A Partial Retraction
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This paper prides itself on its editorial independence and its willingness to speak the truth, however unpopular. But after due consideration, we at the Backward have concluded that some elements of last week’s editorial, “You Asked For It,” do not stand up to scrutiny:
• Not withstanding the stale cookies at the oneg Shabbat two weeks ago, it was not merely misguided but factually incorrect to blame Temple B’nai Shalom of Deerfield Beach, Fla., for the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
• This paper has always been a strong supporter of Israel’s right to exist, and nothing about the statement that “the unholy Zionists must be pushed into the sea” changes our position. That said, we remain concerned about the current state of Israeli budgetary policy.
• We should have praised Barry Oppenheim for incorporating some of Rashi’s insights into his bar mitzvah speech rather than criticizing Barry as “a shameless rip-off artist.” It really was an excellent speech, even if it did drag a little towards the end.
• Rabbi Ovadia Yosef has every right to wear sunglasses wherever and whenever he likes. It was wrong of us to suggest that he wears them “to hide the deranged stare of a child rapist.”
• We apologize, without reservation, to the Steinberg family.
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