YOUR LETTERS

I thought I was the only Jewish surfer in the world until I read the article in the Jerusalem Post sent to me by a friend in Jerusalem. I live in Australia and surf the east coast, places like the Wedge at Whale Beach and North Avalon.

Would love to meet you one day Down Under. Keep in touch.

Michael (Etto) Ettelson
Sydney, Australia

I just read the article about you in the Jerusalem Post and think your attitude about surfing and religion is really cool. I grew up in Daytona Beach, FL and have surfed for several years. I agree with you that the surf is very spiritual, and that spending time in the ocean is one of the best ways to chill out and get your head in the right direction.

Many of the religious Jews and rabbis I have encountered have told me that time spent surfing or practicing martial arts takes away from Torah, and that my time would be better spent with the books. I disagree, and think that each person needs to have their own balance of mental and physical spirituality. It was nice to read about a Torah observant Jew who shares my love of surfing and the ocean.

Gabriel Genauer
Talpiot, Jerusalem

Be sure to read our next issue, when we discuss the Jewish dilemma:
The Surf vs. The Books! --- Rabbi Shifren

One world. One People. Three Fins.

Dani Kollin
Jerusalem

Three Fins? Hmmm...I'm still in a time warp with 1 fin and 3 stringers! But, truthfully, when it starts cracking, I have been known to take out my short board - my small 8-footer! ---- Rabbi Shifren

Shalom Aleichem! My name is Ari and I study at Aish HaTorah here in Jerusalem. My roommate and I want to offer our services for your upcoming Passover Surf Safari. I'm not a surfer at all, but I'm fascinated and want to learn.

Ari Goldberg
Jerusalem

My wife and I are slowly getting into Chassidic Judaism, or as my Rabbi and good friend, Shlomo Schwartz would say, "yiddle by yiddle".

It sounds like you're doing great work in Eretz Yisrael. Of course, I'm very interested in being a part of a surfer/spiritual organization. It would be pleasure to help you if I can.

And don't forget Shaun Thomson, the world champion of the '70's and '80's! Not many Jewish world champions in athletics, yet Shaun was never really recognized for his physical talents by the Jewish community. Hopefully, that will change. I think it's possible to study Torah, be a servant of Hashem and still have athletic prowess. Obviously, you feel the same.

Steven (Shlomo) Bass
North Hollywood, CA

We seem to have shared similar backgrounds as I also grew up in Southern California and graduated from UC Santa Barbara. I was an active surfer back in the '60's and later turned to yacht racing as a substitute for the board.

Howard Clayman
Jerusalem