Jewish-vegan link not surprising

As president of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America, I was very pleased to see your article, "Beliefs lead to activism: Utah native's protests for PETA has roots in his Jewish faith." Benjamin Goldsmith's promotion of vegetarianism and animal rights based on Jewish values is not surprising, because of the inconsistencies of animal-based diets and agriculture with basic Jewish (and other religions') teachings to treat animals with compassion, preserve human health, preserve the environment, conserve natural resources, and help hungry people.

People interested in connections between Judaism and vegetarianism can find much information at the JVNA Web site, JewishVeg,com. I hope that many people will act on that information, for the sake of our health, and that of our precious but imperiled planet.

Richard H. Schwartz

professor emeritus, College of Staten Island

Staten Island, N.Y.