Letters to the Editor | March 31, 2023

We, writing on behalf of the rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, are compelled to make a public statement regarding the current challenges in Israel. We are deeply concerned about what can only be described as tests of the democratic and Jewish character of the country. We want to make it clear that we condemn all violence happening in Israel and the territories, demand that everyone there be treated with dignity and respect, and that all may live under the rule of law and with security. Violence is never the solution. Furthermore, we support the system of checks and balances between the judiciary and the Knesset. This system is essential to maintaining a healthy democracy, and we firmly believe in its importance. We stand with all those working to uphold this system and ensure that the democratic values of Israel are protected. We view the public demonstrations on behalf of this system as acts of patriotism defending those values, and we support the rights of Israelis to gather peaceably.

Finally, we support religious pluralism and the removal of control over religious or spiritual matters from a particular sect or group. Religious diversity is a fundamental aspect of Israel, and we believe everyone should be able to practice their religion freely and without fear of persecution, including Jews. This includes safeguarding the “right of return.” We urge everyone committed to a democratic and Jewish Israel to join us in standing up for these critical values. We must work together to ensure that Israel remains a beacon of democracy, religious freedom, and security for all those who would call it home.

Rabbi Jon Cutler and Rabbi Greg Marx, copresidents of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, and Rabbi David Levin. Twenty other community rabbis are cosigners.

I read the insightful op-ed piece by Manan Trivedi on the Iraq War. This country was established with the supposition that we would not become entangled in foreign wars and be a protector of countries in the Americas (Monroe Doctrine). That all changed with our insertion into World War I, a tragic error that put us on a path to (out of necessity) get involved in World War II. Historically, we suffered 117,000 killed and 204,000 wounded in Woodrow Wilson’s war. In Korea, we lost 40,000 and had 100,000 wounded in Harry S. Truman’s war. In Vietnam, we saw 58,000 killed and 304,000 wounded in Lyndon B. Johnson’s war. Finally, as summarized in the op-ed, we had 4,500 killed and over 10,000 wounded in Iraq — George W. Bush’s war. These conflicts were all political in nature, and the weak and poor judgments by these presidents were inexcusable. In history they should be castigated as the worst leaders we’ve ever had because of the number of U.S. men and women they butchered.

Rod Orth, Warminster

The Heritage Foundation’s Derrick Morgan crusades against California’s decision to require that all new cars sold be electric by 2035, and issues dire warnings about other states on the same path. Citing dubious research by a pollster with right-wing ties, he would have us believe most Americans are against this regulation and see it as infringing on their liberties (like the right to clean air?). Many of the misdrawn conclusions about EVs could be compared with skeptics’ arguments about “horseless carriages” more than a century ago. Morgan incredulously touts the new “cleanliness” of internal combustion engines, apparently never having sat in freeway traffic on a smoldering afternoon. He laments that auto manufacturers are being forced into insolvency by requiring they produce only electric vehicles. To clarify, automakers have voluntarily been making the transition for some time. The transition to electric vehicles is not an assault on freedom or a left-wing conspiracy. However, this op-ed is a transparent effort to maintain the status quo for the fossil fuel industry and its politically well-connected fat cats.

J. Savage, Philadelphia

In Derrick Morgan’s op-ed against electric cars, he avoids any mention of the potential world that future generations will have to adapt to if we don’t abandon fossil fuels. Supercell tornadoes are predicted to increase in frequency and move easterly in their occurrence as the world warms. Recently, Rolling Fork, Miss., was devastated by tornadoes. Our wildly fluctuating weather is predicted to get worse. Areas of drought and areas of excess rain will occur, upending agriculture’s ability to plan for the next year, with ruining debt to follow. The traditional ice cover in the arctic is not forming, and documented loss of the glaciers’ mass in Greenland is a solid predictor of eventual lifechanging sea level rise. Those of us who believe in science realize that bold, costly, and uncomfortable steps are necessary to limit future change.

Ben James, Kennett Square

The Alzheimer’s Association’s “2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” report reveals a significant burden on dementia caregivers. In the tristate area, more than 707,000 unpaid dementia caregivers provide more than one billion hours of unpaid care, valued at $22.4 billion. These caregivers face unique challenges, reporting higher rates of chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer compared with non-caregivers, as well as high rates of depression. Across our region, 58.5% of caregivers reported at least one chronic condition and nearly 25% reported depression. I call on state policymakers and community leaders to implement immediate actions to support local family caregivers, establish and fund a public health infrastructure for Alzheimer’s, and highlight the importance of early detection and diagnosis. The Alzheimer’s Association provides support for caregivers through our 24/7 helpline, 800-272-3900, and support groups. Now is the time for action to help achieve a world without Alzheimer’s disease.

Kristina Fransel, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, Philadelphia

Thank you for exposing the hardships so many of our elderly experience in nursing homes across our great nation. It sadly reminded me that we are failing the test Hubert Humphrey challenged us with many decades ago: “The moral test of government is how it treats those ... who are in the twilight of life, the elderly.” We should and can do better. What touched my soul was the story of Philadelphia nursing home resident Alex Morisey, a Quaker who spent his life serving others, who now has trouble replacing his tattered shorts or even buying a can of Diet Pepsi. Congress should be hard at work helping those in need by passing legislation to link the Medicaid personal stipend to the cost-of-living index. Incredibly, the rate hasn’t changed in decades, and some receive a mere $30 a month. Our senior citizens should not be spending their golden years wondering whether their toothpaste will last until the end of the month.

Steve Cickay, Newtown

The citizen demonstrations in Israel against proposed judicial overhauls should be a wake-up call to U.S. citizens. This activism has slowed and may indeed stop the passage of laws to grant the Israeli parliament authority to overturn Supreme Court decisions and impart limits to its judicial reviews. The large turnout and relative peacefulness in the monthslong protests have added to their impact. We the people of the United States also have seen numerous curtailments of our democracy. Most prominent was our Supreme Court’s ruling to take away women’s right to abortion. Add the right of children to be safe from gun violence in school, which could be gained back by enacting commonsense gun controls. Banning speech and books in schools is another injustice. These and other rights have been taken away or limited despite a majority of Americans thinking otherwise. The Israelis have shown us how our democratic right to peaceful demonstrations can reverse undemocratic laws. Organizers are needed.

L. David Wise, Philadelphia

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