Letters to the Editor: Has Mary Hassell learned nothing?

Has Hassell learned nothing?

Inner North London Coroner Mary Hassell is up to her usual shenanigans. Yet again, she has taken a wholly insensitive approach following the sad death of Rabbi Bobby Hill, and failed to communicate properly with his family about releasing his body for religious observances and the funeral.

It is sad that she has learned nothing from the court decision against her in 2018. I have said before and I say again, Ms Hassell does not have the requisite knowledge or sensitivity to serve the diverse religious communities that make up the population of London.

She should not have been appointed to this position, and has demonstrated again and again that she has learned nothing from her previous scandals.

Coronavirus or not, she should understand the needs of members of the Jewish and Muslim communities for immediate burials.

It really is time she did the decent thing and resigned.

Andrew Dismore AM, London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden

Focus on mental health helped me to reconsider my situation

Thanks for focusing on mental health in last week’s newspaper. I’ve suffered on and off with depression for 10 years since my late 20s but have never had the confidence to speak to anyone about it beyond infrequent sessions with a therapist. Reading Jonny Benjamin’s story made me reflect on my own decisions. I’m still not ready to speak openly – writing this email was difficult enough – but I hope with time and patience I’ll be ready to unburden myself.

Name withheld on request, By email

Jami mental health Shabbat

Jonny Benjamin’s editorial last week mentioned that Jami started Mental Health Shabbat in 2017. This is incorrect.

Mental Health Shabbat was started by Jami founder Martin Aaron in 1996 when he visited 33 synagogues in three years.  I know as I made the necessary arrangements.

Jami has come a long way since those early days but please don’t forget those who worked so hard to make it happen.

Ruth Goldman, Former Jami administrator

Man up and go to Israel

Having just finished reading your newspaper, I would like to add some points regarding Israel taking up the opportunity for Jews to reside and work in the disputed territory of Judea and Samaria.

Is the prospect of another Jew-free Arab state established more or less along the indefensible demarcation lines their intent?

The vast majority of Israelis live between Herzliya and Ashkelon, and makes the prospect of a lovely target regardless of expansion or not. We have a three-state solution now with Jordan, Israel and Gaza.

I belong to a synagogue and have never completed any form regarding my
opinion of Israel expanding her border. I read the Board repeatedly stating the majority wanting a two-state solution.

Not in my name.

It would appear the vast majority who do go along with the Board’s silence are scared of the consequences for British Jewry and their own commercial standing.

Man up, go to Israel, serve and pay your taxes in Israel. Your donations do not give you the right to demand change.

Martin Cohen, By email

Headline was misleading

Your headline ‘Israelis crowd beaches during heat wave despite coronavirus restrictions’, although true, was somewhat hysterical as the crowding on beaches took place only on Shabbat (18 May 2020).

Israel did more things right than most and generally in timely fashion, proving the sooner measures are introduced, the sooner coming out of the lockdown leading to a new normality can be achieved.

There are, of course, lessons to be learnt especially in respect of our health system which, like many as such around the world, have registered neglect in recent years.

It appears since 2008, in the wake of  austerity, institutions suffered cutbacks. Although there is a high cost to pay to maintain required standards, this latest epidemic proves not to do so has unfortunate deadly consequences.

Stephen Vishnick, Tel Aviv