Community Magazine January 2012

HANUKAH RECLAIMED Rabbi Mansour’s lesson [in the December issue] about how Hanukah has been commercialized and hijacked, really struck a chord with me. But when I contemplated how I would celebrate Hanukah with my kids without having presents for them, I was afraid that they would be too young to appreciate the meaning of this significant departure from the old way of doing things. After thinking about it and rereading Rabbi Mansour’s article, I came up with an idea. And after testing it tonight, on the first night of Hanukah, I am happy to say it was a success. The imagery on your cover was catchy, but I believe it skewed my perception of Rabbi Mansour’s message. Gifts are not bad or forbidden. The key is the content of the gift and its delivery. So instead of eliminating gifts from our Hanukah tradition, I decided this year to make the experience uniquely Jewish. Instead of handing them the gifts right after lighting, I sat them down and we spoke about the story of Hanukah. When I was recapping the story, I told them how Hashem helped the Maccabees beat the Greeks so that we can still learn Torah – and that’s when I gave my youngest son an aleph bet puzzle explaining that on Hanukah we celebrate that we can learn Torah. Then I reminded them that Antiochus did not succeed in stopping us from having Shabbat, and I gave my four-year-old daughter a new Shabbat outfit. And finally, I reminded them that the Greeks were stronger than the Macabees but the Macabees won because they prayed, and that’s when I gave my oldest daughter a new siddur with her name on it. My kids were not only thrilled with the presents, they were enthralled with the meaning behind each one. A. Kassin DONATION OF LIFE AFTER DEATH? Debbie Cohen’s article Donation of Life [December, 2011] about Ronen’s organ transplant, was especially touching. I don’t think anyone who read it could not be moved or want to help out if they could. This medical issue brings to the forefront the need for organ donors. There is an organization today called the “Halachic Organ Donor Society.” that you can read about at HODS.org . I did research myself on this and have joined it so one day I will be saving someone’s life... Ezra Dabbah EDITOR’S NOTE: Organ donation is an intricate and highly complex halachic subject. Decisions relating to organ donation should be approached with caution, and only on the specific advice of one’s rabbi. THE OTHER AMERICAN BIGOT New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman’s animosity towards religious Jews, and his claim that all of Congress is bought by the Jews, should put him in the category of bigot [a reference to the article “American Bigot” last month on prominent American anti- Semites]. Mr. Friedman attributes the Congressional standing ovations for PM Netanyahu to the money of the pro-Israel lobby of America. It is true that Americans who believe in Israel support members of Congress who also believe in strong US- Israel relations. What Friedman misses is that it is an easy sell. The oil industry and its lobby generate more money in one hour than all the friends of Israel obtain in a year. They would get nowhere with an anti-Israel agenda, because no one would listen. Support for the Jewish homeland speaks to the heart of the American people and their representatives. It’s not the money, it’s the issue. Mr. Friedman has such animosity for Israel that he simply cannot imagine that Congress or the American people support Israel as a matter of the heart. He also quite evidently harbors personal disdain for those of traditional Jewish faith. Mr. Friedman is upset that some Jewish haredi women choose to sit separate from the men and thus adhere to a system of sitting in the rear of the bus. Mr. Friedman assumes that this is an expression of disrespect toward women. In certain countries in the Middle East, other than Israel, mistreatment of women is the standard. Mr. Friedman is aware of the countries where women are unable to work, vote or drive, and suffer from honor killings. Why bash Israel, where women have reached every level, including Prime Minister? Dr. Ben Chouake, President, NORPAC LETTERS Letters submitted become the property of Community Magazine 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. Anonymous letters are generally not considered. MAIL: COMMUNITYMAGAZINE 1616 OCEAN PKWY BROOKLYN, NY 11223 FAX: 718-504-4246 EMAIL: letters@Community M .com Just scan the Quick Response QR) code at right with your tablet, smart phone or other mobile device. WRITE US A LETTER 10 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE