Santa Monica Lookout Letters and Opinions |
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Let Us Be Truthful with Ourselves and One Another | |
October 23, 2024 Dear Editor, I read with interest and dismay the letters and other material I received regarding my long-time colleague, Councilmember Oscar de la Torre. The reported incidents occurred many years ago but are just now coming to the surface. None of this is appropriate for my comment since I was not a witness to any of these alleged instances and verbatim quotations. Although I worked in Santa Monica for nearly 30 years as the Rabbi of Beth Shir Shalom synagogue (now Emeritus), I do not live or vote in Santa Monica. What is appropriate for my comment relates to Mr. de la Torre's personhood. As he mentioned, Mr. de la Torre and I have known each other for a long time. I know him to always act and speak with decency and respect. Our work together involved interfacing different sub-communities in Santa Monica and facilitating their working together on various projects. He approached his work with a clear sense of openness to new perspectives. Ever present is his deep devotion to his Latino community. In his many roles in Santa Monica, Mr. De la Torre commits to be their advocate, ensuring their presence and participation in arenas where they long sought inclusion. He is aware that there are occasions when he is the sole Latino in the room, and his dedicated support of the residents of the Pico Neighborhood may be challenging for some to hear. In my experience, it would be entirely out of character for the Oscar de la Torre I know to express hurtful comments. Again, I was not there, so I cannot confirm or refute the allegations. It saddens me greatly to see these kinds of accusations flying around Santa Monica, and I hope there is a way to settle the matter via a lie-detector test or a truth commission comprised of local clergy, both of which Mr. de la Torre told me he would participate in so long as everyone involved participated as well. Many years ago, as a college student, I struck up a conversation with a stranger much older than I as we walked along the beach in Santa Monica. In an unexpected, wide-ranging talk, he gave me one of the most sage and precious pieces of advice I ever received. We spoke about the basics of human nature, truthfulness, and honesty. At one point, he turned to the ocean and, pointing at the waves meeting the sand, said, "You can't get away from yourself any more than the sea can get away from the shore." For all of us who love this city, let us recognize how wonderfully connected we are. Let us be truthful with ourselves and one another. Let us be the sea and the shore. Rabbi Emeritus Beth Shir Shalom Los Angeles resident |
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