, o4f$24t4 - 4 %*00:b wrrfit:r. , • , 7,..s4,kr....Rwts" Light Unto Africa The devastating pictures from Rwanda and Zaire continue to relentlessly assault us. We Jews have a special sensitivity to the scene. As tens of thou- sands die in one location, their bodies stacked like twisted logs, waiting to be scooped up by bulldozers and thrown into ditches, we in- escapably make a link to our own past 50 years ago. But this is not central and eastern Europe. Rather, it is what greets the eyes of those in Goma, Zaire, and surrounding towns in central Africa. Any heart, and particularly the Jewish one, must cry in anguish when one contemplates the latest result of humanity's impact upon itself. But while there is no room for celebration in these fields of death, for Jews there are reasons to be proud. Since July 25, all that is right with Israel and the Jewish mission to the world has been on display in this horrible situation. At 6 a.m. that day, the first of eight Israeli Hercules transports landed in Goma. Those planes con- tained 50 medical staff, 30 auxiliary staff and equipment for a field hospital that includes beds for 120. Aside from the local hospital, the Israeli operating rooms were the only ones in the area. At this stage, Israel has little to gain in po- litical credence or financial benefit from central Africa. Its actions are ones demanded by the Jewish psyche of its citizens and its desires to play a meaningful role on the world stage. Israel is often among the world's first nations to re- spond to a humanitarian crisis. A few examples: in 1992 medical aid was sent to Bosnia, and in 1988, following a devastating earthquake, a med- ical team went to Armenia and treated some 2,500 people. Israel's mission to Africa again proves that the Jewish state is colorblind when it comes to helping others. This was dramatically seen by the world in 1986 and 1991. Then, Israel became the world's first nation to deliver black Africans, Ethiopian Jews, from slavery to freedom. Among those that we hope notice Israel's ef- forts in Goma are critics such as some African- American leaders who believe that among the Jews' goals is to subjugate blacks everywhere. Those who seek to criticize Israel should turn their eyes to the desolation of central Africa, a place where Israel, its people and government, are displaying what can make it a light unto all nations. Letters Murderer Vs. Martyr Cr) w U) w CC F- LU w 4 As a community, let us stop trying to celebrate a murderer. We drop down to the level of our oppressors when we do that. In- It is foolish to consider Baruch stead, let us try to bring them out Goldstein a martyr, as Rabbi Dov of the ditch of oppression onto Lior suggests. It shouldn't mat- more sacred ground. ter that he was killed by Pales- Gary Rimar tinians. To quote from your Clawson article "When a Jew is killed by non-Jews, one does not take into Gays, Lesbians consideration the sins he may And Yad Vashem have committed because of the manner of his death atones for Mr. Lev Raphael's article in The whatever he may have done Jewish News (July 15) appeared wrong during his life." This at an appropriate time. doesn't make sense, and doesn't Our sages tell us that on the 9th of Av, when we commemo- even apply. The last minute redemption is rate the destruction of our holi- too similar to what Christians be- est places, we should study only lieve related to the acceptance of writings which deal with Jewish Jesus before one's death. Appar- tragedies. The article "A Display ently, according to Christians, Of Open Hatred At Yad Vashem" any Nazi war criminal who ac- should certainly be permitted cepted Jesus before his death was reading on that day. saved, while all the Jews (who of I, too, have just returned from course wouldn't accept Jesus) an extended stay in Jerusalem, and like Mr. Raphael, I visited went to hell. I would personally like to think Yad Vashem. I went there to be that Judaism doesn't have such in the surroundings of a special place to remember my parents, beliefs. Second, it could be easily de- relatives, and all other victims of cided that what Baruch Goldstein Nazi atrocities. But that is where committed was murder-suicide, our similarities end. which wouldn't grant him martyr My family came from Poland, status. He had to know that he but I did not just make my pil- would not survive his attack. Do grimage to remember Polish we have the martyrdom rules of Jews. There are six million Jews Muslims, who tell their followers to remember. I am sure that that if they die while killing infi- among those who died are Jews dels that they will go to heaven? who were gay, lesbian, adulter- Letters Rabbi Macy Gordon wrote in his article: "...Yad Vashem was used to make a political state- ment about 'Gay Pride.' That kind of statement was not in