The Wrong Defense

This letter is actually intended for the editors and the author of the article entitled, "Defending the Stern Girl." I read The Commentator, and I usually find it an enjoyable way to keep up with what is going on in the Stern and YU community. Occasion ally I find some columns to be offensive, but I try to remember that freedom of press entitles everyone to express their opinions. I appreciate the conflict that you must face as frum editors who have halachic issues to consider when deciding what to prin t.

I certainly question the decision to allow derisive, mocking comments toward Rabbeim, but at least I see some logic in the arguments made in that editorial. Yet Mr. Anziska's most recent attempt at shocking us with his wit is infantile, illogical, and an embarassment to your newspaper. While I am the first one to admit that I have made stereotypical statements about Stern girls, they are nothing like the author suggests. His propensity for hyperbole is obvious, and it completely undermines any argument he even came close to making.

I agree that many Stern girls get a bad rap, when in reality I personally know many who could have gone to Ivy League Universities and chose to go to Stern. These are very bright girls, who take challenging classes and are too busy to spend time in Macy's or Bloomingdale's with their father's charge card. But the way to 'defend' them is not the way which Mr. Anziska has chosen. How ironic that he accuses everyone else of making stereotypical assumptions about Stern girls, and then he turns around and makes sweeping genreralizations about everyone from Barnard girls to Brovender's girls!!! As for that lashon hara orgy you mentioned - you're right up there with those Barnard girls you've accused of being the ringleaders.

In reference to your genuine concern for "the current and future state of Modern Orthodoxy as a whole", I suggest you take your ability to write and concern yourself with issues that are of real concern - instead of creating your own stereotypes. And I would recommend that the editors of this paper think a little bit about the quality of articles they allow in their paper - certain articels go beyond being controversial and individual expression of opinion. Some are just senseless babble which have no real point or validity to them.

Rachel Dulitz

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