2008 Woodie Awards
LETTERS
Issue date: 12/6/04 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
A TRATION of Editors
Dear Sir:
Rabbi Shalom Carmy is certainly a fine and deserving choice to be the new editor of Tradition. But there is more to this appointment than meets the eye.
As is well known, the long standing policy of Tradition until now has been that its editor should be a pulpit rabbi. Rabbi Carmy's appointment is the first time in the over 40 year history of the journal that this "tradition" has been broken. Are we to conclude that the Board of tradition was unable to find a qualified pulpit rabbi who was willing to accept this position?
And if so, what does this say about the current state of the modern Orthodox pulpit rabbinate?
Lawrence Kaplan
Montreal, Quebec
YC `65
Soccer Team's First Win
Dear Sir:
I was a member of the YU soccer team from 1970-1974. In 1971-72, I was co-captain with my late brother Asher.
In those days, we were not members of a soccer league. It was very difficult to schedule games, as the other teams already had their league schedules, and didn't want to add any other games.
Back then we were happy just to play, and hoped for nothing more than to score a goal.
From Zion, let me congratulate the players, and may you have success in the future, not only in sports, but in all of your endeavors.
Nachum Tuchman, YC '75
Jerusalem (Tekoa), Israel
"Hey, Wanefsky"
Dear Sir:
Rabbi Yossi Wanefsky z'l was a talmid hakham blessed with wit and insight, although physical sight was taken from him. He left many friends at YU who have borrowed Zalman Alpert's copy of "The Library of Everything," a collection of poems by Rabbi David Ebner that includes a poem about Rabbi Wanefsky. A second poem in the volume, "Biz Hundret und Tzvontzig,"is an excellent companion piece to Fred Sommers' essay on HaRav Soloveitchik ("How the Rav Stayed With Me") in the November 16th Commentator.
I have been asked where one can buy a copy of this 95-page treasure. Go to http://www.atid.org/libofevery.htm and click on Amazon.com.
Rivkah Blau
An Orthodox Kiddush Hashem
Dear Sir:
As a Hillel director at a large state university I often have the privilege of interacting with diverse student populations who face challenges of Jewish unity and tolerance. This past Shabbos in Cleveland, the broader Jewish campus community had the pleasure of intermingling with and learning from a group of articulate, caring and well-rounded Yeshiva University students. Over forty participants, led by Rabbi David Israel (no relation) and comprised of Stern College, Yeshiva College, RIETS and YU Fellows, formed the largest single university contingent at the General Assembly Hillel Shabbaton.
While much of the credit should be given to President Richard Joel's vision, the students themselves need to be praised. These women and men participated in dialogue sessions with other Hillel students and were eloquent spokespeople for Orthodoxy. The Orthodox minyan was filled with Ruach and Kedusha. A leibidik Havdallah capped the wonderful experience and the YU students' spirit was contagious. I spoke with students from my campus as well as other Hillel colleagues who were very impressed with the maturity and sensitivity of the YU delegation. The YU students' commitment to Klal Yisrael and passion for Judaism shined forth brilliantly. Their sensitivity toward their fellow Jews, as well as their willingness to openly share their Orthodox beliefs, will serve the Jewish people well for years to come.
A true expression of the best of what Yeshiva University has to offer. A true synthesis of Torah observance, mentschlichkeit and worldliness. A true Kiddush Hashem.
Rabbi Ari Israel, YC '92, BR '95, RIETS '96, AZR '96
University of Maryland Hillel
Silver Spring, MD
Commentator Blunder(s)
Dear Sir:
"In Days before Election, Liberal Politics Abound" (News, November 16), Yehoshua Dawdowicz writes: "In fact, the tearing down of posters advertising the Fahrenheit 9/11 showing can be taken as evidence of the political close-mindedness of at least some of the students at Yeshiva."