place. It was ill conceived. It was perhaps an act of desecration, straining tolerance of those who are willing to avoid invading oth- ers' private lives, but are not pre- pared to legitimize an unacceptable lifestyle." (Jerusalem Post, June 3). If Mr. Raphael and his group are sincere, let them say their prayers in the privacy of their surroundings. God is om- nipresent. He will surely hear their prayers. Henry S. Baum Ultimate Target Of The Terrorists Southfield fortunate that none of my Ar- gentina cousins (numbering over 150) were killed or injured. This horrible act of terrorism took away 100 lives and over 70,000 volumes of books, magazines and newspapers — the history of the Argentine Jewish Community. Others in the past have tried to take away our community and our history. The Nazis did not succeed and neither will those who perpetrated this heinous crime. Argentina, the fourth largest Jewish community in the world, is rich in our traditions and his- tory. When my grand-aunt Pearl Gelfand and her family emigrat- ed from Russia to Argentina in 1925, it was because the doors of the United States were closed and Argentina welcomed them. Thus continued the great migration. We must show the Jewish com- munity of Argentina that we want their history to continue and re- main alive. We must remember those who were killed, help the sur- vivors and restore the history of the Jewish people of Argentina. We, of all peoples, know the importance of history and keep- ing families together through lines of communication. The Jew- ish people of Argentina need our help to rebuild and the help is needed in the form of money. Please send your donations to the B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund; Attention: Argentina Jew- ish Community Fund; 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW; Wash- ington, DC 20036. America should once more be on the alert. The attack on the Jew- ish people internationally re- ers, thieves, Jews who sent their sembles another attack 60 years fellow man to the death cham- ago in Germany. The communication services, bers and, perhaps even Jews who newspapers, magazines and tele- practiced bestiality. I came to re- member six million Jews quietly vision are forgetting or ignoring a significant American venture. together with my wife. Why did Mr. Raphael and his This country had installed the group come to Yad Vashem? Not Shah in Iran, who brought with to remember his parents or rela- him many Western cultural con- cepts. At the same time, Khome- tives, "only to say Kaddish for gay and lesbian Jews who had died ini was imprisoned in France for 20 years. in the Shoah." When finally the Shah was dis- Mr. Raphael cites the support of Yael Dayan whose anti-reli- posed of and Khomeini came to gious feelings make the outlawed his position of power, surely there Kach party look like mainstream was no love or gratitude directed David C. Sloan Israel. To quote her own words: towards the United States. Once again, the Jewish people Huntington Woods "...We have no need of Nazi or fas- are the first target. However, re- cist analogies for the horrific dis- member the bombing of the Remembering crimination that exists among us. World Trade Center in the heart Those Names It has a Jewish name, a scullcap of New York City. The terrorist on its head." (Jerusalem Post, leadership can employ any num- I read with great interest your June 3). ber of hapless individuals, inspire July 29 Close-Up, "That's My No one should deny anyone the right to pray at Yad Vashem, them, and send them anywhere Name, Too." I thought you might to say Kaddish (the exaltation of in the world. World conquest by like to add my name, David God's name) even when that per- crazed terrorists is once again on Shepherd, to your list of unusu- al same-name stories. son is desecrating God's Holy the march. I am a mortgage loan officer America beware! Today the Law. What I cannot accept is residing in Oak Park. On many Jewish people are attacked! To- when a special group wants to occasions, when the phone rings use Yad Vashem to politicize its morrow the World! Ann Barnett and I am expecting an important way of life which is contrary to Southfield business call, I get the following the laws of Jews, Christians and inquiry, " Can you please give me Muslims. Argentine Jews directions to your park?" Mr. Raphael and his group You see, I have the same Need Our Help came to Yad Vashem to make a name as the former mayor of Oak political statement which he knew would provoke confrontation. He This past week I attended a corn- Park, after whom the Oak Park m.unity-wide memorial service park was named. was successful. He received his David Shepherd publicity from the press. Why did for the victims of the Buenos Oak Park Aires, Argentina, bombing. I was this success shock him?