LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Nothing but praise for Rabbi Whitman
Re: “Synagogue feud takes nasty turn” (Montreal Gazette, Jan. 11)
Having committed 42 years to the Montreal Jewish community, I have rarely met an individual who gave of himself as tirelessly as Rabbi Michael Whitman of Congregation Adath Israel in Hampstead.
The general public knows little of his commitment and the changes that have taken place in the Jewish community because of his efforts. Quietly and in his selfless manner, he has counselled families and individuals with small and major problems, and many have been welcomed into his home by his family.
Rabbi Whitman has never sought acclaim for what he does and is simply providing important services for the community in a beautiful way. I have been proud to consider him a good friend and have been in awe of his commitment and dedication, which in many ways went above and beyond the call of duty.
He recently was honoured by the Rabbinical Council of America with the presentation of the Rabbi Jacob and Deborah Rubenstein Memorial Award for Excellence in Rabbinic Leadership. Rabbi Mordechai Glick, Bergenfield, N.J.
Speed up hearings into racial profiling
Re: “City delays Agent 728 damages award” (Montreal Gazette, Jan. 14) After nearly five years you would think this case would be finished. Yet a police ethics hearing must be held first.
What the heck is going on with the city of Montreal, the police ethics hearing and the Quebec Human Rights Commission? This long wait is ludicrous. These kinds of cases should be completed within a year. Barbara Mariano, Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Social services suffering as well
It was heartening to read the powerful ad in the Jan. 14 Gazette signed by Dr. Diane Francoeur, president of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, which highlights the terrible damage Health Minister Gaétan Barrette, with the support of Premier Philippe Couillard, is inflicting on health-care services.
This drastic overhaul of services, without respect for impact on patients, is also being perpetrated in the socialservices sector. There has to be more interaction with health-care and social-service providers for any changes to work for the benefit of our population. Sylvia Kirstein, Montreal
Teaching to get more interesting
Re: “Let’s replace teachers with androids” (Opinion, Jan. 16) A “flipped” class does not simply transfer 15 hours of boring lectures to a video screen but allows true learning to take place in the classroom through interaction with the teacher and fellow students.
Teachers’ jobs will not disappear; they will become more challenging and interesting. Mike Casey, Baie-d’Urfé
‘Republic’ unlikely to bring PQ support
Re: “PQ’s Lisée promises economic nationalism” (Montreal Gazette, Jan. 16) Jean-François Lisée wants Quebec to become a “republic” — a more palatable term than “separation” in his bid to achieve Quexit.
He should know federalists will not vote for the Parti Québécois, no matter what he does or says.
Lisée appears to be morphing into a Quebec-style Donald Trump. How soon before he will be shown, punching his hand out, declaring: “I will make Quebec strong again?” Jack Hoffman, Côte-St-Luc
Respect the result, whatever it is
It is alarming that in instances where democratic voting is involved to settle a point of contention (as in Brexit) or to elect a new president (as in the U.S.) that the losing side — which claims to be upholding true democracy — just cannot accept the legitimacy of its own voting system.
In short: If I win, it’s democratic; if I lose, it’s nil.
Right-wing voters in the U.S. were fooled into voting for Donald Trump by the Russians?
Sounds like a conspiracy theory worthy of the X-Files. Only the most naive and/ or dishonest can buy into a cockeyed scenario like that.
To deny the legitimacy and worth of your own democratic system is very dangerous. Who is the neo-Nazi here? Denis Bourget, LaSalle