Letters to the Editor | Dec. 27, 2024

It’ll be weeks before Donald Trump takes office, and he already has Washington in distress. Department of Government Efficiency cohead Elon Musk has the D.C. establishment’s heads spinning over the defeated efforts to fund the government. He has no official constitutional role, only his power with a few keystrokes on his social media site to point a spotlight on the political sausage-making and the abuse heaped on taxpayers. The elected and bureaucratic class along with the media are apoplectic about the new order in Washington, and for that I say, thank you, Elon!

Fran Steffler, Philadelphia

I just had someone wish me “Merry Christmas,” and we got to talking about different things. I explained that I was 87 years old, worked on the Philadelphia police force for 25 years, and had a massive heart attack this year. He said, “Then you have a great pension and Social Security and must be well off.” I told him I have 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and said that no one gets sent any cards or gets any wrapped presents, as I cannot afford them. He was shocked when I said I have no Social Security for the 25 years I was a police officer (because of my pension) and that I received the same pension I did in 1988, when I retired, not a cent more. I also have to pay for my medical each month.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has said that we have the best police force in the U.S., but our pension plan is the worst of any city. I have written to every mayor and every City Council member to ask for help for pensioned officers. No responses from any one of them. Even with that, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and I hope for all a good safe New Year. Maybe this letter will be read by people at City Hall who can help us out.

Robert W. McCann, Philadelphia

As a Jewish woman, I am in full support of Holocaust education in schools, which is essential for combating hatred and building community. Already, 29 states require that the Holocaust be taught in schools. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not one of them.

Antisemitic beliefs and values did not end with the Holocaust. In fact, ever since the Israel-Hamas war began, antisemitic beliefs have been on the rise. I’ve been hearing all the horrible things that are happening to people in my community, and there are days when I am scared. Scared people are going to recognize my last name as a very Jewish last name. Scared that people are going to find out who I am and no longer accept me. But it shouldn’t be this way, and it doesn’t have to.

Acts such as House Bill 2550 will help us move in the right direction. The legislation calls for further education regarding the Holocaust, genocide, and other human rights violations in Pennsylvania schools. There are countless reasons why Holocaust education is not only important but absolutely essential in schools. And there are things that each of us can do to help push this change in the right direction.

Advocate for Holocaust education in your local school district. Reach out to your representative to express your support for critical legislation such as HB 2550. Give them a call. Write them a letter. Every small act can have a large impact. We need to make a change, and we need to make it now. It’s time for Pennsylvania to require Holocaust education in schools.

Sarah Levy, Philadelphia

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