Letters to the Editor

What You Say

You did a great job of identifying the main issue I've encountered with Chabad Lubavitch: the movement's paradoxical nature [Cover Story, "Too Cool For Shul," Andrew Thompson, Aug. 27, 2009].

I remember hearing a Chabad standup comedian — yes, such things do exist — telling a joke that went something like this. "Is it hot in here? Or am I just dressed like it's 19th-century Poland."

Great joke, but it really does a good job of addressing the paradox of the sect. Here we have a standup comedian, which is a pretty liberal, secular profession, poking fun of the movement's extremely orthodox dress code.

Personal opinions aside, there's a torrent of money behind Chabad and they do put it to good use. Especially worthwhile is the Web-based empire they've been slowly building: an invaluable resource for Jewish education.

Having faced a similar situation, I sympathize with your frustration [Naked City, "The Health Hazard Next Door," John Davidson, Aug. 27, 2009]. As a contractor, I see how L&I drops the ball time and time again. That house was tagged even before Street's administration. Remember when the facade fell on Broad Street and killed the city judge, how Street had people out demolishing "dangerous" buildings the very next day? It highlights how L&I is a reactive branch, and not proactive. I do not expect you will get any satisfaction through them.

There is another route to take, though. An identical story to yours here on Nort American Street: rats, garbage, stink, roaches, garbage to the ceiling, dogs, fleas, etc. For years the neighbor tried, we all tried, to get someone in the city to give a shit. L&I, DHS, sanitation, health department, all no help. One day the guy who lived in this mess spilled some kerosene in the house while filling the heater. We could smell it from half a block away. The neighbor Kate walked her two kids to the nearest fire station, they came out, called out the fire marshal, the house was shut and cleaned in a week's time. The fire marshal will not stand for his companies to have to run into a deathtrap when it catches fire. My advice is to follow that route. Best luck to you.