Re: “Scheduling a Street Fair During Rosh Hashanah,” Donald Panetta. I am of the Hebrew Faith, non practicing. I’m afraid I’m not quite able to follow you. What exactly is antisemitic about holding a street fair during Rosh Hashanah?

Did any of the street vendors come to you and tell you he would blast you into the hereafter if you did not attend a street fair and instead attended service? Did any of the street vendors tell you the fair will spill over into your house of worship – or any house of worship – and you would like it or lump it? Did any street vendor threaten to block your passage to the synagogue if you didn’t buy from them?

Did any vendor tell you that if you attempted to read from the Talmud they would blast music so loud it would drown out your service? Did any street vendor threaten to bomb your temple?

While I admit it’s been a while since I’ve attended services at a temple, I have never heard of a Rosh Hashanah service that goes for 48 hours straight. Your Rabbi must need amphetamines to make it through. You must also.

Also, I guess you’re saying that because you’re observing Rosh Hashanah your entire town must come to a standstill and do nothing until you’re finished observing?

I used to work in midtown on the Sabbath. I saw street fairs come up during the warmer months. I saw religious Jews going to temple, apparently able to get past the trauma of seeing a street fair.

I’ve even see St. Patrick’s Day on a Saturday and again, Jews able to handle the trauma of the parade and go to service. So again, I ask Mr. Panetta: how exactly does this street fair prevent you from exercising your Constitutional right to freedom of worship?

Nat Weiner

Bronx