To the Editor:Give Matt Lawrence credit in his recent vicious attack on Brandeis' policy of not having classes on selected Jewish holidays ("High holidays shouldn't dictate our schedule," Oct. 21 issue). Since he starts off by warning the reader that his opinion is "potentially unpopular," he at least seems to understand that his position is bigoted and offensive.

Lawrence writes of his suspicion that "too many people at this institution of higher learning believe that religious beliefs are automatically worthy of my respect."

Instead of simply disagreeing with the premise of organized religion, Lawrence feels the need to assault it. Matt: if you are a decent person, you can respect someone's beliefs even though you disagree with him. How would you feel if I told you I didn't respect your atheism?

In calling the holidays of Sukkot and Shimini Atzeret "obscure," Lawrence again has the courtesy to warn the reader that "many people reading this will object to the word obscure." Yes Matt, I do object. Thanks for predicting which part of your column would insult me. It doesn't lessen the blow of your slap in the face to the Jewish community.

Finally, Lawrence declares that "education is a higher and more important value than religious observance." Speak for yourself, Matt. Religiously observant individuals around the world may disagree with you, as long as you can respect that their opinions exist.

There seems to be a perception at Brandeis that it is OK to say harmful things about the Jewish community just because the campus has a Jewish majority, and the majority can handle abuse like Lawrence's tirade. I don't understand this. Intolerance is what it is, no matter what group it is directed at.

Between this column, an editorial last spring objecting to the University giving off for Passover instead of a "normal" spring break and the 30-percent Jewish quota proposed in columns by former Forum editor Matt Brown a few years ago, the Justice has gotten into the habit of taking opinions that are harmful to the Jewish community.

Lawrence's column is by far the most offensive among these, and there is no excuse for a savvy group of editors to approve this type of content. Just because someone has an opinion doesn't mean it is worthy of publication. Bigotry has no place in any newspaper. I expect more out of the paper I used to edit.

-Jacob Kamaras '08
Jacob Kamaras is a former editor in chief of the Justice.