I would like to acknowledge the tremendous Kiddush Hashem made by American gymnast Aly Raisman upon winning two gold medals (and one bronze) at the London Olympics (“Raising The Olympic Bar, Aug, 10). Instead of trying to hide the fact that she is Jewish, as is done by many of our brethren in the public eye, she proudly performed her gold medal-winning routine to “Hava Nagilah,” probably the best-known Hebrew folk song, saying, in effect, “I am Jewish. That’s why I wanted the floor music.”
Raisman then stuck it to the International Olympic Committee by invoking the massacre of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich games. It is the 40th anniversary of that outrage and the gutless IOC, led by Jacques Rogge, refused to honor the slain athletes with a moment of silence at the opening ceremonies. I do not know how observant Raisman is, but as Jews we must all be very proud of her, and we all must thank her.
Kew Gardens Hills, Queens
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