Dear Editor:
We anticipate receiving and reading the Queens Jewish Link every week. We enjoy reading neighborhood news and your commentators’ take on the news of the broader world. I salute and support your efforts wholeheartedly and wish you continued success during these difficult times for so many private enterprises.
It’s in this context that I have to express my disappointment with your headline in a recent issue of the paper. Whether I share the headline editor’s opinion or not, I feel it detracts from the professionalism of the publication to use as its front-page headline, or any other headline for that matter, highly editorialized, insulting language to describe anyone, let alone an elected leader of the city. It suggests stooping to a low level of discourse that I’m sure you would not want to hear, and would criticize, if directed towards politicians that you support.
If the purpose of the headline was to get my attention, it succeeded! Then, I curiously noticed that it didn’t even lead to an article explaining the point it was trying to make.
I am writing as a friend, disappointed at the moment, but hopeful that you will accept my comments with the constructive intent that they’re given.
Stewart Weinberg
Dear Editor:
I really enjoy your newspaper and I was very impressed with your tribute to Pedro, thee worker at Wasserman Supermarket who just passed away from COVID-19. It was really nice of Susie Garber to pay tribute to him. I wish all frum Jews had such sterling midos.
Keep up the good journalism!
Deborah Greenberg-Addi
Dear Editor:
I was upset by your headline on the front page of the June 4 issue. You may criticize the mayor, but calling him a “bum” and placing it on the cover, where children may see it, is setting a poor example.
Evelyn Weissman
Forest Hills
Dear Editor:
I’m writing regarding Goldy Krantz’s article about her “little sister” at work breaking off the pre-engagement process because she wasn’t as happy as she thought she should be and something felt off in her relationship. The article was fantastic and a good lesson for others. I didn’t know if I should show the article to my son. He’s in his 30s and became a chasan a short while ago. In my opinion, my son wasn’t as happy as I know he should have been. My husband and I have spoken about our worries at length, but my son is a grown-up and living on his own. I don’t have much say about what choices he makes in his life. Maybe because I’ve only had daughters marry until this son became a chasan, but I didn’t think that the happiness and jubilee over finding your bashert should be different between males and females.
Long story short: My husband and I decided to show the article to my son the next time we saw him, so that it would be a catalyst for a serious conversation. I didn’t want to put my nose where it doesn’t belong, but I couldn’t stand by watching my son go through this happy time not happy. I was willing to risk the argument.
Thankfully, there was no argument. My son had said that he had decided the evening before to break his engagement because things weren’t right and he wasn’t as happy now as he thought he’d be. My son provided other reasons, but they are personal and I won’t include them here. He was here now to tell us, and then he was going to tell the girl.
I can’t tell you how relieved my husband and I were when we heard my son say things didn’t feel right, and now that he had made this monumental decision, he was able to breathe without feeling pressure. He knows this is the right decision for him.
The girl he was engaged to is sweet and pretty and courteous, but I never really saw the two of them together. But I’m still a mother and I feel bad that she is going to go through heartbreak because of my son. Her parents will want to help ease her pain, but this is a boo-boo that a kiss and Band-Aid can’t fix. Even though my son said he’s breathing easier, I know that this was a painful decision for him, as well. But I’m glad he made it now before plans for the wedding were decided on, as well as plans for their future. As my son spoke to me and my husband, he laughed and said that now the phrase “was engaged for a short time” will follow his name when someone tries to text him a shidduch – but he doesn’t care. He feels and knows that this was the choice for him. My husband and I can sleep easier now.
For all those like my son and the girl Goldy wrote about, don’t feel pressured to go through with an engagement if things aren’t right and you aren’t 100 percent sure and happy. Thanks, QJL and Goldy, for that article. I think it should be read by every engaged couple – to let them know that if they aren’t happy, then they should say something and stand up for themselves.
Tzippy D.
Dear Editor:
On June 23, there will be a Democratic Primary for the congressperson who will represent us in Washington. This is the primary – not the general election. We must go out and vote for Grace Meng. I realize some might have issues with some of her endorsements or political positions; however, her opponent has tweeted to remember the Nakba on Israel Independence Day, and tweeted over the weekend to remember the Naksa (the Palestinian name for the Six-Day War). He then tweeted #stopsettlements. This is not someone we want representing us. He needs to lose – and lose badly. We cannot allow him to claim even “a moral victory,” as Tiffany Cabán has. Meng’s opponent is a combination of Cabán and AOC. We do not want someone like that to represent us. He will not be listening to us if he wins.
Grace Meng is a true friend of Israel and did not support the Iran deal. She has reiterated her support for our community and Israel in a recent video conference. We can choose between someone who supports our community and Israel, on the one hand, and someone who supports remembering the Nakba and Naksa, on the other hand.
Remember, this is just the primary. You can vote for whomever you want in the general election.
Howard Schoenfeld