1997
18/4/97
Re:
Corridors of Courage
TOUCHING
COLUMN
The article by Sam Orbaum, 'Corridors
of courage,' in his column Not Page One
of April 10, is touching in every way.
Not only can he make you laugh, but he
can also make you cry.
One's heart goes out to each and
every one on the third floor, whether
in the Hadassah Mother and Child Care
Center in Jerusalem, or similar centers
in any other hospital. May their continued
strength and courage by all those involved
be rewarded with restored good health
for the courageous little patients.
And a special star
to Sam Orbaum for his very human story.
ESTHER
KATZ, Herzliya.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
1/6/97
WELCOME
COLUMN
At a time when the news is downright
depressing, reading Sam Orbaum's mid-week
column in the Post is especially welcome
and appreciated. His intelligent wit and
satire ease the tensions which follow
the 'heavy stuff' and help put things
into perspective.
Thank you, Sam Orbaum and the Post,
for brightening the days his column appears.
ELAINE
KALLET, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
3/6/97
Re:
Half the Fun is Flying There
SMOKING
ON PLANES
Nice, cozy and friendly article
('Half the fun is flying there,' May 22)
- and I gather Sam Orbaum does not fly
El Al regular class. That means that when
you are placed in a non-smoking section
two rows away from the smoking section,
on a trip from the US to Israel, you spend
10 hours of miserable smoke inhalation.
Very friendly indeed!
Having just returned from the US
under this condition on a night flight,
it was impossible to breathe or sleep.
There were many of us in these 'non-smoking'
rows who suffered the same way.
I have spoken to others who traveled
on different airlines around the same
time period and was told frankly that
this is the only reason they don't fly
El Al.
Other overseas airlines do not
permit smoking at all.
SHULAMITH
LIEBMAN, Karmiel.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
4/6/97
Re:
The ReCon Reckoning
RELIGIOUS
PLURALISM
In his article on the dilemma facing
Reform and Conservative Jews in Israel
('The ReCon reckoning,' May 14), Sam Orbaum
suggests that there are two ways to give
their congregations a significantly more
prominent profile in the Israeli scene:
(a) that Reform and Conservative Jews
in North America send huge amounts of
money to support their congregations in
Israel, or (b) that these same individuals
make aliya on a mass basis.
There is a (c) alternative. The
large majority of Israeli Jews who consider
themselves 'traditional' in religious
observance, but who are not haredim nor
backers of religious political parties,
can become more actively involved in promoting
the ReCon position in Israel. They could
do this in a number of ways: (1) by massively
demonstrating in support of Jewish religious
pluralism, e.g. against the changes to
the conversion law, in favor of the Women
at the Wall, for opening up religious
councils to a democratic process; (2)
by applying political pressure to reduce
the budgets to haredi schools and communities
and equalize the funding to all school
and community programs now subsidized
by religious councils and various government
departments.
Israelis who are often described
as secular are usually not. But they are
frozen out of their Jewish heritage by
the political power of the religious parties.
They could take back the synagogues, customs,
texts and holidays of Judaism from the
extremists by supporting Reform and Conservative
movements in Israel.
DAVID
M. MAGDER, Toronto.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
19/6/97
Re:
How Green Was My Rehovot
CONCRETE
JUNGLE
Sam Orbaum's fine article of June
1, 'How green was my Rehovot,' is not
only right on target, but the situation
sadly is far worse in our town since Mayor
Jacob Sandler's administration has been
running the Municipality.
We pay the highest municipal taxes
in the country and probably get less city
services than any other community. Our
street lights are old and outdated and
frequently are not on at all. Herzl Street,
the main drag in town, has not been resurfaced
in over 25 years. Most inner-city sidewalks
are full of dangerous potholes. In fact,
the mayor's mother sued the city when
she fell and was hurt.
We have fewer cultural and entertainment
facilities than any other town of our
size. Until three years ago, we had an
English-language theater, The Rehovot
English Players, which was supported by
City Hall. It was forced to disband when
the municipality demanded that REP pay
it rent for a bomb shelter used by the
group for rehearsals and making sets.
For reasons only known to the mayor, the
city government has stopped any and all
support for the large English-speaking
community.
While a growing community obviously
needs to expand, develop and build, it
needs a plan. When we settled in Rehovot
nearly a quarter of a century ago, it
was a small community of middle- and upper-middle-class
people who enjoyed living in this small
suburban town, surrounded by a beautiful
landscape and country-like greenery. Today,
we have become a city of nearly 100,000
inhabitants, surrounded by many high-rise
dwellings, shopping malls and office building,
but without parks, grass, trees or flowers
- just a mass of mortar, cement and steel.
DAVID
FROEHLICH, Rehovot.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
30/6/97
NOT
PAGE ONE
One of the best things that happened
to The Jerusalem Post in recent years
is Not Page One - beautifully written
by Sam Orbaum.
For a long time, I have admired
Sam Orbaum's gentle wit and keen observation
of human foibles in But Seriously as they
appear in the Magazine - but even so,
his talent for finding and then presenting
the beautiful stories that would, indeed,
not make page one, is admirable and renders
it worth the while of the reader to turn
to page seven and search for a story with
real importance. I myself do so before
reading about the wars in the world, the
fights in the Knesset and the corruption
in our society, appearing on page one.
