EDITORIAL
Gaza Tragedy
Much can be said, legitimately and reasonably, about why Israel
must retain its occupation role in the Gaza Strip. And why her
soldiers have used live ammunition to quell riots there this week,
the most deadly clashes in two decades of occupation.
But for those who worry most about what impact such confron-
tations have on the Israelis themselves, particularly the young
soldiers carrying out the orders, a photograph in this week's
newspapers was deeply disturbing. The photo showed an Israeli
soldier kicking an Arab youth during the Gaza uprising, with the
youth having just been beaten on the head by a second Israeli soldier.
Our immediate instinct is to call attention to the inherent bias
such a photo conveys, to address the fact that the Arabs in Gaza have
provoked such reactions and, on a broader level, to put the current
uprising in perspective of the Arab-Israel conflict. Yet none of that
speaks to the sense of sadness one feels when acknowledging the
difficult and disturbing role of Israeli soldiers today. One recalls the
words of Golda Meir, that while she could forgive the Arabs for kill-
ing Israeli soldiers, she could never forgive them for making killers
out of Israeli young men.
to judge me,' " Gorbachev told a group of publishers the next day.
Another account had him saying, "You're not the prosecutor and I'm
not the accused."
To date, then, there have been no miracles. And we should not
expect them. Rather we must continue our efforts — the same ef-
forts that have helped several hundred thousand Soviet Jews leave
for Israel and freedom over the last two decades. And we should be
comforted and inspired by the Chanukah candles we light this week,
seeing in their glow the conviction that action makes a difference.
Indeed, there is an age-old question: what was the miracle of the
first day of Chanukah — since there was enough oil to burn for one
day? And one of the most satisfying answers given is that the miracle
was in the faith that it took to light the menorah, knowing there
was not enough to last.
As we dedicate our prayers this week to our brethren who re-
main oppressed, let us acknowledge the miracle: that they have kindl-
ed the first light by taking up the struggle. And may we be inspired
to continue that struggle on their behalf.
The Miracle Today
The parallels between the Chanukah story and the current strug-
gle of the Jews of the USSR are striking. How the Maccabees prevail-
ed against their mighty oppressors, and the Soviet Jews have strug-
led to maintain their identity and gain their freedom in the face
of imprisonment. How the message of Chanukah, contained in the
symbol of the small cruse of oil that burned for eight days, is in the
belief that hope and prayer can prevail against all odds.
It is important to be mindful of that miracle in the wake of the
natural letdown facing Soviet Jewry activists now. For despite the
largest Jewish rally ever held in Washington, the gates of emigra-
tion have not opened wide. And according to the New York Times
account of Reagan's first talk last Monday with Gorbachev, when
the President advanced the cause of human rights and mentioned
that 200,000 Americans had marched on behalf of Soviet Jewry the
day before, the Soviet leader responded with anger.
"I told the President: 'I'm not on trial here, and you're not a judge
LETTERS
Commitment
To Oak Park
Today, Cong. B'nai Moshe is
in the hub of the Jewish com-
munity. The demographics of
Oak Park has remained at 40
percent Jewish population
throughout the years. We
have always had Orthodox,
Conservative and Reform
synagogues and temples. All
of us must reach an
understanding as to the needs
of the Jewish community.
It is apparent at Cong.
B'nai Moshe that President
Robert Roth and "energetic"
Rabbi Meyerowitz (who has a
four-month tenure) do not
have a clear understanding of
our Jewish community ("The
Energizer" Dec. 4).
We cannot continue to build
synagogues in other areas
and abandon our fellow Jews
in Oak Park. This must stop!
6
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1987
The federal government,
through the Department of
Transportation, has provided
our Jewish community with
landscaped decks and play
areas over the 1-696 freeway.
One of those decks is to the
rear of Cong. B'nai Moshe,
and the other deck will be
constructed in 1988 behind
the Federation Apartments.
These decks are built to
preserve our Jewish com-
munity for access to
synagogues and temples.
Otherwise, we would have a
"ditch" through Oak Park.
We are the only communi-
ty in the United States where
this phenomenon has happen-
ed. The U.S. government is
fulfilling their commitment,
but where is the commitment
to the City of Oak Park by
Cong. B'nai Moshe? It took
many trips to Washington,
D.C. to ensure and save these
federal commitments to the
tune of $96 million for the
decks and $7.5 million for the
third unit of senior citizens
housing at Federation Apart-
ments in Oak Park.
Is the new rabbi aware of
the continuing support of the
Jewish Welfare Federation to
Oak Park with the recently
instituted "Neigoborhood
Project?"
I would hope that the
leadership at Cong. B'nai
Moshe would begin to think
positively. Our Jewish com-
munity is an integral part of
Oak Park. Look at Nine Mile,
Ten Mile, Coolidge and Lin-
coln to see the viability. The
Jewish Community Center
serves the community and is
planning an expansion. I
would consider this a strong
commitment to our communi-
ty of Oak Park.
Cong. B'nai Moshe must
continue to serve our people
and continue to invest in our
"Family City." We in city
government are prepared to
help.
Mayor Charlotte M. Rothstein,
Oak Park
with many new friendships
formed.
I compliment the Jewish
Welfare Federation for this in-
credible experience.
Harvey Bronstein
Southfield
Inspirational
Experience
My wife and I were privileg-
ed to participate in the
freedom demonstration in
Washington, D.C. It was the
most moving and inspira-
tional event in my life.
Approximately 1,000 Jews
from our area, Orthodox, Con-
servative, Reform and secular
all went as one. Our corn-
munity which has shown
serious signs of division was
in complete harmony.
Two hundred thousand peo-
ple from across the country
also went as one. Many of us
were friends before this event,
but we all came back closer
Continued on Page 10
Let Us Know
The Jewish News wel-
comes letters from our
readers on subjects of con-
cern to the Jewish
community.
Letters must be concise,
typewritten and double-
spaced. Correspondence
must include the signa-
ture, home address and
daytime phone number of
the writer.
Our address:
20300 Civic Center Dr.
Suite 240
Southfield, MI 48076