LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Mitzvah madness I hung my head in shame after I read the front page article June 22 on "Mitzvah Madness." It is a very sad comment that an event of such great significance as a Bar Mitzvah has a theme of a circus, the "Munsters," etc. Is there any wonder that our ypung people have no iden- tification with our great heritage and no need to per- petuate traditions? The parents of the boys may select any theme they wish to entertain them- selves. But do you, as the only Jewish paper, find it important enough to put it on the front page. It is dis- graceful. Mrs. Alfreda Natowicz • Administrator, Temple Israel Merrill concert Many thanks to Cong. Shaarey Zedek for a most enjoyable evening with Robert Merrill. S. Moore • spiTzER's 11 Mile & Lahser, Southfield Loaners Provided FREE Pick-up & Delivery FREE SPITZER'S SUPER SPECIAL Capri LEASING CO. DIVISION OF CITY FOODS SERVICE CO. 1 I Transportation Specialists I (313) 569-6900 Ask for 48076 356-6080 Open All Day Sunday Never Leave Your Home or Office CALL US WE'LL COME TO YOU! 26431 Southfield, Lathrup Village, MI HaRrTard THE JEWISH BOOK OF WHY? • NOW $975 Retail $12.95 Published By Jonathan & David Publishers 1.11.m. good with coupon only • Ask for LEE ROTH I ALL BEST SELLER BOOKS DISCOUNTED Maccabi housing I would like to take this opportunity to respond to Mr. David Kahan's letter of June 15 regarding the need for housing of our guest Maccabi athletes. I cer- tainly appreciate Mr. Ka- han's support of our cause. He was one of the first to volunteer his home and ob- viously has strong feelings regarding the value of the Maccabiah. Our need for host housing for these young Jewish athletes is still not fulfilled. We still need to find housing for approximately 250 youngsters. However, I feel the necessity to stress some very positive aspects of our Jewish community's sup- port. There are currently 225 volunteers signed up as workers on the various committees that will stage the games. There are also 350 families who have vol- unteered to host over 750 of our guests. The success of our games in terms of national and in- ternational participation is already assured. However, the most important ingre- dient for the success of these games is the support of the host community. I have great confidence that the members of our Jewish community will contiue to come forth and offer their participaton and hospitality for this unique Jewish event. Jay H. Robinson Chairman, 1984 United States Maccabi Youth Games• Danger of TNT Continued on next page WATCII1 IVICINTIA113 OUR PRICES OFFER YOU THE BEST SAVINGS ON ALL FINE JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES - The finest selection of name brands with three generations remembering "the customer comes first"; and on the prem- ises service to back-up your jewelry selection. Watches Crystal Accessories Fine Jewelry, Diamonds Seiko, Movado, Citizen, Corum, Universal Geneve, Pulsar Kosta Boda, littala, Royal Krona, Reijmyre Colibri, Cross, Dunhill, Maruman, Lucite, Jam, Win Gold chains, bracelets, earrings, pins, necklaces Rings, pendants, bracelets, pins, watches ‘ SUNSET 2 For the past two-three weeks I have followed the news about "Terror Against terror," the Jewish under- ground terrorist formation. I have read various articles by. sociologists, Orthodox and secular professionals, and journalists about the formation and development of this group. I am also fol- lowing the events at the trial of the leaders of the terrorist groups. I am horrified by how these leaders and their sup- porters interpret the teach- ings of the Bible, and their zeal in following their belief I I - mu II l ia[1. 8POWI "Mitzvah Madness" on page one of the June 22 edi- tion would seem to indicate a startling departure in pol- icy from supportive to sen- sational. Taking into account the large number of Bar/Bat Mitzvah observances that take place each year in the local community, the im- plied suggestion that their celebrations are beyond good taste is a dangerous and misleading statement. Rather than emphasizing negative aspects of the Bar Mitzvah celebration, how much more meaningful to stress the positives of the Bar Mitzvah service: 1. the years of preparation re- quired; 2. the guidance of our rabbis to the signifi- cance of Bar Mitzvah; 3. the sensitivity, warmth and beauty of the service at which Bar Mitzvah takes place; 4. the caring`, touch- ing, almost wistful ex- pressions of faith pro- claimed by the growing number of youngsters who are twinned with Russian kids. The test of the success of Bar Mitzvah is not the party, but whether a child decides, together with his parents, to continue Jewish education. If criticism is to be leveled, implied or otherwise, it should not be on the basis of a party, but on the realization that a 13-year-old is not capable of making a decision to quit being a Jew, particularly during the most formative years of life. Just a few weeks ago, on Shavuot, we at Temple Is- rael witnessed the confir- mation of 122 of our youngsters. For most, it meant two years of study beyond Bar Mitzvah age._ Many will continue through the three high school years. It would seem to me that there is more significance in emphasizing the positive aspects of communal cele- bration rather than the negatives of a "Goodbye Columbus" approach. And, just to set the record straight, the implication of the "Mitzvah Madness" story that you can't kosher cater at Temple Israel is in- correct. It can and is done on request. Frank L. Simons Want To Be Pampered? ENJOY UNEQUALED SERVICE 5 Friday, July 6, 1984 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS HOURS Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.. 10 am 6 pm Thursday 10 am- 8 pm Saturday 10 am - 5 pm