Letters
Thinking about the Pope
As a Jew, I am always reluctant to comment on anything that has to do with Christianity, other than to remind Christians that the man they worship was a Jew, that the ruling powers when he was crucified were Romans, and more importantly, if you believe that the whole tale was part of God’s plan, why condemn any of the so-called villains!
Which brings me to today. First, my sincere condolences on the death of Pope Francis, whose ministry was the antithesis of the uniquely American brand of Christianity preached by MAGA Republicans.
Second, anyone interested in the effort to select the next Pope should see the movie “Conclave,” which I’ve seen twice. Great acting by Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, et al.
Third, that anyone could read Trump’s Easter greeting and believe he doesn’t belong in a straitjacket is baffling to me. He’s still whining in 2025 about the 2020 election, which he decisively lost, and which he tried to overturn by organizing a violent assault on the Capitol. He should be residing now in the big house, not the White House, and then he would have had reason to whine 24/7, but we wouldn’t be subjected to his braying.
Dave Lieberfarb
Edison
Where are our leaders?
At least two of your ‘opinion’ writers ponder aloud that the United States has lost its grip on government and is sliding into the abyss. My microview is on the welfare of our Jewish students and whether my grandchildren will be able to wear their Stars of David on their university campuses. That’s an area where we should impact. Our children are under attack by dark-monied henchmen from both the Left and Right. Is there a solution? Why should our children have to shoulder this current plague of radicalized factions using mob tactics with impunity?
Do your opinion writers have a solution, or will they continue on cruise-control in their ideological lanes. I believe we all have an obligation to sidestep political ideology and, as the Pirkot Avot advises, ‘Be careful in your relations with the government; for they draw no man close to themselves except for their own interests.’ I object to one opinion writer denouncing the President of the United States with the title, Pharoah. Why add to the toxicity? Why encourage the anti-Semites?
My focus is on our children. Is there a better option than that which is coming out of DC these days? Will our kids ever safely wear their Stars of David or kippas in public again? Why have our universities, often fueled with Jewish money, become incubators for anti-Zionism, anti-Semitism, etc.? According to ADL, the ever-increasing level of anti-Semitism ‘…has become a persistent and grim reality for American Jewish communities.’ So, this is our future?
Jews have been encouraged to plod on in the face of anti-Semitism. We figured if we overachieved, we would be accepted. We assimilated. We were on the front lines for Civil Rights, immigrant rights, suffrage, ACLU, politicians (who enjoy Jewish money and will be at your local synagogue and mailbox soon), diversity programs, and educational institutions. We built hospitals, universities, museums, and concert halls. We fought and died in every war. Jews even supported FDR, who believed Jewish blood would contaminate this Christian nation.
We need charismatic Jewish influencers with teeth and the courage to defend our children while ridding our nation of this widely sanctioned shame of institutional anti-Semitism. Let’s click out of cruise control and, as leaders, courageously shift lanes in the interest of our children.
Art Fredman
Millburn
Trump protects Jews
I am writing to highlight misunderstandings in Rabbi Dr. Chernick’s’ opinion essay “The government’s fight against antisemitism good for the Jews?” (April 25,2025)
Rabbi Chernick clearly does not like President Trump and his policies. That is his right. But to besmirch the President whose policies on universities will help protect Jewish students from violence and intimidation is entirely inappropriate. It is entirely in accordance with Torah values for Jews to protect themselves in every way possible including economic sanctions against universities who tolerate students and others to attack Jewish students. Rabbi Chernick,isn’t it a good thing that President Trump is doing everything to protect Jewish students? I urge you to recognize the continuing danger to our young people and do not permit your political views to stop and hinder protection for thousands of Jewish students on campuses all over the country.
Rabbi Chernik is disappointed that many orthodox Jews and organizations support President Trump’s policy on universities. Again that is his right. But his egregious error is to claim that orthodox Jews and particularly Agudath Israel refuse to cooperate with non-Jewish groups for the betterment of society is is wrong and leads to stigmatizing Jewish Orthodoxy. The Orthodox Union and even Agudath Israel particularly under the leadership of Rabbi Morris Sherer worked with the Catholic hierarchy in New York and with evangelicals all over the country to support religious education. Being strictly orthodox and observant does not deter one from sound political views nor does it stop anyone from cooperating with non-Jewish groups I urge rabbi Chernick and others who share his political views to not permit themselves to stop any activity to protect Jews on campuses.
Charles Selengut Ph.D.
Teaneck
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