Over the course of my 40 years, I have regularly attended three different Young Israel synagogues. They could not be more different from one another (“Young Israel Prez: Proposed Changes Would Hurt Unity,” Sept. 10).
One forbade the singing of “Hatikvah” at shul functions while another has raised over a million dollars for Israel. One forbade co-ed Shabbatonim while another had a women’s prayer group. One forbade entry into the main sanctuary without a jacket, while it was not uncommon to see men in shorts at another.
So while Shlomo Mostofsky, the national president, believes “the National Council of Young Israel has to maintain a unified format” and “maintain its standards,” it seems he is referring to the very grievance of the Syracuse congregation — that women may never hold a leadership role in the organization. It is shameful that the single unifying code of Young Israel synagogues appears to be maintenance of a misogynistic mesorah [tradition].
Holliswood, Queens
Young Israel Unity
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