Roadblocks to Cultural Diversity
Purim is a holiday which celebrates the struggle of national identify against genocide.
The "pur" in the story of the saving of the Jewish community from extinction was actually similar to a lottery in Biblical times. It is a story about family, community, political power, its abuses and personal strength.
Lots, or purim, were cast in everything from wagers to elections and in the story of Purim, government decrees for cultural extinction of the Jews. In Harford County, the Pur is the cultural non-acceptance of the Jewish traditions as a full partner in our community.
Purim this year falls ironically on the Ides of March (March 15), which is the anniversary of the betrayal of Julius Caesar by his friends and allies. The symbolism of betrayal takes many forms. In "Julius Caesar," there is the actual act of violence.
In Harford County, the Pur and betrayal is cast by the deafening silence and non-action of the Harford County Board of Education, the superintendent of schools and county government against supporting the Jewish community observances as a full multi-cultural partner in this county.
The story has its foundation centered around a young Jewess, Esther, who by marriage becomes the queen. Her father, Mordecai, and she are charged with the responsibility to stand up to the evil decrees for cultural genocide issued by the king at his adviser Hamon's request. This meant at great personal peril, the Jewish community having to stand up against the overwhelming political influence and fight for survival. . . .
Silence by the Board of Education and county government to the requests by the Jewish community for true multi-cultural respect is the "pur" 20th Century-style. By silence, a decree is being sent that the first group to target for multi-cultural disenfranchisement is the Jewish community.
Notwithstanding countless efforts and hours spent attempting to have a meeting with the Jewish community to resolve "calendar issue" conflicts, there has been no meeting. Further, in planning the school and government schedules, there has been no
acknowledgment that the Jewish community will enjoy the same respect by scheduling of activities as our partners in other cultures.
The question none of those in power have yet to answer is why are not the Jewish observances, such as the high holidays, given the same multi-cultural respect and significance in our community as the beautiful holiday seasons of Christmas, Good Friday and Easter and the celebration of civil rights and founding of our state.
The Jewish holidays represent those same special ideals of religious, political and spiritual equality and freedom for all as well.
Our multi-cultural partners help us all enjoy the magic of the traditions surrounding holidays such as Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. There are no classes because schools and government meetings are either on break or not functioning on those days.
There is no reason why, in particular, the High Holy Days which make up the Jewish New Year and are the three holiest days of the year should not be given the same respect as a full partner.
Schools and government should be closed. No events or activities of any kind should be scheduled in order to avoid creating unnecessary cultural conflicts.
Efforts should also be made to avoid conflict when holidays fall during the week, such as Passover. The Sabbath, which is a day of rest, should also be worked around in order to avoid conflicts with graduation by using the open weeknight versus Friday night for those ceremonies -- particularly when both the Board of Education and our county government have repeatedly gone on record as promoting the importance of sharing and respecting the multicultural diversity within our community.
What's "the Pur"? -- silence in regard to establishing a policy relating to the scheduling of public meetings, classes and other events on holidays observed by the Jewish community.
"The Pur" is clear; by silence, there is the status quo. For all of us who firmly believe in the importance of respect and sharing through multi-culturalism, this Pur is unacceptable.
To me as a member of the community and Jewish faith, it is a subtle but effective warning signal that we must as a community at large, with all of its multi-cultural splendor and diversity, join hands together. Otherwise, the next "Pur" cast may be yours.
Stuart Jay Robinson
Bel Air
The Case for Christopher Streett
One only wishes that the Bel Air Legal Department would exercise the same diligent scrutiny of the legality of its own dealings and decisions as it is doing with regard to the candidacy of Christopher Streett.
A group of involved neighbors and I have already been "disserved" by our legal department's interesting spin on laws. It has cost us money to retain a lawyer and to appeal three decisions (in the last five years) . . . In two of those cases, the court found for us, . . . and subsequently the town's decision was reversed. The third case is still in appeal. . . .
Here we have, on the one hand, in the person of Mr. Streett, a long-time and present resident of the town of Bel Air. As a citizen, he hopes to help maintain the quality-of-life factor in and around his home. . . . On the other hand, we have the legal department of the town of Bel Air. Likely, it has been directed to and is obediently scurrying to find some article -- any article -- in the Maryland Constitution that can be interpreted in such a way that will prevent this candidate fly-in-the-ointment from causing a problem in Bel Air's commercial development into residential areas.
For 10 years or more, it has become abundantly clear . . . that the concept of the commercialization of the entire town is an altogether irresistible one in the hearts and minds of our administrative "managers," also non-resident. . . . Your inside headline of Feb. 5 asserting, "Legal eligibility of candidate may be issue," might more accurately have characterized the story had it read, "Legal ineligibility being sought to disqualify candidate."
ulia A. Persky
Bel Air