WE CAN FIGHT HATE AS WELL AS MAKING FRIENDS

In suggesting that “emphasising antisemitism and the assaults on Israel” is “the wrong way”, while “making friends”, “finding social action projects” and “finding ways to make Jews proud” is the right way, Lord Sacks ( JC Essay, June 15) both poses a demonstrably false dichotomy and does a disservice to those of us engaged in the daily fight against antisemitism and delegitimisation.

It is perfectly possible to do both. He should surely realise that those of us who fight antisemitism do it because “we are proud to be Jews”, not despite it.

In addition, it ill behoves someone who was silent — apart from his maiden speech — in the House of Lords for over a year, at a time when Israel was regularly traduced there, to tell us that “emphasising antisemitism and the assaults on Israel” is “the wrong way”.

It will not have escaped your readers’ notice that the job description for Lord Sacks’ successor explicitly requires the successful candidate to be “an advocate for Israel”. It is vital that the man at the top sets the right example for other rabbis to follow. Jonathan Hoffman jonathan.hoffman@btinternet.com

Reading the interesting JC Essay by Lord Sacks I could not help feeling something was missing in Jewish leadership today.

If Moses were to be here right now would he not be intervening in South Tel Aviv, where Jewish (Israelite) residents are attacking with terrible racist abuse, those “strangers in our land”, refugees and migrants?

Would he not also have some firm words for the Israeli minister of the interior who is inciting and encouraging this shocking behaviour?

As Rabbi Hillel said: “What is hateful to yourself — do not do to your fellow man. That is the whole Torah, the rest is just commentary”. June Jacobs Modbury Gardens, London NW5