Community Magazine November 2008

54 Community magazine Community Chest Community’s Editor Attacked by Anonymous Letter Writer Dozens of businesses which have advertised in Community Magazine reported receiv- ing a poorly composed letter in the mail last month urging them to “demand the change [sic] of the editorial board,” of Community. Apparently suggesting that Community is promoting liberal and even Christian ideals, the letter reads in part: “Has the Magazine [sic] veered off course by promoting liberal ideology in violation of basic principles of Torah Judaism? Inspiration to envelope [sic] and loaded with cool stuff, the latest buzz of the Christian world. Is this the type of magazine controlled [sic] and roller blinded [sic] by marketing dollars? Are we allow- ing ourselves to be manipulated into freethinking non-religious persons?” Though a handful of recipients contacted Community about the letter, according to Avi Feldman, Operations Manager at Community Magazine, none of them asked for a change of the editorial board or modified their advertising patterns as a result of the letter. “Most of the people who called us just found the letter’s sloppy composition difficult to understand and wanted to see if we could help decipher what it was trying to say,” Feldman explained. “Of course, we were as puzzled as everyone else, but we were happy to assist as best we could.” The letters arrived in envelopes bearing a return address of 1612 Ocean Parkway, a house number which does not exist. Though the letters were unsigned, the envelopes listed “Shamah” as the sender, which drew sharp criticism from recipients who widely believed that the name was only used as an attempt to legitimize the letter’s content while disguising the author’s true identity. “It is revolting to think that someone in our own community could stoop so low as to try to implicate the Shamah family in this nonsense,” said David Shamah, who was asked by a business associate if he knew about the letter. “Hiding cowardly behind ano- nymity is bad enough, but it is even more despicable to try to blame someone else! It’s a new low in the realm of spineless anonymous letter writers.” Although the letter bore no signatories, it closed with a claim that, “This letter has been reviewed and approved: By [sic] Rabbis of the Syrian, Egyptian, Moroccan, Lebanese, Persian, Israeli etc. communities.” However, among 18 rabbis of the communities mentioned who were asked, none indicated that they were aware of – or would ever endorse – such a letter. “Baruch Hashem, our wonderful community doesn’t take anonymous letter blasts seriously and recognizes the sheker (deceitfulness) and mosee shem ra (slander) they invariably contain,” one of the rabbis commented. Executive Editor Jack Cohen, who dismissed the letter as, “a silly, sophomoric prank,” added, “We don’t have any definitive indication of the author’s identity – except that it’s almost cer- tainly not someone named Shamah – nor do we understand his real motives. But it should be noted that Community has always welcomed the comments and opinions of readers – even when they criticize our editorial decisions.” Suggesting that the author could have saved himself time and effort by just sending his letter to the magazine for publication, he joked, “We would have even fixed the grammar and usage.” Angel Fund to Host Franchise Fair “The Brooklyn Franchise Fair,” an open house for ambi- tious entrepreneurs offering business opportunities, busi- nesses for sale and capital, will be hosted by the Sephardic Angel Fund on Monday eve- ning, November 10 th at 8pm. The event, which will take place at the Angel Fund’s head- quarters at 379 Kings Highway, will allow participants to explore franchise opportunities and meet the presidents of over a dozen different franchise businesses. For more information contact Joseph Setton at 718-787-1400 x 20 or jsetton@sephardicangelfund.org. The Largest Etrog in Brooklyn? Though rarely larger than a small grapefruit, an etrog (citron) big- ger than a melon caused something of a spectacle last month. The unusual fruit, in the possession of Rabbi Auziel Admoni, was among those imported for use on Succot. Though not necessarily measured in size, the large etrog was especially unique because in addition to its size it was largely free of blemishes and imperfections. AN IMPORTANTMESSAGEOFTHE COMMUNITY October l0, 2008 As a patron of the CommunityMagazine this is an importantmessage concerning your investment.Having associatedwith this covermessage. The exacting articles, and cover pictures similar toObama vs.Osama banner andobservations that are polluted in its visualization tabloid and content.No other religious JewishMagazine has used these methods infiltrating personal agendas, and pollution.By having superbwriters asRabbiEli Mansour andRabbiMaxSutton to legitimize the shady contents andRabbiYosef as supervisor in absentee is ludicrous and amisdeed of the executives. Has theMagazine veered off course by promoting liberal ideology in violation of basic principles ofTorah Judaism? Inspiration to envelope and loadedwith cool stuff, the latest buzz of theChristianworld. Is this the typeofmagazine controlled and roller blinded bymarketingdollars? Arewe allowing ourselves to bemanipulated into freethinking non-religious persons? Let you dollarswork hard for your business.A change is needed "Demand the change of the editorial board, and appoint an experiencedEnglish speaking overseer, or look forabetter return and turn away". Themagazineuse tobe a voice for the religious of theCommunity, giving them the ability to express themselves and a forum to discuss issues relevant to theSephardicCommunity.To help support sustainable community and economic development strategies to highlight innovative programs and ideas that have the potential to improve the communities inwhichwe live. To voice your feelings and need for change contact: CommunityMagazine 1616OceanParkway,Brooklyn,NewYork 11223 Telephone 7 18 645 4460 FAX 718 504 4246 Sales: sales© communitym.com Editorial: editor©communitym.com This letter has been reviewed and approved: ByRabbis of theSyrian,Egyptian,Moroccan,Lebanese,Persian, Israeli etc. communities.