‘More Hurdles for Olympic Bid’

Re: “More Hurdles for Olympics Bid, West Side Stadium Approval,” Julie Satow, New York, April 22, 2005. Having just returned from both Madrid and Paris, I can tell Mayor Bloomberg and all the others thinking a new stadium will bring the Olympics to New York that you are living in Disneyland. Every day the news in both Paris and Madrid is full of articles on why one should beat the other in hosting the Games. Mr. Bloomberg wanted a stadium and he got it. But even he must have known that stadium or not, New York will never get the next Olympics. One can get from the airport to the center of Paris in 35 minutes by train for $7. They have innumerable stadiums already built and transportation is easy and efficient. The same goes for Madrid.

JOSEPH DISTLER
Manhattan

‘Groups Clash’

Re: “Groups Clash Over Gay Israel Mission,” Meghan Clyne, New York, April 20, 2005. While United Jewish Communities acknowledges those within the organized Jewish community objecting to this organization’s national mission to Israel for members of the gay community, UJC is heartened by positive reaction to this initiative. What UJC hopes will be a sizable delegation, representing Jewish communities across the country, will travel throughout Israel in August, discovering how Jewish federations are supporting our brethren in the Jewish homeland, learning how they as Jews can help, forging professional and personal bonds with Israelis, and celebrating the common democratic values embraced by Israel and the United States.

Those responding to this historic initiative – by registering for the mission, by encouraging their sons or daughters or parents or friends to sign on, or by generally expressing support – recognize that no Jew may be excluded from the community that we work so hard to build, sustain and grow.

While some suggest that the gay community should not be so embraced and included, UJC believes such an attitude runs counter to the central communal principle that Jews look out for, and take care of, one another, and respect each other’s inherent dignity and individuality – a principle that has fueled Jewish federation life and generosity for decades.

As Jews throughout the world this week celebrate Passover, our annual celebration of freedom and deliverance, we are asked to identify those among us who have no place to manifest their joy and be among brethren. We are obliged to invite them to our own seder, to make a place for them at our table and to ask them to participate in the reading of the haggadah – to be family.

Indeed, we have the same obligation to any Jew – gay or not – who wishes to be part of our greater communal life and community.

HOWARD M. RIEGER
President and Chief Executive Officer
United Jewish Communities
Manhattan

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