BRAVO, BEN

In championing the very worthwhile cause of aliyah, Michael Freund (“On Ben Shapiro and aliyah,” July 29) failed to understand what Ben Shapiro was really saying.

Shapiro indicated that he has a huge audience, perhaps well over a million people. They – we – know they listen to him and read him because with great insight and understanding he articulates some very forthright views on many problematic and disturbing issues, mostly in the US.

There is a very important history of major Jewish leaders staying in their communities, including in recent years such people as the late Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik or Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson – who remained in the US and did not move to Israel because essentially they believed they could best serve their still very large communities by staying where they were.

There is no “right” or “wrong” on this issue. There is just the personal perspective and preference of the person who has the talent to have so many people look up to them for leadership.

Shapiro has huge numbers of people who are influenced by him, who look to him for very sensible, reasoned, balanced opinions as a contrast to the distortions and untruths so often offered by the hysterical left-wing media. He quite understandably has decided that at this time in his life he can best continue to offer his wisdom to them by remaining in the US.

Instead of being criticized for his choice, he should be praised for accepting the responsibility that comes with that level of success.

JOSEPH BERGER

Netanya