The theme of Joel Katz’ Dec. 29 letter castigating Adam Haber for “his very selective humanitarian concerns” for Muslim Syrian refugees is that Jews need to stick together and watch out for Jews exclusively.
As narrow-minded and offensive I find Mr. Katz’ views, I note the irony that he starts out his attack on Mr. Haber with a mean-spirited, bigoted and insulting reference to Haber’s “Reconstructionist (faux Jewish) Synagogue.”
Does he not realize that his belittlement and intolerance run counter to his call for Jewish unity?
Aside from his political involvements, Adam Haber is one of the most generous and truly humanitarian people I have ever known.
He contributes money, time and mainly himself to a wide variety of causes, ranging from hurricane victims to Holocaust survivors and refugees from violence … all without concern about race or religion.
The Jewish traditions of giving charity, “repairing the world” and “helping thy neighbor” never included the Katz proviso “as long as they’re Jewish.”
I am proud of what Adam Haber is doing and I urge you, in his honor, and to stand up to narrow-mindedness and intolerance, to join me and contribute to longislandsavessyrians.com.
Steven Markowitz
Great Neck
