To the Editor:
I look forward to reading Robert Katz’s column; his most recent, “Dear God, Thanks, But No Thanks,” 11/14/13. Although he may not be announcing at major league sports events, there is one “Me’achorei HaPargod” that he did not mention, a broadcast dream that he is living. In addition to his professional communal work as Chief Development Officer for OHEL, he is a guest host on the Nachum Segal JM in the AM program. His unique hosting and programming of Israeli and Jewish music is a credit to his many talents.
He has also been voted the best Jewish play-by-play announcer, as evidenced by his announcing at the Annual Hatzolah vs. New York City Police baseball game.
Robert, continue living your dreams and using your God-given talents.
William Hochman
Fair Lawn NJ
I Wish I Had Worn a Reflector
It was the weekend of my son’s Bar Mitzvah! What greater joy could a father have than see his son mature to the age of mitzvos, ready to be a man! Our family and friends had all come to share in our simcha. We’d spent months planning this joyous Shabbos. First we’d gather at shul before Shabbos for photos. Then, after Marriv, we’d partake in a scrumptious 4 course meal! The next day would be full of festivities… My brother was set to daven Shachris and my son would lein and daven mussaf. My proud father was set to call my son up to the Torah in his strongest cantorial chant. After davening, the entire shul was invited to a gala Kiddush in my son’s honor, followed by an intimate lunch and then shalosh seudos for our family and friends. Every little detail had been planned perfectly!
After dinner on Shabbos night, we all walked home from shul. Luckily, we only live a block away! On our way home, a middle-aged couple from town was driving down the street. They later told the police that they didn’t see me. After all, I was wearing a black suit and disappeared into the nighttime darkness. That is why they struck me with their car. They weren’t negligent. They weren’t texting or drunk. I was merely invisible.
The celebration stopped. My brother didn’t daven Shachris. He wept. My son didn’t lein or daven mussaf. He explained to his three year old sister that Daddy wasn’t coming home. My father didn’t call my son to the Torah. He lay in bed in a state of shock. Our friends did not attend a gala Kiddush. They tried to persuade my grieving wife to eat a morsel of food. The pictures taken on erev Shabbos would be the last pictures of my family… with me.
I wish I had worn a reflector.
Submitted anonymously to JLBC
by Ploni Almoni
To the Editor:
We were disappointed to read the vignette in “Days of Yore: Teaneck, Circa 1976.” The author recalls how he chose his shul membership based on viewing a member’s lack of concern for the preferences of an older man during tefillah, and the disrespectful way in which he treated this gentleman. Oh yes, and he liked the parking availability in Teaneck as well.
Was this article written in seriousness? Because it is difficult to believe that being disrespectful to our elders or to guests in shul could possibly be viewed in a positive light when it runs so counter to the very values that are the foundation of our religion.
We were not only astonished to read the author’s perspective on the exchange he witnessed; we were equally surprised to find this article in the Jewish Link. Is this how we want the Teaneck Jewish community to be represented?
Living in a community that is blessed with a full gammot of fantastic Jewish amenities, it is important to consider what they all support: The values of kavod habriot, religious growth and observance, doing kind acts for others, and serving as an ohr l’goyim.
If we do not consider these basic tenets of Jewish life as the primary reasons to join a Jewish community, we need to reconsider why we do it at all.
Yvette Braunstein
and Rachel Cyrulnik
