Why not put it in writing?

Posted

Fran Ostendorf, EditorWhen I was growing up, I remember those discussions after services during the High Holy Days. The conversation inevitably turned to the rabbi’s message. What was it? Did you like it? Did you agree … or disagree? Was it too political; not political enough; too controversial? First the discussion took place among the grown-ups. And eventually my peer group was old enough to take part. I moved away, but I know those kids are still having those conversations today as adults. And I still have them with my parents, although the hundreds of miles separate us.

I was thinking about this during in the week between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because I kept hearing about Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman’s final Rosh Hashanah message to Temple Beth-El. I heard many congregants talking about it. It even spawned an excellent commentary in the Providence Journal Oct. 1by Gerry Goldstein. There was nothing controversial about it, from what I can gather. I didn’t hear a negative word from anyone. Across the board, there seemed to be agreement that it was a wonderful sermon.

We live in a community with about as many points of view as there are members of the community. And people are certainly not hesitant to express those opinions: in person, in a small group, in a crowd.

That’s one of the things I like so much about my job. I get to hear a wide range of viewpoints and opinions. And often people want to hear mine. It’s a never-ending back-and-forth; an insightful give and take. It’s only a negative when the rhetoric becomes angry or mean-spirited. That has no place in the discourse in our community. But overall, there’s not too much of that. We are, in general, a polite, well-behaved community. So it’s remarkable to me that everyone was in agreement about a High Holy Day message.

We’d like to see more of that great dialogue find its way into the pages of The Voice. So often, I am prepared for a deluge of letters, or, well, even one or two. Our pages are the perfect place to express yourself.

Based on my completely unscientific, but tireless research (which involves paging through back issues), I find there seems to be fewer and fewer letters coming into The Voice inbox and mailbox. And the responses when we ask for contributions to themed special issues, are down as well. I know you are reading us because I get a lot of phone calls. I know you have opinions because you stop by the office, or phone, or tell me at meetings. So I’m challenging you – one and all – in this new year. Write a letter to the editor. Offer an opinion. Send a question to Ask Wendy. Send a photo. Contribute a story. Write an op-ed. Let’s make this the year you contribute to The Jewish Voice.

We really do want to know what you’re thinking!