Community Magazine December 2009

THE NEW AMERICA The eye-opening feature in your last issue was very revealing – not only in what was written, but also by what was notably absent. Clearly the America our grandparents and great-grandparents came to is not the America of today. Today, while we enjoy the comfort of a luxurious lifestyle, the democracy and safety of America is beginning to be revealed as an illusion, and we should perhaps start considering other options. When our community was established some 100 years ago, Israel was a barren wasteland with little economic opportunity and a belligerent government. This is not the case today. Unlike the Jews of Europe in the 1930s, fortunately, we have a place to go and the advantage of history to guide us. S. Harary COMMUNITY JURISPRUDENCE Your fascinating story about the manuscripts entrusted many years ago to Chief Rabbi Hacham Yaakov Kassin, z.s.l., by the wife of the great Dayan Hacham Moshe Harary, z.s.l., should remind everyone about what the community is still sorely lacking. It is wonderful to have these valuable documents which establish important legal precedents in halacha , but what use are they if there is no universally recognized bet din (rabbinical court)? Politics, money, timing – these are all excuses. I tried years ago behind the scenes to help establish an authoritative bet din, and it was a failure. But not because of the excuses commonly given. I believe it was because of the selfishness of a select and powerful few and the fear and apathy of many. It is shameful for a community this large and great, not to have a bet din which is recognized by a majority of the rabbis and people. But this is no longer my problem. I moved years ago to a small Jewish community with a strong bet din and a powerful respect for its leaders. My guess is that those who care enough about living an upright lifestyle will either join communities like mine or start to care enough to insist on the speedy establishment of a recognized bet din . Daniel H. EYE-CATCHING COVERS While you have such quality articles in your magazine, I did not appreciate the cover picture of this past November issue. I did not like those eyes staring at me in the face each time I picked up the magazine. Please take the time to choose an “eye catching” cover – but in a positive way. I am counting on you to take this matter seriously so I can really enjoy your magazine from “cover to cover.” R. P. FASHION FAN I read Community monthly and always enjoy the Fashion Flash. But I am tired of the negative letters written about the page and how it is contrary to the religious values of certain individuals. There are many women like me who enjoy the page and don’t find anything negative. Kudos to the writer for her fashion insights. Florence Shomer FORGOTTEN SYS? As a group of Syrian boys learning in Israel, we enjoy receiving the magazine each month and reading up on the latest updates in the community. We especially enjoyed reading the feature last month about SYs in Israel, describing the life we see and live over here. We were, however, disappointed to see that our yeshiva was omitted from the list of places where Syrians go to learn. Don’t forget about us! The SY Guys in Yesode Hatorah of Binyan Av L E T T E R S WE'D LOVE TOHEAR FROMYOU! WRITE US A LETTER Letters submitted become the propertyofCommunityMagazine and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Letters may be edited and revised for length, style and grammar before publication. All submissions are considered for publication unless otherwise requested. Preferential consideration is given to brief comments and insights that relate directly to published content. MAIL: COMMUNITYMAGAZINE 1616 OCEAN PKWY BROOKLYN, NY 11223 FAX: 718-504-4246 EMAIL: letters@CommunityM. com WEB: www.CommunityM.com CORRECTION In the Top 10 Questions on Laws of Mezuzah, question 5, “Which homes/rooms require a mezuzah?” the minimum size of a room requiring a mezuzah should have read 4 by 4 amot (generally assumed to be between 36 to 64 square feet). Additionally, it should be clarified that only gates with a proper doorway require a mezuzah. 12 Community magazine