My thanks to the Tribune and Harold Pollack for his op-ed about Julius Rosenwald (“Modern-day billionaires don’t compare to Julius Rosenwald,” Aug. 14). In addition to the many listed gifts he bestowed on the world, Rosenwald also left behind a plethora of very useful quotations.

One of my favorites, which I often use in discussions (or arguments) about the best candidates for elective office, is the following: “Do not be fooled into believing that because a man is rich he is necessarily smart. There is ample proof to the contrary.”

— Frank D’Alessandro, Chicago

Rabbi influenced Rosenwald

I enjoyed the Harold Pollack op-ed on Julius Rosenwald and the effect of his philanthropy on the history of America. But Pollack doesn’t note where Rosenwald’s motivation came from: his Jewish faith and his rabbi, Dr. Emil G. Hirsch, at the Classical Reform synagogue Chicago Sinai Congregation.

Hirsch advised Rosenwald to use part of his fortune to help build high-quality public schools in the South for Black students and to build a bridge to success for many Black students. This was just the start of Hirsch’s influence on Chicago and in fact America. His weekly sermons were about social change as the duty of every Jew based on the Torah and Rabbi Hillel’s teachings to treat others as you would treat yourself.

Hirsch was one of the founders of the NAACP and one of the early supporters and board members of the Chicago Public Library. To stand before Hirsch’s Ark door and his lectern at Chicago Sinai Congregation was to feel the power of faith in creating societal good.

— Frank Vozak, Oak Park

Swimming in Lake Michigan

I enjoyed Michael McColly’s essay on lake swimming (“Lake swimming restores me. But a divide exists in Chicago,” Aug. 18). I, too, learned how to swim at a young age in Lake Michigan.

On warm summer days at South Shore Country Club, Mom clad all six of her kids in red swimsuits so she could easily identify us. We never wore floaties or life vests, and we never took swim lessons.

Under the watchful eyes of lifeguards and parents, we adapted to the cold Lake Michigan water. I remember swim races, underwater handstands and big waves that toppled us over. Even the dreadful summer, when thousands of dead alewives washed ashore, couldn’t stop the O’Rourke kids from frolicking in Lake Michigan.

Because of those childhood days, I’ve become a lifelong lap swimmer. I love to start my day in the cold bracing water of my local YMCA.

Michael’s right. Swimming is more than exercise. It’s a release, a cleansing, a recovery of mind and body.

I wish all kids in Chicago could experience the joy of swimming in Lake Michigan and adapt a lifelong love of swimming.

— Mary Ann O’Rourke, Barrington

The MVP race is exciting

I followed the 2024 MVP race between the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and the Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. and last year’s race between Judge and the Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh, I’m glad to see the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong going toe to toe with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani.

It’s more exciting than theme games such as the recent Field of Dreams contest or the past Speedway game, though those are intriguing, too. Just having this MVP conversation lends a very big hand for baseball.

— Adam Silbert, New York

New job for Poe, Sullivan

I don’t want to create extra work for sportswriters Julia Poe and Paul Sullivan, two staffers who are excellent at their work and always lead with their humanity, but that quality is what qualifies them for more. Like, say, appointing them to the Tribune Editorial Board, which is in need of that very quality.

— Jeff Epton, Chicago

Sold-out shows at Goodman

On the afternoon of Aug. 13, I attended the matinee performance of “Iceboy” in the Albert Theatre of the Goodman Theatre with Nick Offerman and his wife, Megan Mullally, in the roles of Eugene O’Neill and Vera Vimm, respectively. It’s no surprise the remaining performances of the show were sold out. The Albert Theatre is the larger of the two theaters at the Goodman. What a way to conclude the Goodman’s centennial season.

Every season, the Albert Theatre has around five shows, not including the annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”

There are 856 seats in the Albert Theatre. Maybe it is a good thing it doesn’t always have celebrities in shows. Everyone would be crammed in the lobby.

— Stephen Verhaeren, Palos Park

Entertained by ‘Bliss’ comic

I have never subscribed to a newspaper until about a year ago when I discovered the Chicago Tribune carries the “Bliss” cartoon most days. I promptly subscribed to the online edition and have been exceptionally pleased with myself for doing so.

Bliss and his dog Penny never disappoint; neither do his other dogs and squirrels. His humor on human nature is usually spot-on. I am not a fan of his grim reaper, but who cares? I know Penny will return!

— Deborah Bayly, Chicago

Note to readers

Construction on Chicago streets and bridges this summer has created headaches for many drivers. We’d like to hear from you about your frustrations with the delays and the city’s management of the closures and detours. Send a letter of no more than 400 words by Wednesday, Sept. 2 to letters@chicagotribune.com. Be sure to include your full name and city/town.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.