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LETTERS
We prefer letters that relate to articles in the Jewish News. We reserve
the right to edit or reject letters. Brevity is encouraged. Letter writers
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More origin tters are posted at JNOnline.com
Slaughter Scrutiny Needed
We at PETA [People for the Ethical
ti
Treatment of Animals] agree with
Rabbi Menachem Genack that shechi-
tah, done correctly, is less cruel than
other slaughter methods in the U.S.
("Animal Rights, Kosher Slaughter,"
Dec. 31, page 32). This is precisely our
point: that what had been happening at
AgriProcessors for years was not proper-
ly conducted shechitah as is clear to
anyone who reviews our investigative
documents and video (GoVeg.com ).
Over the seven weeks that our investi-
gator worked at AgriProcessors, one-
quarter of the animals in our sample
were still conscious after they had been
dumped from the restraint and roughly
one minute after their throats had been
cut. Extrapolated to the 18,000 animals
killed during this time, any statistician
will tell you that thousands of animals
suffered the same fate during this brief
period at AgriProcessors. We have eye-
witness testimony going back almost 10
years confirming that the abuse we doc-
umented has been the norm at
AgriProcessors.
Yes, AgriProcessors has made some
improvements that have allowed the
workers to kill animals properly while
being watched. We are encouraged by
these changes. However, they only
prove our point: AgriProcessors can do
shechitah correctly but chose not to.
To ensure that AgriProcessors and
other plants certified by the Orthodox
Union and KAJ
Adath Jeshurun,
a New York-based kosher certification
group] are operating at the laudable lev-
els expected by these organizations,
comprehensive and public guidelines
should be implemented and enforced.
Benjamin Goldsmith
Norfolk, Va.
w)r-
_ax,
MICHIGAN HERITAGE
-
044
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It is time to protect the Children that
are still alive. Let our government
know that we expect them to do some-
thing. Do not wait until it is-all over;
do not wait, again, until it is too late.
Katie Jacob
Birmingham
Bad Church Decision
I am dismayed at the World Council of
Churches' recent decision to encourage
its member churches to consider divest-
ing from firms doing business in Israel.
It is surprising in light of the positive
developments of the past few weeks
between Israelis and Palestinians. In my
opinion the WCC resolution actually
undermines the peace process by ignor-
ing the new sense of hope in the region.
The WCC resolution, adopted at its
central committee meeting in Geneva,
cites as a model last July's Presbyterian
Church (USA) resolution favoring
divestment from Israel. The AJC is
firmly opposed to the Presbyterian
action. AJC leaders both here and •
nationally have been working closely
with Presbyterian leaders, as well as
with other Protestant denominations,
to reinforce an understanding of the
profound Israeli commitment to
attain a negotiated, permanent peace
agreement with the Palestinians.
My belief is that WCC leaders could
and should have used their time and
effort to promote programs and proj-
ects devoted to reconciliation and coex-
istence. It is my hope that some coura-
geous WCC leaders will agree and call
for the repeal of this terrible decision.
Sharon Shapiro
Michigan Area Director
American Jewish Committee
Bloomfield Township
Act Against Genocide
What About Guardians?
The world looks away once more and
the genocide continues. The people of
the Darfur region of Sudan are being
brutally murdered by their own gov-
ernment. A document, taken from a
Janjaweed official dated August 2004
makes clear the policy, as it urges
regional commanders to execute direc-
tives from the president of the republic
to "Change the demography of Darfur
and make it void of African tribes."
Recently released photographs con-
firm the truth. One was taken little
more that one month ago, when the
Sudanese government-backed Janjaweed
militia attacked the village of Hamada
and killed 107 people. In it, a child lies
dead. His 5-year-old brother is not pic-
tured because he has been so badly beat-
en that there was nothing left of his
face. These children had no one to pro-
tect them from this unspeakable evil.
As the guardian for two small children,
it has become apparent that the Jewish
community and world at large assumes
that everyone has active parents in
their lives. I have had two incidents
recently with Jewish-related agencies
where the conversation and the mail-
ing were directly related to parents.
How hurtful to children. We need to
come up with another word to add to
this conversation, whether it is signifi-
cant adult, mentor or special friend.
There is no need to make these chil-
dren feel uncomfortable. I hope that
anyone in this position will take anoth-
er look at lectures or mailings so as not
to single out children who do not have
"customary or normal" living situations.
This is the 21 st century, and what was,
is no longer.
Janice Morse
Bloomfield Hills