Stop Attacking ‘Flatbush Girl’
Rabbi Yehuda Levin should engage in some serious introspection for the way he wrote about the “Flatbush Girl” in the September 7th issue of The Jewish Press.
In dialogues with formerly-observant individuals and those of forbidden orientation, Adina Miles – the “Flatbush Girl” of online fame – eases the tension with humor. Rabbi Levin opposes her approach, but what has he ever done to unite our people or reconnect with those who left the klal or are thinking of leaving? And while her comedy shtick may not sound kosher, at the end of the day, she keeps the mitzvos.
Concerning the length of her sheitels and the color of her clothing: It is the responsibility of men to control their urges instead of publicly shaming women whose attire does not fit into their hashkafic box. How a woman dresses is between her, the husband, and Hashem. That Miles keeps Shabbat and kashrut, and wears a skirt instead of pants and covers her hair, demonstrates that she is committed to mitzvos, even if not the prevailing Flatbush norms.
You may not agree with all of her socially liberal views (I certainly do not), but at least have the decency to keep the debate within the points she brings up, rather than attacking her personally.
Finally, Rabbi Levin has a long resume of running for public office, each time garnering a handful of votes in solidly Orthodox districts. His moral crusade has not caught on. Like him, “Flatbush Girl” also has a right to run for public office and have a public voice on issues of importance to the community.
Anyone who disagrees with her views should focus on the issues, not the messenger.
Sergey Kadinsky
Fresh Meadows, NY
‘Peace’ Was Doomed From The Start
The most glaring mistake Israel made in 1993 was allowing Yasser Arafat and the PLO to enter the West Bank, believing they would be appropriate negotiators for a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.
Such a deal was doomed as soon as Arafat and his successors refused to compromise on the “right of return” of all purported Palestinian-Arab refugees – five million in total. Such a “return” would of course signal the end of the Jewish state.
A new Palestinian Arab leadership, plus a cessation of anti-Israel teachings in Arab schools and media, are required for peace. None of these seem likely in the foreseeable future.
Nelson Marans
We Must Be Tough With The PA
It was with horror, mixed with unbelievable grief and sadness, that I learned about the murder of Ari Fuld, a great Israeli-American. Ari Fuld was truly a lion among men.
The Palestinian Authority, which indoctrinates Arab children to hate and kill Israelis, of course celebrated the attack. Khalil Jabarin, meanwhile – Fuld’s murderer – is now being carefully treated in an Israeli hospital and is set for life in terms of income for himself and his family.
In March, 2016, another American, Taylor Force, walking in Tel Aviv with a group of Vanderbilt U. students, was also knifed to death. His killing inspired the Taylor Force Act, which prohibits the U.S. from transferring funds to the PA as long as it supports and rewards terrorists.
This law should be applauded, as should the decision by President Trump and John Bolton to close down the PLO mission in Washington. The PLO missions in New York, Chicago, and elsewhere should be closed as well. It is morally perverse to award any kind of diplomatic status to a terrorist entity while it openly celebrates the destruction of Israel and Israelis.
We continue to mourn the murder of Ari Fuld and pray that his family will know no more sorrow.
Helen Freedman
Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI
Corbyn Is A Threat To Us All
“Corbyn” roughly rhymes with “churban” (destruction). UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn represents a real and present danger to British Jewry. He has wallowed in anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist fever swamps all his political life, the manifestations of which are ever swirling about him.
At least, he doesn’t claim Jews as his “best friends.” Those are the Jews’ worst enemies.
According to a recent Jewish Chronicle poll of British Jews, 40 percent would consider emigrating if Corbyn became prime minister. One shouldn’t underestimate the danger of such an eventuality. The UK is a major player on the international scene, holding a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. It also heads a commonwealth of 53 nations.
Israel would be harmed diplomatically and worldwide anti-Semitism would likely increase if he became prime minister. In short, the threat facing British Jews is not theirs alone.
Richard D. Wilkins
