The real chillul Hashem

I do not think that Mr Kraus (Letters, 29 January) understands the meaning of chillul Hashem. I read his letter with despair.

The JC is published once a week, but every other newspaper here in England and around the world published this particular news item for a number of days. Every radio station delivered this bulletin on the hour, and every TV station did the same. This is where chillul Hashem was caused in the wider world, and I was ashamed.

And if this would have been neatly swept under the carpet, as Mr Kraus would have preferred, would it have miraculously stopped our funerals? Malkie Benmayer

London NW4

The recent anti-social and reckless behaviour by a small, but very visible, group of Charedim, has put the spotlight on the wider perception of “strictly Orthodox”.

The clear flouting of rules is but a small insight into a lifestyle that eschews contact with the outside world, or at least that is but one feeble excuse.

It cannot excuse a plethora of health and safety infractions, or OFSTED’s concerns over some Charedi schools’ narrow curriculum - ignoring LGBTQ issues and demonstrating a scant regard for community cohesion.

Most lately I have been teaching remotely and, whilst my JCoSS students find my fumbling techy skills highly amusing, they have been learning about Pikuach Nefesh, and how Judaism will set aside halachic constraints to ensure that life can be saved.

They were horrified that there are those who profess orthodoxy, who can be so blatant in their dereliction of this key principle of saving souls, and especially in the midst of a pandemic.

Their youthful enthusiasm for defying hypocrisy and promoting belief in a Judaism that celebrates life is an uplifting thought for those who seek to break the most fundamental tenets of faith.

Laurie Rosenberg

Woodford Green IG8