ANNA
LEVIN, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
30/6/97
Re:
An American Jewish Hero
PAGE
ONE
A few words of appreciation for
the Not Page One essays by Sam Orbaum.
His skills as a writer and eclectic range
of subjects are impressive and refreshing.
The piece about Aaron Feuerstein
(June 19), the 'An American Jewish hero,'
is an antidote to the accounts of scandal,
malfeasance and ineptitude that usually
appear on page one.
May I respectfully suggest that
Orbaum indeed be on page one, to free
us from the aforementioned stuff, which
should be put on the sports pages, like
boxing and wrestling, or under condolence
notices - to the nation.
MOSHE
BERLIN, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
2/9/97
Re: Hockey Night in ג€“ Metulla
CAME TO WIN
I am writing in reaction to some
of the gratuitous remarks made by Sam
Orbaum (July 22), regarding Canada's participation
in the Maccabiah hockey events.
Of course Canada came to win. It's
our national sport and anything less would
signify a lack of respect for the premise
of the Maccabiah games - to send our best
to a world competition of Jewish athletes.
Some of our hockey players are professionals.
It is only reasonable that support for
the players reflects this - including,
if possible, professional coaches and
trainers. Although neither Jacques Demers
nor the trainers were motivated by Jewishness,
their participation, as that of Jean Beliveau,
was motivated by friendship for the Jewish
people. As such their efforts should have
come in for special praise.
I
particularly resent the aspersions cast
on the Jewishness of the hockey players
because of their preference for the beach
over the Kotel. Had a poll been taken
of male members of the other teams in
the same age group, the beaches of Tel-Aviv
would have proven just as popular. In
fact even young Israelis overwhelmingly
prefer the beach to the Kotel.
The Canadian team was exemplary
in the thorough and professional manner
in which they participated; as were the
Canadian fans who cheered for all the
Jewish athletes on the ice. Mark Routtenberg
the manager, should be congratulated for
his efforts. Had the Israelis approached
their commitment to the Maccabiah games
in similar fashion, Jewish families would
not have been sitting Shiva in Australia
during Maccabiah week.
TED
QUINT , Hampstead, Quebec.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
10/9/97
Re: Godג€™s Diner
A HEARTY LAUGH
Sam Orbaum's 'God's diner or Heaven's
kitchen' (Not Page One, July 29) was one
of the most entertaining pieces of writing
my husband and I have enjoyed in a long
time.
I read the article aloud to him
and our sharing was interrupted many times
by the heartiest laughs we have had in
a long time. And with or hearts so heavy
about the stalled peace talks and the
bombings, the soldiers' deaths and injuries
and the slaughter on our highways...
Well, a hearty laugh is a rare
and blessed event.
HAROLD
and CELIA SCHWARTZ, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
6/11/97
Re:
A Roll In Bed
HUMOROUS
AND ENTERTAINING
I wanted to say that Sam Orbaum's
column 'A roll in bed' (October 13) (WHAT!
Now he's writing about condoms!), was
one of the funniest articles he's written.
I often wondered where he gets his ideas
for all the columns he has to write. I
finally figured it out. He sees (and hears)
the same things as everyone else, but
he has the talent to put them into humorous
and entertaining (and sometimes serious)
words.
ELAINE
KALLET, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
1998
7/1/98
Re: column on Bridges for Peace
I just wanted to write and thank
you for the wonderful article you did
about Bridges for Peace. It was a ג€funג€
article and everyone enjoyed it. I received
numerous phone calls from Jewish and Christian
friends in Jerusalem who were excited
to see a positive spin on Christian activities
to assist aliya and Zionism.
I am enclosing a copy of a letter
I received from Teddy Kollek, which also
mentions your article. I thought you would
enjoy knowing that he, too, is a fan of
both our works.
Clarence Wagner, Jr., International Director, Bridges for Peace, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
(Teddy Kollekג€™s letter; only the relevant paragraph is cited.)
I read with great pleasure Sam
Orbaumג€™s column in The Jerusalem Post,
which brought the important contribution
and good work of Bridges For Peace to
the attention of the whole country.
Teddy Kollek, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
29/1/98
Re:
Pushing For a Kinder Israel
CANNOT
WAIT
Sam Orbaum aptly defines Israelis
who can't wait their turn as rude, 'national
menaces,' in 'Pushing for a kinder Israel'
(January 5). They incite verbal violence
and highway fatalities by breaking into
queues or driving thoughtlessly. He notes
that rowdy, irresponsible political talk-shows
and Knesset members' behavior act to reinforce
such ugly conduct.
But Orbaum neglected to mention
the blatant violation of democratic rules
we have witnessed from the Labor Party
during the past year. Their elitist members,
under the illusion that governing Israel
is inherited by divine right, also cannot
await their proper turn. Unable to digest
the public will's expression in a duly
democratic election, they have stopped
at nothing to topple their government
of free choice.
