Letters to the Editor

JFCS stands ready to serve

We appreciate the Post’s coverage of how Jewish Family & Children’s Services has expanded its capacity to serve the community (“Partnerships help JFCS expand behavioral health care services,” AJP 5/17/13). Your article also pointed out how important our expert counseling and social services are to vulnerable people of all… Read more »

Rabbi Schneier misguided on Arab proposal

The article by Rabbi Marc Schneier (“Netanyahu must take page from Sadat,” AJP 5/17/13) contends that this is “an opportunity for peace with the Palestinians.” The latter always present conditions that are totally unacceptable to Israel, and they know it. Furthermore, at present, there is peace, and there will… Read more »

Arizona’s children not immune to gun violence

Gun violence is a public health problem, and Arizona’s children are not immune from this epidemic. As pediatricians responsible for the health and welfare of our patients, we must discuss the facts, and that includes the risks of keeping guns in a home. Research shows that even when children… Read more »

Israeli-American connects with ‘New Eyes’ play

I attended Yafit Josephson’s performance of “New Eyes” at the Tucson Jewish Community Center on April 22 and feel compelled to write. Yafit put on a solo, autobiographical show during which I laughed and cried with her, as she tried to identify who she is: Is she an Israeli… Read more »

Kotel should be inclusive

Rabbi Avi Shafron mentions the importance of empathy in his article (“Halachah must rule at the Western Wall, but empathy is the most important factor,” AJP, 1.11.13, but, in my opinion, he  does not demonstrate empathy and respect to either Anat Hoffman or to Jews who may think and… Read more »

Shafran claim on Wall illegitimate

Rabbi Avi Shafran’s commentary, “Halachah must rule at Western Wall” (AJP, 1/11/13 ) can only be seen as part of his continuing effort to hijack our traditions. Assigning himself to be the supreme halachic authority and protector of our traditions, Shafran informs us that women and religious services other… Read more »

Equality at Western Wall achievable

I was extremely disappointed to read the condescending piece by Rabbi Shafran about Women of the Wall (“Halachah must rule at Western Wall, but empathy most important factor,” AJP, 1/11/13). I have been a supporter of Women of the Wall for years. The group’s actions are not “antics” nor… Read more »

Trees to be healing prayers for sister

Trees have been known to break their way through the toughest rock slabs to get to the water and nutrients they need to live the life they were destined to live. So it is with my sister, Anna Greenberg, and her Healing Groves. The Greenberg family, in cooperation with… Read more »

Understanding facts on the ground in Israel and Gaza

On Nov. 14 — in response to an escalation of rocket attacks from Gaza — the Israeli Defense Forces initiated Operation Pillar of Defense. Since the launch, and the killing of Hamas commander and chief of staff Ahmed Jabari, Hamas has launched both a military and public relations campaign… Read more »

Egypt aid not gift to Brotherhood

Unfortunately, Lily Brull (responding to my 9/7/12 letter in the AJP, “No $1.5B to Muslim Brotherhood”) is off the mark (“Miller got it right on $1.5B for Muslim Brotherhood,” 9/21/12). It’s not the amount of money that’s at issue. What I object to is her characterizations of the identity… Read more »

Corrie parents fostered terrorism

Guy Gelbart’s explanation of the facts leading to the death of Rachel Corrie is much appreciated, as is his discussion of the aftermath of disinformation that was intended to trash Israel and especially the IDF (“Anti-Israel cynics led Corrie to tragic death,” AJP, 9/21/12). He also states that Rachel… Read more »

Music article welcome, falls short

I was pleased to see cantorial music, and Jewish sacred music in general, highlighted in your last issue in Sheila Wilensky’s article on cantorial soloists in Tucson. It was gratifying in particular to see that at Temple Emanu-El we have employed all but one of the individuals you profiled… Read more »

Miller got it right on $1.5B for Muslim Brotherhood

I should like to clarify for Robert Varaday  (“No $1.5B to Muslim Brotherhood,” AJP 9/7/12) that Ken Miller was perfectly truthful about the gift of $1.5 billion to the Muslim Brotherhood. President Obama is forgiving a $1 billion dollar loan to them (out of a $3 billion loan), and supporting… Read more »

Jewish voters must pay attention to many issues

Living as Jews in America, we are slowly relinquishing personal and group responsibility to our government elites who are supposed to be stewards of our freedoms. Washington political elites pander to us as we lose more and more of our freedoms afforded us by our Constitution and our heritage.… Read more »

Faith in AJP objectivity restored

I applaud your comments associated with my letter to the editor on Aug. 24. It renews my faith in the objectivity of the AJP. Thanks for publishing both my and your comments. —Ken Miller… Read more »

No $1.5B to Muslim Brotherhood

Ken Miller ends his Aug. 24 letter by criticizing the Arizona Jewish Post for publishing a partisan viewpoint. Let’s leave aside Miller’s own partisan statement that a cartoon satirizing Romney’s Israel trip is “just another liberal attack on Romney.” Much more disturbingly, how can the AJP let stand Miller’s… Read more »

Many presidents skipped Israel

You remember the classical description of Jewish people and opinions? When two Jews are in discussion, there are three opinions. The AJP has no need to apologize for publishing a variety of viewpoints; it’s one of the paper’s, in fact, any paper’s, strengths. Additionally, it behooves those who write… Read more »

Rabbi Lobb deserves our thanks

When Rabbi Shafir Lobb was first visiting Congregation Ner Tamid eight years ago, I was assigned the job of helping to make the landing in Tucson as soft as possible.  Now eight years later, I would like to acknowledge the contribution that Rabbi Shafir made beyond the Jewish community… Read more »

Cartoon on Romney Israel visit shameful partisan attack

The political cartoon in the Aug. 10 edition, which portrays Romney as “pandering to the Jewish vote” because he visited Israel, made positive statements about Israel’s importance to the USA as an ally and that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, is just another liberal attack on Romney. The… Read more »