I OPINION CONTENTS A Jewish American Or American Jew? AIMEE LEVITT A, m I a Jewish Ameri- can or an American Jew? At times it's hard to tell. When I come home from shul, I feel very Jewish on the inside, no mat- ter where I am on the globe. But there are times at school and at home where I feel very American. It's difficult to say what I am because my birth cer- tificate says I am an American citizen. Yet, I have another certificate that says I am 100 percent Jewish. I study American history at school, but I also go to Hebrew school to learn about Jewish history. As a Jew, I will become a grown-up when I am bat mitzvah this year. But, as an American, I won't receive full benefit of my American citizenship until I hit 21. My name is Aimee. It says so right there on my birth cer- tificate. But at Hebrew school, they call me "Chana", because that's what's written on my Jewish birth cer- tificate. It almost seems as if I am two different people: Aimee, the American, and Chana, the Jew. My family has lived in America for less than 100 Aimee Levitt, age 12, of Long Grove, Ill., is the granddaughter of Monte and Brenda Levitt of Detroit. 26 CLOSE-UP A Whole Loaf years. But they have been Jewish forever. So technical- ly, Judaism comes before the country of my birth. Right? But things are changing. My ancestors didn't have any non-Jewish friends, but a good portion of my friends are gentile. Who knows? Maybe one day, when my Hebrew school days are long gone, Judaism will slip into second place behind patriotism. But whoever, or whatever, I am, I'm still the same person inside. I would still be me if I were Jewish American, or American Jewish. So is there really any question at all? But because I am Jewish, my outlook on certain things may be different from that of my fellow Americans. Not all Americans believe that the Holocaust actually happened. Not all Americans are sensetive to anti-Semitism or cringe in horror when they see or hear the words "Hitler," "Nazi," "Pharoah," "Auschwitz," "Holocaust," "idol," or "skinhead." Not too many Americans grin with pride or joy when they read "Moses," "Israel," "Abraham," "Chanukah," "Purim," "Exodus," or "Afikomen." Very few American kids groan when their parents tell them "Time for Hebrew!," "Eat your matzah, dear!," or "Time to go to shul for Yom Kippur!" So being Jewish will always prevent me from total- ly assimilating into American life. On the other hand, I am also very American, too. I prefer pizza to- kishke. "Sum- mer Vacation" are two words of great joy. I celebrate the Fourth of July, Thanksgivi- ing, Labor Day and Memorial Day. I've been to Washington, D.C., not Jerusalem. George Bush is my leader, not a pro- phet from long ago. I've had to memorize the Bill of Rights for school, not the Ten Com- mandments. I don't like the sound of the word "corn- munist," either. I prefer American music to my Haf- tarah, and I speak American English, not Hebrew. I read American books, not the Talmud or the Bible. As I grow older, my level of experience will change my outlook of the world. So I will continue to ask myself if I am an American Jew, or a Jewish American, and I don't think my answers will ever be the same, because my thoughts will always be changing, growing, just like me. ❑ ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM In batches of one or 2,000, there's nothing like challah. 43 LOOKING BACK Gift Of Memory OP- 65 DEBORAH LIPSTADT To remember those who preceded us is to be redeemed by them. BOOKS Power Of The Pen 49 KIMBERLY LIFTON ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM Arthur Hertzberg, Lucy Dawidowicz discuss their latest volumes. FOCUS Breaking Barriers 65 KIMBERLY LIFTON Teachers are shown how to tear down walls of misunderstanding. 69 ENTERTAINMENT Mattamorphosis! This magician transforms a club into a family Matt-inee. 91 EDUCATION 69 Nosh 'n Drash SUSAN GRANT High school students have fun with a new after-school program. 94 HEALTH New Destroyer JACKIE KLEIN An organization and volunteers help families fight Alzheimer's. DEPARTMENTS 32 46 53 54 86 Inside Washington Business Community Synagogues Fine Arts 96 104 106 111 134 Engagements Births Single Life' Classified Ads Obituaries CANDLELIGHTING 91 Friday, November 24, 1989 4:47 p.m. Sabbath ends Nov. 25 5:51 p.m. THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 7