More cantors needed 

I have just returned from the European Cantors Association convention this year in Leeds, England, where I was one of several lecturers on the subject of cantors. I was impressed with the traditionalism of a city with a mere 8,000 Jews, a small fraction of whom are Orthodox. Yet they are able to maintain three large Orthodox synagogues with cantors, one with over 1,000 seats, albeit with small memberships. 

In stark contrast, I find it pathetic that a city like Toronto, with a growing Jewish population many times that of Leeds, is unwilling to support the hiring of noted cantors for their many Orthodox shuls.

The tradition of having a cantor and choir in the synagogue dates back centuries, and to this day, those synagogues display a sense of dignity as well as better decorum. It is time we provide a dignified edifice for the Divine presence befitting a miniature Beit Hamikdash, as defined by rabbinic literature.

Cantor David Nemtzov
Toronto 

Anti-Semitism in Auckland

My husband and I visited Auckland, New Zealand, for the first time in May. My explorations of the city took me to visit the Symonds Street Cemetery as a way to explore the colonial history of Auckland. We walked amid the various religious sectors and, to my horror, discovered that the Jewish gravestones had been desecrated. Particularly disturbing was that the damage had occurred in October 2012. It appeared as though no one had taken the time to clean up and restore the site to its sacred status. I left Auckland with a sense of repugnance.

Even in recent times, this sort of anti-Semitic destruction continues to take place in many cities around the world. Nonetheless, it is sad that such hooliganism has found an outlet in the beautiful city of Auckland. Many cities have taken a firm stance, working diligently to prevent, maintain and repair any religiously motivated vandalism.

Upon our return to Canada, notification along with an image was sent to the New Zealand High Commissioner in Ottawa requesting restoration. 

After another email earlier this month, I received a response from the New Zealand High Commissioner in Ottawa, stating that they had informed the cemeteries section of the Auckland Council, who would respond to me directly.

No such response from the Auckland Council has arrived. From my perspective, the city has a moral obligation to clean up the Jewish sector of the Symonds Street Cemetery to eradicate any form of anti-Semitic vandalism. It’s unfortunate that such an incident has tarnished what otherwise would have been a thoroughly enjoyable experience in New Zealand.

Maureen Wright
Toronto

Iran deal is a catastrophe

The P5+1 nations have unanimously agreed to ignore Iran’s atrocious human rights violations, its sponsorship of terrorism and its calls for the destruction of the State of Israel.

Worst of all, the P5+1 have decided to negotiate with Iran as if it is a rational state that uses cost-benefit analysis. 

Instead of coming down hard on the Iranians, demanding they destroy and dismantle their entire nuclear program, the negotiators have decided to simply slow down its development. 

Instead of pressuring the radical regime to cut ties with terrorist groups and halt its calls for the destruction of Israel, the negotiators simply treat this as a “separate issue.”

Instead of assuring the Israeli people that they can sleep soundly at night, the world screams, “Stop complaining, Iran isn’t actually crazy enough to attack.”

The hypocrisy, the blindness and politics behind this agreement have left the Iranians laughing, honking their horns in the streets, giving out candy and labelling this as a knockout victory. 

In return for delaying their nuclear ambitions, Iran will receive full relief of sanctions, which will lead to more sponsoring of terrorism and more instability in the region and will ultimately result in a much stronger Iran that will have a full nuclear program intact.

Iran will likely have the upper hand the next time negotiations take place, if they ever do. 

This agreement is a catastrophic mistake and profoundly concerning.

Kevin Budning
Hampstead, Que.