Collision of the Religious and Recreational

* As a Jew and a member of University Synagogue in Irvine, I obviously read with great interest the story about our congregation’s purchase of land currently occupied by the Irvine Ice Arena (July 24).

Decisions like these are never easy. It wasn’t easy for us, and it’s not easy for the rink’s well-intentioned supporters. That’s why it didn’t bother me that those supporters decided to express their feelings through a peaceful picket and protest.

But waving the American flag as a symbol of “protest” against the synagogue’s planned move? Yes, I think I’ve got a problem with that.

Let’s be honest: Most Jews in Orange County are not only Americans, they’re also likely Republicans (yours truly represents a proud exception).

Celebrating Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) and partying on the Fourth of July are not mutually exclusive activities. Heck, if Orange County Jews are originally from anywhere else, it’s probably New York or Chicago, not Israel (there are a lot of Jews in Florida too, but that’s generally a place to go to, not to be from).

My sister-in-law is marrying a man from Israel--and he is also a Christian. My wife is Lutheran, but we’re keeping a Jewish home and raising our daughter as a Jew. In other words, if you judge a book by its cover, chances are you’ll miss the whole story.

Just because I grew up and live in Orange County doesn’t mean that I’m a right-wing, Bob Dornan-esque conservative with a trust fund and a 7-series BMW. And just because I’m Jewish doesn’t mean that I’m not an American.

So please, go ahead and protest--but leave your flags at home.

GARY GOLDHAMMER

Tustin

* If Mayor Christina Shea wants to make sure the youth of Irvine are able to enjoy the benefits of the ice arena, why doesn’t she fork up the $24,000-a-month rent it needs?

Why do people worry about the happiness of Irvine but not help solve the problem?

I understand that most people don’t have $24,000 to pay in rent for an ice arena, but they could at least help pay for a portion of it.

I wouldn’t like to see the ice arena go, but I am not able to help solve the problem, so I stay out.

LARA DAVIS

Irvine

* The Coonans have an unsuccessful business. By their own admission they took out an unfavorable bank loan and they owe the owners of the property $400,000 to $600,000 in back rent. The owners put the property on the market and our synagogue is buying it.

The Coonans are losing the rink because they are unsuccessful business people.

They should just quietly close their doors and apologize to the Jewish community and to the city of Irvine for this ugly situation.

PETER FRIEDKIN

Laguna Niguel