Letters
Trump supports Jews
It is telling that Rabbi Engelmayer in his op-ed (Why I am Supporting Harris 11/1/24) supporting Kamala Harris barely mentioned Harris, except a passing reference to her support of Israel’s right to self-defense. Instead, it was a lengthy diatribe against Donald Trump, with the primary argument that Trump is an antisemite. The most pro-Israel president in modern history who moved the United States embassy to Jerusalem is an antisemite, amazing. The man who ignored the wisdom of great leaders like John Kerry that Israel can’t establish relations with other Arab nations until peace is finalized with the Palestinians and forged the Abraham Accords that have totally changed the framework of the Middle East, amazing. In contrast to Obama who, on his way out of office, abstained from a United Nations resolution to condemn Israel, Trump on his way out of office assigned Israel to CENTCOM, an alliance of countries that helped Israel in its defense of Iran’s missile barrage in April. We need more antisemites like that. Trump the antisemite also recognized Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights. It is interesting that despite being raised in an antisemitic home, Ivanka Trump chose to become an orthodox Jew. It is also interesting that despite his antisemitism, Trump was chosen to become Grand Marshal of the Israel Day Parade in 2004 and he agreed to the role. It is also ironic that an antisemite signed the Executive Order Combating Antisemitism which included Jews specifically as part of anti-discrimination which has given Jewish students on campus more legal protection on hostile college campuses. Despite his antisemitism, Trump was the preferred candidate by 66% of Israelis, compared to 17% for Harris, nearly a 4X margin. I guess Israelis can’t recognize an antisemite when they see one. Finally, I would recommend to the Democrat Party that insulting half of the electorate does not seem to be a winning strategy. Rabbi Engelmayer concluded his diatribe by calling it a sin to vote for Trump. Trump supporters have been called racists, xenophobes, misogynists, fascists, antisemites, Nazis, deplorables and garbage. Thanks to Rabbi Engelmayer, we can add sinners to that list.
Warren Slaten
Teaneck
We must listen to each other
I am very upset by the opinion piece by Larry Yudelson, “There’s no going back to community unity.” I find that idea very distressing. Mr. Yudelson presumes to know why people voted as they did and what it means for the future for Jewish unity.
Personally, I have a variety of Jewish and non-Jewish friends and family who, of course, do not all hold the same opinions on things. It seems Mr. Yudelson would have me cut contact with those who do not have the same opinions that I do. I find that is exactly the opposite of how I feel. I think we need to do more listening to each other to find out what we can work together on rather than looking for things to oppose each other on.
Unity is important for the Jewish people, but we will never have unity on everything. Just consider how many different types of congregations there are. Are we to cut off contact with those who attend a different type of synagogue? I hold the opinion that we need to keep those connections with others and try to figure out solutions and a path forward.
Am Yisroel Chai!
Patricia Bader
Rockaway
Applaud Netanyahu
All charges against Netanyahu should be dropped immediately. He has earned it with his war against Israel’s enemies. He should be applauded rather than prosecuted. The charges against him are much ado about nothing.
Paul Schoenbaum
Richmond, Virginia
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