Immigration Still Means Sacrifice

I read with interest Benjamin Smith’s story about Valery Itzkevitch’s attempt to immigrate to the U.S. from his native Latvia (“Giving Up on America,” Jan. 27). I was perplexed by the ambivalent nature of the article, which neither explored the depth of such failed attempts by would-be immigrants nor the options that could have allowed Itzkevitch to stay in Los Angeles.

The article left me with the sense that Itzkevitch was more concerned with material comforts and career standing than with fleeing anti-Semitism and persecution. For generations immigrants have had to forgo the high life temporarily in exchange for religious or political freedom. It’s too bad that Itzkevitch did not have the patience to do so, or to take advantage of the resources within the Los Angeles Jewish community.

Mark Meltzer

Jewish Free Loan Assn.

Los Angeles

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Scott Spolin should be commended for his attempt to integrate an Eastern European immigrant into American society. His outpouring of kindness is the rarest of occurrences in Los Angeles, a city that is known for self-absorption. It is a lonely place for new immigrants. The physical makeup of the city, with its dependence on the automobile and strange mix of suburban lifestyles, makes interpersonal contact difficult when compared to the congested urban atmospheres of Eastern European cities. Spolin was trying to replicate the success stories of millions of immigrants who have come to America. His heart was in the right place, but his head was in early-1900s Chicago or New York. Los Angeles was never one of those cities, and it never will be. Maybe Spolin should open a branch office of his law firm in Riga, Latvia.

Jonathan Grossman

Huntington Beach

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Having been an immigrant at one time in my life, I was intrigued by Smith’s article. Itzkevitch was fortunate to have been offered a job that would have enabled him to stay here legally and, eventually, get his green card. He blew it royally, failing to read the signs telling him that not doing much of anything for a starter job that pays $55,000 a year is a gift from God. Every immigrant should be so lucky to be offered such a golden opportunity. Apparently Itzkevitch thought more of what he missed in Riga than of what he could have gained in this great country.

Arnie Keren

Los Angeles