This theater of the absurd - playing
loudly to a world-wide gallery - is the
epitome of a 'disloyal opposition.' History
will record their unique role as national
and international menaces to Israel's
future.
DR.
JEROME KHARASCH, M.D., Rishon Lezion.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
8/3/98
Re:
Through Shimonג€™s Eyes
GRACE
AND BEAUTY
Kol Hakavod to Sam Orbaum for enabling
us to see 'Through Shimon's Eyes' (Feb.
23) and becoming acquainted with a hero
of the Jewish people - not 'only' for
his incredible bravery and his sacrifice
- but also, for the grace and beauty of
his character.
May Shimon, his wife and their
children have nahat from all their achievements,
and may we be inspired to be as beautiful
as they are.
MOSHE
BERLIN, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
17/3/98
Re:
Too Good to be True (Raג€™ananaג€™s mayor)
OUTSTANDING
I recently found myself in Ra'anana
for the first time. What a pleasure and
a delight to see spotless streets, a city
worker sweeping and picking up papers
from sidewalks, the freshly painted buildings
and shops, the overall cleanliness of
the city; the dignified and respectful
manner in which the people presented themselves
and conducted themselves.
It was like walking into... civilization.
In Israel! Wow!
Thanks to Sam Orbaum ('Not Page
One,' March 2), I know why. The people
have elected an outstanding mayor and
his decency and leadership (along with
their good taste and discernment) is reflected
in the grace and charm of this city.
RENEE
HADAR, Rishon Lezion.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
22/3/98
Re:
Born With a Spolden Goon
YANK
SOU THAM
Sam Orbaum's delightful column
on Spoonerisms 'Born with a spolden goon,'
(March 16th) takes me back many years
to my late father, who loved them.
I remember at 18 running a very
self-important poetry group at my home
in Melbourne, full of wannabe intellectuals,
that my father thought hilarious. We had
just begun reading our deathless verse
one evening when in waltzed Dad, carrying
a bunch of gum leaves from the eucalypt
tree in our garden.
Bowing to everyone, he announced:
'Enter the Fairy Queen, with a wonderful
gunch of bums.'
DVORA
WAYSMAN, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
31/3/98
Re:
Too Good to be True (Raג€™ananaג€™s mayor)
THANK
YOU, MR. OLMERT
Recently my wife made me read Sam
Orbaum's interesting article 'Too good
to be true?' (March 2) about the efficient
mayor of Ra'anana whose activities made
us envious of the residents of that city.
I had rung the municipality helpline
four times about a hole in the road directly
in front of our garage to no avail. During
the intermission of the Daniel Barenboim
concert at the Jerusalem Theater, I found
myself next to our mayor, Ehud Olmert.
With the article in mind I introduced
myself and told him the problem. Neither
of us had a pen or paper but he said he
would look into it. Needless to say, the
following morning the job was done. We
too have a mayor that cares.
Thank you, Ehud Olmert.
DR.
CHAIM HEITNER, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
20/7/98
Re:
Dances With Dolphins
HOPE
FOR AUTISTICS
I have just read Sam Orbaum's 'Dances
with dolphins' (July 13) and I feel impelled
to write to tell all people with autistic
children that there is hope for them.
They should read a book called ג€˜Son-Rise,
the Miracle Continues' by Barry Neil Kaufman,
published by H. J. Kramer Inc. at Tiburon,
California, and/or get in touch with The
Option Institute and Fellowship, POB 1180-SR,
2080 South Undermountain Rd., Sheffield,
MA 01257.
The book chronicles the work the
author and his wife did with their autistic
child and the program they devised that
has been used by many people with success
with their autistic children. They refused
to accept the prognosis of the medical
establishment for their child and the
horrors of the behavioral therapy that
was being used in the 1970s.
By the way, the foreword of the
book was written by their son who was
studying at university at the time.
ROSALY
EVNINE, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
30/7/98
Re:
Laughing All the Way to the ...
BANK
ROBBERY
Sam Orbaum's column ('Not Page
One,' July 20) was very much to the point:
The banks know how to fleece their (small)
customers and they are all the same without
exception.
The First International Bank deducted
monthly management fees totalling NIS
48.60 over six months.
Bank Hapoalim took $2.50 for changing
a $100 bill into five $20 bills!
Perhaps keeping your money under
the floor tiles is not such a bad idea
after all!
B.
OUDKERK , Haifa.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
9/8/98
Re:
No Pain, No Gain
COMFORT,
NOT DREAD
I take issue with Sam Orbaum in
his article 'No pain, no gain' (July 27)
in which he describes various procedures
he underwent during treatment of cancer.
What were his objectives in describing
these scans and procedures in such terrifying
detail?
While I grant that he tried to
inject some humor into the article the
end result for anyone waiting to undergo
chemotherapy must be a feeling of terror
and dread, where comfort, reassurance
and, above all, hope are needed.
After all, what the patient needs
most is to know that he has the chance
to completely recover from his illness
and to achieve that, he is prepared to
undergo some discomfort along the way.
I wish Mr. Orbaum a very speedy
recovery.