This statement is not attributed to Mr. Isak or anyone else. If this is the point of view of the author, then the article belongs in the op-ed section. While I don't entirely disagree with the statement that there is political close-mindedness on campus, the tearing down of Farenheit 9/11 posters could be for a number of reasons. For example, it is regarded as lacking intellectual honesty by many moderates (this is not a discussion for here however). If students, even conservative students, are tearing them down because they believe it to be propaganda, that doesn't suggest a "political close-mindedness," only a lack of tolerance for what they consider lies. Furthermore, how does the author know that it isn't just one student tearing them down? The implication of general "close-mindedness" is an unfair deduction of the facts. (Even if the author carefully uses the words "of at least some of the students at Yeshiva," he is quite clearly implying a large number of "politically close-minded" individuals.)
This is minimally poor reporting and at worst bias on the part of the author and editor. Remember: Whatever our opinions, as journalists we have a responsibility to truth and logic. Drawing conclusions based on intuition is unfair to the Commentator's readers.
Aaron Weisman, YC '07
Dear Sir:
While The Commentator is a forum to openly explore the current Jewish environment, I believe a recent article in your Arts and Culture section crossed the line of appropriateness for your paper. The article referenced certain explicit lyrics from a punk rock song which did not serve any purpose, other than to allow the writer (or the section manager) to shock his readership. While the discussion of Jewish themes in (supposedly) popular music may have its place in Yeshiva's official student newspaper, that doesn't mean that every Yiddish word must be printed with its obscene verbiage. While sensitivities may vary, it is the section editor's, and ultimately the Editors-in-Chief's, responsibility to carefully examine and question each usage to assure that the final printed product flies under the Torah u-Madda banner. I don't feel the editor followed that protocol in this case.
Joshua Goldman
SSSB '04
...And praise
Dear Sir:
I just want to commmend the current editors and staff on a superbly written and informative paper. Over the past few years The Commentator has been heading down a slope of apathy and what not. This fresh and might I add "timely" paper is a true pleasure to read. Keep up the wonderful work gentlemen.
Lou Shapp
YC '01
Dear Sir:
Rabbi Shalom Carmy is certainly a fine and deserving choice to be the new editor of Tradition. But there is more to this appointment than meets the eye.
As is well known, the long standing policy of Tradition until now has been that its editor should be a pulpit rabbi. Rabbi Carmy's appointment is the first time in the over 40 year history of the journal that this "tradition" has been broken. Are we to conclude that the Board of tradition was unable to find a qualified pulpit rabbi who was willing to accept this position?
And if so, what does this say about the current state of the modern Orthodox pulpit rabbinate?
Lawrence Kaplan
Montreal, Quebec
YC `65
Soccer Team's First Win
Dear Sir:
I was a member of the YU soccer team from 1970-1974. In 1971-72, I was co-captain with my late brother Asher.
In those days, we were not members of a soccer league. It was very difficult to schedule games, as the other teams already had their league schedules, and didn't want to add any other games.
Back then we were happy just to play, and hoped for nothing more than to score a goal.
From Zion, let me congratulate the players, and may you have success in the future, not only in sports, but in all of your endeavors.
Nachum Tuchman, YC '75
Jerusalem (Tekoa), Israel
"Hey, Wanefsky"
Dear Sir:
Rabbi Yossi Wanefsky z'l was a talmid hakham blessed with wit and insight, although physical sight was taken from him. He left many friends at YU who have borrowed Zalman Alpert's copy of "The Library of Everything," a collection of poems by Rabbi David Ebner that includes a poem about Rabbi Wanefsky. A second poem in the volume, "Biz Hundret und Tzvontzig,"is an excellent companion piece to Fred Sommers' essay on HaRav Soloveitchik ("How the Rav Stayed With Me") in the November 16th Commentator.
I have been asked where one can buy a copy of this 95-page treasure. Go to http://www.atid.org/libofevery.htm and click on Amazon.com.
