Allen Freehling

At his retirement dinner in April, Rabbi Allen Freehling said he would use his newfound free time to write four books based on his 30 years as leader of University Synagogue on the city's Westside. Now, it looks as if those plans will have to wait. On Monday, Freehling, 70, was named executive director of the Human Relations Commission for the city of Los Angeles.

At his retirement dinner in April, Rabbi Allen Freehling said he would use his newfound free time to write four books based on his 30 years as leader of University Synagogue on the city's Westside. Now, it looks as if those plans will have to wait. On Monday, Freehling, 70, was named executive director of the Human Relations Commission for the city of Los Angeles.

The congregants at University Synagogue are repeatedly told that it is not enough to come to temple. It is not enough to pray. It is not enough to study the Torah. It is not enough to send their children to religious school. Whatever they are doing, it is simply not enough. They must, says Rabbi Allen Freehling, the Brentwood synagogue's spiritual leader, reach beyond the walls of the temple, beyond the Jewish community and into the world at large.

The congregants at University Synagogue are repeatedly told that it is not enough to come to temple. It is not enough to pray. It is not enough to study the Torah. It is not enough to send their children to religious school. Whatever they are doing, it is simply not enough. They must, says Rabbi Allen Freehling, the Brentwood synagogue's spiritual leader, reach beyond the walls of the temple, beyond the Jewish community and into the world at large.

Marvelous, simply marvelous, is the column by Rabbi Allen Freehling concerning Jesse Jackson, Jews, and "the 'J' problem" (Op-Ed Page, April 26). The rabbi wisely and eloquently acknowledges that those involved cannot expect immediate unanimity on the issues, but should happily be "looking for open communication." Perhaps the various factions in the Middle East could learn something from this approach. It seems all too obvious that our modern, shrinking world requires peaceful coexistence, even with those we despise.

Exploring the human side of community rebuilding, an organization called New Day L.A. will hold its first meeting tonight at 7 at the Islamic Center of Southern California, 434 S. Vermont Ave. The aim of the group is to discuss the social and cultural problems underscored by the Los Angeles riots and establish task forces to combat them. Speakers will include Dr. Maher Hathout of the Islamic Center, Rabbi Allen Freehling of University Synagogue and attorney Angela Oh.

Freedom of assembly is inviolate so the meeting with Jackson and Jewish "leaders" was not earth-shattering. I do take exception to the media's granting the mantle of leadership to Rabbi Allen Freehling and his cohorts. They are definitely not my leaders. I would not support Jackson if he were ordained chief rabbi of Jerusalem--not because he's black but because he's Jesse Jackson. I am also not supporting (Massachusetts Gov.) Michael Dukakis. Does this make me anti-white or anti-Greek?

THE DAY IN REVIEW How the mayoral candidates spent their day: Michael Woo's campaign suffered a major blow when a Sacramento judge barred the state Democratic Party from spending $200,000 on the candidate's behalf. A Democrat who has touted his endorsement from President Clinton, Woo had sought to take advantage of the city's heavily Democratic registration against Richard Riordan, a Republican. The decision came as the candidates continued their attacks on each other.

The Los Angeles County Commission on AIDS has scrapped a controversial proposal to provide clean needles for intravenous drug users but is considering resurrecting a plan to distribute free bleach and condoms to drug addicts. The Board of Supervisors has already rejected the idea of a bleach-and-condom giveaway. But Rabbi Allen Freehling, the commission's chairman, said he expected the issue to return to the board after the Nov. 8 elections.

People active in fighting AIDS in Los Angeles' minority communities asked Wednesday for more resources and greater control over their own programs, saying their efforts are being hampered by culturally insensitive educational materials, counselors and medical personnel. They made their appeal at a joint hearing of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations and the county Commission on AIDS to explore the impact of the fatal disease on blacks, Asians, Latinos and other minorities.

It seems so ironic that we should look to Washington, D.C., for leadership only to find the Reagan Administration unwilling to meet its responsibilities with reference to people with AIDS. At the very moment when our county Board of Supervisors has authorized its legal counsel to draft local anti-discrimination ordinances to protect people with AIDS, the White House remains unreasonably and irresponsibly silent (Part I, Aug. 3). Those of us who serve on the Los Angeles County Commission on AIDS are keenly aware of the amount of harm that can be inflicted when prejudice, ignorance and fear motivate individuals and neighborhoods to inflict harm on people with AIDS.