A Window of Opportunity

The March 21, 2005 article written by Claudia Rosett perfectly depicted Lebanon’s current tumultuous situation [“As Window of Opportunity Opens in Lebanon, Hope Surges,” Page 1]. Ms. Rosett created a compelling story of Lebanon’s governmental and political history that is accurate and informative, yet still interesting and optimistic. Unlike other articles, which describe the situation in Lebanon as hostile, violent, and aggressive, Ms. Rosett’s article has a lighthearted tone that parallels the forever positive and optimistic views of the Lebanese people.

Not only does she do her job of informing the readers of the actual news, but more importantly she introduces Beirut as a city, and not just the stereotypical war zone. The reader can picture himself walking down “Beirut’s famed corniche, where more Assad posters once stared down, a Lebanese flag flutters over a vending cart selling pink cotton candy.” Over 15 years of ever-changing history has been captured in one article. Americans of all levels, ages, and political views have read this article, identified with the Lebanese people, and now fully understand the Lebanese hunger for freedom, democracy, and human rights. We thank you, The Sun of New York, for your continuous support and your objective contribution to American media.

NOELLE ANDREA
American Lebanese Club of New Jersey
Washington Township, N.J.

‘A Step in the Right Direction’

Hillel Halkin overlooks the most compelling downside of the Israeli Supreme Court’s recent loosening of conversion standards [“A Step in the Right Direction,” Opinion, April 5, 2005]. Beyond the less demanding, and hence less meaningful, bar of entry now set by the Israeli government for whom it considers to be a Jew, looming darkly on the horizon is nothing less than a two-tiered “Jewish people” in the Jewish state.

Since those who consider the requirements of Jewish religious law, or halacha, sacrosanct are not able – as a matter of principle – to recognize as Jews non-Jews who underwent less-than-halachic conversion ceremonies, a split of Israeli society will be the unfortunate upshot of decisions like the recent one. Unless the Israeli’s High Court’s movement in the direction of undermining halachic standards is checked by legislation, it will prove tragic indeed, both for sincere non-Jews who wish to join the Jewish people and for Israel as a state.

RABBI AVI SHAFRAN
Director of Public Affairs
Agudath Israel of America
Manhattan

‘Where Are the Trustees?’

Re: “Where Are the Trustees?” Editorial, April 1,2005. As the controversy swirls over the assaults on Israel in the guise of scholarship at Columbia University’s Department of Middle East Studies, President Bollinger and the Columbia trustees would do well to heed the words of the great sociologist Max Weber in his famous lecture “Wissenschaft als Beruf” (Munich, 1919): “It is generally agreed that politics have no place in lecture halls, and I unreservedly support this. … It is especially so when the investigation of politics is the scholarly specialization of the lecturer. This is because taking active political stands and the scientific analysis of politics are two entirely different things. It is perfectly acceptable to present one’s political viewpoint to a general audience for then one is not pretending to offer a scientific analysis, but trying to sway others to adopt one’s political standpoint. … To do this in a lecture or classroom would be a wanton transgression. Perhaps the most difficult task of all is [to present scholarly subjects so that] a person who is not knowledgeable but eager to learn can grasp them and – what is most important – can learn to think about them independently … [the teacher] must take extreme care to avoid, by virtue of his authoritative position on the cathedra, pushing, whether explicitly or by subtle suggestion, a political standpoint on his students … neither prophet nor demagogue have a place in the lecture hall.”

ERICH ISAAC
Irvington, N.Y.

‘John Paul II’

I felt compelled to write and thank you for the excellence of your coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II. In particular, I wanted to express my gratitude for the lead editorial “John Paul II” [April 4, 2005]. This reader could sense the enormous effort that was put into it and the result is poignant, insightful, and humble. Thank you. It is your finest moment so far.

STEVE O’NEILL
Essex Fells, N.J.

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