Rivkah Blau
An Orthodox Kiddush Hashem
Dear Sir:
As a Hillel director at a large state university I often have the privilege of interacting with diverse student populations who face challenges of Jewish unity and tolerance. This past Shabbos in Cleveland, the broader Jewish campus community had the pleasure of intermingling with and learning from a group of articulate, caring and well-rounded Yeshiva University students. Over forty participants, led by Rabbi David Israel (no relation) and comprised of Stern College, Yeshiva College, RIETS and YU Fellows, formed the largest single university contingent at the General Assembly Hillel Shabbaton.
While much of the credit should be given to President Richard Joel's vision, the students themselves need to be praised. These women and men participated in dialogue sessions with other Hillel students and were eloquent spokespeople for Orthodoxy. The Orthodox minyan was filled with Ruach and Kedusha. A leibidik Havdallah capped the wonderful experience and the YU students' spirit was contagious. I spoke with students from my campus as well as other Hillel colleagues who were very impressed with the maturity and sensitivity of the YU delegation. The YU students' commitment to Klal Yisrael and passion for Judaism shined forth brilliantly. Their sensitivity toward their fellow Jews, as well as their willingness to openly share their Orthodox beliefs, will serve the Jewish people well for years to come.
A true expression of the best of what Yeshiva University has to offer. A true synthesis of Torah observance, mentschlichkeit and worldliness. A true Kiddush Hashem.
Rabbi Ari Israel, YC '92, BR '95, RIETS '96, AZR '96
University of Maryland Hillel
Silver Spring, MD
Commentator Blunder(s)
Dear Sir:
"In Days before Election, Liberal Politics Abound" (News, November 16), Yehoshua Dawdowicz writes: "In fact, the tearing down of posters advertising the Fahrenheit 9/11 showing can be taken as evidence of the political close-mindedness of at least some of the students at Yeshiva."
This statement is not attributed to Mr. Isak or anyone else. If this is the point of view of the author, then the article belongs in the op-ed section. While I don't entirely disagree with the statement that there is political close-mindedness on campus, the tearing down of Farenheit 9/11 posters could be for a number of reasons. For example, it is regarded as lacking intellectual honesty by many moderates (this is not a discussion for here however). If students, even conservative students, are tearing them down because they believe it to be propaganda, that doesn't suggest a "political close-mindedness," only a lack of tolerance for what they consider lies. Furthermore, how does the author know that it isn't just one student tearing them down? The implication of general "close-mindedness" is an unfair deduction of the facts. (Even if the author carefully uses the words "of at least some of the students at Yeshiva," he is quite clearly implying a large number of "politically close-minded" individuals.)
This is minimally poor reporting and at worst bias on the part of the author and editor. Remember: Whatever our opinions, as journalists we have a responsibility to truth and logic. Drawing conclusions based on intuition is unfair to the Commentator's readers.
Aaron Weisman, YC '07
Dear Sir:
While The Commentator is a forum to openly explore the current Jewish environment, I believe a recent article in your Arts and Culture section crossed the line of appropriateness for your paper. The article referenced certain explicit lyrics from a punk rock song which did not serve any purpose, other than to allow the writer (or the section manager) to shock his readership. While the discussion of Jewish themes in (supposedly) popular music may have its place in Yeshiva's official student newspaper, that doesn't mean that every Yiddish word must be printed with its obscene verbiage. While sensitivities may vary, it is the section editor's, and ultimately the Editors-in-Chief's, responsibility to carefully examine and question each usage to assure that the final printed product flies under the Torah u-Madda banner. I don't feel the editor followed that protocol in this case.
Joshua Goldman
SSSB '04
...And praise
Dear Sir:
I just want to commmend the current editors and staff on a superbly written and informative paper. Over the past few years The Commentator has been heading down a slope of apathy and what not. This fresh and might I add "timely" paper is a true pleasure to read. Keep up the wonderful work gentlemen.
Lou Shapp
YC '01