Ultra-Orthodox Rabbis’ Declaration

Enough is enough! Rabbi David Hollander’s “clarification” of the declaration from the Union of Orthodox Rabbis (March 29) only makes matters worse. Yes, we all got the message: It isn’t our being Jewish that is questioned (as long as our mothers were Jewish, or we were converted by a kosher rabbi, that is); whether the rest of us (over 90% of the Jews in North America) practice Judaism is the question.

I believe the response from Rabbi Harvey Fields clearly stakes out the tremendous danger inherent in such pronouncements. Why is it that the pronouncements from a very small segment of the American Jewish communities are to be taken as the one true interpretation of how to practice Judaism? And this coming from an ultra-Orthodox branch of Judaism that strictly adheres to practices and rituals that perpetuate the 17th-18th century Eastern European shtetl mentality. Are only those rabbis who believe and teach that it is essential to strictly and absolutely adhere to all 613 mitzvot from the Talmud the ones who get to define Judaism as we approach the 21st century?

Of course, some of us are cynical enough to think that the ultra-Orthodox pronouncement has a very up-to-date, very secular function as well. It is clear that this declaration is also designed to influence legislative action pending in the Israeli Knesset to strengthen the secular controls by the ultra-Orthodox political factions in Israel.

DAVID WERTLIEB

San Diego

In response to the divisive assertions of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis, I offer this observation from a Reform Jew. As an adult, I continue to embrace Judaism because it makes room for me as an individual, rather than demands that I configure myself to one view of it. Do not mistake interfaith marriage or a lack of temple affiliation for a departure from Judaism. I have internalized Jewish values and morals and acknowledge them as part of my daily life.

On the other hand, my friends who were raised with the dogma of their parents and grandparents ran as fast as they could away from that version of Judaism. Open-mind- edness is what keeps Jews in the fold; restrictions are what push them away.

HILARY KRAFT

Beverly Hills

Now that I am no longer Jewish, I can have that bacon double cheeseburger I’ve always craved.

ISAAC R. ELNECAVE

Canoga Park