BLOSSOM
STEINHART, Ra'anana.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
10/9/98
Re:
Poor Olג€™ Us
FAIR
WARNING
In 'Making Israel home - despite
everything' (August 7) MK Naomi Blumenthal
bemoans the fact that the Jewish Anglo-Saxon
communities are not making aliya. Why
should they?
What incentive would they have?
Would they be provided with a good political
system, great economic prospects or harmonious
racial and religious relations?
In my opinion, as an Anglo-Saxon
oleh, the sacrifice is too great. One
who makes this transition at retirement
and even earlier is a masochist, a hero
or just plain crazy.
I considered I had the background
to work for a land that I felt was my
own as a politically motivated individual
in my former country. Unfortunately I
observe an absurd political system masquerading
as a democracy. An electoral system that
permits minority parties to have a voice
and power disproportionate to their numbers.
It has no constituency representation
or a constitution. It is a system manipulated
by a few with nepotism and cronyism to
the detriment of the majority of the community.
There is no separation between religion,
the state and military. This type of system
encourages mediocrity. I believe it will
ultimately lead to disaster if continued.
It is apparent no one in this country
wants advice from newcomers even if they
have lifelong experience and particularly
if you are not fluent in the language.
This is portrayed by Sam Orbaum
in his recent article called 'Poor Ol
Us' (August 17).
I have experienced a deteriorating
quality of life since making aliya. There
is a lack of facilities including town
planning, rubbish collection, street cleaning,
the environment, traffic and parking which
is not accepted in any civilized society.
Any
Anglo-Saxon intending to make aliya should
carefully do their homework by considering
various aspects, including the political
and economic system, the polarization
of ethnic and religious implications of
migrating to Israel.
Jack
Davis, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
1/10/98
Re:
Dear Jonny...
DEAR
JONNY
Like most Jerusalemites, I met
'Yonni' on various occasions and gave
him money. Now, after learning his story
('Not Page One,' Sept. 14), I wish I had
given him more - not just money, but kindness
and sympathy.
It is too late now, but I wish
he could know that his life was not in
vain, that in addition to his father,
he has touched us all.
DVORA
WAYSMAN, Jerusalem..
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
1999
9/2/99
Re: The King and I
SENSITIVE TRIBUTE
Having just read Sam Orbaum's column
'The king and I' in yesterday's paper,
I would like to express my thanks for
a wonderful piece. Combining his personal
struggle with the king's was one of the
most sensitive tributes I've read.
His article brought to the forefront
what all cancer patients go through and
I only hope that Sam stays healthy and
strong for many, many years.
MARK
FELDMAN, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
10/2/99
Re: The King and I
SAM'S COURAGE
The courage underlying every word
of Sam Orbaum's 'The King and I' (February
8) brought tears to my eyes. The poignancy
of his honesty and his humility touched
my heart.
Sam, may your fantastic sense of
humor, your strength and your grace, provide
you with the power to beat your illness.
Refuah Shlemah.
TAMARA
TENENBAUM, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
11/2/99
Re: Driven to the Brink
FULL OF HATE
In Sam Orbaum's article 'Driven
to the Brink' (February 9), I think the
word 'Arabs' should be substituted for
'haredim.' Imagine that Sam had been driving
on the Ramallah bypass road and an Arab
mob converged on his car.
Chances are it would be more than
garbage raining down on him! Now imagine
Sam writing in you newspaper, 'I had never
liked Arabs. Now I hated them.' I don't
think he would write it and I don't think
The Jerusalem Post would print it.
Not only has Orbaum given himself
an excuse to hate and even mention thinking
about killing haredim, but, he has blamed
antisemitism on them as well.
'I had never understood how the
goyim could possibly hate us. Now I did.'
The actions of the haredim were absolutely
indefensible, but, saying that they are
the cause of non-Jewish hatred is absurd
and painfully familiar.
Now that Orbaum has given himself
an excuse to go to town on an entire segment
of the population because of the abhorrent
actions of a few, maybe it's time for
some serious soul searching on his part.
Before Orbaum mentions civil war
between secularists and haredim, perhaps
he should think about what his own contribution
towards such a tragic occurrence by writing
such a hateful, inciteful article.
SANDIE
FREISHAT, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
12/2/99
Re: Driven to the Brink
SHAME ON SAM
Shame on you Sam Orbaum for being
'Driven to the brink' (February 16), but
you were the provoker and not the provoked!
For the future, how about a different
route to reach your Christian friends
on Shabbat?
We, who were your fans and appreciated
your sensitive witty style, are deeply
disappointed that you have stooped to
such a low level of journalism.
JUDITH and ARNOLD FELSENSTEIN,
Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
19/2/99
Re:
Helping the Haredim Out
JEWS
AND FAITH
Regarding the column by Sam Orbaum,
'Helping the haredim out,' (JP, February
16), regarding those Jews who have lost
their faith and are looking for answers,
being cared for by concerned Hillel members,
may I make a few comments to them. He
quotes from a few people who ate on Yom
Kippur and spoke on the phone and the
house didn't fall on them, while another
ate a cheese and meat sandwich and didn't
choke on it, and were convinced that there
is no God otherwise he would have killed
them for their transgressions.
