From: hem@warlock.col400.att.com (Hillel Markowitz)
Subject: Feld brothers
Originator: scj@israel.nysernet.org
Reply-To: <hem@warlock.col400.att.com (Hillel Markowitz)>
Organization: Nysernet
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 14:12:50 GMT

The following is a repost of the messages sent to JEM and BALTUVA so
that all the information cat get out to the net.

Hillel Markowitz    H_Markowitz@att.com

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>From col400!bertha!att!nysernet.ORG!jem Wed Dec 23 17:52:00 1992
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 17:46:19 -0500
Comment: Jewish Electronic Mail
Originator: jem@israel.nysernet.org
Reply-To: <jem@nysernet.ORG>
Version: 5.5a -- Copyright (c) 1991/92, Anastasios Kotsikonas
From: cm406@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (J. Y. Yosh Mantinband)
To: Multiple recipients of list <jem@nysernet.ORG>
Subject: Pidyon Shevuyim - Says who?
Content-Length: 1558



In private correspondence I have been asked just which halachic
authorities (Poskim) have stated that helping the Feld brothers with
monetary contributions is fulfilling the Mitzvah of Pidyon Shevuyim
(redeeming captives).
 
Avraham and Yisrael's brother, Rabbi David Feld, told me he has
letters stating this is indeed Pidyon Shevuyim from:
 
        - Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, the Rishon Le'tzion, Chief Rabbi of
          Israel
        - Rav Elyashuv
        - Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
        - Rav Weber
        - Rav Ovadia Yosef (former Chief Rabbi of Israel)
 
        ... and several others who are less well-known.
 
(I have personally seen the letter from Rav Eliyahu.)
 
Other letters of support have come from people as diverse as the
Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Pesach Schindler, Director of the World
Center for Conservative Judaism in Israel, and the Conference of
Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. (The Feld brothers' work
has never been restricted to the Orthodox Jewish world, in case
anyone had that impression.)
 
In addition, literally hundreds of letters of support have come in
from people who know the Felds and their work.
 
An update regarding the fund-raising: To date, synagogues have
signed notes committing over 30 sifrei torah as collateral for the
bail money.  Several people have also put up their homes as surety.
Slowly, but surely they're getting there with the bail money.  Still
not done yet, though.
 
Money for the legal fees is still needed, too.  So if you haven't
contributed yet, please do now.
 
- Yosh



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>From col400!bertha!att!VM1.MCGILL.CA!BALTUVA Wed Dec 23 18:36:51 1992
Date:         Wed, 23 Dec 1992 18:31:50 -0500
Reply-To:     "J. Y. Yosh Mantinband" <cm406@cleveland.Freenet.Edu>
 "BALTUVA: Issues & questions of concern to observant Jews."              <BALTUVA@VM1.MCGILL.CA>
From:         "J. Y. Yosh Mantinband" <cm406@CLEVELAND.FREENET.EDU>
Subject:      How the Felds are faring
X-To:         jem@israel.nysernet.org, baltuva%mcgill1.BITNET@cunyvm.CUNY.Edu
To:           Multiple recipients of list BALTUVA <BALTUVA@VM1.MCGILL.CA>
Content-Length: 1851

I received the following notes from people in the San Jose area.  I
am re-posting these to the list because I think there are people who
will want to know how the Felds are faring.  I have omitted
the original authors' names and other identifying info to protect
their privacy since I am re-posting at my initiative.

> I saw your note about the Felds.  I am a member of the local
> community and
> they are getting a lot of support here.  Rabbi Levin of Chabad in Palo
> Alto is the Jewish "chaplain" for the jail where they are held and he
> has organized daily visits to them to help them daven (they are both
> shackled hand and foot and can't put on tefillin themselves) and to
> light candles for Chanukah. My husband went Saturday night and I know
> others have done it every night since.
>
> =============================================================================
>
> I did see the Feld Brothers Monday night (12/21/92).  <---> and I
> lit Chanuka candles for them, one at a time since they reside on
> different floors in the prison.  I lit for Yisrael and <---> lit for
> Avraham.  We waited the full half hour for the candles to burn which
> gave us a chance to talk to the Feld Brothers and get know them. Avraham
> seemed to be in better spirits then Yisrael, but not knowing them, It
> could have been their personalities.  I believe that Avraham mentioned
> that they were living on fruits and vegetables.  I also heard that Rabbi
> Levin was trying to arrange Kosher food for them.  I called Rabbi Levin
> and left a message to have him call me, as soon as I have an update
> I will let you know.  Most of the conversation we had with the Felds
> centered around their families and lives in Israel and they asked about
> us and our lives in San Jose.  I left the prison finding it hard to
> believe that they have been arrested.


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>From col400!bertha!att!VM1.MCGILL.CA!BALTUVA Wed Dec 23 18:39:02 1992
Date:         Wed, 23 Dec 1992 18:34:26 -0500
Reply-To:     "J. Y. Yosh Mantinband" <cm406@cleveland.Freenet.Edu>
 "BALTUVA: Issues & questions of concern to observant Jews."              <BALTUVA@VM1.MCGILL.CA>
From:         "J. Y. Yosh Mantinband" <cm406@CLEVELAND.FREENET.EDU>
Subject:      re: My 2 cents on the Feld case
X-To:         jem@israel.nysernet.org, baltuva%mcgill1.BITNET@cunyvm.CUNY.Edu
To:           Multiple recipients of list BALTUVA <BALTUVA@VM1.MCGILL.CA>
Content-Length: 1568

In his 12/23 post, Eliot (ekfriedm@thama1.apgea.army.mil) says

>    I've already heard conflicting explanations on this very forum
>    for their plastic handcuffs, Mossad business card, and the visit
>    itself.  The Felds aren't confused foreigners, they grew up in
>    NY, didn't they?  They should have been streetwise enough to
>    realize that their actions could be easily misinterpreted as a
>    crime.

The Felds aren't confused, but the police do seem to be.
Also a large number of readers of this list have been subjected to
much conjecture and misinformation which is also confusing.

>    And no, I don't think it need cost the Felds hundreds of
>    thousands of dollars to prove their innocence.  In a case of this

That's easy for you to say.  You haven't spent the last month with
your hands shackled to your feet and your roommates defecating next
to you.  Neither have you left your wife and 12 children (between the
two of them) alone thousands of miles away.

>    sort, in the USA, justice doesn't need to be bought.  You can't
>    convince me that the Felds are martyrs needing to be ransomed.

See my previous post.  Perhaps people considered the leading halachic
authorities of this generation can convince you.

>    Before the flames rise, let me say that I don't doubt the Felds'
>    innocence.  But I find the police's reaction not unreasonable.
>    Be patient.  This will all work itself out soon.

Again, that's easy for you to say.

I say hire the best lawyers money can buy and end this nightmare as
fast as possible.

Yosh M.


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Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish