Images Paint Confusing View of Orthodox Jewry
The photographs with the Feb. 11 story “No Culture Clash” rendered an improper picture of Orthodox Jewry.
It told of Jews and Latinos building dialogue through education and friendship and mentioned two schools: Emek Hebrew Academy and the Stephen S. Wise School. The story was accompanied by three photos.
These photos painted a vivid image. The photo captions did not specify which students were pictured, those from Emek (a strictly Orthodox yeshiva) or the Stephen S. Wise School (a Reform Jewish school).
It is confusing to your readership who are familiar with Orthodox Jewry to see pictures of young men and women dancing or having any type of physical contact, since it is forbidden according to Orthodox teachings. Touching between male and female is accepted only in marriage. Emek, a coeducational facility, separates boys and girls as of the third grade.
Los Angeles’ Latinos and orthodox Jews have come a long way in their cultural relationship. Please realize, though, that participation in “mixers” or other such activities are not accepted by Orthodox Jewry.
CHAVA SCHULTZ-YELLOZ
Sherman Oaks
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