Sometimes I wonder what got into
Mr. Orbaum. I started reading his columns
about two years ago and found them to
be amusing. Recently, he started bashing
the haredim by writing about driving down
Bar Ilan Street on Shabbat where he was
allegedly attacked by some haredim, learning
from them why the world hates Jews. Did
it ever occur to him that his driving
on this street while hundreds of Jews
are going to synagogue on what is supposed
to be a holy Sabbath would be just as
inciting as yelling fire in a crowded
theater? Wasn't there another way he could
have chosen without creating a confrontation?
What are the secular Jews trying to prove
by shoving in the face of the haredim
that they do not believe in the Torah's
teaching. Is anyone really interested
in what they do?
In the February 16 article, Sam
found still another way of proving that
there is no basis to belief in God since
he cites two examples of profound transgressions
which were not punished, which proves
beyond a question of a doubt that God
doesn't care or isn't capable of punishing
those who don't follow His teachings blindly.
Few religions can compare to the
Jewish tradition and those who study the
Torah which is the basis for Judaism and
grow up in faith stand a good chance of
living an honorable life and do not have
to be ashamed in finding their place in
the world. Sam, it's time you returned
to your original upbringing and started
to enjoy being a proud and happy Jew.
RABBI
URI AUERBACH, Netanya
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
8/3/99
Re: ג€1 + 1 = ?ג€
You do very good work and on frequent
occasions I have thought ג€“ fleetingly
ג€“ of writing to express my appreciation;
but I donג€™t habitually write such letters.
However, I have just read your
column in todayג€™s Post concerning Professor
Gelbart, and the impulse to write is overwhelming.
The column is a gem ג€“ beautiful, tender,
insightful, and most felicitally (??)
phrased from headline to the last word.
Thank you for writing it.
Michael Elkins, Columnist, The Jerusalem Report, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
2/4/99
Re:
Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky
A
TORAH LEGACY
Sam Orbaum ends his 'Not Page One'
(March 2)... 'he may only reach hundreds
at a time instead of millions, but Dovid
Orlofsky is content. This is his legacy.'
If Dovid Orlofsky's Torah words
were able to reach Sam Orbaum, he should
be content. He has his legacy.
N.
SHENKER, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
24/5/99
Re:
To Go In Peace
LET
HER LIVE
Sam Orbaum describes in a very
unfunny column 'To go in peace' (May 4),
the legal battles of 'Benny,' whose 91-year
old mother is institutionalized in Beit
Rivka after a stroke suffered seven years
ago, and who, in his words, is in a 'brain-dead,
vegetative' state. She breathes on her
own but is fed by a tube.
Benny obtained a declarative judgment
by the District Court to allow the doctors
to disconnect her tube and starve her
to death. Since, he says, she 'wouldn't
feel hunger' according to the doctors,
this is a dignified end which she would
have wanted. The attending doctor refused
the court permission saying, as reported
in Ma'ariv: 'I am not a hangman.'
Benny, supported and publicized
by advocate Y. Hoshen, Israel's Mr. 'Right-to-Die,'
has now asked the Supreme Court to order
the doctor starve his mom to death.
Strange. Since she is supposedly
unfeeling, why the struggle? She couldn't
care less, right? Maybe the enormous monthly
care costs are pressing? Or is this a
golden opportunity to enact active euthanasia
in Israel?
Brain-dead means a flat EEG; such
a patient is used for organ donations
before being buried. Mom breathes on her
own. She can't be brain-dead. Persistent
Vegetative State (PVS) means alternating
periods of eyes-open wakefulness and eyes-closed
sleep, but with no apparent physical response
to the surroundings or to pain stimuli.
Although neurologists do not routinely
acknowledge this, such patients may be
able to hear. Since they suffer total
lack of motor control while remaining
thinking humans, there is supposedly no
scientific way to detect their sentience.
Here's a suggestion, Benny. Attach
a heart monitor with simple painless band-aid
electrodes. Follow Mom's pulse rate digitally.
When she is wakeful, tell her something
sure to greatly anger her, or cause her
to rejoice. Do this three days in a row.
If her pulse jumps sharply each time,
drop the court case. Tomatoes, even onions,
can't hear you. She can.
Start to talk to her, sing to her,
read to her. And watch for tiny voluntary
movements, even eye blinks. She may at
last be motivated from her despair to
respond.
How do I dare to suggest this?
We've been there, that's why. Same PVS
diagnosis, same dour neuropessimism. We
ignored them, made our own observations,
and are now continuing our very slow but
steady recovery, thank the very Good Lord.
We no longer have a feeding tube, not
by court order, but because we now are
eating. And other good things are happening
as well. Each case is different. I just
thought you'd like to know about ours.
Maybe it will help.
And Benny, if the court case must
still go forward, appeal for a straightforward
death sentence. Gunshot? Cyanide injection?
Anything but a slow horrible death by
starvation. She surely doesnג€™t deserve
that.
NAME
WITHHELD UPON REQUEST, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
20/6/99
Re: Weג€™re Losing Our Ramot Control
NOT RAMOT-LY TRUE
As someone who has been living
in Ramot for over 10 years, allow me to
remark on and enlighten Sam Orbaum ('We're
losing our Ramot control,' May 18) about
our peaceful Jerusalem neighborhood.
