I’ve read your article and am quite surprised. I also attend these services and have NEVER encountered the things you are accusing these people of. Your rhetoric is baseless and I might say, quite hateful. It sounds like you have personal issues that may require counseling, if indeed you are a soldier, it will be provided for you. You stated that cong. members have had their phones on, I know of at least one doctor, who attends, and is on call 24/7. Also, there are members who care for handicapped/ill relatives and friends! They need to be available at all times for emergencies, you should be able to see the common sense in this. The services are geared towards all denominations, if you had a problem with either the english or hebrew, I’m quite sure any member would have sat with you and guided you in the service. I’ve seen that done before. They meet at that chapel because there is no appropriate space available on main post, this cong. comes with a larger kosher kitchen and library. Also, as anyone knows, it’s not easy to arrange holiday, services etc… with another religious cong. in the same building. As this Mr. Cohen states, there is a reform group meeting off post, they are as far as I know, mostly nonjews. Mr. Cohen also states he “knows” of these incidents you speak of, he should be careful that he is not encouraging this merely to build up his group, there are quite a few “incidents” which I have witnessed reguarding Mr. Cohen and the reason he no longer attends. I’m not being disrespectful, I just believe people should tell the truth. Blogging hurtful and hateful messages like yous is not the jewish thing to do.

I would like to make a correction to your ascertation.  Evidently, you have not been to the “reform group”.  Those that attended our first service last Friday were all Jewish, other than one individual who is in process of seeking conversion. We also now have a name: Congregation Simcha Sinai.  We are in process of affiliation with the Union of Reform Judaism, who have graciously provided us with prayerbooks. While we are small, we are growing.  We offer to those who want a choice that right. We do not discourage those who wish to attend the services at West Ft. Hood. However, as in any city, we realize that more than one congregation can exsist. I stopped attending services at West Ft. Hood, as I no longer felt welcomed as congregation member, nor as the appointed lay leader.  My name is Larry Cohen and I am not hiding behind any other name other than my own.