Letters to the Editor | Dec. 1, 2023

As both a Jewish alumna and a former faculty member of the University of Pennsylvania, I want to thank you for publishing a balanced article about Penn Chavurah standing firm in its support of the screening of the documentary Israelism.

I’ve seen Israelism and attest to its not being antisemitic. The film presents an accurate picture of how young American Jews are indoctrinated in Israel’s infallibility and its importance to American Jewish life. All of us who attended Sunday and Hebrew School or a Jewish Day School never learn about the millions of Palestinians who lived in Palestine/Israel for centuries. We were never taught that in order for the land of Palestine to become the Jewish state of Israel, Zionist armed forces forcibly transferred hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and villages — something that is well-documented. The forcible transfer of Palestinians was necessary for the new state of Israel to have a majority Jewish population.

As we know from American history, settler-colonialism entails settlers displacing the indigenous population and attempting to erase the culture and history of the indigenous population. Unfortunately, with regard to Israel, the displacement and erasure of Palestinians, along with their history and culture, continues to this day.

Israel and pro-Israel forces in the U.S. do not want anyone to know about the oppression and displacement of Palestinians, and so they label anyone who documents and makes known Israel’s apartheid laws and practices “antisemitic.” They want to shut down conversations that show Israel in a bad light — whether through literature, history, films, or artwork.

I applaud the younger generation of Penn students and activists for standing up for what they know is true. If the U.S. is truly “the land of the free,” the students should be allowed to show Israelism and discuss what the film documents, without censorship from Penn’s administration and board of trustees.

Genie Silver, Wynnewood

Last Wednesday, I personally observed several piles of human excrement on the platform serving Tracks 6 and 7 of SEPTA’s Suburban Station. This extended over the length of the platform, approximately 75 or 100 yards from either end of the platform. The areas leading from street level to the tracks also reeked of urine, vomit, and fecal matter. The stench was beyond description. The floor surfaces were stained and sticky.

Homeless individuals, obviously responsible for these deplorable conditions, were camped out in the darkened areas and on the stairwells. Some were relieving themselves. These once acute, now apparently chronic, conditions pose a real health hazard to the commuting public at this major transportation facility.

As a frequent visitor to Philadelphia from Germany, I am appalled. The situation is intolerable. Please address this immediately. The great American city of Philadelphia cannot suffer this ignominy.

Thomas A. Lipton, Munich

It’s curious that Tammy Murphy decided to run for U.S. Senate on the heels of a call for Robert Menendez to resign by her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy. While this may not be an example of nepotism per se, it appears opportunistic. Other than a run for student council in high school many years ago, Murphy has no experience as an elected official. Now she’s asking New Jersey Democrats to take a chance on a novice — and a longtime GOP voter, to boot — when so much is at stake.

Tammy Murphy’s initiatives as first lady of New Jersey are noteworthy. She raised awareness of maternal and infant mortality issues, addressed climate change, and helped promote women- and minority-owned businesses. But these do not qualify her to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate.

A first-timer may do well, but New Jersey would be better served by someone with experience in national politics. Andy Kim is that person. He brings to the table six years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives with a deep understanding of the issues facing the nation today, as well as knowledge of the infrastructure of Congress. Kim is a staunch and smart proponent of the values and principles at the heart of our democracy. Nothing in Murphy’s thin political résumé suggests that she comes close to what we need.

Martha Weinar, Collingswood

It has long been obvious that George Santos’ arrogance knows no bounds, but his recent statement that he has gone from “Republican ‘it girl’” to “the Mary Magdalene of the United States Congress” is over the top. Besides Santos’ hubris, that statement also demonstrates his ignorance about the life of the real Magdalene, one of the leaders of early Christianity and someone who stood as an exemplar of Jesus’ belief in male and female equality. She was vilified by the early church’s patriarchy — “Mary, the revered leader” was replaced by “Mary, the forgiven prostitute” — and it took many more centuries for the real Mary Magdalene to be restored to her place among early Christianity’s most important figures.

Marie Conn, Hatboro

The juxtaposition of the articles regarding fundraising for the SS United States and the lack of functioning bathrooms in Philadelphia public schools says everything that’s wrong with our society. Preserving a historic ocean liner is important, but far more important for the future of Philadelphia is ensuring that the School District has enough money to hire plumbers, which would enable students to learn without worrying about their bodily needs.

Paul L. Newman, Merion Station

If you’re like me, every December is a rush to get Christmas presents purchased. And if you’re like me, you’re also buying American while doing so. I like knowing the gifts I’m giving are made in the United States by someone making a fair wage. It may take a little leg work to do so, but it can be as simple as checking labels when you’re shopping. And there are plenty of resources online that can help you find American-made consumer products. Remember: That little bit of extra effort could be the difference in keeping an American manufacturing worker in their job. That’s important. ‘Tis the season to buy American.

Mark Musho, Fallsington

In her reporting on Sen. Bob Casey’s (D., Pa.) report on “Greedflation,” Julia Terruso rightly points out that Casey is doing something other lawmakers are not: acknowledging the pain of inflation. It’s a welcome change from some of his colleagues, who so far have ignored the financial hardship Pennsylvanians have endured as Congress and the White House push “Bidenomics.” However, Casey’s attempt to answer Pennsylvanians’ concerns about the spiraling cost of living not only misses the mark but also obfuscates the truth.

Casey’s claim that corporations have raked in a record 75% increase in profits is, at best, the result of an accounting error, or at worst an intentional misrepresentation. Casey’s figure for “profits” doesn’t account for: taxes, depreciation, inflation, or changes in inventory valuation. Once properly adjusted, Casey would find that corporate profits have barely budged since immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic. This glaring oversight allows Casey to distract Pennsylvanians from his own involvement in spiking prices.

The widespread economic consensus understands that inflation is caused by too much money chasing too few goods. Congress did this by voting for trillions in unfunded government spending that started during the pandemic under President Donald Trump and mushroomed under President Joe Biden. In fact, “Bidenomics” is nothing more than a big government spending and intervention agenda that so far has added over $6 trillion to the federal debt. This came in the shape of such Bidenomics-branded legislation as the American Rescue Plan, the CHIPS Act, the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — all of which Casey voted to pass.

Pennsylvanians deserve better than a senator who is a rubber stamp for “Bidenomics” — especially when he’s not able to be honest about how his voting record contributes to “Bidenflation.”

Emily Greene, deputy director, Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania, Ardmore

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