He makes Ramot sound like a dinky
hick town with sleepy, disgruntled inhabitants.
Nothing is further from the truth. Who
says Ramot needs commerce and cafes and
noise and pollution? We like our shopping
centers and beautiful parks and little
groceries. We love the beautiful view
from practically every house.
People
here do wear new shirts and shoes. They
drive cars and live very well here, thank
you.
Since Mr. Orbaum, as a newcomer,
seems to hate this area and only sees
ג€˜eight million haredim,ג€™ I suggest he
find another place to live. We donג€™t need
someone like him to be our neighbor.
YEHUDIT
ABIR, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
21/6/99
Re: Some Good Words About ... Haredim
GOOD HAREDIM
Sam Orbaum's 'Some good words about...
haredim' (June 7) was a terrible shock
to me. I had not realized there were any
good haredim.
I pray that Mr. Orbaum will not
follow this article with a disclosure
that not all secular Jews are good people.
The additional shock would be too much
for me.
CEDRIC
LEVY, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
23/6/99
Re: Some Good Words About ... Haredim
HAREDI
GOOD
Sam Orbaum's 'Some good words about...
haredim' (June 7) is not convincing.
Certainly there are haredi help
organizations and some haredi individuals
who render service to others. But the
subject as a whole deserves a more objective
look.
An
organization that professes to provide
charity, good deeds, and to be socially
conscious (Orbaum's words) should be evaluated
by two criteria:
1) The extent to which the members
of the group which lays claim to that
organization actually take part in the
effort to achieve its ends, and
2) The extent to which help is
provided without prejudice.
Yad Sarah, Orbaum's first example,
was indeed established by a haredi man.
But what percentage of the volunteers
who actually work without pay in its tens
of branches throughout the country are
haredim? In a recent outing held by Yad
Sarah for some of its branches, not a
single man with sidecurls was present
among the busloads of participants.
Why does Ezer Mitzion pass by Arab
patients at Hadassah Hospital at Ein Kerem?
Is this an example of 'decency for the
sake of decency alone' stated by Orbaum
elsewhere in his article?
Obviously Jerusalem can claim a
relatively high percentage of individual
haredi volunteers. But to what extent
do they surface elsewhere in the country,
in volunteer organizations which provide
services to all? How many haredi Big Brothers
are there? What percentage of WIZO, Esra,
Yael, Hadassah, etc. members are haredi?
One can't help but suspect that
in many cases help is being offered by
haredim to 'their own' or to those who
they feel might be influenced in some
way. Otherwise, Orbaum's closing reference
to the drafting of haredim to provide
extensive social services would be unnecessary;
they would be volunteering to do so.
L.
M. SHORR , Haifa
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
24/6/99
Re: Some Good Words About ... Haredim
MORE
HAREDI GOOD
After reading Sam Orbaum's column
'Some good words about ... haredim' (June
7), I would like to tell the following
story:
` My 11
year-old-granddaughter had to fly from
St. Louis to New York for brain cancer
surgery. Her parents and I accompanied
her.
Haredim from Chai Lifeline picked
us up at Newark Airport and visited daily
during our vigil at the child's bedside.
Satmar volunteers brought us sandwiches
and chicken soup for lunch. Chai Lifeline
would bring us hot dinner in the evenings.
Nobody
ever asked for a donation or asked if
we were observant.
We are eternally grateful for their
tremendous support.
ELLEN
HIRSCHHORN , Alfei Menashe.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
1/7/99
Re: Some Good Words About ... Haredim
UNPARALLELED
CHARITY
With regard to Sam Orbaum s lovely
piece on the wonderful acts of lovingkindess
performed by the haredi community ('Some
good words about...haredim' June 7) he
writes: 'Their charity, social consciousness,
good deeds, communal welfare and human
kindness may be unparalleled among the
communities of this country.'
What does he mean by 'may be unparalleled'?
What other community is in the contest?
AVIGDOR
LOEB, Baltimore, MD
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
8/7/99
Re: Some Good Words About ... Haredim
ACTS
OF DECENCY
I have been following the recent
development in your papers on 'some good
words' (Sam Orbaum, June 7) and 'some
derogatory words' (L.M. Shorr's letter,
June 23) about haredim.
I would like to take this opportunity
to share with you my personal experiences.
I am haredi. I am also a proud
Ezer Mitzion Meals on Wheels volunteer.
My weekly duty involves delivery of meals
in Hadassah Hospital on Mt. Scopus to
those family members sitting with in-patients.
I distribute to those who have ordered
and to those who request on the spot.
I also ask the nurse to recommend those
she knows would like the meals but don't
understand what I want from them.
May I stress that I have served
these warm, nourishing meals to both religious
and non-religious Jews, to Arabs, Christians
and Filipinos. There are even Arabs who
have ordered meals!
Unfortunately, due to the language
barrier, some Arabs and foreigners do
not understand that I am offering these
meals free of charge and expect nothing
in return. It is for this reason that
I turn to the nurse each week for assistance.
These are the acts of 'decency
for the sake of decency,' that I, among
with the rest of my crew, practice each
week on my tour of duty at Hadassah.
