Letters to the Editor: Wrong about Ravenswood

Wrong about Ravenswood

None of the reasons given for Norwood’s desire to close Ravenswood Village survives scrutiny (Jewish News, 10 June 2021).

Ravenswood Village is a place of residence for relatively severely disabled people, who cannot live independent lives. Accordingly, the suggestion that the mode of care offered at Ravenswood Village is “outdated”, and contrary to “guidance and policy” is simply wrong.

As for the suggestion local authorities won’t send people to the Village, the White Paper expressly told local authorities, firmly, that this would be wrong; and six local authorities, recently approached by the residents’ parents/siblings, have all said they have no objection to it. 

Norwood seems to fear money spent on the village would be wasted if it is condemned by national policy, and will not be supported by local authorities. These fears are unjustified on a proper consideration of national policy and on enquiry made of local authorities. 

Ravenswood Village is a wonderful place, with a good, established reputation that can be promoted among authorities and the ­Jewish community, and that can continue to be a fine home for disabled Jewish and non-Jewish learning disabled people for years to come.

Gerald Rable, NW11

Disgraceful scenes

It is important for me to express to Jewish News readers the disgrace I felt at the article you ran featuring a girl at a Palestine rally proclaiming, ”British Jews stand with Palestinians facing violence and displacement” (Jewish News, 3 June 2021). 

I would submit she has little or no knowledge of the facts, relies on social media, ignores the reality of Palestinians who sadly died as prisoners of Hamas and ignores the facts of Israelis who died at the hands of Hamas rockets.

The one thing missing from this scene was a repeat of the Kaddish for Gaza from a few years ago. I wonder how her parents feel.

Mervyn Smith, Cheam

Balagan diplomacy

Even if the Israelis, with all their knowledge and expert technological innovation, wanted to they could not have devised the electorial system they currently have. 

Just imagine, a population of nine million people have in excess of
30 political parties to vote for. No wonder they have such a balagan at the end of each election, to choose a government. 

To me it is a great embarrassment.

S Solomon, Hendon

Help us back campaign

I applaud your involvement with René Cassin to urge readers to support the campaign to put pressure on the Beijing Olympics over the treatment of the Uyghurs. However, readers need more guidance as to what they can do. We need names and addresses of people we can write to, and a sample letter of what we could write.

I don’t think many people are prepared to write with pen and paper any more, but there may be some other over 80-year-olds such as myself who would be prepared to do so, and who think that such letters have more impact than an email. 

Regular letters from a large number of people, paper or email, to the Chinese Embassy might also be effective, rather than a one-off campaign. 

Once again, sample letters are useful as well as reminders from your newspaper.

Lynn Levy Davis, By email

Wrong stone

There are two Robert Stones in Stanmore. Last week you published a letter from the other one (“Arabs don’t want two states”). I’ve received a lot of feedback from friends and acquaintances who assume I wrote that letter. While this is a tribute to the large number of people who read your letters page, it is also highly embarrassing to me because I do not share the other Mr Stone’s views on what he calls “Palestinian Arabs”. I still believe a two-state solution is possible. Perhaps in the interest of balance you could publish this disclaimer letter. 

Dr Robert Stone, Stanmore

Wilfully blind

Apparently our government and the Biden administration fail to recognise the Islamic Republic of Iran has ambitions to acquire a nuclear bomb and export terrorism on a global scale. Moreover, at home we are faced with rampant antisemitism. 

Like many others in the community, I voted for Mike Freer at the general election. However, I think he should now ­consider whether the constraints of ­being a government whip are compatible with being able to adequately represent us during these difficult times. 

Yisroel Davis, NW11