Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: A Jewish Heart

Several years ago, a coworker who knew I was a Christian, told me that I was more Jewish than she was. Coming from a “sabra” (native born Israeli), sealed the deal for me and I’ve never looked back. Since then, I have told some that I am a Christian,… Read more »

Thanks from Strauss Manor to the Tucson community

I would like to express our appreciation for the incredible donations of DVDs, CDs, yarn, hygiene items, coloring books, colored pencils, etc. to everyone who donated to our residents at B’nai B’rith Strauss Manor during this pandemic. The love and compassion everyone showed and the response was amazing. Our… Read more »

Honoring father, scientist seeks WWII info

My beloved father and hero, Solomon Eisenberg, served on the USS Daly DD-519, a naval destroyer during World War II. He saved two men who fell overboard into the Bering Sea off the coast of Adak, when the Japanese occupied the Aleutian Islands of Alaska after the bombing of… Read more »

Knitting teaches good lessons for pandemic

Recently I’ve been reading articles by clergy, including several rabbis, that reassure us of life beyond coronavirus. One way practically anybody can reinforce this hope in tomorrow is to work on a long-term craft project today. Great talent is not a requirement — I have been an intermediate knitter… Read more »

So far, Jewish 2020 candidates spur no remark

The fresh feeling of possibilities at the dawn of a new secular year (and decade) will no doubt be accompanied by business as usual in the political arena — loud bickering, mud-slinging and more regarding presidential candidates — not only in the House and Senate but in the homes… Read more »

Letter to U.S. leaders on French insanity plea verdict

I have sent the following email to President Trump, Senators McSally and Sinema, and Representative O’Halleran: My name is Jeffrey N. Penfil, DMD. I am both a business owner and a community volunteer, currently serving as President of the Dove Mountain Rotary Club. As an American citizen, a citizen… Read more »

Apology to fellow survivors

When I spoke to the reporter for the profile about me (“At 95, Tucsonan Bill Kugelman still charming, vigorous,” AJP 10/11/19), I misspoke in stating that others didn’t feel the boot of the Nazis during World War II. Anyone of the Jewish faith that lived under the Nazis, their… Read more »

Spiritual experience shared

As someone who grew up in Tucson and remembers the joy of seeing the “mousecars” as a kid, the story of Truly Nolen (“From ‘Antcars’ to ‘Mousecars,’ Tucson’s Truly Nolen delivers smiles worldwide,” AJP, 10/25/19) indeed brought a smile. But it might help readers to clarify a point of… Read more »

Vigil will support migrants

As Jews, we have a special responsibility to stand up for the migrants currently being held under deplorable conditions in ICE detention centers. The situation is completely untenable. A Trump administration lawyer recently argued to a court that the government’s obligation to provide “safe and sanitary” conditions for child… Read more »

AJP article hits the right note

I wish to thank the Arizona Jewish Post and interviewer Debe Campbell for the well-written article (“Retiree takes social justice to heart,” 6/28/19). She provided important information I shared with her when we met at the monastery. She has seen firsthand the role that so many volunteers and Catholic… Read more »

Cool kosher choices available in Tucson

In the Post’s article regarding kosher establishments in Tucson, “As city’s only kosher market closes, Tucsonans get creative in search for products” (AJP 4/19/19),  I wanted to bring to your attention another establishment under kosher certification, which has been proudly serving the Jewish community for the past seven years.… Read more »

Israel’s haredi Jews get preferential treatment

Regarding Rabbi Shlomo Brody’s article, “This Eurovision contender showed how Israel has failed its religious Jews,” (AJP 2/22/19), what else do the haredi want? They (for the most part) don’t serve in the army. Most businesses are closed on Shabbat even if they would have opted not to. Marriages,… Read more »

Kristallnacht/Crystal Night/ Night of Broken Glass

From Wikipedia, eyewitness accounts and reports from Holocaust survivors While the initial purpose of Kristallnacht was the need of financing for the Nazi Party, there were underlying racial and social hatred. That hatred was expanded to include Gypsies, homosexuals and members/leaders of other religions. The international Evian Conference on… Read more »

Beauty of Shabbat transcends fear

On Friday night, Nov. 2, I entered a local synagogue with a feeling of trepidation. Could a copycat of the recent tragedy in Pittsburgh take place in Tucson? I wondered what I would do if the unthinkable happened again. Remembering how we were taught in elementary school to crouch… Read more »

Anti-Semites a dying breed in U.S.

The vast majority of Americans are not anti-Semites, nor anti-black, or anti-gay, etc. This may not have been the case when I was born in Chicago 80-plus years ago. At that time the gays hid in the closet, black people were seen and not heard, and we Jews could… Read more »

At the Vigil for Tree of Life Temple (Tucson JCC)

We sang Shalom and we almost believed it We proclaimed Love stronger than Hate and we tried to believe it We stressed Solidarity and we thought we believed it We shouted Never Again but we could not believe it. — Joy Nelson… Read more »

‘Never Again’ article misrepresents gun control movement

I feel uncomfortable writing this letter, but I feel that a response is needed to the recent article written by Dov Marhoffer, “‘Never Again’ belongs to the Holocaust, not the gun control movement,” (AJP 9/14/18).  I cannot begin to imagine the horrors that he must have experienced as a… Read more »

Letter to Editor: Thankful JFSA hosted ‘The Connection’

Regarding the letter in the June 29 edition, “Connection doesn’t give women equal access,” I hope the Jewish Federation continues to host events like ‘The Connection.’ As a transgender Jewish woman, I am not always allowed to attend women’s events in the Orthodox world. When such events are held… Read more »

‘Connection’ doesn’t give women equal access

I am writing about the article, “CCC program aims to bolster ‘The Connection,” published in the June 14, 2018 AJP, which promoted a series of events centered around a visit of 12 yeshiva students from The Foxman Yeshiva in New Jersey. I was concerned by the failure of the… Read more »