Community Magazine April 2012

WHY IS IT A MITZVAH TO THANK FIDLER? Your cover this month depicting David Storobin as a candidate who will represent our interests in Albany may have been technically accurate, but was probably also overly polarizing. The fact is, Councilman Lew Fidler has been one of our community’s best friends and he deserves to be recognized as such. That’s why it was troubling to see many people misuse a letter from area rabbis (which was printed in your magazine and a number of other publications), to unjustly malign Mr. Fidler. The letter, which prohibited support for candidates who will not uphold our values concerning marriage, was too easily misunderstood as specifically targeting Fidler, when in fact the vast majority of our elected officials have similar voting records. What most people didn’t realize is that, left unqualified, the letter effectively blocks us from voting in many elections altogether. Perhaps more significantly though, the letter was used to give a distinctly misleading impression of candidate Fidler. In his three terms in the City Council Lew Fidler has proven his commitment to serve our community in almost every way possible. And while I support the idea of vigorously protesting those few position which are out of synch with our moral beliefs, I take exception to the careless way in which some people trivialized Mr. Fidler’s longstanding support for Sephardic community causes. While it may be our religious duty to vote our conscience on important matters, we should not be attacking our friends in the process. J. Shamah A VOTE FOR MARRIAGE Once again the Orthodox community has shown its strength and resolve against those who would compromise the institution of marriage. While the winner of the Special Election [between David Storobin and Lew Fidler] remains uncertain even several days after the election, there is no doubt that the only reason the Republican Storobin even had a chance against a much better funded incumbent Democrat in a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans four to one is because of the Orthodox Jewish stand in the protection of marriage. And even though a sizable number of Sephardic voters broke ranks to vote for Fidler at the urging of influential leaders like Mr. Ronald Tawil and Councilman David Greenfield, Storobin won a clear majority of the Orthodox Jewish vote. The message to all potential candidates is now unmistakable. Our values come first and only candidates who will uphold traditional family values and the sanctity of marriage can count on our support on election day. Sam Mizrahi EDUCATIONAL PRIDE ON THE JERSEY SHORE I read with great pride the article “AModel of Excellence on The Jersey Shore,” which described the high level of scholarship which is sought after – and achieved by elementary school students of Bet Yaakov of the Jersey Shore. Thank you Rabbi Choueka, for recognizing the great importance of providing our young girls with an uncompromising education. It is gratifying to see BYJS among our community schools that are making serious efforts to reach ever greater heights. Sara Cohen A COMPLIMENTARY CERTIFICATION SYMBOL Regarding last month’s article, “Ethical Certification Not Kosher?” [in the Community Chest] – some clarity on this new important initiative is warranted. The mission of the Magen Tzedek Commission has always been to promote a high ethical standard in the production of only certified kosher food products, consistent with Jewish values of Torah. The Magen Tzedek certification is not an alternative option to a traditional kashrut hechsher, but a complementary symbol meant to recognize the elevated righteousness of the products that have earned the seal. Consumers will always find one of the trusted and familiar hechshers on products displaying the Magen Tzedek Seal of Justice, eliminating any confusion about the religious sanctity of the product. Harvey Popolow, Executive Director, Magen Tzedek CLARITY OF COMMUNITY For our diverse community, which includes people of varying religious levels, I think your magazine is the best. The Torah lessons you include, offer something to the entire Community in Brooklyn, Deal, Lakewood and beyond, and the articles are delivered in a clear way so we can put it in our pocket, so-to-speak, and carry the lessons with us. Raquel Boujo WRITE US A LETTER 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. EMAIL: letters@Community M .com WEB: www. Community M .com MAIL: COMMUNITYMAGAZINE 1616 OCEAN PKWY BROOKLYN, NY 11223 FAX: 718-504-4246 Just scan the Quick Response (QR) code at right with your tablet, smart phone or other mobile device. LETTERS 10 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE