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A Strong Yeshiva

I want to compliment Staff Writer
Shelli Liebman Dorfman on the article
that she wrote about Yeshiva Beth
Yehudah ("Striking A Balance," Nov.
26, page 16).
This is a great institution in our
community and I think her report
reflected the diverse support it receives.
I have been involved with Yeshiva
Beth Yehudah for many years as most
of my nieces and nephews were stu-
dents there. Then as the Jewish
Federation president, I set education as
one of the major themes of my tenure.
It is my belief that Jewish education is
the cornerstone of stability and conti-
nuity in our community. This, of
course, could include all varieties of
education, informal as well as formal,
young and mature, individuals and
families.
Although strict observance is not my
background or practice, I believe that
having a core of students who will
carry on the teachings of Torah for the
next generation is important to the
survival of our people.
I was truly honored to be chosen to
receive the Golden Torah award from
YBY a few years ago. Before I accepted
this honor, I toured their facilities,
observed their programs and students,
and had the opportunity to speak to
many teachers and parents. This rein-
forced my confidence in their pro-
gram.
Penny Blumenstein
Bloomfield Hills

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Consider Vegetarianism

As president of the Jewish Vegetarians
of North America, I can affirm that
JVNA has consistently opposed efforts
to single out ritual slaughter for criti-
cism and that we have been critical of
some PETA tactics ("Kosher Charges,"
Dec. 3, page 31).

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12/10

2004

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Positive Feedback

We send our heartfelt thanks to you
for the cover story the Jewish News
wrote about Congregation Shaarey
Zedek ("A New Era," Nov. 5, page
64).
The article increased the communi-
ty's awareness of our efforts to bring
the synagogue further into the 21st
century. The positive feedback we have
received has been overwhelming.
Thank you for your support.
Rabbi Joseph Krakoff
Rabbi Jonathan Berkun
Rabbi Eric Yanoff
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Southfield

Aps.nt

271 WEST MAPLE
DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM
248.258.0212

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However, we believe, respectfully,
that the horrific conditions revealed at
the Posrville [Iowa] glatt kosher
slaughterhouse should awaken us to
consider the many Jewish mandates
that are violated by animal-based diets
and agriculture. Even if ritual slaughter
is carried out perfectly, can we ignore
how conditions on modern intensive
factory farms violate Jewish teachings
on treating animals with compassion?
Since Judaism stresses that we
should diligently guard our health, can
we ignore the many studies that link
the consumption of animal products
to many diseases?
Since we are to be partners with
God in protecting the environment,
can we ignore the significant contribu-
tions that animal-based agriculture
makes to global climate change, rapid
species extinction, destruction of
forests, water shortages and many
more threats.
For the sake of our health and that
of our imperiled planet, for farmed
animals and for properly carrying out
mitzvot, it is time to seriously consider
a switch toward plant-based diets.
Richard H. Schwartz
Staten Island, NY

G LORAL

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