I invite you to see for yourself,
and to join with us in this great act
of 'charity, good deeds and social consciousness.'
T.G.
, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
13/7/99
Re:
Standing Tall in China
BREATH
OF FRESH AIR
Sam Orbaum's piece on the Israeli
in China ('Standing tall in China,' June
14) was a breath of fresh air amidst all
the stories of war and abuse. He's just
about the best thing you have going for
the paper!
MIRIAM
ADAHAN, Jerusalem
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
2/10/99
Re: The King and I
PERSONAL JOURNALISM
Sam Orbaum's article on his and
King Hussein's cancer is an extraordinary
piece of personal journalism. In a profoundly
simple yet elegant manner Orbaum puts
a human face on the disease and its treatment,
connecting mere mortals with his majesty.
AVROM
JACOBS, Kochav Yair.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
12/12/99
Re: Mr. And Mrs. Smith go to Israel
What do the Smiths do now, commit
suicide?
Even though the Smiths don't like
us
and they clearly opened themselves
for humiliation it seems to me poor judgment
on the part of Sam Orbaum to do such a
story. I have worked with people as frightened
and insecure as the Smiths since 1959 and see the Smiths, not as a threat to us, but very apt to display
bad judgment as has been displayed
by you.
Since 1994 I have been bringing
groups to Israel from seven countries
and have never encountered any Smiths,
but I'm sure they are out there; however,
I repeat it is not our place to humiliate them, they don't need our help
for that, but perhaps they do need
our help in other ways. And perhaps we
should take time to see what we can do
to help them in other ways than humiliating
them.
Perhaps someday we will need help
from the Smiths of this world and it won't be there.
Lyle Corbin, France
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
15/12/99
Re: Heג€™s not stupid, stupid
I had to take a moment to react
to Sam Orbaum's latest column, ג€He's not stupid, stupid.ג€ I know he didnt interview me ...but it sure sounds
like he did. You see, I also have cerebral palsy and have had many encounters
similar to the type described by Yonasan
Beitz, both here in Israel and while growing
up in the New York City suburbs.
Like Yonasan, I've come to realize
that the truly stupid people are the ones
who judge me on how I walk and decide that there's no need to look further..all I can say is ... your loss!
Tsvi Goldstein
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
23/12/99
Re: And the Lord Said Unto Gustav...
The column is indeed wonderful.
Gustav is a great guy, and very modest as you gathered. He doesn't go around blowing his own horn, so
I'm glad to have had a small part in your
blowing it for him. What a tremendous
Christmas present from Israel for him
and his wife Elsa (who is also very ill
with a brain tumor).
David Dolan
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
23/12/99
Re: And the Lord Said Unto Gustav...
Your article on Gustav and his
work was absolutely a masterpiece. Good
journalism!
The actual number of olim brought
back is recorded at around 51,000 thus
far. However, due to the positive influence
of the team leaders and volunteers in
the Russian Jewish communities, your figure
may be more accurate than we know.
Gustav asked me to send you a copy of his book.
Ted Walker
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
2000
14/1/00
Re: Mr. And Mrs. Smith go to Israel
A
ג€˜BRILLIANTג€™ ACCOMPLISHMENT
Does the fact that they were the
sort of Bible-centered Christians of whom
Sam Orbaum obviously disapproves ('Mr.
and Mrs. Smith go to Israel,' December
5) somehow excuse our rough handling of
these visitors from Oregon? Cheap shots
at their religious beliefs don't for a
moment disguise the fact that this couple
was unconscionably dumped on by a real
estate agency that failed in its responsibility
to insure that the apartment it rented
to the Smiths was in decent working order.
As for the stony silence with which
their smiling 'shaloms' were met on the
streets of Jerusalem, that has unfortunately
become all too commonplace a response
among a people once renowned for their
hospitality to strangers.
So the realty agency that should
be hiding its face in embarrassment flaunts
the Smiths' letter as evidence of its
moral superiority, Mr. Orbaum indulges
a sudden passion for bully-boy humor,
and the goodwill of two eager, if naive,
American supporters of Israel, along with
that of their extended family and friends,
goes down the tubes.
A brilliant accomplishment.
WILLIAM
MEHLMAN, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
20/1/00
Re: And the Lord Said Unto Gustav...
You have a fan club! With at least
two members - us. And I'm pretty sure
there are many more of out there.
Just wanted to drop you a line
to say how much we always enjoy reading
your articles in the Post. So important to have a good laugh once in a while,
and you provide us that. Or you let us meet interesting people.
Your article about the Feast of
Tabernacles was such a blessing - I even
translated it into Dutch to send to the Dutch members of the International
Christian Embassy. Yes, sir, we are one of those "starry eyed Christians
who want to be nice to the Jews" (I loved that one!)
Also your article on Gustav Scheller
was a blessing for us, also to show the world that not all of our kind are crazy with hidden motives.
Your NetanYAHOO! article was fantastic
- would it be possible to get the address of that guy and his toy shop? We are looking after handicapped
children, and many times can't find suitable
toys that merge with their specific needs,
so he might be willing to think along
with us.
