There is a news story circulating today that Russell Crowe (not Jewish) the actor has offered to help rebuild the destroyed United Talmud Torah elementary school and library. He was very upset about what had happened to a place of learning. His offer becoming public is beyond a publicity stunt when you consider that the man is neither Jewish or a particularly strong intellectual. He sees a tremendous wrong and reacts. Many Jewish libraries have made offers to the school and that is admirable but how many have publicly condemned the act as did Mr. Crowe. Isn't it a shame on the Jewish community and our profession that there has been no expression of public outrage from either group.
The firebombing was a hate crime which was justified by the death of a ruthless terrorist who sought to kill members of our people. Shouldn't our organization be at least as publicly outraged as a Hollywood actor. What message do we give by our silence? I realize that AJL has a policy of avoiding controversial issues? Is this a controversial issue? Certainly not. Hitler burned books to avoid people enriching their minds or learning to think and discover the truth. The terrorists by destroying books of our people and heritage did the same. If we say nothing publicly we are tacitly helping them. AJL could choose what they want to do. This post is just one professional librarian's opinion. I hope the leadership and other members of AJL share these thoughts. If not this is America, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. The Talmud teaches us that those who suffer with the community will rejoice in its joy. Eliezer M. Wise Library Director Tuttleman Library of Gratz College 7605 Old York Road Melrose Park, Pa. 19027 215-635-7300 extension 159 Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
