Business as Usual?
It is unfortunate that Michael Oren’s article in the May/June 2021 issue, “What Will Israel Look Like at 100?,” came out as missiles rained down on Israel’s population centers. The truth of the matter is that the experimental return of Gaza to the Palestinians as “land for peace” has failed. And the nations that guaranteed they will come to Israel’s aid if it failed will need to keep their word. Despite giving lip service to peace to receive benefits from Israel, Arab countries and Palestinians inside and outside of Israel continue to want her destruction. Israel 2048 will be business as usual.
Judith Deutsch
Los Angeles, Calif.

I commend Michael Oren for honestly identifying a number of the troubling challenges that Israel currently is facing. He invites Zionists in Israel and the Diaspora to engage in deep and passionate conversation to envision the solutions to these matters by the centennial in 2048. It would seem to me that unless we assume the responsibility to address these issues today, the negative trends will only get worse. I suggest that these efforts take on a new name: Israel 2028. If not now, when?
Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg
Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Emanu-El
Waterford, Conn.

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A Modern Nursing Mother
I read with interest “A Drop of Time,” Leora Krygier’s essay in the May/June issue about finding her Tipat Halav record, especially the section with instructions telling new mothers that “Breast milk is the best food for babies.”

When I was pregnant with my first child in 1978 in Hod Hasharon, I told the Tipat Halav nurse that I intended to nurse without supplementation. The nurse was excited to follow our progress, as I was her only mother who was nursing! I was considered quite modern and unusual as I nursed for 14 months, and then again with my second child in 1980.
Joellyn Somberg
Las Vegas, Nev.

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Real Harm or Overreaction?
Rachel Musleah’s article “When Sacred Spaces Don’t Feel Sacred” in the March/April 2021 issue did not allow for the accused to defend himself sufficiently. When a male refers to a female as a “beautiful blond” or tells an inappropriate joke, perhaps there are other strategies that can be employed before charges of “sexual harassment” and termination of one’s career.

The #MeToo movement has unnecessarily destroyed many lives and marriages, and I hope that Hadassah reminds readers to discriminate between real harm and overreaction.
Linda Saucier
Mt. Washington, Ky.

After reading “When Sacred Spaces Don’t Feel Safe,” I am reminded that sexual harassment goes both ways. My son was sexually harassed by a girl in his youth group. He tried to tell her no, gently, several times. When that did not work, he used unkind words. She reported what he said, and he was ousted from the group. I emailed leadership and clergy explaining what happened and asked to meet with them. I was told that they “would look into it and get back to me.” Three years later, I am still waiting. Because of this, I left the temple and will not join another.
Helene Lieberman
Davie, Fla.

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Supplemental Therapies Could Support Treatment
I read “Planning for the Long Haul” in the March/April issue because, as a lifelong supporter of Hadassah and as a health coach, I was hoping to read how the Hadassah Medical Organization is addressing the health problems of “long haulers.” I was very disappointed that there was no mention of nutrition or vitamin therapy as an accompaniment to medical and drug treatment.

I realize that hospitals in the United States do not generally make dietary or supplementation recommendations to patients, but I know Israel is forward-thinking. I had hoped this would be a vital part of the treatment of not only former Covid-19 patients, but all patients.
Ellen Bander
Baton Rouge, La.

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