42.6 F
New York
Friday, March 29, 2024

Letters to the Editor

Related Articles

-Advertisement-

Must read

Anti-Semitism is Alive & Well

Dear Editor:

Last Tuesday in Jersey City, we were reminded once again of something that shouldn’t need reminding: That anti-Semitism is alive, well, and unchecked in America today. We now know that the shooter published anti-Semitic vitriol online—unsurprising, given that the shootout that left 6 people dead occurred primarily in a kosher market. We at the American Jewish Congress want to express our profound sorrow and condolences to the victims, the victim’s families, and the whole Jersey City community. We applaud Mayor Fulop for quickly identifying this as an anti-Semitic attack and Jersey City first responders for their quick and decisive action to minimize the carnage.

Time and time again, anti-Semitic rhetoric online has gone hand-in-hand with acts of hateful violence. Even in New York and New Jersey, among some of the world’s most vibrant Jewish communities, anti-Semitic acts of violence have become largely normalized. The question is, could we have done something to stop it?

We can no longer afford to take anti-Semitism, in any form, lightly. This also means holding in check the few politicians who traffic in anti-Semitism and adversely affect the public discourse. In mainstream politics and media, anti-Semitic rhetoric has become normalized once again, giving more legitimacy to the toxic delusions of white supremacists and anti-Semites. We cannot afford to ignore anti-Semitism in any form; there is too much at stake.

Sincerely,

Jack Rosen
President
American Jewish Congress


First Visit to Israel

Dear Editor:

I’m 48 years old and I just returned from my first visit to Israel! Like many Jews in America, I guess I always took Israel for granted. I could have gone when I was in my twenties on a free trip with Birthright, I could have gone again in my thirties on a young professionals trip but I always put it off because I never really understood why Israel was so important to my Judaism but now I know.

After spending my first couple days in Jerusalem, I realized that in that moment, in Israel, I was no longer a minority, I was the majority. Touching the Kotel for the first time is an experience that I hope I will never forget and one that I pray every young Jew in America will soon experience.

If you’re reading this and you haven’t been to Israel yet–please go! It will change your life just like it changed mine!

Sincerely

Naomi Schwartz


Honors Classes & Diversity

Dear Editor:

A letter written by a local elementary school teacher, I’ll call “Mrs. Krieg,” was brought to my attention by a mutual acquaintance. In light of the notice that honor classes will be discontinued, she thoughtfully agreed that equity (defined as fairness and impartiality) in the schools should benefit all students. Regrettably, she has been influenced by terminology that has been devalued and redefined to become a tool for social engineering among students. Such revisionism has been applied to Equity, Diversity and Social Justice, and comes at the expense of freedom and true justice.

Honors classes were designed to challenge students academically. The advanced work, faster pace, and higher course-credit weight have provided for smarter, happier, well-rounded children who had the opportunity to flourish according to their capabilities and not misbehave out of boredom. But now, the authorities have determined it best to cancel the honor courses across the country because of a “lack of diversity” – that is, more Caucasian and Asian students were engaged than Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans. Instead of also providing honors classes that meet the interests of the low-energy students – perhaps music, theater, artisanal handicrafts – the Department of Education has decided to close the achievement gap by lowering the bar and expectations and discontinuing all incentives. Mrs. Krieg did not foresee that by eliminating the incentives and opportunities, the resulting “equity” would be mediocrity and the loss of exceptional achievement.

Now the Department of Education will generate equity in boredom, discontent, resentment, truancy and delinquency. Academia is not unaware of these inevitabilities. Their purpose is not an improved education but the decline of achievement and the elimination of the exceptional. Former President Obama expressed a similar derogatory outlook when he denounced high-achieving Americans with, “You didn’t build that.”

Diversity in the schools no longer describes a richness of ideas, course studies, or specialty careers, but defines and categorizes the students themselves, by race, religion, ethnicity, financial status, sexual orientation, and however else the students choose to differentiate themselves. As with the term “equity,” the meaning of “diversity” has been corrupted, as it now implies division, divisiveness, and discord, the opposite of E Pluribus Unum – Out of many, One. These differences have led to a totalitarian-style monitoring and bullying – called Speech Control, necessitating “Diversity Officers” with doctoral degrees, credentials in counseling and inclusion techniques, and six-figure salaries reflected in higher tuition costs. The officers’ mere presence confirms the growing disharmony, isolation, discrimination, harassment, and violence that characterize the socialist strategy.

Sincerely

Tabitha Korol


Thank You Mr. Trump!!!

Dear Editor,

Last week, President Donald J. Trump took decisive action to safeguard Jewish students on college campuses around the country. In signing the Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism, President Trump made it clear that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to anti-Semitic discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. When enforcing Title VI against covered anti-Semitic discrimination, agencies will consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism as well as the IHRA’s contemporary examples. Federal agencies have been directed to identify other ways the Government can use nondiscrimination authorities to address anti-Semitism. This action further demonstrates the unwavering commitment of President Trump and his Administration to combating all forms of anti-Semitism.

In my lifetime (I’m 34 years old), I’ve never seen a President so committed to protecting Jews here in the United States and around the world. Earlier this week, Secretary Mike Pompeo announced that the Department of State is authorizing a grant of $1M to fight anti-Semitism in Europe. Another strong message from his administration as anti-Semitism continues to grow by record numbers in Europe.

In addition, the U.S. has taken swift and decisive action to support and protect the nation state of the Jewish people, Israel. From recognizing the sovereign capital of Israel to moving our embassy to Jerusalem to affirming Israel’s sovereignty in the Golan Heights to fighting back in the halls of the United Nations–the message is clear from President Trump and his administration: President Trump stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish people in America and the alliance between the American and Israeli government is unbreakable. Four more years!

Sincerely

Bryan E. Leib

balance of natureDonate

Latest article

- Advertisement -