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A microcosm of Klal Yisrael

I am writing in response to Jeffrey Korbman's letter in your Jan. 16 issue, as well as the responses that were published in the Jan. 30 issue.

On behalf of the Highland Park Conservative Temple--Congregation Anshe Emeth, I would like to express our appreciation to Mr. Korbman for his letter. We are the oldest synagogue in Highland Park, and our members are integrally involved in the Highland Park community. Many of our members are also members of Orthodox synagogues in town, and our children attend RPRY and MAYHS for school and summer camp.

All of us -- Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, or unaffiliated -- share the same feelings about Israel. During the recent offensive, Israel was in all of our hearts and minds, and it would have been truly inspiring to have come together as an entire community to give each other strength and to show our support.

I hope that when future "community-wide" events are planned, the organizers will keep Mr. Korbman's sentiments in mind and include the entire community, so we can truly be a microcosm of Klal Yisrael.

Sam Kamens, president, Highland Park Conservative Temple--Congregation Anshe Emeth
Highland Park

Missing the point

The two letters written in response to Jeffrey Korbman's Jan. 16 letter miss Mr. Korbman's main point.

Both "Time for Unity" and "Open Community of RPRY" (Jan. 30) make clear that RPRY is an open institution and did not sponsor the Tehillim service that was held in its auditorium, although the service was said to represent the entire community. In his letter, Mr. Korbman mentioned his involvement with RPRY's fund raising activities and the school's willingness to ask for funding from members of the Highland Park Conservative Temple, but his real issue was with the Vaad Harabonim, which seems to define the Jewish community of Highland Park/Edison as made up only of members of Orthodox shuls.

Now, the Vaad has every right -- in fact, an obligation -- to draw a line based on halacha (Jewish law). It is, after all, an Orthodox institution. Members of our community who are shomer Shabbat, kashrut, and mitzvot must be able to trust an overseeing organization when it comes to planning events where questions of halacha may pertain. Saying Tehillim, for an individual or, in the case of the program in question, for the state of Israel, does not, as far as I know, involve questions of halacha. I was taught, at the Maimonides Day School in Brookline, Mass. as well as at Yeshiva University that Hashem hears the prayers of all Jews.

While the Vaad has done many good things over the years and provides many important services for our community, it has shown a growing willingness to insulate the Orthodox community from Jews who belong to other branches of Judaism and in doing so threatens to change the very fabric of our community. One of the most wonderful parts of our community is, and has been, the warmth and strength of our diverse Jewish population. A community-wide Tehillim should be just that -- community-wide, an opportunity for Klal Yisroel to come together during difficult times.

As a member of both the Highland Park Conservative Temple and Congregation Ahavas Achim and a parent of an RPRY student, I want to thank Jeff Korbman for his willingness to point out a painful truth. I hope that we can begin to work on finding the issues that bind us together instead of emphasizing those that drive us apart. I am especially looking to you in the many Orthodox shuls, rabbis, and congregants who have spent part of your Jewish journey as a member of the Highland Park Conservative Temple or other Conservative congregations around North America, to lead this effort for unity and dialogue amongst all parts of our Jewish community. Let's return to the true community-mindedness that demonstrates the attitudes and sensitivities of the rabbis who established this community.

Barry S. Mael
Highland Park