Pray and pour

Sir, – Before labelling Shalom Hammer the “grinch that stole Kiddush” (“Rabbis or bartenders – synagogues or pubs?” Comment & Features, February 24), I give him the benefit of the doubt. He has obviously never been to one of the delightful Hamptons Synagogue events that he nonetheless hastens to disparage from afar. I have.

Where once no shul stood and no Jew davened on Shabbat, today 600 gather every week for prayers in a contemporary yet strictly Orthodox setting. Rabbi Marc Schneier speaks brilliantly, absolutely top quality hazzanut inspires and, yes, it’s all followed by a sit-down dinner on Friday night, a gourmet Kiddush on Shabbat, and a memorable seuda shlesheet meal later that day (which is why the tab comes to $10,000 a week. It ain’t for caviar alone!).

Each event typically has a spellbinding speaker on a religious, political or cultural theme. In short, everything is done tastefully, and I for one can attest that this is at least one Kiddush that is fully kiddush hashem (sanctification of God’s name).

CHARLEY J. LEVINE Ma’aleh Adumim

Sir, – Rabbi Shalom Lipsker was sent by the Lubovitcher Rebbe to the area around 96th St and Collins Ave in Miami Beach about 40 years ago. It was a Jewish wilderness. Today, his “Shul” is a very large, growing, involved, philanthropic, busy and outreaching place of worship and community.

We have never seen excessive drinking or even a lot of whiskey at the delicious and lavish Shabbat Kiddush, and we have been there many times, as our children belong. If people want to make it their Shabbat lunch, whose business is it?

Rabbi Lipsker is a master when it comes to bringing his people to greater observance. We are very grateful that our children and grandchildren are part of his “flock.”

ANITA ELLIS Jerusalem

Sir, – It is singularly unfortunate that in trying to assess the good or bad, the “spiritual” or the “spirit” of “Kiddushim,” Shalom Hammer, like The Wall Street Journal, has by inference suggested that all such gatherings are wrong.

At 99 percent of the synagogues I have attended worldwide – and there have been many – the post-service Kiddush is modest in price and presentation, and is almost always given to celebrate a joyous event or the anniversary of the passing of a loved one. Accordingly, it is sad, even reprehensible, that The Jerusalem Post has also taken these two “over the top” congregations as an example to lambaste this splendid way of celebration and commemoration, and for meeting and greeting fellow congregants.

ARNOLD EPSTEIN Herzliya Pituah

Sir, – I wish to point out that Rabbi Herschel Billet was extensively interviewed for The Wall Street Journal article and he, too, strongly came out publicly against the “Kiddush clubs.”

It should also be noted that Young Israel of Woodmere, New York, is probably one of the first synagogues to have a liquor- free shul.

DEBRA BRICKNER Tel Aviv/Woodmere