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The Conversion Challenge

I am always sorry to see people who genuinely wish to be Jewish being made to suffer by Jewish institutions and bureaucracies ("Why Aren�t They Jewish," Nov. 15), but the traditional attitude toward conversion, and toward insuring the devotion of potential converts, is still a valuable one. The all too common suggestion that we ease the path for converts to insure the continuation of the Jewish people is like a doctor suggesting that we abandon diet and exercise and find more organ donors.

Netty C. Gross�s article fails to properly address the rational causes of the fear that she sees in the Interior Ministry. They may be small-minded and unkind bureaucrats, but they are also meeting, albeit at a certain cost, a demographic challenge relatively new to the Jewish people: an influx of potential converts drawn by economic, social or geographic considerations.

The rabbis wrote the laws which put obstacles in the path of potential converts in an age when relatively few outsiders were drawn to Judaism. Now, when so many people convert to make aliyah, to marry Jews, and for other less than religious reasons, it is even more imperative that we screen potential organ donors to make sure that the tissue matches. If that is what the Interior Ministry has, in its fumbling, inept way accomplished, then I for one think that the system, while in need of a general clean up, may not need to be entirely discarded.

Rafael (Riffi) Elias-Bachrach, St. Louis

Each time I read reports of roadblocks that some religious figures or bureaucrats place in the path of those who resolutely seek conversion to Judaism, my immediate reactions are anger and embarrassment. Instead of being welcomed, such individuals are too often treated with disdain or suspicion. Ironically, this occurs at the very same time that we bemoan our dwindling numbers and conduct endless studies on how to reverse our demographic crisis.

I have heard countless firsthand stories, particularly in Europe, of those who, for reasons of family background, intellectual or spiritual attraction, or, yes, marriage, genuinely wish to become Jewish, but are discouraged. By the way, in these accounts the wealthy who marry non-Jews somehow seem to find solutions unavailable to others, a topic worthy of further examination.

In a post-Holocaust world where anti-Semitism has once again reared its head, and living in Israel is not without its responsibilities and dangers, are we to dismiss so cavalierly the sincerity of those who wish to join the Jewish people, lead a Jewish life in Israel (or the Diaspora), and thus share in our collective destiny?

David A. Harris Executive Director American Jewish Committee, New York

Imagine a lifeboat with two frantic sailors taking on water with sharks circling. Suddenly, another boat with sailors pulls alongside and says we�re here to help, we�re sailors too. No, shout the two struggling sailors, you were not born into sailing families; you became sailors later in life, you�re not to our standard, now go away.

Such is the insane attitude of many Jews to converts. The treatment that my family and many others have experienced at the hands of some (not the majority of) Orthodox Jews, is unconscionable and hypocritical, especially those who scrupulously follow all the mitzvot, except to love the ger (convert).

People convert to enhance their relationship with the Almighty, not with other people, and if prophecy suggests a wave of new converts coming or if not, the Orthodox hierarchy better deal with this travesty or they will create a group of Jews who totally disregard their authority and find true rabbis who follow the letter and the spirit of the Bible.

Ed Gietl, Denver

Constitutional Monopoly

The interview with Yedidya Stern (Back Page, Nov. 1) concerning the proposal for a constitution for Israel now being promoted in a heavily financed campaign should raise a red flag for all those who are truly committed to democracy and freedom of religion. The 70 "public figures" who devised this so-called "Constitution by Consensus" consisted of either secular Jews or Orthodox Jews, and hardly represented a true cross-section of Israeli society.

This is the same constellation that gave Israel its "status quo" over half a century ago, resulting in Israel being the only country in the free world where Jews are denied freedom of religion.

And what do we see in this new proposal? The following four areas are exempt from the provisions of the constitution and from judicial review: Laws on religious affiliation ("Who is a Jew?"), personal status (marriage and divorce), public observance of Shabbat and holidays, and kashrut in state institutions. In other words, the current status quo is not only to continue but is to be made permanent and virtually unalterable forever.

All this in the name of democracy, consensus and compromise. What exactly is the compromise? The Orthodox are giving up nothing but their opposition to a constitution and receiving a monopoly that will be written in stone. The Israeli public is being sold a bill of goods and we had better be alert or the slick slogans and expensive advertising will sneak it through before we know it. Buyer beware!

