Margate Makes Page 1?
I fail to see how the problem with the dunes in Margate, N.J., rates front-page coverage in a Jewish newspaper (“Dune Debacle Washes Out Margate’s Summer, Hits Residents Hard,” Aug. 10). Is it because many of the homeowners happen to be Jewish? This subject has received extensive coverage in the Inquirer and on television news. Why must the Exponent re-hash familiar news?
I tend to agree with another reader who lamented the dearth of news about Israel in a letter published a couple of weeks ago. I receive most of my information about events in Israel from an online service. The Exponent would perform a much needed service to our community by reporting on these events.
It’s time for your editors to re-examine their priorities.
Rabbi Robert Layman | Wyncote
Synagogue Evolution Not Inherently a Bad Thing
While I agree that Jewish communal organizations no longer serve the same purpose for the younger generations, Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of CLAL, is unnecessarily cynical in his statement that “the building of the synagogues had nothing to do with religion” (“Old Models of Jewish Legacy Institutions No Longer Working, Experts Say,” Aug. 3).
The Jewish community organizations and synagogues of yesterday were integral in maintaining Jewish ties for people who may have otherwise assimilated, and serve an important purpose today in maintaining a Jewish community within the larger American society. But it is true that the younger generations require a new model. That was true of my generation that saw Chabad, Aish, the Havurah movement, Jewish Renewal and other developments serve new purposes. This should be seen as positive, not negative, creative development.
The statistics seem grim. A friend said that throughout history, the Jews have survived as a remnant. That may be true today.
Ina Asher | Merion Station
Letter Writer Is on Point
Three cheers for printing Gary Erlbaum’s letter about the Exponent’s failure to adequately cover news about the State of Israel (“More Israel News, Please,” Aug. 3).
He hit a bull’s-eye with a short on-target letter that should be read by every staff member of the Exponent.
An affirmative response to Erlbaum’s plea for additional coverage of Israel for the reasons he gives is essential for our community. These are very difficult times for the State of Israel, the countries that are in the neighborhood, and in our own United States.
Israel is in danger, internally and externally, and our community needs to know it, especially since so many of my co-religionists seem to pay too little attention to the issues. We need straight reporting to counter the biases of The New York Times and other “news” outlets.
If the Exponent does not do this, who will?
Howard A. Cohen | Bala Cynwyd
