Who’s Really for Peace?
To the editor:
I am writing to express concern over your characterization of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) as a “pro-Israel lobbying group” set against “Middle East peace activists” (“Cyr Defends Trip Funded by Pro-Israel Group,” Jan. 9, page 7).
This description implies that JCRC’s support for Israel’s existence is irreconcilable with a desire for peace, and further suggests that individuals in Massachusetts are somehow more authentic peace activists than Israelis and Palestinians themselves.
JCRC takes action in Massachusetts to encourage the robust economic partnership between Israel and the commonwealth. We also support grassroots Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders through our Israel study tours and our Boston Partners for Peace initiative. These include groups like Roots (pictured in the article), which bring Jews and Palestinians together for a variety of activities that serve the interests of peace and reconciliation.
When groups such as Mass Peace Action and Jewish Voice for Peace claim that they are authentic Middle East peace activists, what they are really doing is undermining the voices of actual Israelis and Palestinians working every day to make peace in the region like the ones that JCRC connects civic leaders to through our work.
Jeremy Burton
Boston
The writer is executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.
An Imperfect Heaven
To the editor:
I am responding to Jan Worthington’s letter in the Jan. 2 edition [“Truro Is ‘Heaven’ ”].
Jan, you wrote what needed to be said. Truro is indeed Heaven on Earth. Sure, it is not perfect. It has its problems, just as does any small town. Although I am not a native, I have been coming to Truro since 1947. There’s a reason for that: it is my favorite place in the world.
The “Heart of Darkness”? I think not. Thank you for your much-needed response.
Peter Lamb
Truro and Canton Center, Conn.
Landlords and Tenants
To the editor:
I greatly appreciated K.C. Myers’s reporting on the Del Gizzis’ properties, including the Truro Motor Inn [Jan. 9, page 1]. It clearly laid out the bureaucratic facts, but also captured the complexities of the disparate approaches of owners within the Del Gizzi family and the ambivalence of residents who are burdened by very substandard conditions but have few alternatives.
The article beautifully portrayed their humanity and dignity. Thanks for the good read.
Phineas Baxandall
Cambridge and Truro
