the sort.

We deem both Jews and Words to be capital entities, if allowed the pun.

But this is just a small footnote on your fine review.

Fania Oz-Salzberger

Co-author (with Amos Oz) of ‘Jews and Words’

Honoring the ‘Unsung’

Congratulations to the Jewish Light for publishing the good deeds of our city’s “Unsung Heroes.” Selflessness and the lack of interest in the pursuit of awards and honors are high ethical virtues in Jewish ethics. The Rabbis of Old taught, however, that honor pursues those who do not seek it.

With due respect to the many deserving recipients of this award, I would like to nominate my beloved aunt, Mrs. Adele (“Udy”) Katz Cherrick, as a worthy ex officio honoree. Aunt Udy, along with her beloved husband and my Uncle William (“Bill”), of blessed memory, spent the majority of their lives in St. Louis and contributed to many charitable causes, extended hospitality to many of their friends, and helped many people in need. They were religious and pious Jews who treated all Jews and non-Jews with respect and dignity.

My Aunt Udy died on May 18, 2013, in Chicago where she moved some time ago as she developed health problems and needed the help of her two sons who lived in Chicago. It is important that we do not forget her many good deeds and ethical traits that influenced many St. Louisans during her life here.

I repeatedly hear from many people that Mrs. Cherrick was a consummate teacher and principal of the Hebrew School at Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel synagogue. Her humble and gentle way, informed by an outstanding Jewish education, kept many young Jews close to God and Judaism for their entire lives.

May her memory be a blessing.

Jordan B. Cherrick

St. Louis