LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Your editorial last month debating the effectiveness of education vs. real-world experience was very interesting.  Mr. Rubenstein is correct that there are many successful people out there who “make it,” owning thriving businesses, and they accomplish this with their perseverance and street smarts.  They never entered a college campus, nor did they enroll in any academic classes, but they somehow used the brains that G-d gave them to advance professionally. There are those walking around with degrees from institutions of higher learning who are doing nothing related to their field of study and who, sadly, are struggling. My own personal belief is that we should push and encourage everyone to go to college and further themselves academically. This most of the time will increase the odds of them making it out there in the real world. At the very least, it will expose them to other people and cultures, which is also something that needs to be learned before entering the business arena. Going to college is more than textbooks and lectures. The scope of knowledge can be quite large. College is about acquiring the skills it takes to handle working with diverse groups, managing of time, meeting deadlines, and appreciating a wide variety of knowledge that may or may not apply to your specific line of work

R. Goldman

Dear Editor,

With regards to the June 2018 issue, two small points of contention.  Firstly, the letter that recommended that Jonathan Gewirtz get his facts straight regarding the legality of double-parking. Double-parking is always illegal in New York City, regardless of alternate side of the street cleaning rules.  Police officers may have a “look the other way” unofficial policy when it comes to people double-parking on alternate side of the street days, but the fact of the matter is that a ticket is always a possibility when double-parking.  Those writing in to the magazine should endeavor to always get their facts straight as well.  A second matter is with regards to the “healthy” recipes included in the issue.  Gluten-free does not equal healthy.  That is a dangerous assumption that so many people make.  A gluten-free diet should only be undertaken by those for whom it is medically required and only in consultation with a medical professional.

R.Y.

Dear Editor,

I applaud you for printing the Ask a Therapist question regarding the husband who overdrinks on Shabbos. I don’t think people want to acknowledge how big of an issue this really is in many communities. It is truly shameful to watch grown men swaggering down the street or acting silly and tipsy following a shul kiddush. It looks like they are leaving a bar not a synagogue. This, of course, sends a terrible message to the kids who are witnessing this bad behavior and will possibly mimic it when they get older. The sanctity of Shabbos is tainted with these kiddushim where the focus is only on the age of the whiskey and not on schmoozing about the parasha .  I, too, have this problem in my household, and I approached the Rav of our shul and begged him to put a stop to this destructive practice. As much as he agreed with my sentiment, he said his hands are tied as without the lure of the kiddush he is afraid he will surely lose mispallilim.  How sad.

Anonymous

Dear Editor,

I find it quite ironic that Dov Streicher is busy lecturing us on the importance of checking all facts before writing them publicly when he proceeds to commit that very offense. If he had bothered to fact check before hurling accusations at Rabbi Gewirtz, he would have seen that the official NYC website clearly says that it is illegal to double park even during alternate side hours. We have become accustomed to this courtesy extended to us;  however, it is most definitely not legal. But I do agree with Mr. Streicher: “We must always make sure to check all facts before writing publicly.”

Mr. Guy Cishmich

Dear Editor,

“Spring Lessons Learned in Marine Park” by Rabbi Yarmove had some fascinating insight into the sycamore trees, which have taken over several of our sidewalks. Although they can be a nuisance to walk over, you have to admit they do reflect nature’s resilience to dominate mankind’s destructive innovations, and I think that is so cool!  

Norit Elbaz

Dear Editor,

I found the letter printed in  volume 2, issue 56 very amusing and I thank you for the good laugh. The reader, someone who is disgruntled about Jewish women’s status, asks on  line 21, “Why can’t we be acknowledged?” The irony in this is that she signs the letter  ANONYMOUS. How funny is that??

Claire Hirtenfeld