Anglo File Letters to the Editor

An apolitical decision

Re: "UJA Officials: Politics not a factor," November 9

Your article incorrectly states that "pressure from right-wing elements in the Jewish community and from potential donors" led to UJA-Federation's withdrawal as a sponsor. Not true. As the CEO of UJA-Federation, I did not receive a single call from anyone objecting to the film festival nor did any member of our senior professional or volunteer leadership.

The "Other Israel Film Festival" was co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, a beneficiary of UJA-Federation, which has emerged during the past decade as a powerful force for Jewish connection, Jewish inspiration and for engagement with Israel. The leadership of UJA-Federation takes great pride in the JCC, and as one who attended one of the Festival screenings, I found it quite moving to be in a Jewish institution where an excellent Israeli film was presented illustrating the human complexities of being an Arab citizen of Israel.

John Ruskay, Executive Vice President and CEO

UJA-Federation of New York

Antithesis of democracy

Re: "After elections, prominent volunteers leave Telfed," November 23

As a member of the South African community living in Israel for over 30 years, I feel it incumbent upon me to respond to several statements that appeared in Anglo File.

Telfed is purported to represent all South African immigrants irrespective of their status as veterans or newcomers, religious or secular. Unfortunately this does not seem to be the case since a member of the executive claims the newcomers should constitute the committee's main focus of attention.

As a veteran, I am now in a minority group. This is the very antithesis of democracy. In addition, as a kippa wearer, I consider Telfed's status as an apolitical, non-denominational organization to have been abused when members received e-mails calling on them to vote for religious candidates. How can Telfed's management continue to function when three highly respected and devoted volunteers have resigned? Recent developments demand that new and fair elections be called as soon as possible.

Charles Abelsohn

Kfar Sava

Voting no confidence

Re: "After elections, prominent volunteers leave Telfed," November 23

I was distressed and disappointed to read your article last week about Telfed, in particular about the three members of the executive who resigned. I have known these people for many years as making an outstanding contribution to the South African community in Israel, and the mere fact they found it necessary to resign tells me that something is wrong at Telfed.

I personally canvassed many votes and would like to know what happens now. Do we have new elections as 50 percent of the elected executive members have resigned?

Mike Turecki

Ra'anana

A constructive celebration

Re: "Could it be a swinging 60th?," Haaretz A4, November 16

Remember Israel's much heralded 50th anniversary celebrations? A great deal of money was spent, very little joy was derived, and the country was left with no lasting benefit. Only the usual piles of garbage.

Let's not make the same mistake on our 60th anniversary. Let's make a national clean-up campaign an integral part of the festivities. Competitions among schools to see who can collect the most litter, and material for recycling. Prizes for the best idea for the preservation of the environment. The best essay on the topic. The best artwork representing the ecological dilemma. Awards for the most beautiful parks, gardens, neighborhoods, schools, industries, hospitals and campuses.

Ideally such a campaign should have been launched in anticipation of the festivities. But it's not too late. There's still time to work out a program for the course of the 60th year, a program that can be premiered with a great deal of publicity at the opening celebrations.

If we involve all the citizens in this effort, perhaps we will also help rekindle the sense of pride and empowerment that has largely been lost in recent years. Young people too often feel that their voice doesn't matter. They don't vote. They don't care. If we involve them in cleaning up the country, perhaps they will grow up having a vested interest in seeing their accomplishments maintained.

I call on President Shimon Peres, MK Ruhama Avraham and all others involved in decision-making for the 60th celebrations to use the occasion to help make Israel a cleaner, more ecologically and aesthetically aware country than before. Too many have died to defend this land. Now it is up to us and the future generations to honor, preserve and enhance the land they bequeathed us.

Ricky Friesem

Rehovot