Keeping tradition not same as discrimination, Goylfriend

I read Molly Browne’s column (Feb. 27) about being a “goylfriend” with empathy, as a Jewish woman dating a Catholic man for four years and dealing with family fallout. It is a tough situation, and of course Browne had every right to be judged on her own merits and not her religion.

But Browne’s somewhat self-righteous exasperation with her boyfriend’s mother was off-putting, as was her statement that she used the situation as an “ace in (her) back pocket” during fights.

I cringe thinking of the fights said boyfriend probably had with said mother regarding his girlfriend — and of the tension no doubt running through his family as well as his relationship.

I’m not condoning the mother’s passive hostility, but I wonder what might have happened if Browne had tried to understand the mother’s fears of not having Jewish grandchildren instead of dismissing them as unfounded and prejudiced.

Her boyfriend could have been more help, too, especially if he shares his mother’s views. Many Jews, especially of our parents’ generation, have legitimate concerns that Jewish traditions will die out in the face of rising interfaith marriage. They feel responsibility toward their own parents to rebuild numbers lost in the Holocaust.

Jewish population growth has slowed nearly to a stop worldwide and is declining in the United States, according to the American Jewish Committee and other estimates. Wanting to preserve tradition is not the same as discrimination.

Espousing multiculturalism is great, but true understanding comes with patience, an open ear and hard work on all sides.

Vivi Abrams

Medill ’01

Former Daily Forum editor

Prohibiting studying in Israel limits NU students’ education

I am writing in response to Katie Walton’s article (Feb. 26) “Desire Increases for Study Abroad.” While the number of students applying to study abroad may have increased, terrorism is still affecting some students who wish to study abroad.

Northwestern’s policy prohibits study in any country with a U.S. travel warning against it. Students who desire to study foreign policy or rich religious tradition in countries such as Israel are given no options for receiving credit for their experience.

Living in the face of terrorism may be a concern, but it is ingrained in the culture and a way of life for Israelis. It should be a personal decision whether or not to take a risk and study in Israel, not a rule dictated by the university. Prohibiting students from studying in Israel not only gives in to terrorism but prevents economic and social interaction with the only democracy in the Middle East.

Shira Bergstein

Education sophomore