Global duty of care
Each week, another scientific report brings more information about the state of our planet — global warming, deforestation, insect decline — all of which have been significantly contributed to by human action, be it over-intensive farming, our propensity to distribute single-use plastics or non-recyclables. As humans, but certainly as Jews, we have a duty of care to our planet.
And so I am dismayed that, while my child learns about deforestation in the classroom, a leading Jewish charity can give an assembly in school the same day in which it distributes silicone wrist-bands to the entire school — wrist-bands that will end up in landfill and quite possibly our polluted oceans.
Although silicone is recyclable, it is not accepted kerbside by councils, and I doubt any of the recipients have investigated how they can have their wrist-band depolymerised to save the planet. Likewise, every Friday at school, and Saturday in shul, my child (and hundreds of others) drink from single-use plastic kiddush cups, each going into the bin afterwards.
I think our community could do better to look after our planet. With a bit of thought, we could stop using single-use materials, start recycling more, and think of different ways in which charities could promote their cause.
Clare Zinkin
London
Antisemitic arithmetic
The most recent figure for antisemitic incidents in the UK, recorded by the CST, is 1,652 in 2018. The Labour Party has just revealed that it has received 673 allegations of antisemitism by its members during a similar period.
If that figure is included within the CST report, Labour Party members might be responsible for almost 40 per cent of the most recently recorded incidents.
If not included in the CST report, the actual number of such reported incidents could be as high as 2,325.
Stanley Grossman
Hon Sec.
Scottish Friends of Israel
Glasgow
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary have never missed an opportunity to inform the Jewish community that antisemitism in this country will not be tolerated and have consistently reassured us that they’re doing “all we can” to root it out.
Yet last year saw an all-time high of recorded attacks. When will the communal leadership hold the Conservative Party to account and demand “action, not words”?
David Chesler
Edgware
London’s expensive kashrut
The letter from your Brighton reader (JC, February 1) regarding kosher meat prices should be taken seriously by all of the Jewish Community.
While the lower prices in the USA are attributed to the mass marketing of kosher product, markets closer to home could usefully be compared.
My wife and I spent ten years from 2003 on an extended retirees “gap year” exploring Western Europe in a motor-home. We purchased only kosher meat.
Everywhere, prices were about 50 per cent of London butchers’ prices and normally on a par with regional UK outlets. And the European butchers’ prices compared well with non-kosher outlets.
Surprisingly, too, matzah was on sale in the most remote grocery shops and food stores.
Spain offered far fewer kosher stores, but there was an entrepreneurial meat wholesaler who obtained his supplies from Morocco!
Bernard Platman
Evesham
Going out clubbing
Following seating changes at my shul, I recently witnessed a phenomenon that I had known about but never really seen before — the “kiddush club”.
During the haftarah, a bunch of (and it appears to be only) men rather forlornly troop off for their first shot of the day.
From discussions with people in other local communities, I believe this sorry spectacle is rather more widespread than I had first thought.
Leaving aside issues of communal cohesion and exclusivity etc, my concern is for these men who trot off for what I can only assume to be one of two (or both) reasons.
Either they cannot wait another half an hour (and there is always a large kiddush at the end of the service) for their first alcoholic drink of the day, or they are so scared of their wives, that they cannot enjoy themselves at the main kiddush.
Either way, is there nothing that we as a community can do to help these poor souls?
Rowland Aarons
London NW4
Chabad’s sterling equality
Many thanks to Rosa Doherty for her article on Charedi women (JC, February 8).
For nine years, I have been indebted to Chabad for their help to me in a time of terrible need. Although I am a gentile, this was no barrier to the support that I have received from them and the friendships I have formed.
But I do want to point out that men in the Orthodox movement work just as hard as their women.
Universities are graced with Chabad houses that provide a home for students — free meals, Jewish studies, open house at all hours.
These services are paid for by the fund-raising efforts of the university rabbi and rebetzen. Weekly news and religious discussion are written and sent to a raft of supporters. These are no small tasks.
Dr J. H. Reynolds
Easingwold,
Yorks
Greedy but speedy
I agree with the fresser that the falafel emoji looks like a potato and should be scrapped (What’s with the falafel emoji? JC online). But we still need a symbol because emojis are rapidly becoming the new world language and eating falafel has become an international fressing experience.
How about a pitta-shaped smiley face with a salivating mouth and fried chickpea balls poking out of the top?
Stan Labovitch
Windsor
Tail piece
I laughed at Mike Fligg’s talmudic-like exoneration of the crouching Chasid’s shoes on the food-laden table for “the purity of his sole.” (Letters, Feb8)
But it sounded a bit fishy. I think he’s overdone it. What about his other sole? Can we really assume the perfect purity of his two soles when even Moses couldn’t hold on to one.
Dr Stanley Jacobs
London SW18
