HE JEWISH NEWS Serving Detroit's Metropolitan Jewish Community with distinction for four decades. Editorial and Sales offices at 20300 Civic Center Dr., Suite 240, Southfield, Michigan 48076-4138 Telephone (313) 354-6060 OP-ED .1•••• Harry Cohen Is A Jewish Hero On A Human Scale DR. GARY A. TOBIN PUBLISHER: Charles A. Buerger ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Arthur M. Horwitz EDITOR EMERITUS: Philip Slomovitz EDITOR: Gary Rosenblatt CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Elie Wiesel ART DIRECTOR: Kim Muller-Thym NEWS EDITOR: Alan Hitsky LOCAL NEWS EDITOR: Heidi Press STAFF WRITER: David Holzel LOCAL COLUMNIST: Danny Raskin OFFICE STAFF: Lynn Fields Percy Kaplan Pauline Max Marlene Miller Dharlene Norris Jeri Poma Mary Lou Weiss Pauline Weiss Ellen Wolfe ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Lauri Biafore Millie Felch Randy Marcuson Rick Nessel Danny Raskin PRODUCTION: Donald Cheshure Cathy Ciccone Curtis Deloye Joy Gardin Ralph Orme © 1987 by The Detroit Jewish News (US PS 275-520) Second Class postage paid at Southfield, Michigan and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: 1 year - $24 — 2 years $45 — Out of State - $26 — Foreign - $38 CANDLELIGHTING AT 4:54 P.M. VOL. XC, NO. 19 Flirting With Democracy This year marks the beginning of the third decade of Israeli control of the West Bank. The past two decades have been troubling for both Israelis and West Bank Palestinians. The Israeli presence has fostered a generation that identifies themselves (whether consciously or not) as conquerors and victims. The presence has not eased Israel's military burdens and it has certainly not lessened the West Bank Palestinians' hatred of Israel. And it has exacerbated the gaps that split Israeli society: Some Israelis swear that settling the West Bank is the key to peace in the Mideast — or, at least, to a stalemate in the region. Others are convinced that Israel's relinquishment of the disputed land is the road to peace. But there has been at least one unexpected consequence of the 20-year presence. As painful as it has been for West Bank residents, many have come to appreciate the democratic ideas and institutions which Israel embodies. Despite the current rioting by West Bank teenagers, despite Israel's censorship of West Bank newspapers and severe restrictions on West Bank political activity, many residents of the West Bank are convinced that Israel's political system is superior to that of their Arab neighbors. This does not please Jordan, the probable link in any West Bank confederation. The contamination of democracy does not appeal to the Hashemite monarchy, even one as reputedly "moderate" as King Hussein's. But perhaps the West Bank's enthusiasm for democracy should please Israelis. They may not agree with the mood or the aims of many West Bank residents. But the spread of democracy in the Middle East is certainly a benign counterbalance to the Moslem fundamentalism that has infected the region. . Slow Down In '87 1986 is gone, and none too soon. It had its high points — notably the release of Anatoly Shcharansky from a Soviet prison — but it will also be remembered as the year of a number-of crises and scandals: the Iran arms deal, the Challenger tragedy, Libya's Qaddafi, Ivan Boesky, Chernobyl, Len Bias. One simple lesson, but one so hard for political leaders to get right, is essential in this year of continuing probes into the Iran arms mess and escalating activity on the road to Campaign '88. And that is that our leaders should tell us the truth, as quickly and as directly as possible. Particularly when there's a problem. The American people are very forgiving when you come clean with them and ask for their empathy. A bit more philosophical lesson is for us to slow down and do it well, whatever it may be. What many of last year's tragedies seemed to share in common — from the spread of AIDS via casual sex to the Wall Street scandals, from the Challenger explosion to the Administration's foolhardy decision to trade arms for hostages — was an effort to act quickly, take the short-cut. And what we must do, instead, is focus on the thoughtful, long-term quality approach. Easier said than done, no doubt, but a worthwhile goal for the new year. H arry Cohen is a modern Jewish hero, unknown to all but his own family and friends. He has not been on the evening news, nor has he been interviewed for a local televi- sion special. He lives in Sharon, Mass. with his wife, Bea. They have been married 47 years and obviously love each other as only those who have shared a lifetime can love. Like so many heroes, Harry cer- tainly does not think of himself that way. In his everyday life he buys and sells surplus metals. Although he is 71 years old, Harry plans to work full time for the next ten years, and then half time for the ten years after that. He might consider slowing down then, he says. He plays a tough gin rummy game, and not for pennies. He hasn't saved anyone from a raging fire lately, or done anything else in the hero business. He goes to synagogue every week but that makes him unusual, not extraordinary. Mark Abrams, who is 38 years old, also goes to synagogue every week. Being at shul is Mark's passion. You will never see anyone sing with more joy, or daven with more passion. Mark is a devoted Jew. Mark is also mentally retarded. And every week he sits with Harry Cohen, as he has been doing for almost ten years. Mark lives in a halfway house in Wrentham. There is no synagogue in that town. Temple Israel in Sharon is the closest synagogue. With some ef- fort, Mark's father managed to ar- range for the state to provide transpor- tation for Mark's religious "needs." Being away from his parents, Mark missed his time at his own shul, which is now too far away. There, he Dr. Gary A. Tobin is director of the Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University. davened, was part of the minyan, and an active worshipper. When he came to Temple Israel, it was Harry Cohen who saw Mark; un- familiar, uncomfortable, and alone. It was Harry Cohen who asked Mark to sit with him because, as Harry tells you, "It was the right thing to do." They have been together ever since. "Harry, can I kiss the Torah?" Mark knows the service from be- ginning to end. He cannot read He- brew, but of course, neither can many Perhaps if ignored long enough, all these imperfect Jews would disappear. They are usually invisible in Jewish life. other people in the synagogue. He chants the words and follows every part of the service, but he wants reas- surance that he is doing the proper prayer in the right way. He looks to Harry for guidance. Even though Mark knows what to do when the Torah passes, Harry reassures him, as he has done for ten years, that it is good to kiss the Torah. "Harry, can I come to Kiddush?" Mark is very social, loves people, and loves to shake hands. Sometimes he slaps you on the back with a tre- mendous excitement. Kiddush is spe- cial, for it is time for Mark to say hello to everyone. Mark takes pride that the new rabbi "already knows who I am." I asked Mark what he likes most about being at shul. He did not hesi- tate when he answered "everything." Nor did he hesitate when I asked him who he liked best at shul. "Harry." "Why?" I asked. "Because he's "my pal." "What do you like best about Harry?"