Engagement, Not Guns
Thank you for publishing the letter from Mike Fox in your March/April 2019 issue. It shows what taking the Second Amendment to the extreme can do to logical thinking. Mr. Fox posits that pure evil—not guns—was responsible for the heinous murders at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. He believes that arming every Jew in the United States would be the best recourse. While it is true that pure evil and hatred are the main motivators for mass shootings, it was hatred with access to assault weapons that made it become tragic reality.

We do not need universal gun ownership; we need something entirely different. Several articles in the March/April issue point the way forward: “Women’s Work: Resisting Anti-Jewish Hate”; “The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Corbyn’s Labour Party,” about female Jewish MPs fighting anti-Semitism in their own ranks with determination and intelligence; and, most notably, “We Are Not Aliens,” about what young Jews are doing in today’s Germany to foster education, tolerance and acceptance. The inspiring activism featured in these articles presents the only workable alternative.
Paula Zevin
Somerset, N.J. 

Do the Democrats Have a Jewish Problem, Too?
The feature article “The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Corbyn’s Labour Party” (March/April 2019) rightly condemns the British politician for his outrageous views. However, anti-Semitism has also reared its ugly head in the United States, including in the halls of Congress.

The anti-Semitic, anti-Israel vitriol spewed by newly elected Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was bad enough, but the aftermath was even more devastating. After an initial outcry against her, there was a rally of support for her by the anti-Israel faction in the Democratic Party. The result was a watered-down resolution decrying all forms of hatred—against Muslims, white nationalists and Jews. Omar suddenly became the victim, and Muslims emerged the winners, not Jews.

Even worse, the left-leaning mass media is over-hyping Omar and fellow Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, enabling them to spread hate on a broad stage.
Max Wisotsky
Highland Park, N.J.

After reading your March/April 2019 magazine I was wondering why there was nothing about the Anti-Semitism that is being perpetuated by the left in  the Democratic Party. I will not mention any names but you know who they are. The Jewish people have to be worried about Anti-Semitism on the left, as well as the far right. Wake up, America!
Judy Herman
West Hartford, Conn.

The Only Defense Is a Concerted Offense
I write in response to “The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Corbyn’s Labour Party” in the March/April issue. While there is no direct parallel between the now obvious anti-Semitism of major segments of the Labour Party and the rise of Hitler in Germany, there are disturbing similarities. Jeremy Corbyn—a longtime hater of Israel with a background that can only be described as anti-Semitic—was able to seize control in a divided party that is now on the verge of possibly coming to power. Reinforced by classic British anti-Semitism, the history of periodic expulsion of Jews and now exacerbated by a burgeoning Muslim population, there is now a real threat to British Jews to the extent that many are contemplating leaving.

The only defense is to ensure that Corbyn does not occupy a position of power as prime minister. As indicated in the article, a concerted offense is better than a non-response.
Nelson Marans
Manhattan, N.Y.

A Worthy Interview
I congratulate you on interviewing journalist Caroline Glick in the March/April 2019 issue, albeit on the last page. Glick, who at the time of the interview was running to become a member of the Knesset from the New Right Party, is the essence of a tough bird. So was Golda Meir, said by David Ben-Gurion to be the only man in the government.
Brenda Rossini
Winnetka, Ill. 

President Donald Trump, Friend or Foe of the Jewish Community?
The recent letter from Gertrude Donchin Chityat was almost laughable. “Trump, our country’s greatest president”—give me a break! He has brought utter chaos to the White House, appears to be totally corrupt and may be criminally charged for past misdeeds. Additionally, Trump is petty to the point of silly tweets. His obsessive name calling of political opponents is childish and off-putting. His support of Israel does not equate with what I see as his support of racism in this country.

Need I remind anyone of his action/inaction during the Charlottesville white nationalist riots in 2017? Aside from all of his other many outrageous behaviors, he surely ranks as our country’s most inarticulate and undignified president. America is losing its leadership on the world stage.
Lee Miller
Metairie, La.

I am constantly amused, frustrated and definitely mad at how political and vicious the Letters to the Editor continue to be, spewing out the evils of Trump. Let’s put this all to rest by saying that you can attack Trump all you want, but those of us who thank God for Trump every day—there are many of us—are only made stronger and more resolute in our deep appreciation, love and amazement for the president. He ignores your hate and keeps focused on his goal to Make America Great Again for all Americans. But I do have two words for Jews on the political left who decry Trump: “Ilhan Omar.”  Why don’t you start going after her and her anti-Semitic statenemtns and leave our president alone!
Patty Kephart
Phoenix, Ariz.