Judaism in the United States

The series on Judaism (April 19-23) was truly excellent. As a lifelong teacher at two private religious universities, I have often longed for candid, carefully written, thorough and enlightening public discussion about the history, tradition and culture of the diverse religious traditions that contribute so much to what is present-day America. The Times’ presentation on Judaism was all this, and more, and in its splendid portrayal of a people who have overcome the greatest of hatreds to advance society in home, business and education, it has sensitively allowed us an opportunity to become more of a community.

The Constitution necessarily and properly separates church and state; yet, as Tocqueville recognized about a younger America, our lives are not only not divided from religion, they are shaped by it.

DOUGLAS W. KMIEC

Pepperdine University

* Thank you for publishing the interesting and involving series. As West Coast regional director of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, it has come to my attention that these articles have largely left out the Reconstructionist Movement, the fourth, and only American-founded, Jewish movement.

Reconstructionists are “change agents” for a Jewish future. Since 1922, Reconstructionism has pioneered innovative observances, rituals and the creation of new religious practices which are now regularly accepted by other movements. Examples include:

* Introduction of the first bat mitzvah service in 1922 (the series mentioned Judith Kaplan Eisenstein but not her lifelong affiliation with our movement).

* Equality for women in all aspects of worship and governance. In addition, women constitute about half of the student and faculty populations at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.

* Creative approaches to liturgy, ritual and the arts, which are renewing spirituality for North American Jewry on a daily basis.

SANDRA M. RUBENSTEIN

Los Angeles

* Re “Jews in U.S., Israel Differ on Palestinian State,” Times Poll, April 19: Should Israel live with a Palestinian state on its borders? What an arrogant question to ask Jewish Americans--and for them to answer! How can we, who live in the safety of the United States and know nothing of the constant threat of attack in our markets and on our buses, make that decision?

It would be a fairer question to ask people living in a guarded, gated community in Pacific Palisades to relocate near Compton. Let’s take some risks for peace in our part of the world before we tell the Israelis what to do in their much more dangerous neighborhoods.

CONNIE L. MANDEL-SENFT

West Los Angeles

* Your April 19 article did not mention a new phenomenon, that is, the increasing number of people who are converting to Judaism. The Miller Introduction to Judaism program has been involved these past 11 years in educating those people who have embraced Judaism. Not only are non-Jewish spouses becoming Jewish, but so are many singles and even whole families. These new Jews are bringing a vitality and spirituality into Judaism that are benefiting the American Jewish community.

RABBI NEAL WEINBERG

Director, Miller Program

University of Judaism, L.A.