Don’t blame anti-Semitism for the outcry against the school

Don’t blame anti-Semitism for the outcry against the school

Gary H. Mason asks the question, "If the proposed school was a Christian school, would the residents of Old Agoura be taking the same aggressive stand they are taking with a Jewish school? If the Soka University were a Christian or Catholic University, would the same scrutiny and attacks have also followed it?"

The answer is a resounding yes.

His comment that we may actually be using traffic, etc., as an excuse to "keep the Jews out" is outrageous and insulting. As evidenced by the letter written by Robert Sack (a resident of Old Agoura and the Jewish community), that is clearly not the case.

Our opposition is not about religion nor is it anti-Semitic campaign. It is a quality of life issue for most people here, plain and simple. I personally am not willing to compromise my quality of life in this neighborhood for any traffic-, noise- and pollution- generating commercial development.

"No one seems to want to say what many are thinking," writes Mason.

I think he and Heschel School proponents may be the only ones who are "thinking" that way.

Steve Casey

Agoura Hills

We repeat, both sides have tried with the utmost diplomacy to avoid references to the school’s religious affiliation.