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May 19 , 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels February 26, 2004 Not knocking on doors When it comes to proselytizing, Jews don't. Marie Arvette in her letter of February 20th writes that Jews are making "renewed recruiting efforts." She cites the National Jewish Outreach Program. I quote them: "NJOP reaches out to unaffiliated Jews by offering them positive, joyous, Jewish educational opportunities and experiences." (www.njop.org) Her second source is a "Proactive Conversion" campaign. This is primarily to welcome non-Jewish spouses. I quote them as well: "Proactive Conversion is not synonymous with aggressive recruitment that characterizes proselytizing. Jews should not be knocking on doors trying to convert random strangers to become Jews". (www.interfaithfamily.com). How can Ms. Arvette misrepresent these organizations so spectacularly? Jody Zonnenschein Ashland Consult the residents on Bemis project To: Ed and Tanya Bemis and Ashland Springs Hotel, regarding the proposed construction project behind the hotel Dear Sirs: The Ashland City Council, on behalf of the people of Ashland, rejected your proposed construction project. You are rejecting their decision by going over their heads to appeal to an outside governmental agency. In my opinion the Council's decision was proper, as they considered the greater public good would not be served by your project. This is the true issue: Defeating the developers who seek to inflict their selfish financial goals to the detriment of the townspeople's quality of life. As an example, the renovation of Paddington Station has caused major disruption to the north area: Noise, debris, traffic congestion, and a withering effect on the neighboring businesses. This would be a similar effect, on a major, long-lasting scale, with your proposed project. It would be fair to consult the people of Ashland, whose lives would be impacted by your project. I suggest an opinion poll, similar to that conducted for the Mt. Ashland Ski Expansion plan, with the results to be submitted to the Oregon Land Use Board. If the people of Ashland indicate that they do not want your project to take place, and you persist in forcing the issue, then I hope that the City of Ashland will pursue all legal avenues to prevent it. Yours truly, C. Ellis Ashland An invitation to Mr. Grabow I too think Jake Grabow, owner of the now defunct local franchise of Gold's Gym, serves as a valuable example for this community's learning and for my sons' development into strong, upright men. Bad examples can be as valuable as good examples. We learn that effort is not the same as integrity. We learn that it takes strength to ask for help. We learn that success is dependent on relationship, while failure can be created by the individual. We learn what happens when we isolate ourselves from our community, whether by effort, by fear, or by fraud. And breakdown creates opportunity for new lessons, hard lessons. Along with my pointing a finger of criticism comes my responsibility to point a way to an entrance door. While it would be risky to invest in someone who has deceived me, I do not see value in exile. In this case, I would like to open the door, contingent on Mr. Grabow's commitment to accept responsibility and make restitution. I invite Mr. Grabow to return to this community for the ultimate workout, one that could transform a posture of shame into an upright personal best. Participating as a member of a team is the only way to repay a debt such as the one created to self and to community. I have no doubt that wealth, financial and other, would be created. Jake, what is the most important lesson you would like to teach by your example? Paul Kay Ashland DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams