| Cross-Currents

Once again, Agudath Israel (the Haredi organization, not our shul) has taken a nonsensical position on the Emmanuel school issue. Zwiebel reports on a 1925 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that recognized the right of parents to choose their child's school, by upholding their right to send their children to private school instead of mandating that all children be educated in public schools.

Zwiebel argues that

"The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the lower court’s decision and thus enshrined in federal law the right of parents to choose the school setting most appropriate for their children."

The problem with Zwiebel's argument is two-fold:

First, the school in Emmanuel is state-supported. It is not a private school

Second, the issue of racism trumps private education. If, as the Israeli Supreme Court found, the school in Emmanuel was discriminatory, then, even if the school were private, it would be required to address this behavior.

| Note by R' Chaim Dovid Zwiebel

NorthJersey.com: Newark Mayor Booker endorses N.J. Gov. Christie's property tax cap

Very interesting that Booker, who I think will be a great Governor one day, is backing Christie, of whom I am not enamored, in proposing a Constitutional Amendment capping property tax hikes at 2.5%. I'm not sure I agree - there are unforeseen events where an exception might be exactly the right decision at that point in time.

NorthJersey.com: Newark Mayor Booker endorses N.J. Gov. Christie's property tax cap

Hareidism, Xenophobia--and another disgrace of the Torah | Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals

Marc Angel reacts to the recent Haredi violence and bigotry at Beit Yaacov in Emmanuel, Israel: Hareidism, Xenophobia--and another disgrace of the Torah | Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals. He correctly points out the Chillul Hashem that is taking place there.

Cemeteries Are Becoming New Challenge for Interfaith Families – Forward.com

Regarding the article Cemeteries Are Becoming New Challenge for Interfaith Families – Forward.com - it seems to me that one argument that is missing in this discussion is respect for the decision of the deceased not to convert to Judaism. To bury the deceased in a Jewish cemetery is to essentially ignore the decision that the deceased made during life, which is that conversion to Judaism was something that they chose not do pursue. To then bury them in a Jewish cemetery is to ignore and even disrespect this decision.

One of the decisions that an intermarriage creates is how to address burial. We need to raise this within our communities with respect and love. Should the non-Jewish partner choose not to convert, that decision should be made with knowledge of the consequences. Then we should respect that decision, not brush it away.