MAIL

To the Editors of The Crimson:

In the issue of October 11, 1989, Jonathan S. Cohn writes that "...Sigma Alpha Mu...reflects an unfortunate trend in American Judaism today."

We do not mean to defend the existence of a fraternity on the Harvard campus, nor do we represent the opinions involved with Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel, but we feel that Cohn's opinion piece, "Life Isn't a Kosher Deli," reflects a far more unfortunate trend in American Judaism than does Sigma Alpha Mu.

In his final sentence Cohn writes that "[t]he survival of the Jews in America and the modern world depends on the ability to live in a secular society that bears little resemblance to a kosher deli." The ability to live in a secular society is a requirement for the survival of any person. For Jews to survive, however, that is not the only requirement.

The Jewish people have survived for more than 2500 years since the destruction of the first temple and the beginning of the diaspora not only because of religious and cultural ties to other Jews, but also because of social ties.

No Jew, at Hillel, in SAMmy or on campus at large, would suggest that Jews should associate exclusively with each other, but many realize that having a large group of Jewish friends is important to help foster a sense of community as well as locate that Jewish Mr./Ms. Right.

Contrary to Cohn's beliefs, the growing trends of American Judaism are tragically that the intermarriage rate is rising, and the community is shrinking as more Jews forsake any connection to Judaism whatsoever.

We are sorry that Mr. Cohn and many other feel that any Jewish organizations which "represent more than just an honest attempt at religious and cultural activity" must "stand for a self-enclosed world, with a secondary role for non-Jews." Jews, just like every other ethnic or religious group at Harvard, recognize a need to meet and socialize with others who share their heritage.

If, in fact, 25 Harvard men revived Sigma Alpha Mu on this campus because they had not found a better way to fulfill that need, then we, sadly, must at least be partly to blame. Ethan A. Budin '90   Jack S. Levy '92   Co-Chairs, Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel Social Committee