Reuven Hammer, Jerusalem

Barry Hyman, Bushey Heath, Herts United Kingdom

Sharon Ashley�s comment about the need to recognize Reform and Conservative Judaism in Israel is timely, and applies to the Diaspora too ("Winds of Change," Nov. 29). Here in the U.K., Rabbi Tony Bayfield, Chief Executive of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, is the first head of a non-Orthodox Jewish body to be appointed, albeit belatedly, president of the Council for Christians and Jews. Our Leo Baeck Rabbinical College is providing rabbis for the former Soviet Union, where thousands are returning to the faith of their grandparents. In Israel numerous progressive Jewish synagogues and schools are bringing back into a faith community thousands who felt excluded or alienated by the deadly grip of ultra-Orthodoxy on the nation�s religious agenda.

A religion rooted in tradition but in touch with the modern world is appealing to many people, including many who worship at Orthodox shuls out of habit rather than lifestyle. In addition, conversion to Judaism is not made a near impossibility by progressive Judaism -- turning outmarriage into inmarriage, if you will. A policy of inclusion is no bad thing -- we�re not so numerous as to arrogantly turn away anyone daft enough to want to join us.

British Pluralism

Jeff Peri, Los Angeles

Yonathan Dror Bar-On seems to feel that Bush and Sharon only want to destroy the enemy, without any thought to the aftermath ("They Are Only Human," Nov. 15). He ignores their efforts to establish democracy in Afghanistan, Iraq and in the Israeli-occupied territories. In combination with their war efforts, they have and continue to supply unparalleled resources to these countries, as well as support for democratic elections. How does Bar-On expect them to further convince the Arab world that they have great hope for a positive future.

Great Hope

Michael H. Anisfeld, Deerfield, Illinois

From Hirsh Goodman to Stuart Schoffman, your November 29 edition is full of comments urging President Bush to become more involved in the Israel-Palestinian problem. But Bush was elected to continue confronting tyranny and terrorism around the world. He is not likely to intervene, even in the post-Arafat era, until the Palestinians show that they have elected leaders dedicated to confront terror from their territories. Bush will not go back to the old Clinton-era policies, all of which ended in failure.

No Going Back

Peter Simpson, Middlesex, U.K.

Moshe Elad suggests an international plan to democratize Palestinian society, focusing on the creation of civil institutions from which, he hopes, a leadership capable of making peace would emerge ("Keeping Its Distance," Nov. 29). But there is not likely to be any enthusiasm in the U.S. and other donor countries until the extent of the skimming off of past aid by Arafat and his cohorts has been established and what is left of those funds recovered.

If Congress has been able to establish that Saddam Hussein skimmed off no less than $21.3 billion (double the previous estimate) from the U.N. Oil for Food program despite Secretary General Annan's policy of secrecy and non-cooperation, it should not be too difficult to establish what Arafat skimmed off during the Oslo years.

Skimming Off

Judith Antonelli, Brookline, Massachusetts

In Hirsh Goodman�s column, "Mickey Mouse and Mandela" (Nov. 1), which is generally excellent, he inadvertently echoes Arab propaganda when he says Israel "tried to give [the territories] back and the offer was refused." Back to whom? Egypt and Jordan, who controlled Gaza and the West Bank before Israel captured them? Saying "back" implies that they once belonged to the Palestinian Arabs, as if there ever was an Arab country called Palestine.

Back to Whom?

Daniel Carmel-Brown, Stepney, London E1

Perhaps Denis Davis should be slightly more hopeful for a Jewish revival in the East End of London (Letters, Nov. 15). I have recently become aware of a growing trend among younger Jews not only to move into the area but also to become active in the regeneration of Jewish life.

There were some inaccuracies in the information given by Mr. Davis. According to the latest census, there are over 2,000 Jews living in the area, and more than half are age 69 or under and some 500 are between 20 and 44.

Thanks to Jewish Care, this small but vibrant community continues to have access to a wide range of services. Our Stepney Jewish Community Centre is a lifeline to hundreds of elderly Jewish people living in the area. Jewish people living here can purchase kosher products from the shop in our center and can place orders for kosher meat, delivered every week. Jewish Care would be happy to extend these services to meet the needs of Jewish people in the area. Should we find there is a need for other services, such as Hebrew classes, we would endeavor to make this possible.

F11H: Kenneth R. Donow, Silver Spring, Maryland

F11B: Paris Camps F11T: Regarding the cover story on the three camps set up in Paris during the Nazi occupation (Nov. 1), the great archivist Zosa Szajkowski compiled an indispensable book called the Franco-Jewish Gazeteer, 1939-1945. Somewhere in the footnotes, he names no fewer than six other camps, all within the municipal borders of Paris. The Rothschild Hospital and the associated buildings owned and operated by the Rothschild Foundation were included in that list, housing the elderly during the occupation. A couple of members of my family died there toward the end of the war.

East End Revival

December 13, 2004