When one of our foster children
was in hospital after an operation, I
was reading the paper and came across your article: Whores. Laughed my head
off, tears in my eyes. Saw it happening before my eyes. But the most
frustrated part was that I couldn't share the fun. The only lady in the
same room was an Orthodox lady, so I didn't want to risk sharing it with
her. We cut the columns and save them to paste them when I find the appropriate notebook that fit them.
Keep up the good work Sam - blessing
readers with your gift of writing!
Petra van der Zande, Jerusalem.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
21/1/00
I would like to personally thank
you. You see, humor is a talent. Good,
witty humor is something of a treasure.
You have exemplified the ability to make
any given situation seem funny in a way
that I have never seen before.
I don't know if emails of this
type are common for you, but I just wanted
to let you know that your work is greatly
admired.
I look forward to the next laughing
fit I get out of your work.
Chuck Elnekave, Toronto
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
8/2/00
Re: Go On. Laugh At Him. (Ben Bloom)
My wife and I have known Ben and
his mother for years. You zeroed in exactly
on Ben - the article was great. How can
you not love him?
Paul Buchman
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
Note: the following letter-writer
subsequently sent a correction to this
letter: she meant to ask if Scheller was
still alive, not me!
17/2/00
Re: And the Lord Said Unto Gustav...
A friend brought me your column
on Gustav Scheller and the incredible
work he has done with Christian Zionists
and bringing Odessa Jews to Israel.
We are hoping Mr. Orbach is still
alive so that we may express our appreciation to him. Such a person cannot
be thanked enough.
Bette M. Rothstein (and Fraydel Kramer)
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
17/2/00
Re: Rabbi of the Evangelists
I just received a copy of your
article on me and want to thank you for
it.
I enjoyed meeting you a lot and wish you continued success in your work
in the days ahead.
Incidentally, I should point out
the one error in the piece was that the
Bailey Smith incident occurred in 1983.
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
25/2/00
Re: And the Lord Said Unto Gustav...
Has The Jerusalem Post acknowledged
the death of Gustav Scheller in some appropriate way? Gustav chartered ships and arranged for 100 sailings
from Odessa to Haifa, bringing tens of thousands of olim to Israel without
any fee for their passage by ship. Sam Orbaum wrote a beautiful tribute to
Gustav on December 31, 1999, but perhaps some further acknowledgement
of his death would be appropriate at this time:
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
Re: And the Lord Said Unto Gustav...
It is with a profound sense of
loss that we announce the death of Gustav
Scheller, founder and International Coordinator of the Ebenezer Emergency
Fund. He died on 18 February 2000 after battling for many months with
cancer, sometimes in great pain. Yet, through it all, the Lord kept Gustav
and Elsa with a peace that passes all understanding, knowing that they
were held safe in the hands of God. The funeral will be held on 28 February
2000 and will be attended by his family and a few friends. It is intended
to hold a Memorial Service in Bournemouth (U.K.) on 13 May and further
details will be announced in early March.
(Statement by Ebenezer Emergency Fund)
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
29/2/00
Re: Daddy Didnג€™t Come Home (Uvanish Desta)
I really enjoy your articles and
humor and admit to being moved by your
coverage on Uvanish Desta on Sunday. While the main source of joy in
her life would be the retun of her husband Aganyo, there is not much one
can do about it. I would however like to send her some money which it appears
she could use, to ease her economic plight. If you could let me know how
I could transfer some cash to her I would be much obliged.
Dunn Rabinowitz
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
5/3/00
Re: House for Sale, As Good As Old
I was pleased to read "House
for Sale," Sam Orbaum's column about
Jacob Pins.
Look how strange and funny life
is. About 21 years ago I was dating a
fellow in Israel who knew Jacob Pins, and he took me to his house on
a Friday night. Mr. Pins used to have open house on Friday nights. I remember
walking into his residence and really, never seeing something like it
in my life. Very artsy, very unusual. 21 years later I am sitting here in
Toronto, reading about this.
Please relay to Mr. Pins that I
remember his jovial manner, and that 21
years later I can say it was a pleasure meeting him.
Vardit Zafri, Toronto
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
31/5/00
BRING
BACK ג€˜NOT PAGE ONEג€™
Please bring back Sam Orbaum. He
is a very popular columnist, according
to discussions with friends and work colleagues.
His 'Not Page One' column is often posted
in English learning classrooms and organizations.
When Sam writes it's as though
he is speaking to you, and it's always
a subject that gives much food for thought.
He usually writes human-interest stories
about Israeli people and Israeli life.
A lot of your 'imported' feature articles
don't reflect life in Israel.
The Jerusalem Post has become laden
with politics, finance and sports. I would
suggest some balance is needed. Readers
want to read and reflect on life right
here where they live.
BELLE
HARTT, Sha'arei Tikva.
-----------------------------------------------------
back to top
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
2001
9/9/01
Re: Dear Jonny...
When I told you a while back that
your column on the Jerusalem homeless
eccentric who died made me cry harder
than anything else I'd ever read - your
record has held up.
Larry Derfner, Modiג€™in
----------------------------------------------------------------------
