Opinion

One of the columns I wish I did not have to write is an obituary of someone who was important to the community and with whom I had personal relationships.  My goal is twofold: giving proper respect to the deceased, and making sure that their life work is known and appreciated. Also, I want their family to know that we cared about their loved one and hope the column helps them deal with their loss. 

The biggest story this past week was the balloon that came from China, which went across most of the United States until it was shot down off the coast of South Carolina. It was not just a small, empty balloon; it was the size of three buses and contained equipment. The Chinese government claims it was a weather balloon that veered off target, while the United States government says it was used for spying. 

This time of the year, with the long Saturday nights, is a good time to write my column. If Saturday night does not work, I write on Sunday morning. Before I write, I think of possible topics. This week, I was struggling to come up with something. Then I learned of Jan Fenster’s death, and it became clear to me. This week I was supposed to write about Jan Fenster.

It was not too long ago that there were certain standards of behavior by public officials that would not be tolerated by the public. It did not matter whether the person was a member of the party that you supported. Those days are gone. Now the standard is: If you are on my side, as long as you have not been convicted of a crime, you are acceptable. In contrast, those on the other side are judged based on the old rules.

As I have previously stated, I try to avoid getting involved in Israeli politics since I live in America.  However, I want to make a comment concerning Shmuel Sackett’s column last week about how he would like Israel to expel those who cheer on people who murder Jews because they are Jews. Or as he put it, “Arabs who support acts of terror in Eretz Yisrael must immediately and permanently removed from the land.” If Mr. Sackett wants the government to take strong action against individuals who support those who engage in deadly violent conduct, I expect that he would take the same position concerning Jews who support other Jews killing Arabs. One name comes to mind: Baruch Goldstein, who on February 25, 1994, Purim morning, killed 29 Muslims praying at Maarat HaMachpelah in Hebron. He has become a hero to some on the far right and was a member of the organization represented on the t-shirt Mr. Sackett was proud to wear.

One of the letters to the editor suggested that Sholom Markowitz and I exchange my column and his letter to the editor before publishing so they both can come out the same week. This idea has many logistical problems, including that I do not know anyone named Shalom Markowitz. If we both davened in the same shul or if he were someone I’d known for a long time and had his contact information, that may be a different situation.