I would like to acknowledge the tremendous Kiddush Hashem [honor to God] made by American gymnast Aly Raisman on winning two gold medals (and one bronze) at the London Olympics (“Raising The Olympic Bar,” Aug. 10).
Instead of trying to hide the fact that she is Jewish, as is done by many of our brethren in the public eye, she proudly performed her gold-medal-winning routine to “Hava Nagilah,” probably the best-known Hebrew folk song, saying, “I am Jewish. That’s why I wanted the floor music.”
She then stuck it to the International Olympic Committee by invoking the massacre of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich games. It is the 40th anniversary of that outrage, and the gutless International Olympic Committee, led by President Jacques Rogge, refused to honor the slain athletes with a moment of silence at the opening ceremonies. I do not know how observant Ms. Raisman is, but as Jews we must all be very proud of her, and we all must thank her.
Kew Gardens Hills, Queens
